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ArchieAus
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Default Jun 04, 2018 at 09:11 PM
  #1
Hi
I'll be hitting 55 in a two years and intend to move to a semi retired status ( between 1.5 years and 2 years time ) . I was just wondering if anyone had any words of wisdom on retirement ( not overly keen on that word , sounds like the finish of something when it should be the beginning of something ) , but anyway , back on topic . If you had any advice or thoughts on how you found work not being the major influence in your life . Were there any challenges to overcome mentally from not being chained to a job for 50 hours a week ?
My plan would be to move to employment that more suited a better work life balance from 55-60 ( would have to earn about 1/7th of current salary for those years to not touch my own funds ) then to either continue that after 60 or just do volunteer work . I just would appreciate hearing from people who have already done it to see if they would have done it different if they had their time again ?
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Default Jun 05, 2018 at 08:12 AM
  #2
so many people, esp. men, who have lived for their work, find life after retirement unbearable (so i hear). i think it's wise to taper off, work part time or at a less stressful job, something that you really love. volunteer work has served me well, for many reasons,,, i keep my skills up, and i love what i do, and i love that it is helping others.

i wish you the best in the coming years, good changes... and do keep in touch with us~

retirement-holy grail or poison chalis ?

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Default Jun 08, 2018 at 11:00 PM
  #3
I had to go on disability when I was in my 50's, so I guess I am retired. I am enjoying all the free time, so I see it as the holy grail. I wish I could teach some, though, since that was my occupation.
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Default Jun 10, 2018 at 02:34 PM
  #4
My husband retired 3 times, after a quad bypass. I am 62, still work; he's 72, in excellent health, plays on the computer all day, waits on me to cook, never flushes anymore (), so I think he has found the holy grail...me.
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Smile Jun 10, 2018 at 06:55 PM
  #5
Well... I'm "retired", so to speak. Actually I stopped working in my early 50's due to a combination of medical, mental health & situational concerns. (It would be a very long story. So I'll spare you the details.) I also play on the computer most of the day (mostly here on PC.) But I also clean, cook, bake bread, do laundry, & take the dog out for his walks... sometimes with my wife... sometimes alone. I used to do quite a bit of yard work & home improvement sorts of stuff. But we moved to a townhome a few years ago. So I don't have any of that to do anymore.

I kind-of wish I had done what it sounds like you plan to do. I wish I had found a job that paid less but was something I could enjoy doing & where there wasn't a lot of pressure (assuming there is anything like that.) But I didn't... again for a number of reasons. I think the main thing is to have a plan & a solid foundation for implementing that plan when you're ready to retire from your present job. From my perspective, it's amazing how quickly a person can sink into the mud, so to speak, if you retire first with the idea that you'll figure out what to do later.

Our local TV news stations frequently do human interest pieces on older people, frequently men, who have some hobby or skill they pursue. I always admire them. There was one piece about an older man who's been building a wood sailboat for 30 years, I think it was! He said he doesn't even care if he lives to finish it & sail it. It's the joy of getting up every day & working on it that's important to him. I think that's the way to live...

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Default Jun 11, 2018 at 02:36 PM
  #6
I retired because I got fired and my senior training grant ran out. That's a pattern. crappy job, abusive environment, eventually break and get fired. This last time I was too old to start over. I don't think anyone would hire me anyway. I made it to 62 and retired but it reduced my monthly payment substantially. I still help out at the senior meal site, but just don't get paid anymore.

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Default Jun 12, 2018 at 07:14 AM
  #7
Thanks for your input and perspective . I appreciate your honesty ( always like Skee's input , he's a favourite of mine ) .
Thank you .
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Default Jun 12, 2018 at 09:01 PM
  #8
I've had to quit working and next week, have an disability hearing to go to.Worked for 6-1/2 years at a place and was let go( being honest).Turned out to be a great thing! Hated it there!! ' Have to see what comes of this hearing!!
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Default Jun 12, 2018 at 11:01 PM
  #9
I’m reading along. I have no real plans, but man I wish I did.

I have mixed feelings about my job, but I have no exit strategy. Usually, I love the excitement of a new job, and I would like something less stressful, but this lithium is killing me (no energy, no motivation, weight gain, crossed into diabetes again). Literally. I can’t decide what to do about any of it.

