When did you retire?

[justfishin2]

Well, about a lifetime ago I was a young man. Not so much anymore-not ancient, but getting there. Let's just say that I'll be medicare eligible in a few months, and I'm considering hanging it up. I have a job that is fairly easy but getting more uncertain all the time. I'm an active person and don't intend to slow down unless my health deteriorates. I have a bucket list that includes a LOT of fishing and don't want to wait for that until I can't sit in a boat all day. So, how old were you when you called it quits, and what, exactly, helped make up your mind? Any info you'd care to share about having to cut back on expenses would be appreciated, too. I've tried to calculate all this but have decided it may just be a crap shoot when it comes to being prepared.

[EARL KITCHENS]

I am not quite that age yet but I would suggest sitting down with a trustworthy financial planner to make sure you can retire comfortably. It is unbelievable how much everything cost and rising daily. Health care cost are why I have not retired.

[Eager Beaver]

Earl is right about sitting down with a financial advisor and figure out what you need to do to retire. It may be too late if you haven't done this already, if you are just a few months away from retirement. I retired at age 54 in 2001, or I should say I got retired. I got disabled on the job and had to retire. We have to watch things a little closer than we use too with the price of CD's what they are, or aren't. EB

[Cane Pole]

Something to consider.

http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/retirechart.htm

[CrappiePappy]

Retired April 2013 at the age of 64, after 45yrs of being in the healthcare business.

Retired early because I felt I had done all I could do for my place of business. I had lived well within my means, and managed to save some money as well. I'm a bachelor, so I have only myself to take care of.

When I decided to retire, I counted up what it cost me to maintain my current lifestyle & projected a 5% cost increase per year, over the next 20 yrs, and figured out whether or not I could continue to maintain at that rate. The figures looked promising, so I retired. Whether or not it was a "good" decision, or the "right" decision, at that time ... is yet to be determined. Too many variables to consider. But, so far this past year, I am pretty much on budget & have not had to make any cutbacks or sacrifices.

... cp

[RetiredRR]

JMO, when your eligible to retire, just do it. You only reach that point one time in your lifetime, so jump on it and embrace it. Prior to my retirement in 2002, I had the
opportunity to be a part of a movement to lobby congress and get our retirement benefits changed to.....30 years accumulated service, retire at age 60 with full benefits.
I have been blessed with good health and made a habit of getting everything checked out every two years with a comprehensive medical evaluation. I was not ever in love
with my job, but loved what I did for a living. I have never missed working, but do keep in touch with my working/retired friends several times a year at a dinner. I love the sound of a train blowing it's whistle at every road crossing. I grew up living next to railroad tracks and always wondered as a child, where do those tracks go. Now I know,
and there were many creeks and rivers running under those tracks that I have visited since retiring. Retirement is exactly what you make of it, and I did know a few men
that lived to railroad. Most are gone now because they couldn't handle not working, never planned for retirement, never had a hobby, and I always tried to get them
interested in an outside activity so they would have something to look forward to when they did retire. Life goes on, and you must make the choice to keep up or get left
behind. Once I had a bucket list, now I realize I need to win the lottery to fulfill a couple of things I wanted to do after I retired. For the most part, my bucket list was a
rather short list. If I were to be lifted up unexpectedly, I would go with a grin on my face. No regrets. I believe in my destination.

[Tracker123]

Nice post Joe.

[Don G]

I have been blessed. Worked for a great company, made a fair salary, had great benefits and most of all God has blessed me with good health.I retired at the early age of 50 with a good pension & all benefits paid by my company for myself and my wife. I will be retired 25 years in a few months. It seems like yesterday. Time moves quickly after 50.

Retirement is not the same for everyone. It is what is good for your particular case. If you decide to retire early you had better have a hobby.

My wife also retired from the school system at the age of 53. We do a lot of things together, but not all things. She stays a lot busier than I do.

One thing that is important. You have the last say with your financial advisor. You know your business and lifestyle better than he or she does.

Retire with a positive attitude, surround yourself with good friends, do for your extended family and friends and give thanks to God daily.

[justfishin2]

My, my, those are some sweet words you folks have posted. While my situation is a little different than anyone else's, we are all in the same boat and do have to make up our own minds. I, too, wonder where my youth has gone. An unexpected divorce which turned bitter and cost me more than just $$$, remarriage to a wonderful woman who has been disabled by the stupid WM store where she works and the discovery that I have cancer are all weighing heavily on my mind; however, I refuse to let these distractions keep me from making an informed decision that will prevent both of us from being comfortable in our retirement. Thanks for your input on what is truly important!

[DRPEPPER]

I enjoyed reading the replies to this thread. I have 1506 days left!! I don't intend to quit working. Just a change of vocations. It will probably have something to do with realestate; maybe an RV park or something. DP