I retired a little over two years ago and I can honestly tell you this.

[fightforfreedom]

I do not miss work at all. For the first time in over 40 forty years of dealing with a deranged work place culture, my stress levels have come way down. I was always a good worker who would not let bosses, management, abuse me, take advantage of me. Which meant I was constantly fighting back against power crazy bosses, etc. It was no fun.

When I retired I was worried because I knew I would be on a fix income. I knew I had enough to pay the bills, but when you own a home, car, you have to maintain them. that can be expensive at times. I was also a little worried about becoming bored. None of this has become a problem.

When you retire you learn how to adjust. Things work out. It is possible one day I may get a small part time job. But it will be on my terms and if any boss gives me shit I can flip them the bird and simply quit.

As many of you know, early this year I was diagnosed with melanoma. It has been stressful, but it would have been much more stressful if I was working. The stress would have been off the charts because jobs, bosses, will give you a hard time taken time off to treat yourself. You might not have enough sick time, so you don't get paid. They don't give a shit.

So if you are thinking, worried about retirement, don't sweat it. Things will work out. You will find a way to adjust and there is a good chance your stress levels will decrease big time.

One last thing, I love waking up in the morning and having nothing planned or having something planned for me. I do what ever I want to do. That's peace of mind. You can't put a price on peace of mind.

[tblue37]

1. I retired a little over 3 years ago. I'm loving it.

[Walleye]

2. I am with you. Going on nine years retired now

I took my car through inspection the other day and I noticed that waiting in line did not stress me out at all. It’s such a change. My job was kind of physical anyway and my body was breaking down. So I’m lucky my Social Security covers my expenses and I get a little bit of my retirement money every month. So in my mind my retirement is really better than I expected

[Sucha NastyWoman]

16. The secret they don't tell you

Is that even though your income goes down, you don’t really need as much money when you retire, so it’s probably not as hard as you thought it was going to be.

[Walleye]

47. Yep. You don't realize what it costs physically, financially and mentally just to hold down a job

[llmart]

108. I was just going to post something similar.

As a woman who worked a professional job, I had to have a certain type of clothing for it. Now, I'm a person who despises shopping but especially for clothing. I've been retired about 3 years now and I could fit all the clothes I own in one-quarter of my closet. Gasoline to get to and from work? Huge savings there plus less wear and tear on my car. Last year I only drove 5,000 miles. I go once a year for an oil change. That's it. It is absolutely true that you spend less money when retired.

Like the person who started this thread said, it is so great not having to get up and get ready for work and make sure you're on time. I still get up early but there is absolutely no rush drinking my coffee and having breakfast. I always hated that hurry, hurry routine of get up, get in the shower, get dressed, etc. I do not miss that one bit! Also, I don't miss the workplace drama and control freak bosses.

I volunteer three days a week but when you volunteer it's so flexible.

[phylny]

3. We retired in 2019.

It's fabulous.

[Akacia]

4. Awesome!

I have been slowly cutting back my hours but have been worried about completely retiring. Just worried about the finances and possible boredom. Your post helped me realize that I can do it with some adjustments in how I think. I have been going back and forth about setting a date to fully retire and think it will be soon.

[Random Boomer]

73. 5 months to go before I retire

Last year I cut my hours down to gain a three-day weekend. I enjoyed that so much that it quelled some of my fears about retirement. I finally set a date for early 2023 and now I'm counting down the months.

I really enjoyed my job, but it's getting harder and harder to do it through a combination of boredom and losing the ability to focus. I never thought I'd reach a point where I wanted to walk away, but I'm finally there. Just have to hang on a few more months.

[lunatica]

116. I promised myself that when I retired I would

Never do anything I didn’t want to and that I would do exactly what I want to do. It works wonderfully. I sleep in because I go to bed late because I watch movies or I’m on DU or reading. I’ve even stopped wearing a bra so I can be comfortable all day. That’s freedom!! I socialize a little, but have become a shut in, especially after COVID.

I can truthfully say I’m quite content with my life since I retired in 2018. I even stopped dying my hair and am letting go gray all the way. And no makeup! Not unless I feel like putting it on for some occasion.

I think everyone should make themselves the same promises when they retire!

