Coworker retiring today

**disneysteve** · 06-21-2011, 12:58 PM

We'll all get there one day. Just have patience and keep preparing for it.

My cousin, who is 10 years older than me, retired last May at the age of 55 and just moved to Florida 3 weeks ago. He is in heaven, enjoying every minute of it. I'm happy for him but also incredibly jealous. I know there is no way I'll be retiring at 55. I'm hoping for 62 if all goes well.

**cypher1** · 06-21-2011, 01:15 PM

My dad's last day at the Post Office is this Saturday. He's 63 and has been there for the last 35 or 36 years (I think). I can't fathom the idea of retirement, since he's been there longer than I've been born. But I'm very proud him and my mom, and for their health.

**tripods68** · 06-21-2011, 01:32 PM

Yep! That's all we can all do. I'm fairly young 42 soon to be 43 but the end seems so far. But it's nice to see other people final days at work, amidst today's economic conditions. "Americans can't afford to retire..blah..blah..blah!"

Good for her...!

**tripods68** · 06-21-2011, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by cypher1 View Post

My dad's last day at the Post Office is this Saturday. He's 63 and has been there for the last 35 or 36 years (I think). I can't fathom the idea of retirement, since he's been there longer than I've been born. But I'm very proud him and my mom, and for their health.

Oh good! Congratulation to your dad. JELOUS!

**krantcents** · 06-21-2011, 03:24 PM

Have you thought about taking your feelings to motivate you to do more in terms of saving to reach retirement sooner? I retired at 38 years old! That was 26 years ago. I do work, but it is because I love what I do. The last 10 years I have been teaching in high school.

**bjl584** · 06-22-2011, 08:38 AM

Congrats to your coworker.

My Mom will be retiring at the end of this coming September.

I on the other hand, have a loooong way to go...

**dancinmama** · 06-22-2011, 08:52 AM

We've been planning for DH's retirement ever since we were 24. He was SUPPOSED TO retire in January 2012 at age 55; but now with the possible changes in medicare it may be delayed. We don't feel comfortable going into retirement without knowing the possible ramifications of what will be a the largest expense that we will have in retirement. He is NOT HAPPY right now.

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 06-22-2011, 10:36 AM

dancinmama, you are wise to continually re-evaluate the situation regarding probable expenses during retirement.

I'm thinking that in what ever form Medicare continues, it is not as likely to provide for recipients as well as it currently does. I know a number of older people who've had joint replacements that enable them to remain quite active and able to take care of themselves (and even other family members) for years to come. But if Medicare would stop covering things like that, there will be many more of us who will be wheelchair or bed-bound. Many of us will have some days when we can get up and down the stairs into our houses, but some days when we risk our bones and body to do so. Not having that kind of mobility can cause even more daily expense--someone to come in and clean, someone to do the yard work, someone to do the shopping, possibly someone to assist with bathing, clothing, laundry, and so many things....So we may need to try to afford joint replacements on our own, or shouldering a greater proportion of the expense, or else be ready to shell out for the additional help we will need. Money, money, money, ya know.

That is just one example of many changes that I think could come to Medicare. This example in particular came to mind because I know a woman in her 70's who is very much alive and vital. She is very important to her children and grandchildren's economic well-being in that she has provided so many hours of child care and transportation. Her church would have the rug pulled out from under them if all the volunteer work she does there had to end due to her bad knees and bad shoulder. She still is contributing importantly at age 74, but without Medicare, she would not be. So aside from the humanitarian reasons to help people like her through Medicare, there are economic impacts to consider....And I'm thinking that I/we need to keep watching and participating in public policy making so that we understand what to expect in the future and what we can do to prepare as best as we can.

**DebbieL** · 06-22-2011, 10:45 AM

I sure as heck don't wish I were retirement age. As my dad always told me when I was young (and would say things such as "I can't wait for my birthday to get here") - he'd say "Don't wish your life away kid".

**cschin4** · 06-22-2011, 12:02 PM

I can't fathom 30+ yrs in the same job!

**97guns** · 06-22-2011, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by krantcents View Post

Have you thought about taking your feelings to motivate you to do more in terms of saving to reach retirement sooner? I retired at 38 years old! That was 26 years ago. I do work, but it is because I love what I do. The last 10 years I have been teaching in high school.

the key to retiring is saving and then making an income flow for yourself, i retired last year at 39. i never had a great job just 40K a year for 12 years and im out. i had 3 jobs in those 12 years and believe it or not the bulk of my wealth was made with home depot, worked there for 4 years and topped out at $17/hr. i put every penny they would allow me into the company stock, it went through 3 splits while i was there. the last year and a half i've been laying on the couch watching t.v.

**wincrasher** · 06-22-2011, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by 97guns View Post

the key to retiring is saving and then making an income flow for yourself, i retired last year at 39. i never had a great job just 40K a year for 12 years and im out. i had 3 jobs in those 12 years and believe it or not the bulk of my wealth was made with home depot, worked there for 4 years and topped out at $17/hr. i put every penny they would allow me into the company stock, it went through 3 splits while i was there. the last year and a half i've been laying on the couch watching t.v.

I hope you decide to find a better use for the rest of your life than sitting on the couch watching TV.

**gambler2075** · 06-22-2011, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by DebbieL View Post

I sure as heck don't wish I were retirement age. As my dad always told me when I was young (and would say things such as "I can't wait for my birthday to get here") - he'd say "Don't wish your life away kid".

I have to say that I agree with the fact that one shouldn't just wish they were retirement age already... My plan is to work a little less and enjoy my youth as much as I can. I can't count the number of times I have seen patients come with life-changing injuries or illnesses (or dying) in their 50's that had no idea they would be there the day before. These are people that were expecting to retire in a decade and live another 20 years retired...

I'm not saying that one should be a hedonist and only live in the moment, but that one should perhaps work a little less and enjoy a little more when they still have the health to do so, if that is financially feasible. I also think it isn't necessary to spend a bazillion dollars on keeping up with the Jones, or get a new car every few years. I plan on working less than half time for now to see how things go. I have very little expenses now that I have essentially paid off my med school loans (and don't have a family), and since I work in the ER I have pretty much as much flexibility as I want.

g

**landon.bruno** · 06-22-2011, 08:58 PM

You know what’s interesting? A lot of people look forward to retirement but when it actually happens, they find themselves with too much time on their hands and completely unmoored with the routine gone.

Coworker retiring today