I reached a decision today to which the Covid 19 only partially contributed.

[MarianJack]

I'm going to be 65 in mid June. I'm overweight, diabetic and have high blood pressure, all of them managed by medicine and not acting like an idiot. I also have been in recovery from alcoholism since 1/14/90.

I started collecting my Social Security at 62. For the past couple of years I've been a substitute teacher a couple of day a week. Obviously there hasn't been any subbing for the past few weeks. I just decided today (much to my wife's relief) that I am fully retired. My wife earns a good living in a job she loves, I get a decent SSDI payment every month. Nobody is going to look at our bank account and mistake us for the Romneys, but we'll be ok.

I had been planning on subbing for a couple of years more, but today I just asked myself "why?"

I couldn't give myself a decent answer, and so now it's time. My mom lived until almost 85. My father until almost 94. My sister will be 76 on her next birthday. Given family history I should be around for a while. There are a lot of things I can do to keep myself occupied and I intend to do them.

I'm very at peace and relaxed with this decision, so it's final.

Thank you for allowing me to share.

Of course, as always, Donald Trump is an idiot and an ass hat.

#notmypresident

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[Sherman A1]

1. Good Decision

I was pushed out the door three years ago at 62 and between the Union Pension and the SS along with reduced expenses it has been great!

I am especially happy right now to be missing the frenzy as I worked in the grocery business for 43 years, but my heart aches for those I know still on the job everyday. I am truly scared for them.

[MarianJack]

8. I love the kids, but it's time.

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[2naSalit]

2. Congrats!

Don't know what else to say but it will take some getting used to, though.

[MarianJack]

9. I think I'll enjoy the getting used to.

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[catbyte]

3. LOL. I'm also going to be 65 around mid-June and started collecting SS at 62.

I retired in 2015 and I haven't regretted that decision for a minute. I missed some of my coworkers, but I've seen them on a regular basis so it hasn't been a big change. I think you're going to love it. The freedom is awesome. I've done more traveling since I've retired than in the entire 34 years I worked. It's awesome.

Congratulations!

[MarianJack]

10. There are things my wife and I have been wanting to do.

Now we can.

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[Rainbow Droid]

4. Good for you, now you're in control of your future. Make it yours and fill it with love and life.

[MarianJack]

11. I shall

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[safeinOhio]

5. Just keep moving.

18 years of retirement and loving it. Always a new adventure when you get up early and head out the door. Good luck.

[MarianJack]

12. Yes, but for the immediate future my big ass is staying in the house

And I have a BIG ass!

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[ProfessorGAC]

6. I'm 63

Retired at 61. (Barely less than 62). But for 4 months I got paid to be available.
Then I left. But, I sub. My plan is next school year & done. I might have only done one more term, but since the back half of current term is toast, I'll probably stick it out one full school year.
But, I'm already at the point where they know in good weather months, call me no Kore than 2 days in advance. Nif rain is likely, I'll sub. Otherwise I'm playing golf. Winter's a different matter.

[MarianJack]

13. I golfed once in my early 30s

I had a lot of fun and got the vocabulary down pat according to Kevin Costner in Tin Cup.

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[monmouth4]

7. Congratulations, retirement is the best and you will love it..n/t

[MarianJack]

15. I'm looking forward to the future.

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[The Magistrate]

14. Good For You, Sir

Be well, and stay safe!

[MarianJack]

16. Thanks.

U 2!

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[MontanaMama]

17. Enjoy it.

Big decision to be sure. I’m happy for you.

[MarianJack]

29. Thanks!

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[rurallib]

18. I made a similar decision a few years back and have never regretted a second

My wishes for a good retirement however you pursue it.

[MarianJack]

30. I'm very at peace with the decision.

I intend to do a lot of baking, maybe for sale at some local craft shows.

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[Chicagogrl1]

19. Congrats on your sobriety

Thats a big accomplishment. Also, congrats on your retirement. Enjoy & stay well.

[MarianJack]

31. Thanks!

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[Da-truth]

20. Must See Doctor Breaks Down The Virus

[LiberalFighter]

21. I retired much earlier and have not regretted it.

Kept myself busy.

I got out without damaging my body much due to having jobs that didn't stress it.