[kairos12]

5. I am retired 10 years. But not tired.

[multigraincracker]

6. Well into my 20th year of retirement.

Gets better every year.

First thing to do when you retire is slow down..So what if that car in front of you is going slow.

[Basic LA]

35. Same situation here

I retired early, at 55, and 21 years later, I'm thankful every day.

[Sympthsical]

7. I'm the opposite

I love working. I'm in my early 40s and went back to school to become a nurse practitioner. I plan to work til my 70s.

I'm one of those people who has to always being doing something/stimulated and likes feeling useful. I WFH and spend a lot of time at my desk working and doing homework. I miss having somewhere to go. If I don't do anything all day, I get mad about it. "I should've done all this stuff!"

Stress, I've found, can often be a decision, that there is some choice involved in how worked up someone gets about something. Consequently, even though I have tons to do all the time (about to dig into six hours of women's health education homework), I don't feel particularly stressed.

I've known relatives, neighbors, etc., who worked their whole lives. Then they retired and were dead in a year or two. They just didn't have anything to do and retirement didn't suit them. I expect I'll be one of those types.

Then there are people like my father who loathed his job all his life. Retired and just had the best of times. Probably his happiest years ever, to be honest.

[yardwork]

21. I'm somewhat similar to you, and I took a different approach.

Last year I "downsized' my job. I took early retirement from a high-stress job in a toxic work environment, and accepted a lower-paying job with fewer responsibilities, working with a really nice group of folks.

I'm in my early 60s and don't plan to retire for years. I like working as long as it's reasonably pleasant. I thrive on deadlines so that stress is just fine.

I haven't regretted it.

[Sympthsical]

141. My partner's father does similar

He was an architect for a firm, and he was always one of those, "Constantly got a project going on" types. When he retired, he kept doing projects but on a smaller scale. He comes by once every two weeks to help us with yard/lawn minutiae, because "I like the exercise." And he takes on architecture/design/home projects for friends and family. One of his daughters just remarried, and her and her husband decided to do this whole extension thing with their house (cheaper than buying a whole new house/property).

He's spent a year drawing up all the plans, blueprints, measurements, etc. No time pressure or boss breathing down his neck. Just a project for his daughter he loves doing.

He's in his late 70s and happy as a clam.

I worry when that project is finished. When he's been over lately, he's been muttering about "reconceiving" two of our bathrooms. When Home Depot starts eyeing your equity . . .

[yardwork]

142. Lol! Looks like there's a renovation project in your future!

[3catwoman3]

52. What kind of NP job do you have...

...that you can work from home?

See my comments about telemedicine in post #51 below.

[Sympthsical]

58. No no, I'm currently in school to be an NP

My actual job is HR things.

[3catwoman3]

63. Best of luck in your remaining studies...

...and your future career.

What kind of NP program are you in?

[Sympthsical]

144. I'm not quite at that stage yet

When the time comes, I'm eyeing UCSF's program (if I can get into it, which I think I can) or UC Davis if I stay closer to home. What I ultimately want to do is either pediatrics or women's health - potentially OB/GYN. It feels like an under served field, and whatever I land on needs to feel like I'm doing something useful.

I read your post below, and I'm hoping to have a similar career that you did minus the telemedicine aspect (which is unavoidable, I know). Just something that feels like I'm contributing to society.

[3catwoman3]

145. So, this may be rather too early, but please allow me...

...to pass on a couple of pointers that may prove useful:

1. If possible, when you choose your NP program, look for one where the faculty help students secure their clinicals. Too many programs these days just do they classroom stuff and then leave it up to the students to find their own clinical settings and mentors. I don't think this is right.

2. At the end of a visit with a patient/parent/family, do NOT say, "Any questions?" Pandora's box can open, and someone who came in for cold symptoms will say, "Well, by the way, as long as I'm here, I've had back pain for 3 years, and I have migraines once a week."

To limit the likelihood of this happening, I learned way too late in my career to end a visit with, "Any questions about what we discussed today? When someone would bring up a problem different from the reason for their appointment and it was something that was not urgent, I found people generally responded well to, "Let's make a separate appointment just for this so we can give it the time it deserves." No one wants to hear, "I'm sorry, I don't have time to deal with that right now," even tho that is probably the truth at the moment.

