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[FLSTFI Dave]

My original plan was to retire at 55, 3 years from now.  However my wife got laid off from the mortgage loan side of Banking when the housing market crashed in Feb of 08.  She could not find a good job by May so I said take the summer off we will enjoy it.  We had a blast with my schedule being work 21 days get 21 off.  So at the end of the summer we decided she would substitute teach some teach motorcycle safety a few times a year.  And that I would work until 65.  Not a bad thing as we get to do lots lot travel and I have lots of time off.

If it gets to where I hate my job, then I will retire.  However right now, working half a year is not bad, and we get to take four or five motorcycle trips a year, and such. 

[Dr.D]

I will need money to live on and I do not have enough put away yet. I am 55 and will most likely need to work till 65 to have enough money to keep me up where i want to be. Fortunately for me I work for myself and I like my work, most of the time. This retirement issue is immensely personal and some want it more than others. When money is not the chief consideration the level of love or hate with the work seems pivotal.

I sure am glad I don't hate work because love it or not I still need it. I can not imagine retiring at 55? I am just to young for that.

[chaos901]

I am 60 and my wife and I have thought about this a little but have not made any real plans, decisions or even set a timetable yet.  We have enough for sure, but as long as where I work wants to keep paying me this much for something I really like to do I feel obligated to take their money.   

 

   

[RonandJanet]

Almost 58 and my wife and I have talked about retirement. As mentioned earlier each situation is different. My wife is younger than me so I plan work a little longer to maximize the retirement and she can retire early. We will sell several houses and probably stay at the lake house we love. We plan to have enough income to allow us to enjoy life and take a few trips every year. 

[CVODON]

Been retired for 49 days, this is definitely the best job I ever had and I had a good job the last 26 years and never really had a bad or hard job. 62.5 years old, been planning since age 35 to the day. Had counters on my cell phone for years and could not wait, it has exceeded all my expectations. BUT make sure you are planning, get a good investment guy that you trust and do what he says, I got two opinions, they were so close that I went with first guy and stayed. I did not wish to change my way of life or downsize as some do, that was why it took to 62.5. Decided years ago that I would not touch SS until 70 and then it should become trip/fun money only. I was very lucky that my employer pays my health until 66 and then all but 20% of supplemnt. SO I enjoy and recommend it to all!

[03Lightningrocks]

We own a family business. I have been semi-retired for two years. I am 54 now. I don't participate in the day to day operations but still offer guidance and counseling to those that do. I think full retirement might make me crazy. I like having something to keep my mind busy. Even if it is only a few days here and there. It is nice to be able to just get up and go when I get a wild hair to ride.

[Chains]

Is he effective?

I'm a person that believes work ethic not age makes the difference in getting the job done. I'm 67 and guarantee I can work more effective, longer and smarter than guys half my age.  I could have stayed working but since we invested in a storage facility 20 years ago and I max out in Social Security we made the decision for me to retire. My wife who is 11 years younger and much better looking than me still works part time at this point. By next year I think she too will retire its up to her.

I say if you want to retire do it, there are no do overs in life.

[Jswerve]

I'm a person that believes work ethic not age makes the difference in getting the job done. I'm 67 and guarantee I can work more effective, longer and smarter than guys half my age.  I could have stayed working but since we invested in a storage facility 20 years ago and I max out in Social Security we made the decision for me to retire. My wife who is 11 years younger and much better looking than me still works part time at this point. By next year I think she too will retire its up to her.

I say if you want to retire do it, there are no do overs in life.

Nothing wrong with that but understand that when your health starts to decline, decision making included, you are putting the rest of the people around you at risk. I work in a high speed manufacturing plant that can literally tear away limbs, digits, and even kill people if a serious lapse in judgement is made.

Until then, work and enjoy it.

Jesse

[Chains]

I agree Jesse if a person has poor health or makes bad decisions it's time to go. I come from a metal stamping/special machine and tooling background where a mistake can cost you you hand, arm even your life.  I have been in plants where people were actually flattened when 40,000 pounds of steel sheet was dropped on them. Had a customer lose an arm most of the way to his shoulder reaching into a running press around a guard on the back of a machine.  A manufacturing plant is no place for those that are not on the ball. 

[SDCVO]

I have seen so many family and friends that have retired and got so obsessed with money due to worrying about loss of income that they eventually stopped being active so they didn't need to spend money and the "slide" was fast and scary. For those of you that are race fans, watch Roger Penske this weekend. Almost 80 yrs old and works 80 hours a week and runs the most successful race team in the history of the sport involved with every single aspect and detail of that team. Listen to him talk in the multitude of interviews he will be doing this weekend and he is as sharp as any 20 yr old (not that I have met many sharp 20yr olds but to make the point..) you will ever see. A guy like that who is one of the wealthiest guys on the planet certainly doesn't do it for the money. IMHO very inspiring..

[Jswerve]

That's why he still works, he loves what he does. I've never been at a job like that so I'm gone when it's feasible.

[SDCVO]

That's why he still works, he loves what he does. I've never been at a job like that so I'm gone when it's feasible.

I agree with that but I guarantee he doesn't love every day. I don't want to be "Polly Anna" but as I tell people I work with, every job has its good days and bad days/good aspects and bad aspects but if you are challenged and win more than you lose, why stop until you either lose your effectiveness or you start losing more than your winning.

[Jswerve]

I agree with that but I guarantee he doesn't love every day. I don't want to be "Polly Anna" but as I tell people I work with, every job has its good days and bad days/good aspects and bad aspects but if you are challenged and win more than you lose, why stop until you either lose your effectiveness or you start losing more than your winning.

I can agree with that. I have a lot more good days than bad but making steel quick open ends just doesn't get me feeling to accomplished. At least until I get my next check lol.

Jesse

[SDCVO]

I can agree with that. I have a lot more good days than bad but making steel quick open ends just doesn't get me feeling to accomplished. At least until I get my next check lol.

Jesse

I get it. Today I definitely "lost"..

[JCZ]

I agree with that but I guarantee he doesn't love every day. I don't want to be "Polly Anna" but as I tell people I work with, every job has its good days and bad days/good aspects and bad aspects but if you are challenged and win more than you lose, why stop until you either lose your effectiveness or you start losing more than your winning.

I agree 100% Alan.  And oh.....by the way.....I'm loosing my effectiveness so retirement is looking real good right about now.