The Retirement Thread

[Boone]

I know there has been some 'retirement' talk in the 'over 50' thread but I thought it deserved it's own thread. Of course, I retired last Friday, so it's of interest to me currently

Some general observations and thoughts...

I was surprised at how much administrative work is required to 'get' to retirement. From figuring out how the retirement account you've been contributing to for decades works, to applying for Social Security benefits, to figuring out insurance coverage for you and your loved ones, there is simply a lot to learn and sort out. I found the insurance stuff the most daunting, especially because I was not yet 65. There are no great options. I thought I might be able to access VA health benefits but they have strict requirements based on your income. The ACA eliminated most of the rebates and discounts and it was not 'affordable' for my wife and I. I ended up deciding just to continue my existing insurance via Cobra for a year. Ridiculously expensive but my only real option in the short-term.

I tend not to 'process' big life changes in real-time, and retirement has been no exception. There was drama going on at the time of my actual last day of work. Unbeknownst to most of my work peers, I learned that the satanic Health System leadership currently in power had decided to completely shut down the rehab unit I worked on. That unit had been open since 2002 and had served over 8,000 stroke, amputee, hip fracture, and brain injury patients over 2 decades, helping return the vast majority of them return home. These 'leaders' decided it made more financial sense to shut down the unit and make local patients and their loved ones truck 45 minutes over to the next closest city to use their rehab facility. One of the most callous and non-patient centered decisions ever. They accidentally spilt the beans early to a couple of us but they waited until the week after I retired to tell the staff they were all losing their jobs and the family that unit had become. So this has made it very hard for me to 'enjoy' my transition.

I am still obviously adjusting to what retired life will look and feel like. My wife and I are in our forever home - she will never move and I know this. Too many memories of our kids I guess, but she is an immovable object on that front so I have just accepted this is where we will be. We are homebodies in the extreme so there won't be any grand travel adventures in our retired future. She is still working occasionally but will retire herself in June.

I have a ton of hobbies and interests as those of you here who know me well are aware... BGO being just one of them. I won't get bored. But I think it will take awhile for me to develop a 'routine' that is more predictable than waking up and figuring out what I will do each day. I had the weirdest moment so far the other day. I had to ask Siri 'What day of the week is it?'. I really had no idea!

My brother Om retired about a year ahead of me. His journey has been different because he was a lifelong dedicated federal employee, and he up and moved to Germany at the time of his retirement, but he has talked to me a lot about what a mental transition going from 40 years of full-time employment to having complete freedom overnight. It is definitely a weird feeling.

I would love to hear what others have experienced or plan to experience when the big day approaches.

 

[Chris]

I will safely predict that you will figure it all out. 🙂

I really experienced no transition phase. I was born for retirement and thirsted for it for many decades. My dream had been to retire at 40…but alas that wasn’t realized. I do what I want when I want. Full stop.

The only thing I underestimated was losing frequent interactions with those at work whom I enjoyed. After about 2 years that dried up completely. Life moves on for everyone.

 

[Boone]

I will miss that too Chris. After being in management for so much of my career, I probably *knew* more people where I worked than almost any other employee. I know that I will never see the vast majority of them again. And you're right, that'll probably be the only negative of hanging it up.

 

[heisenberg]

Im sure someday ill retire but right now I feel like im going to work until I die.
I need structure provided by an external source, without it I become a slug.

Self motivation is not a super power of mine.

 

[Ashburn Dave]

Having hobbies is key. I was already golfing and fishing before retirement, but I got into astronomy and BBQ after I retired. The astronomy interest was more for my grandkids to see if I can inspire them with that.

The biggest key for me though is that my wife loves to golf, fish, and all the other stuff I'm into. It's not just me trying to stay busy each day. It's more of an adventure between us as to what we want to do together today. She's still working (remote) so it's not like we have the full day together, but we try to do everything together when she's not working.

 

[Skinsfan1311]

I'm sooooooo close.....less than a year away now...depending on how much time I have banked, it might be right after the 1st of the year. I've been researching and talking to a few retirees in my situation, (similar ages, same employer, rate of pay, benefits), and the health care stuff just blows....no matter how hard I research it....it'll end up being around $2K monthly for the both of us have the same coverage until we hit Medicare age. We can do something similar to Boone and try Cobra for a while but it's still pricey. What's cool is that the missus works for the same employer and will be retiring later next year, so she'll pick me up on her benefits until she goes out ...so we can put off those nasty medical payments as long as we can. I've been at the same job for almost 40 years now and have been in the savings plan and contributory pension since the day I walked through those doors. Thank God for that! I don't know how people can afford to retire, but they do. Every retiree I talk to echoes the same sentiment...."I wish I'd have done it sooner!" is what they all say.