If I can be of help in the future, please feel free to PM me.

[Mme. Defarge]

8. My husband, of blessed memory, and I

promised each other that we would work together to create a nest egg for our “go to hell money” so neither of us would have to put up with any crap from a boss. It eventually paid off in spades!

[Siwsan]

9. Smartest thing I ever did was retire 3 years earlier than I'd planned

I was in a horribly toxic work situation and dealing with a number of terminal family illnesses. One particularly vile individual took advantage of that to make my life a living hell.

I have not missed a single thing about that place except for a couple of the people. And I love having to stop and think about what day of the week it is.

[XanaDUer2]

79. I only miss a few people

And I'm starting to forget their last names. I thought today was Sunday. Awesome

[SlimJimmy]

119. I retired earlier this year.

I still have a small business as a sole proprietor, but I make my own hours and only do work by appointment. It's the best decision I ever made.

[Hortensis]

10. Children and retired people -- the happiest groups, and

for a lot of the same reasons.

[panader0]

11. After 40 years in construction I retired.

I still have done some small jobs, on my own terms and in my own time. My SS is not very high,
but my home and land are paid off and I can make it with ease. My one wish is that I could afford to travel.
Oh well, I've done a lot of that in my day. Maintaining my vehicles and house repairs can be financially
challenging, but I work it out. I've sold off my scaffolding, mixers and grout pump and have given away
much accumulated junk. I too love being retired, but there's always something to do, chores and music.

[Bluethroughu]

12. I love to hear this, we have seven years and we shall join you in peace.

[Chainfire]

13. Four years for me. I too love it.

The things that I don't miss about work could fill a book. I went into retirement debt free so my SS is keeping me above water without having to do anything desperate like looking for part time employment.

About the only part time job that I would even consider would to be a hit man. Work two minutes and get ten thousand bucks. Do that a couple of times a month and I could raise my lifestyle, and besides that, some people just need 'killin anyway.

[stopdiggin]

14. mostly agree. but ....

A lot of 'plans for retirement' began to look a lot more sketchy as the past 18 months roiled a good many portfolios. (the number of people that have actual pension plans is a fraction of what it use to be) Then inflation ...

I certainly would not try to argue against - (and the 'stress' thing is absolutely dead on) - but the calculus of how and when that happens - has changed in a relatively short period of time for many.

(then creditable threats to SS and Medicare ... )

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

127. Keep in mind that pensions were NEVER universal.

I think that at the height, fewer than 50% of workers actually had pensions.

Unfortunately, there's this thinking that most workers had pensions back in the day, and that was never true.

[stopdiggin]

130. you're undoubtedly right

on the other hand - the situation certainly has not improved over my time in the workforce. Responsible employers (by whatever definition used) are increasingly scarce - and the employment 'dodges' (temp work, part time work, subcontracting, gig economy) have become increasingly part of the landscape.

Nowadays, an employer that has any kind of a 'match' on a 401K (however small) - and a couple days of paid sick leave - is considered a really solid deal.

[SouthernDem4ever]

138. Mostly because of the decline of unions

I am still lucky enough to be in a union job which has benefits and a pension but I have watched as workers, even co-workers have voted for these anti-labor morons on the state and federal level that have done their best to decimate union jobs across the country. They have bitten off the hands that help lift them out of poverty with no regard to the workers that follow - who with lower wages will have a harder time holding up retiree social programs which some need to live. These fools keep voting for those who would doom them to poverty. How stupid.

[Beachnutt]

15. 2 years retired and Love it, no pressure

no drama, no hurry...
How Sweet it is..

[QED]

17. I may retire in May 2023.

It's mighty tempting...that's when I hit the 20 year mark which is a big jump in pension. The pension + SS will almost equal my current take home salary so I'm not too worried about that. But still...what if the AC goes out? What if one of my dogs gets very very sick?

I do enjoy teaching, most of the time, but it can be very stressful.

And the question: what's next? I feel like I need a plan.