[MarianJack]

32. I subbed for a few years and I love the kids, but then again...

...why?

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[DownriverDem]

22. I saw an article

recently that said because of the unknown economics of what is going on, a lot of Boomers will retire now instead of returning to work. I also know someone who waited a few years and gets 16% more in their SS. It all depends on your financial situation.

[MarianJack]

33. We're not rich but we're ok financially.

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[CountMyVote4Reality]

23. Congrats! & Enjoy! n/t

[MarianJack]

34. Thank you.

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[eleny]

24. Wonderful!

I never looked back.

Funny thing, people I worked with asked me what I was going to do with all that time. People my age who couldn't answer that question for themselves so they kept working. I always answered, "Anything I want 24/7".

When you asked yourself that "Why?" question, you were ready. I always enjoy hearing retirement decision stories!

[MarianJack]

35. I don't intend on looking back.

I think I'll do some baking for sale.

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[3catwoman3]

25. Congratulations to you!

I may be making the same decision very soon. I was planning to retire in the summer or fall of next year. I will be 70 in 2021 - 69 next month.

I have just been furlough from the pediatric practice where I have worked for the past 23 years and 10 months. Making it to the summer of 2021, specifically my hire date of June 14th, would make it 25 years in one job, and there would have been a fair amount of pride involved in achieving that.

The combination of having been laid off at the end of a work day, and the risk of contracting COVID-19 is making retirement now seem pretty damn appealing. Whenever I do it, I will miss seeing newborns and first time parents, but not much else.

I am encouraged by your decision.

[MarianJack]

36. I'm glad that you're encouraged.

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[customerserviceguy]

26. I'll be 65 in November

and have been retired for over three years.

It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer every day, when you finally stop doing that, it feels so damned good.

[MarianJack]

27. Whenever my sibs or I were doing something boneheaded,...

...which was quite frequently, especially for me, that was exactly what my father would say.

"Did I ever tell you about the guy who kept hitting himself in the head with a hammer because it felt co good when he stopped?"

When I became a dad I stole it. I got a big chuckle when I heard my 20 year old son say it to one of his buddies not long ago.

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[orleans]

28. i think you made a great decision! congrats! n/t

[MarianJack]

37. My thanks to you, orleans.

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[jimlup]

38. I found great help from Weight Watchers

though obviously that can't help in the short term right now since their main thing is meetings.

Good Luck!

[MarianJack]

39. I think that WW is great.

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[bluescribbler]

40. Congratulations on your retirement

I made the same decision in January. COVID-19 had nothing to do with it. It was just a severe head cold. I was working full time at a machine shop, running machines which cut teeth in gears. I was running two machines 15 feet apart at the time. On Wednesday, I was running back and forth between machines, while blowing my nose. As quitting time I began saying to myself, "I don't want to do this shit anymore." I felt no better Thursday or Friday, so I called in sick both days. (Did I mention that that Friday was my 69th birthday?) I felt so sick that I couldn't even celebrate my birthday. Started to feel better over the weekend, but on Monday morning I called in and said, "I won't be in. I've decided to retire." No handshake, no gold watch, but I felt a whole hell of a lot better.

[MarianJack]

45. I really liked teaching middle school,...

...and I loved the kids, but enough. Some young person can have the job.

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[bluescribbler]

50. For most of my career I enjoyed working as a machinist.

Every day at quitting time I felt that I had something tangible to show. That, in itself, sustained me through the various jobs I held. As time went on, as I got older, that became less satisfying.

[Ingersollman]

41. Great

decision. The one thing that can't be purchased with anything is time. Time is all we have. Enjoy yourself. I have about five years until I can retire and I am not going to spend one second extra at work. Trust.

[MarianJack]

46. I'm going to do a lot of baking.

I have a pretty solid customer base for my pound cakes at my wife's job.

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[SunSeeker]

42. Good. nt

[MarianJack]

47. Thank you

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[Locrian]

43. I'm 55 and I ask myself that every day - n/t

[MarianJack]

48. You'll get there soon.

RESiST

[secondwind]

44. You made the right call, enjoy the little things now, and cherish your retirement 😍

[MarianJack]

49. Will do!

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[LittleGirl]

51. Congratulations!

All the best.