 

[Chris]

🤣 F that.

 

[Mickalino]

Looks like they used Dick van Dyke's picture for that.

 

[RedWolf]

So we're in the process of transferring the deed for a lot in the Dominican and I recently started a conversation with an architect for the design of the house that we want to build.

I maxed out my Social Security about 15 or 20 years ago so I will be getting close to four grand a month which is more than enough money to live on in the DR. Not including my retirement funding Investments

 

[Miles Monroe]

At a little over a year retired, I'm sleeping a bit later now, generally up between 6 and 7. I had a lot of hobbies / interests, yet for me they just weren't doing it for me. I'm finally came to terms with having to be building or fixing / restoring stuff.. I've spent the week in a 95+ degree garage doing a make over. Heavy, physical work. I won't lie, I'm sore in lots of places, but I feel wonderful. Haven't been a gym rat since the 70's. Bores the shit out of me, so I see lots of projects in my future. I've also become the neighborhood "Mr. Fix-it" and have worked on tractors, generators, and other stuff for a few folks.

Day of the week... LOL ya, I lose track from time to time, but see it as being relaxed enough not to care. I had a very tight routine.
It hasn't bothered me too much not having the daily routine with coworkers. Since 2020 when I stopped spinning a wrench, I wound up a baby sitter for either service departments, parts departments, and unmotivated employees that are under qualified, and expect top pay. I couldn't get away fast enough. I miss some of my old customers, but that's about it. I could never run a shop these days, I'm too old school, and would hurt too many feelings.

The insurance thing wasn't too bad. I applied for Social Security when I was 64 and dropped down to part time hours. Don't know where Cindy found her, but I had an "insurance" person guide me through the switch. Had been on my old Cobra policy till the end of March, and now Medicare, and a supplement. So far so good, and it's a lot less money then the cobra. Cobra was 1027.oo per month, and now the AARP united Health Care supplement is 218.oo. We always had dental and eye care we pay for separate from regular medical added in, and my health care is costing me right around 300.oo.

Still getting use to the complete freedom. I'm keeping it simple for the time being. Get my coffee brewing, take my meds, and down a couple of eggos, and a hard boiled egg. Head to the garage, and read / listen to the morning news while SLOWLY enjoying my coffee.... second cup optional. From there, it's either work on the tractor, the trailer, the bike, or work on a house project.... 30+ years of not having the time leaves me with all sorts of projects. Some days, I get up and just say screw it, and watch a couple of movies, and take an afternoon nap. Most nights, I just kick back and read, or watch something on TV. I've mentioned before, I've cut my internet time, primarily Facebook by more then half. Much happier this way.

I don't feel like a senior citizen, or old so it's a bit weird. I'm likely the youngest retiree in the neighborhood at 65. At least 4 neighbors I'm friendly with are snow birds, and leave for the summer... and take their dogs with them. LOL Ya, the dog walking circuit is the happening around here. My wife does the dog walking, but being I'm out in the garage most of the time, I know the majority of dogs in the area. I've looked into a few of the local organizations to possibly get involved with, but the people seem so much older. Welcome to Florida... Gods waiting room...

Senior discounts aren't a bad thing, but the barber shop I use seemed to not like it. Normal cut is 30$, which to me is a bit steep. The senior discount is 15$ yet the barber looked annoyed when I handed him 30$. Had I paid full price, he wouldn't be getting a 30$ tip, a fin and that's it. I'm trying to do stuff at off hours as it's just one way to help the folks with little time to get stuff done. Stay off the road at rush hour and such.

Hope you're enjoying that cup or two of good coffee every morning, it's not a bad place to start.

 

[Ashburn Dave]

5 years in and we just bought a 4x8 cargo trailer to haul around our toys. We just bought two of those ebikes with a carrier for the dog.

I'm thinking about buying a go-cart or mini bike to take out to the grandkids so they can ride with us.

Gotta stay busy.