[Evolve Dammit]

103. Pet Insurance can be worth it. We pay 500/ yr. but it paid out well over a thousand. Helps?

[QED]

105. I've thought of that...

I have doxies and because of the breed's back issues, the cost is kind of steep. Thankfully mine haven't shown signs of IVDD. My old boy (13) has tummy troubles now and then but the other two are healthy.

[Evolve Dammit]

106. I know it's no fun and an expense. I didn't even know it was a "thing." I wanna go back (in time)!

[keets]

18. To rewired (aka retired) me, every day...

...is a Saturday.

And, I don't wear a watch anymore.

[Fritz Walter]

19. Well done!

Retired as soon as I became eligible for Medicare*. Way back when I was in my early 20’s, all employees at my workplace were invited to a meeting about retirement savings. As cliche as it looks now, the speaker got my attention with one line:
“Seniors struggling after retirement didn’t plan to fail; they failed to plan.”
That got me started. I did not want to spend my golden years pushing a cart up and down alleys salvaging cans and other metal. Started with $2 a pay-period; before I retired, I was putting 20% aside. Ended up with an IRA with a six-figure balance.
___
*Was paying $800+ monthly premiums for crappy coverage, high deductible and high co-pays. Our nation’s workforce deserve better: better financial security, better health care, even if Elon Musk has to pay his own fair share!

[relayerbob]

20. Yep, since retiring ...

I've yet to figure out how anything ever got done while working. My days are full, I have plenty to do, and as you say the stress levels are almost non-existent (outside of health issues, of course).

[greymattermom]

22. My favorite thing these days

is watching my 1 year old granddaughter. It's saving my daughter and son in law about 20K a year at today's rates.

[Bayard]

23. We both retired at 63

And its WONDERFUL! Sure there's less money, but Mr. Bayard's folks left us a nice little chunk. We paid off the mortgage and everything except the monthly bills.

He had taken a new job in that last year, and hated it. I was putting far more into my business than I was getting out of it. The stress relief has been enormous.

We stay really busy doing projects, but we love our farm and the animals.

[Loge23]

24. Retirement is great, but plan it!

I was never a morning person to begin with, so I guess I just learned to live with waking up without an alarm (or music) at 5:30am everyday. I don't miss that!
I recommend - if you are contemplating retirement - that you do a solid financial check on your household finances, much like a proposed business plan, but an actual accounting of all of your expenses and income sources. You should also be able to identify your fixed expenses: rent, a mortgage, insurance, utilities, food, med expense etc. - things you absolutely must have. Obviously, your goal here is to be able to cover your fixed expenses and also have sufficient $$ left over for things like travel and whatever other non-essential expenses you may expect.
I used an excel spreadsheet for mine and I track everything yearly. After five (5) years of this, the projections I made are holding pretty firm. I do expect some turbulence for this year's wrap-up, but it will fit into the overall picture.
Our yearly expense level is tracked carefully to stay within the long-term range. There will be unexpected jolts to that figure, so leave some slack in that calculation.
Basically, get familiar with your financial situation - very familiar. With Social Security, any pensions and/or savings (IRA's etc.), and any other form of income that you may expect, you can run a projection to see how long you can reasonably expect your assets to sustain you. Don't forget to plug in an allowance for inflation and interest (if applicable). The current rate of inflation, as high as it is, will not last so use a long term average (currently about 3.25%). That should work out fairly close to the actual over the long run (10 years +).
For interest, I kept it conservative - I used a 1%, 2%, and 3% projection rows for the assets. I'm not a financial professional, but the projections that an Advisor did for us closely match my own work.
Bottom line is not do this exercise in your head - put it on paper or a spreadsheet.

...and have a great life!

[fightforfreedom]

27. Yes you do have to do some planning, you have to add things up.

I knew things would be tight, but what surprised me is you learn to adjust. You eliminate things, cut back back on things you no longer need. Your money goes farther. You learn to do without things or put things off until you can afford it.

You also have to have good health insurance when you retire. Healthcare costs can destroy retirements.

[Loge23]

39. Great point! (eom)

[Midnight Writer]

25. Retired 18 years ago. Never been happier in my life. Just taking it slow and keeping it simple.

I was worried about money, but, as another poster noted, I don't spend nearly as much. I'm happy to mostly hang around home.

