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Hard to believe but I'm thinking about it.

DocDoc Member Posts: 13,899 ✭✭✭
edited November 2017 in General Discussion
Retirement. Damn, when did I get old enough to be retired? Seems like yesterday I was looking for my first real job. It creeps up on you, man. You turn around and BOOM you're old. I hate it.

I thought that I would never retire once I found my present gig. It was my dream job, the one I had searched for and prepared myself for. Note I said WAS my dream job. Become something of a nightmare last five years. Things have changed and now I think I want out. Breaks my heart that I feel this way.

I would like to put in three more years. That would get me my best Social Security payout and I would like three more years of padding the retirement account. I can pull the pin in twp years at 65 when I can get Medicare for insurance coverage but three would be better. I may not last that long. Institution is contracting due to dramatically falling enrollment and everyone knows layoffs are in the cards come July 1. Have to wait and see.

Not looking forward to the major reduction in income that retirement would bring. Unfortunately I started my career late in life so I don't have enough years in to have a really great retirement fund built up. We won't starve or anything, but there would have to be some changes in our lifestyle.

Who knows? Maybe that heart attack I've been expecting will solve all my problems.
....................................................................................................
Too old to live...too young to die...

Comments

  • kannoneerkannoneer Member Posts: 3,350 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well, my dad had heard too many horror stories about guys who had worked hard their entire lives only to die soon after retirement- if they made it that far. When he was 62 he felt like he didn't have long to live, so he retired. After a few surgeries he felt a lot better, and went on to live until almost 90.
    Another big thing is what you will do after retirement. You can't just sit around the house twiddling your thumbs. That's why I want to work until I die; I don't know what else to do.
  • riflemikeriflemike Member Posts: 10,599
    edited November -1
    im drawing and still working 40 a week...i can make all i can without penalty at my age

    if you have planned and financially in great shape ..you wouldnt have to twiddle your

    unfortunately I DIDN'T
  • WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,813 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If I may Doc- why not ?retire? then teach online to supplement your income?
  • JimmyJackJimmyJack Member Posts: 5,385 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get out as soon as you can afford it and dont look back. Ive been out for17 years and dont know how I had time to go to work. You only go around once, enjoy what you have left. retirement isnt as expensive as you may think.
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 11,109
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JimmyJack
    Get out as soon as you can afford it and dont look back. Ive been out for17 years and dont know how I had time to go to work. You only go around once, enjoy what you have left. retirement isnt as expensive as you may think.





    I'm banking on that JJ. I hope to last 3 more years until I am 60. Work has been kicking my *, the last year or so since my Mitral valve issues resurfaced. It is a very physically strenuous environment.
    Most every day (lately) has been/is a struggle.


    Best to you all, in your decision in this respect, and the outcome.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,133 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ten years of thumb twiddling here. Retirement is what I was born to do.

    I took SS at the earliest possible moment, and used it to pay everything off. Pay nothing now but taxes, and don't know what I'd do with a larger SS check every month. I don't spend any of it now anyway.

    I have a pension, an annuity, and SS. So does my wife. We be fine.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • mrmike08075mrmike08075 Member Posts: 10,998 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would trade almost anything at this point if it meant I could return to work...

    The primary care physicians office called today to start make arraignments for the physical recovery and rehabilitation program to begin - hopefully an intensive outpatient program in their massive facility...

    I have been warned that the first 90 days will be hell on earth and will cause more pain than I am currently in.

    I hope and pray that none of you feel trapped in hard jobs that don't compensate for the work and heart you give each day - or were the HR dept and management are the enemies - or were you fear day to day that you might be let go - or somewhere that's a dead end and you get no respect.

    I hope and pray that you get to retire and to enjoy it without undue burden or trouble.

    But you must understand how desperate I am to get back into a condition were the doctors will allow me to return to work or a job of some sort...

    The label of disability humiliates me and limits me and makes me a burden on others.

    I did an hour of physical therapy today including up and down stair work repeatedly...

    To me it seems like its so insignificant and yet I am an great pain right now and would be challenged to get up and use the bathroom.

    I crawled to the bathroom on my hands and knees a few weeks ago and passed out...

    So I guess it's an improvement.

    They are pleased with my weight gain and other metrics - but the time frame they present for me is hard to acknowledge.

    But I wish all here the best - I truly do.

    Mike
  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Warbirds- I plan to try to scare up some P/T teaching.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 50,947 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are limits to what you can earn while on SS without causing a reduction in SS payments Doc. Last I looked it was not a lot.