Mods I had to do on the trailer were to add a crank jack with wheel on the front of it, and some stabilizer jacks for the rear so it wouldn't tip on me when walking inside. Next I'll drill a hole in the side to add a power plug for it to charge our bikes. I've never drilled into my campers or trailer so that will be interesting.

 

[Miles Monroe]

5 years in and we just bought a 4x8 cargo trailer to haul around our toys. We just bought two of those ebikes with a carrier for the dog.

I'm thinking about buying a go-cart or mini bike to take out to the grandkids so they can ride with us.

Gotta stay busy.

Mods I had to do on the trailer were to add a crank jack with wheel on the front of it, and some stabilizer jacks for the rear so it wouldn't tip on me when walking inside. Next I'll drill a hole in the side to add a power plug for it to charge our bikes. I've never drilled into my campers or trailer so that will be interesting.

View attachment 14940

Man, do I need one of those. I'd have one but the city code doesn't allow you to park them in the yard, Yup, I can't keep in on my property unless it's in driveway or the garage... complete joke. I was forced to sell my open trailer when I changed jobs, as I had stored it there. An enclosed would serve as a storage unit for the most part, and move toys when needed. This city has more bull shit happening. There trying to turn it into the next Ft Lauderdale, and the city counsel refuses to listen to residents...

 

[Ashburn Dave]

Man, do I need one of those. I'd have one but the city code doesn't allow you to park them in the yard, Yup, I can't keep in on my property unless it's in driveway or the garage... complete joke. I was forced to sell my open trailer when I changed jobs, as I had stored it there. An enclosed would serve as a storage unit for the most part, and move toys when needed. This city has more bull shit happening. There trying to turn it into the next Ft Lauderdale, and the city counsel refuses to listen to residents...

We have an HOA with the same BS which is the beauty of this car-mate trailer. It is short enough to fit into my garage.

I could have gone bigger but then I'd have to pay for storage and also worry about sway going down the highway. 4x8 was perfect for us.

 

[SkinsFTW]

I was forced retired by cancer 5 years ago. I can't believe it's been 5 years already but it was July 2021, then my leg was amputated in October.

Now the cancer is gone, for almost 2 years anyway, but I still can't really go back to work because of all the damage from having pancreatic cancer removed + the leg.

Anyway the VA jacked up my disability rating to over 100% pay and with SS disability + military retirement pay, I'm making possibly more than I was while working. Or pretty close either way.

I'm not going to complain, retired at 48, even though it's difficult for me to enjoy the outdoors things I used to. No more hiking, biking, etc. At least I'm starting to learn how to use my robo prosthetic. I can actually push a grocery cart around the store now haha. What an accomplishment 😂

 

[Ghost of Sarge]

I was forced retired by cancer 5 years ago. I can't believe it's been 5 years already but it was July 2021, then my leg was amputated in October.

Now the cancer is gone, for almost 2 years anyway, but I still can't really go back to work because of all the damage from having pancreatic cancer removed + the leg.

Anyway the VA jacked up my disability rating to over 100% pay and with SS disability + military retirement pay, I'm making possibly more than I was while working. Or pretty close either way.

I'm not going to complain, retired at 48, even though it's difficult for me to enjoy the outdoors things I used to. No more hiking, biking, etc. At least I'm starting to learn how to use my robo prosthetic. I can actually push a grocery cart around the store now haha. What an accomplishment 😂

Hang in there my man, you beat the Big C. Not everyone does

 

[Ghost of Sarge]

It's so weird seeing names I've seen for 25 years in a "retirement" thread. I mean, I know time marches on, but does anyone ask themselves, "How did I get here and where did all the time go?". As for me, I have yet to get bored. Yeah, some days when I see a plane fly over the house, I miss Air Traffic. But 40 years was definitely enough. Like someone said, what I miss the most is bullshittin with all the guys on a daily basis, and since I'm not much of a "joiner", I'm kinda out of luck in that department. Right now, we're just doing some trips. I've seen a lot of the world, but my wife hasn't. We renewed our vows in Hawaii last fall, had a daughter get married in Mexico last month then turned around and started planning daughter number 2's wedding next year. Then we're doing a Viking cruise down the Rhine from Amsterdam to Budapest, then the wife wants to go to Greece. It's going to be a busy 2027. And for all of you on the verge of retirement, don't let it spook you. I know it's hard to make that leap, even with financial guys telling you that you can do it, even when you've done the number yourself and know you can do it. You CAN do it. And after you do, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner . One word of warning. I had people tell me before I retired that "You'll be busier after you retire than when you were working". I thought they were so full of ****, but you know what? It's true. The only thing is, you're only as busy as you want to be.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