[fightforfreedom]

30. Me too, I like hanging out at home now that I've gotten older.

When I was younger I was always on the go. I was hardly ever home. Time changes things.

[calimary]

135. I've discovered that, too!

I like being able to enjoy a slower pace.

[BonnieJW]

26. I retired two years ago

I still haven't adjusted. I got laid off and since I was 71, I just retired. My husband died in 2018 and so we never got the chance to retire together. I liked my job; I liked the people as well as the work and I miss being busy.

[Raven123]

28. A little off topic, but I think your sentiments are relevant to the reason some jobs remain unfilled

During the pandemic, people both made necessary adjustments or decided that in the balance their lifestyle would be less stressful by not working, working less, or working differently

[fightforfreedom]

32. I believe you are correct.

Our work place culture is toxic, cut throat, insane.

[Joe Nation]

29. I also retired about 1 1/2 years ago and can echo much of your thoughts

A couple of things. I am bored and my wife isn't. She is very busy and keeps traveling and getting involved in the community. I must follow her lead. Getting a job with the idea that you can just tell your boss to shove it is why many employers will not hire retirees unless they have to. I don't need any extra income so working is not an issue, but boredom sometimes is. I liked working and I sometimes think that I am simply used to working after 45 years. I hope everyone finds what makes them happy in retirement. Still looking.

[catchnrelease]

65. Think outside the box maybe

You might find something you are interested in or have knowledge about that could help others. Eg: my husband, who is a disabled vet and loves fishing, volunteered with a group that helps disabled vets learn to tie flies, fly fish and actually takes them on fishing trips. He did that for several years but gave it up when he had some health issues that prevented him going on the trips. Since then he's gotten into an online coin collecting group.

I worked for 30+yrs in an animal care profession and recently started volunteering just a few hours a month with a group that offers all kinds of opportunities to give time. I'm helping with trap/neuter/release of feral cats in SoCal area.

My brother in law who was a high school biology teacher volunteered at a park nature center.

Or possibly just a hobby that blooms out of a little interest you might have had in the past and never pursued. There really are so many options now days with the online world to show what's available. I'm like your wife--busy all the time with lunching with friends, exercise class, art projects and now the kitties! (And wasting too much time on the computer!!!) I hope you find something fulfilling to help you enjoy your retirement.

[Trueblue Texan]

98. There are so many things I already know I want to do when I retire, AND...

...because so many of those things came upon me by complete surprise, I know there are many more things out there I could explore and find joy in doing. A couple years ago I went to one of those events where everybody paints and drinks wine. I never cared two hoots about any kind of art. But after taking that one class, I decided I wanted more of that painting stuff. I started dabbling in painting but decided I couldn't paint very well if I didn't understand how to make things look right on a 2-dimensional surface. I decided I needed to learn to draw.

Learning to draw is so satisfying! I have to admit I've not painted much at all since starting drawing. I have so much to learn and I know I'll have more time to pursue this and other things I will discover when I'm retired. You never know what you might find out about yourself by dipping your toe in something new. No one could have convinced me I'd get into drawing--what a tedious bore!--that's what I used to think. Life is full of surprises. And now you've got time to surprise yourself! Good Luck!!

[Upthevibe]

31. fightforfreedom....

What a beautiful post.... .

On March 1, 2024, I'll be eligible for 100% of my Social Security. It's all I have because from 2011-2013 I lived off of my 401K (due to kind of a personal, existential crises- or maybe it was a mid-life crises). I plan on continuing to work (hopefully doing what I'm doing now - substitute teaching).

I'm so happy that things are working out so well for you!

[fightforfreedom]

36. There is nothing wrong with continuing to work if you have a job you love.

I never found a job I loved. I had a job when I was younger that wasn't too bad. It was a family run business. It went out of business.

[NewHendoLib]

33. I left the corporate world in 2012, at the age of 56, after 25

Years of ugh....big Pharma.

Never missed it, eased into my second career of writing and doing workshops. Now easing away from that into a slower pace, gardening, hiking, reading, music, movies.

Feeling very lucky with my best friend...my wife of 42 years, our dogs and cats, our location in western NC.