I can draw my late husband’s social security as early as age 60, but it’s something like only half his benefit and I won’t be able to get Medicare yet.

Sigh.

I do feel retirement/bankruptcy is where my mother spiraled downward. I’m afraid of that.
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Default Jun 12, 2018 at 11:12 PM
  #10
do let the disability people see and hear your worse side, Butterscotch~ they really need to know what happens when you hit bottom....

you too, key tones, i know personally how 'taxing' poverty can be... but you have to go to working half time or get disability unemploymennt benefits if you ever want to transition to SSDI... gads, they don't make it easy~

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Default Jun 13, 2018 at 03:27 PM
  #11
If you are not grateful with what you have . What makes you think you will be happy with more .

Be happy with what you have , while working towards what you want .

I know ...slogans .. I don't normally subscribe , plus it also trivialises those in the world just struggling to survive .... but , I try to focus on these types of thoughts these days . Try not to compare myself with others or never feel content with what I've achieved .
This may be the biggest lesson I have struggled with over the last 5 years . The last thing I want to happen is to get to the point where I have control of my own destiny and to squander it by having no idea what I want . Of course nothing is certain , so your always going to have reservations . I'll fall back on the Stockdale Paradox on that one and " confront the reality of my current situation , but always believe I will triumph in the end " .. but anyway , for today ...I will pull the boots on and head off into the night to toil , and be happy for what I have right now .
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Default Jun 14, 2018 at 12:26 PM
  #12
I retired when I was 55. My company outsourced our department to Mexico. I was agonizing about the whole search for a job as a 55 year old woman. My husband finally told me “why don’t you just quit, you don’t need to work, and we don’t need the money.” I was kind of shocked and it didn’t even occur to me. I had been working for 40 years and didn’t know another way to live. Fortunately finances aren’t an issue for us because we own our own company. My husband only works 2 days a week from home.

Anywho i retired. At first it was decedent. I spent weeks in my pajamas. I read tons of books. After a while I felt rudderless without the constant pull and structure of work, laundry of work clothes, having to get up at a certain time every day. My self motivation was not kicking in.

Eventually I snapped out of it and started listing all the things that I always wanted to do but didn’t have the time. I take art class twice a week and putter around my home more than I used to ..and enjoy it. I love to read and have the freedom to do that as much as I want.

It’s a drastic adjustment but it can be done

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Default Jun 30, 2018 at 06:34 AM
  #13
For me (I've been retired over 12 years) it has been a learning experience. One has one's expectations and "plans" and has read books, etc. but it's not like that It's like any other stage; you think you know how it will go, being married or having children, say, and then you live the experience and find it is different. I'm doing that now with "aging".

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Default Jun 30, 2018 at 09:46 AM
  #14
In my 50s I experienced severe anxiety and had to give up a good job as a result...I was devastated at try time but too ill to do anything about it. Working all my life and always felt work was more important than anything else, it’s how I was raised 😞
I soon realised working in stressful managerial roles was hiding a multitude of of ills ...the hard work was distractions from it all...

I’ve not worked since, and tbh I’m glad I’ve had time to do things I would not have done or said, in amongst being ill, I changed ...I guess it all depends who you are and what you want ..I now realise I’d been part of a big rat race that added to my Ill health

Best wishes 🌺
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Default Jul 21, 2018 at 06:29 AM
  #15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perna View Post
For me (I've been retired over 12 years) it has been a learning experience. One has one's expectations and "plans" and has read books, etc. but it's not like that It's like any other stage; you think you know how it will go, being married or having children, say, and then you live the experience and find it is different. I'm doing that now with "aging".
Hi Perna!
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Default Sep 23, 2018 at 03:11 AM
  #16
I ended up in kinda a forced retirement. Aerospace industry crashed in Calif when I was in my early 40's. Couldn't find any employment after being a firmware computer design engineer. Lost my identity, my career (& my escape from my bad marriage....long story). Had a breakdown ended up in major depression & just tried to die.

Then after 13 years of that I was finally able to leave that bad marriage. Now I am so busy volunteering, getting involved with hobbies I never imagined I could even do. Busy taking care of my farm & still waiting to get my horse here.

I honestly never thought life could ever be this good. It has made up for all the 54 years before these past 11 good ones. I am busier now than when I was working 70 hours a week in my career & enjoying it more.

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