It's so weird seeing names I've seen for 25 years in a "retirement" thread. I mean, I know time marches on, but does anyone ask themselves, "How did I get here and where did all the time go?". As for me, I have yet to get bored. Yeah, some days when I see a plane fly over the house, I miss Air Traffic. But 40 years was definitely enough. Like someone said, what I miss the most is bullshittin with all the guys on a daily basis, and since I'm not much of a "joiner", I'm kinda out of luck in that department. Right now, we're just doing some trips. I've seen a lot of the world, but my wife hasn't. We renewed our vows in Hawaii last fall, had a daughter get married in Mexico last month then turned around and started planning daughter number 2's wedding next year. Then we're doing a Viking cruise down the Rhine from Amsterdam to Budapest, then the wife wants to go to Greece. It's going to be a busy 2027. And for all of you on the verge of retirement, don't let it spook you. I know it's hard to make that leap, even with financial guys telling you that you can do it, even when you've done the number yourself and know you can do it. You CAN do it. And after you do, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner . One word of warning. I had people tell me before I retired that "You'll be busier after you retire than when you were working". I thought they were so full of ****, but you know what? It's true. The only thing is, you're only as busy as you want to be.

Interesting post.

When I retired I drove an Uber. It was the perfect retirement job. Work when you want, stop anytime and go take a nap. If we need money for a trip work a few weekend evenings and make $400. Then I got kicked off for a false allegation (this is common and why it's a risk to do gig work). I got my back on, I've never heard of them doing that I guess they caught the accuser lying again, but by then I had no interest. I didn't know which was the next rider behind me who will stab me in the back.

So I got a part time job at a golf course. This fulfills the need you mentioned above. Going to work and reporting to someone at a specific time was an adjustment for sure. But I didn't realize how much I missed having co-workers to just shoot the shit with as you said. I also later realized I would have never relaxed if I was still driving Uber. There would always be this little voice in my head saying "what are you doing sitting around when you could be making money?".

 

[RedWolf]

I'm stuck in a real quandary because I can retire in Dec at 62 or I can wait until I am 65. $1k month difference. I've always based my retirement on monthly Social Security income to be safe, but at this point that really doesn't matter. I maxed out my Social Security 25 years ago. I started saving money at a very young age as well as property investments over the years. I have become kinda frugal the last 5 years. I'm really in a good financial situation. I didn't hit the number that I wanted, but I think I have more than enough.

I'm thinking about just kicking the fucking can and calling it a day at 62. Although I'm kind of addicted to working/earning money, and all of the benefits that a full-time US job provides. I am retiring outside of the United States and have done a lot of Investigation regarding that as well.

I'm also thinking about opening a global consulting business where I can work remotely for clients all over the world. My primary business for the past 30 plus years has been internet service providers, network service providers (mostly Data Centers, Hyperscalers and Cloud providers) and the past 5 years has been high performance compute and artificial intelligence. This market is on fire right now

I think it really just comes down to me mentally accepting turning off the switch and letting go

 

[Ashburn Dave]

Interesting post.

When I retired I drove an Uber. It was the perfect retirement job. Work when you want, stop anytime and go take a nap. If we need money for a trip work a few weekend evenings and make $400. Then I got kicked off for a false allegation (this is common and why it's a risk to do gig work). I got my back on, I've never heard of them doing that I guess they caught the accuser lying again, but by then I had no interest. I didn't know which was the next rider behind me who will stab me in the back.

So I got a part time job at a golf course. This fulfills the need you mentioned above. Going to work and reporting to someone at a specific time was an adjustment for sure. But I didn't realize how much I missed having co-workers to just shoot the shit with as you said. I also later realized I would have never relaxed if I was still driving Uber. There would always be this little voice in my head saying "what are you doing sitting around when you could be making money?".

I still might do the golf course gig if I get bored. Free golf when your not working.

I played with a single the other day at Brambleton. He worked there at Brambleton on Friday's only and golfed as a walk on every other day of the week for free.

 

[Boone]

I had a job offer while golfing today. I have no desire to work - any job, for any reason, for any pay. I'm absolutely done and I'm going to embrace finding other ways to meet whatever needs I have. Work isn't going to be one of them. But to each his own...