[SunSeeker]

55. Wow, you hit life's jackpot.

I was able to retire early, but my spouse of 30 years is not my best friend, nor a mate, more like a rude roommate. I don't even have a dog or cat, spouse doesn't want one in the house.

I've found friends for hiking, reading, music, movies. Life is still good. But with a good spouse it would be fantastic.

[NewHendoLib]

123. thanks for your comment, and I am sorry to hear of spouse challenges.

After viewing my friends, daughters, relationships - many of which are fraught - I feel very fortunate, but also realize how much of a coin flip a relationship is. I count myself fortunate every single day, for sure.

[airplaneman]

133. Hi SunSeeker - I have a joke about this

If you want something to unconditionally love you - get a dog.
If you want something to unconditionally hate you - get a spouse.
Not always true but rings true to some of us
-Airplane

[SunSeeker]

137. I so need a dog. nt

[Ferryboat]

34. I join the ranks February 20th.

A bit stressed about it, but I know I'm over thinking it.

[fightforfreedom]

38. That's what I did, I was over thinking it.

You think about all the worst case scenario's. It's normal, you're protecting yourself. Once I knew I had enough to cover all the bills I knew I was going to go for it. Figure out the rest as I went along. So far so good. Life's a crapshoot.

[Ferryboat]

49. Being debt free is the key,

Monthly expenses minor, it's the prospect of a major illness that bothers me.

As my doctor told me "if you get to 60yo without health problems you will be fine".

[OMGWTF]

37. I "retired" 14 years ago in October 2008 when I was laid off along with 30% of the company

during the last Great Republican Recession. My husband had already been retired for a year, and honestly, I wanted to be home with him. Fortunately, we were in a position to say "Fine, buh-bye." The very best thing about retirement for me is that I no longer have to be nice to asshole bosses.

We have stayed busy with volunteer work, grandkids, traveling, and doing whatever the hell we want, like going to the CA desert for four months in the winter. Everything does always work out. Maybe not how you thought it would, but often, better than you can imagine.

[fightforfreedom]

40. Talking about asshole bosses. Here's a story for you.

Years ago I was working for a company that reached 2 billion dollars in sales for the first time. The asshole boss was acting like he won the lottery. He was walking around bragging to all the employees. Then he made the mistake of bragging to me, LOL. I said to him.

Wow! That's great news, now you can give me a raise. I ruined his celebration.

[JudyM]

134. Where did you stay in the desert? Sounds like a great experience!

[Joinfortmill]

41. I second that. Retirement is almost as fun as childhood. Go forth and enjoy!

[NH Ethylene]

42. I am loving mine too.

I retired from teaching high school chemistry at the end of the second school year of Covid.

I always enjoyed my job, except for dealing with things outside the classroom (administrative mandates, etc). During Covid my workload was doubled. I had to create all new plans and strategies for teaching kids on line AND in the classroom at the same time! I had never worked so hard, not even in my first years of teaching. At the same time, community sentiment toward teachers was in the toilet, administrators treated us like adversaries, and I was in danger of getting Covid from my sick students (this was pre-vaccine). What a nightmare!

I was close to retirement anyway, so I finished the year (more than a few teachers left mid-year!!) and then resigned.

I am so happy with so many hobbies and I even have time to research topics that interest me, like biochemistry, and catch up on so much that has changed with cell biology since I was in college. I miss the students a bit, but can do part time teaching or tutoring if I want to.

[Saoirse9]

43. Jealous. I have 3 years left.

But so happy for you.

[Javaman]

44. Like my dad said when he retired...

Everyday is like Saturday

[Alien Life Form]

70. I actually LOVE Mondays!

Maybe its knowing everyone else is off to work while I am lounging about!

[XanaDUer2]

76. Me too! Nt

[Trueblue Texan]

99. I love Mondays because...

...it's my day off AND Rachel Maddow is on.

[LakeArenal]

45. Mr Lake was a workaholic.

When he retired his family was convinced he’d find a part time job.

Nope. He says he’s really good at “retired”. Doing nothing is great.

(Actually we seem busier than ever. Doing what we want to do).

However we did sell up and move to Costa Rica so that’s been immersive.

[wryter2000]

46. Retired for almost 8 years

I'm so busy with things I want to do I have no idea where I found the time to go to work. And no more driving on the freeway during commute hours.