    Hang on as long as you can, and find ways to make it work for you. Once I hit the "can go" point it got a lot more fun.
  • mnrivrat48mnrivrat48 Member Posts: 1,711 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had my first heart attack at age 36 and worked.struggled for several more years until another major heart attack and other health issues put me down and on disability. I used to work from sun up to sun down most days. Other than some volunteer work where I could come and go as I was able to, I haven't been able to earn an income for some time now.

    Throw in a divorce and the need to finish raising two girls by myself and I had no chance to save for retirement. Living on Social Security and a vested pension of not much over $100/month and you learn that life is not about stuff.
    I have a warm dry place to sleep and food to eat. Too disabled to do much, so you can count on me to be a person who would love to be able to go to work. Hell, I would just love to get out to a range once in awhile.

    Good luck Doc and make sure you have things to do when you get to retirement - fun things ! [:D]
  • dakotashooter2dakotashooter2 Member Posts: 6,186
    edited November -1
    Im NOT looking forward to retirement. I thought when I got divorced id have so much more time to do fun things. It didnt turn out that way. I dont know what id do if I had more time than I already do.
  • mjrfd99mjrfd99 Member Posts: 4,556 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Retirement is great. I miss the ghetto clown show at times but mostly NOT. Do a thing or 2 for play money. CASH only.
    Wave bye bye to corporate wife at 7:30.
    She comes home at 7p.
    The usual greeting:
    UJNZMb2m.jpg
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 53,466
    edited November -1
    Kind of Scary But as I get Closer they Move the Age of Full retirement out Farther. Just this year it went 2 months farther out. Wonder how far it will move in the 5 years I have to wait.
  • chiefrchiefr Member Posts: 13,715 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Doc, if you really enjoy what you are doing, do not retire or at least keep the bridge.
  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,041 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Retirement: Now you have 8 more hours per day, to spend money.

    Other than that, it's all good.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Me too, only have 30 more years before it becomes a reality.
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
  • austin20austin20 Member Posts: 34,829 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Heck, I am not yet 54 and I am thinking about it.
  • Old-ColtsOld-Colts Member Posts: 22,700 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JimmyJack
    Get out as soon as you can afford it and dont look back. Ive been out for17 years and dont know how I had time to go to work. You only go around once, enjoy what you have left. retirement isnt as expensive as you may think.Yep, this!!!!

    I retired at 60 after 8 years and 9 months in the Navy; then 30 years with a Defense Electronics Company. I've been retired for 12 years now and love it!!!!! I rarely find myself twiddling my thumbs! [:D]

    If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!

  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,478 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Alpine
    Retirement: Now you have 8 more hours per day, to spend money.

    Other than that, it's all good.



    That extra 10 hours a day allows me to have 3 part time jobs.[;)]
  • Old-ColtsOld-Colts Member Posts: 22,700 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by forgemonkey
    quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
    quote:Originally posted by JimmyJack
    Get out as soon as you can afford it and dont look back. Ive been out for17 years and dont know how I had time to go to work. You only go around once, enjoy what you have left. retirement isnt as expensive as you may think.Yep, this!!!!

    I retired at 60 after 8 years and 9 months in the Navy; then 30 years with a Defense Electronics Company. I've been retired for 12 years now and love it!!!!! I rarely find myself twiddling my thumbs! [:D]No, no ,,,,,,,Rumor has it you're known as the 'Piddler on the Roof' ,,,,,,,,,,,,[:D][}:)]Well, I'll admit, I do piddle, but never on a roof! [:D]

    If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!

  • asopasop Member Posts: 8,898 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't have to concern myself with "retirement" as I married right[B)]
  • pulsarncpulsarnc Member Posts: 6,215 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Been retired since Feb 2010.It was not planned but due to workforce reductions and budget cuts by the state I was about the same place you are . Options were to retire or take a demotion and keep working ,chose to go home .Best move yet
    cry Havoc and let slip  the dogs of war..... 
  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    chiefr- Problem is I am not liking the job so much these days. Changing work environment and my reduced capacity to tolerate BS are combining to work against me. If I was in a better financial state I would already be gone. It's sad. I used to love my job and looked forward to going to work each day. Now I want out.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,815 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by austin20
    Heck, I am not yet 54 and I am thinking about it.


    HAHA I am going a month after my 50th birthday...I'm sure I'll find other employment but it won't be wearing a badge!
  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290
    edited November -1
    When I stopped working at 57, I thought it would be my ruin; I'd be a no job havin', taxpayin', couch surfin' homeowner with a paid off truck an' a measly $3K a month retirement.
    Then I got SSID & Medicare, and when I hit 62.5; Social Security kicks in to replace the disability.
    That, and my research-for-hire gigs keep the wolves miles from my door; retirement ain't so bad after all[:D]
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