[MarianJack]

52. Thank you, LittleGirl!

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[murielm99]

53. I retired at 66

and enjoyed subbing for several years. I gave it up this year. Now I devote full time to my work to elect Democrats, if they ever let me out of the house!

[MarianJack]

54. I'm going to do some volunteering for Sara Gideon up here in Maine.

It's time for Susan Collins' ass to go HOME!

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[Mr.Bill]

55. I'm 66 and I volunteer at our local hospital.

The hospital shut down all volunteer operations several weeks ago. If they start up again, I doubt I will return.

[bubbazero]

56. Reading buddy to room sponsor

Enjoy your well earned retirement. The following story is only an illustration--not a push to emulate, (you do what is right for you). If you REALLY start to miss the kids consider volunteering. Have elderly mother who volunteered for years--1. Reading buddy to K-3rd grade--several hours per day was all 2. When older still Reading buddy to kindergarten only--2hrs twice a week, (continued this up thru parkinsons and other mild health issues. 3. When health became too bad became a kindergarten room sponsor--special days, holidays, only. (Halloween--we bring pumpkins for kids to clean and count seeds; Thanksgiving--REAL ears of corn from farm along with corn muffins; 4. Christmas break--"Holiday Health Bags"--soap, wash cloth, toothbrush, toothpaste and other personal toiletries along with Hershey Kisses--We're in a low-income area) 5. Spring plants for the class 6. May baskets 7. Finally a book for summer along with certificate for ice cream cone at McDonalds. OK, last several years I mom's fulltime care taker--she can't even get to the school on special days. However she has expanded to cover all 4 kindergarten class rooms and they take pictures along with videos. Numerous pictures on wall thru out her home. (kindergarteners cleaning pumpkins in a group--thankfully, I can leave b4 they're done. The point is simple--If you miss the kids--YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO SET FOOT IN THE SCHOOL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND STILL FEEL SOME OF THE JOY THAT EDUCATORS DO FEEL. Good luck to you in your well earned retirement!

[MarianJack]

57. As we said in the 80s, Cool Beans!

I may look into the Foster Grandparent program.

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[stpetegreg]

58. Congratulations!

For many years I planned on retiring at 62, which I turned Monday before last. Then the recession of 2008, widowed in 2009, and the need for healthcare due to ongoing health issues, put those plans on hold. Now, the plan is to retire as soon as I qualify for Medicare. Just think how different everyone's lives could be if we had universal healthcare. I know of several people, including myself, who refuse to or can't pay exorbitant premiums, but have all other ducks in a row -- house paid off, little or no debt, etc. It also stifles small business because of having to pay for medical insurance. I'd rather pay what comes out of every paycheck for my part of health insurance, which is substantial, to taxes that provide healthcare for all, including myself of course.

Enjoy your retirement. I can't wait to fill my days with the many hobbies I already do...when I can find time, along with a couple of charities I volunteer at.

#notmypresident

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[MarianJack]

60. Thank you. stpetegreg.

Welcome to DU.

#notmypresident

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[Hugin]

59. You go, MarianJack!

Somehow I suspect you're a rolling stone, though.

Personally, I like to believe it's going to be a whole different America which emerges from this clustercrisis.

It's up to us to make it an America worth living in!

It had become overwhelmingly clear to me the life I had been living was deeply embedded in the treadmill and I too was planning some major changes in a year or so. But, I've come to the sudden realization that change is already here and I for one am going to take full advantage of it. Now.

[MarianJack]

61. I am definitely not going to just sit on my ass, and I have a BIG ass!

I'm going to be writing a lot of letters to the editor for bothy VP Joe and our more than likely senate candidate Sara Gideon.

As always, Donald Trump is an idiot and an ass hat.

#notmypresident

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[BobTheSubgenius]

62. From the thumbnail glimpse into your life, I heartily agree.

Life is not made up of THINGS. Life is made up of the minutes, hours....years...that people use to earn money to buy those things. Nowhere near everyone, obviously, but almost anyone that can afford to retire, should. All the money in the world won't buy you back a single second of the time you took to accumulate it.

I sacrificed a lot of *things*, but that was my tradeoff for retiring at 35.

Congratulations, sir!

[MarianJack]

63. Many thanks.

Your words are wise.

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