[Emile]

48. The American Dream is to stop from being a Wage Slave.

[Shermann]

50. Congrats!

How did the market downturn affect you? Many pre-retirees are having to postpone their retirement date to recoup losses.

[fightforfreedom]

68. It did not affect me.

[3catwoman3]

51. I retired March 31, 2021, after being a pediatric nurse...

...practitioner since January 1976. I was 1 month shy of turning 70. By and large, I don't miss it.

For most of my career, I loved my job. My favorite part was always first time parents, newborns, and young babies. I love to teach and explain, and new parents are usually very eager students.

The advent of electronic medical records in 2013 changed everything. I felt more and more like a data entry clerk, and less and less like a clinician. Then came COVID, and because of COVID, the demand for telemedicine visits. I don't trust telemedicine as far as I could throw my laptop. It is simply not possible to accurately diagnose sick children if they are not right in front of you. Trying to explain to parents how to check for lymph nodes ("If the bump is the size of a mini M&M, we're not worried. If it's the size of a grape, we are.&quot or palpate an abdomen ("If it hurts when you push in, that's not as worrisome as if it hurts when you let go.&quot seemed iffy at best.

I retired 10 weeks before I would have made the 25 year mark at my final job. It had long been a goal to make it to 25 years, but it got to the point where it wasn't enough fun anymore, and doing 10 more weeks seemed like 10 more years.

The other thing I miss is being a trusted authority figure. People came to me for my advice, they listened when I gave it, they thanked me for giving it, they usually followed it, and in follow up visits, they would often tell me how helpful the advice had been.

And, I got paid to give that advice! None of that happens at home. If I suggest something to my husband, it's pretty much a sure bet he will choose to do just the opposite oftener than not.

[Tree Lady]

53. I love being retired too

I retired early 7 yrs ago, tried for a few jobs in small town we were living in but didn't really care that I didn't get it. That was way before they were screaming and begging for employees. We moved here 5 years ago and I decided even though larger town not to work so we could RV any time we wanted or I could go visit kids out of state.

I have found lots to keep me busy, classes, bookclub, exercise and hiking, gardening, dog stuff. We got a golden retriever 5 1/2 years ago to force us to stay active and it works!

I absolutely love waking up slowly and drinking a cup of tea and looking out window at trees and flowers. After all the years of office politics, watching bosses giving special treatment to certain employees, having employees be nice or mean depending on how they felt I am so glad to be out of that treadmill.

[Erik the UNred]

54. Just over a year

Zero complaints!

[The Jungle 1]

56. Freedom is being financially secure.

As a young man I built my own home. I paid off the bank in my early thirties. My wife and I always had solid middle class jobs. We were free. If we did not like our job we could quit. Companies pushed me to work more hours, they never won.
I was an industrial mechanic, machinist, electrician, welder. They needed me and I knew it. The companies were never happy when I quit but they were always warned. My wife was a nurse. She could go anywhere.
I served a four year apprenticeship and used TAA benefits for electrical training.
My wife was a programmer and the used TAA to become a nurse.
I support Biden's effort to relieve student loans. The government helped me! The union shops also helped.
My financial guy says we are not the norm.
My advice: Avoid debt.
I love retirement. This covid thing has been a pain in the ass though.

[SidneyR]

57. Retirement is probably much easier to adapt to if you already own a home.

My main goal was/is to buy a small ranch house in a small nearby city to live in after retirement. I've never owned a home in my life. Coming from a poor working-class family, I was the first to get a college degree but in the process I acquired a huge student loan debt, which I finally paid off in my early 60's. Then I worked on saving up a down payment. With two jobs that went pretty well until Covid came, one of those jobs went away, and the housing market for buyers crashed. Now in my late 60's, there are very few houses for sale and mortgage rates are outrageous. My down payment is stashed away in a CD as I wait for things to return to normal. Will that ever happen, or will I die first?

[SheltieLover]

67. Not buying it.

[mcar]

69. Are you on the wrong thread?

[fightforfreedom]

74. I noticed the change in our work place culture during the 80s.

Greed took over. Workers became more like numbers on a computer print out.. Unions grew weaker. It grew worse over the years. Wages grew stagnant. Workers started to lose benefits. Companies began to pass the cost of healthcare onto their workers. It all started in the 80s in my opinion.

[BumRushDaShow]

78. ...

[raising2moredems]

107. You called it - raygun started this mess

[halfulglas]

109. Not just cost of healthcare. 401K instead of pension.

Paid time off where you had to choose between using it as sick days or vacation days and always lost the days you saved for December "just in case" because you needed to save for doctor visits for illness, but everyone else already put in their request for those last few weeks early so sorry, and you could only roll over so many days.

And the stress of them demanding for more work in the same amount of time without decent raises, not to mention the American worker was urged to be patriotic by keeping the economy rolling if we didn't spend every cent we had. Don't you know, WE were responsible for it if we went into a recession.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

129. Pensions were NEVER as universal as people think.

Plus, pensions can go away quite easily. The 401k money always belongs to you.

I am getting less than a third of my pension because the company I worked for declared bankruptcy and was able to abrogate its pension obligations.

So stop thinking pensions are so wonderful.

Lucky me, I had only worked for that company ten years, and I never assumed my pension would amount to much. It's a bit more than the $100/month I'd always assumed, but it should be over $600/month. The people who worked for that company thirty or more years and who'd expected a truly decent pension have been totally screwed.

So yeah, a 401k where you control the money is vastly better than a pension that can disappear.

Oh, and because of the way sick time was configured, after ten years I left, leaving behind more than 100 days of sick leave that I also did not get paid for. Made me rethink my opinion of the employees who'd used up the sick time as it accrued. They were the smart ones. I was the sucker.

[BumRushDaShow]

75. Yesterday afternoon, when I turned on MSNBC at 5:30 pm EDT

between that timeframe and about 9:15 pm, I saw at least 14 Democratic ads (some that played several times during that period) from -

Shapiro for Governor (PA)

John Fetterman for Senate (PA)

Senate Majority PAC

(PA) HDCC & Friends of Joanna McClinton (she is head of the PA (D) Caucus)

Future Forward USA PAC

There was only one from the (R)s paid for by Turtle's PAC.

Link to tweet

PA House Democrats
@PaHouseDems
·
Follow
Why you should make the time to vote:
3:08 PM · Oct 20, 2022

Get informed.

[SheltieLover]

80. Excellent! 👏👏👏👏

Thx for sharing!

[BumRushDaShow]

81. I was ecstatic!

And that was cable. I haven't turned on the OTA broadcast channels and I am sure there are plenty running there too.

[SheltieLover]

82. No tv service here, so I'm glad to hear this!

Ty!

[BumRushDaShow]

83. They also run on the local CBS news radio affiliate here

I usually turn it on from about 3 pm until just after 4:30 pm and there have been a bunch of ads that have run there too and have been running all summer!

[SheltieLover]

84. Are ads addressing qpukes intention to cut Soc Security & Medicare?

[BumRushDaShow]

114. I think think there may be a radio version

of one of the PAC ones that included it in with the list of things the GOP wants to "cut" or "take away". I've been trying to pay attention to them to hear who is doing them because some are the candidate's own ads but others are the PAC ones. There is definitely a huge increase in ads in general, even when compared to what ran in 2020 - at least here in the Philly metro market.

[SheltieLover]

115. Awesome!

Thx for sharing.

[Alien Life Form]

60. My story

I worked selling radio air time for most of my life .WPRO and 92 PRO-FM...absolutely hated it! Always a hassle and always dealing with objections, rejection and sales managers.

Now I am retired and spend my time getting paid for taking pics for the local newspaper. Instead of people hating to see me they now come up to me eager to have their picture taken

I have met Senators and Congressmen, the Governor and local mayors as well as kids from the local schools.

Now I am on my way to take pics at a Halloween gathering..

Last week I had to take shots of Fall foliage..

Got a new camera.. Nikon z 6 11 with a 25-120 mm F 4 lens..proving "all boys love toys!"

Ya its a hard life!

[G2theD]

90. It's great you have something to do

I am looking at maybe volunteering somewhere. Finding something where there isn’t some a-hole ordering me around is the only job I would take.

I’m really not too bored. Between watching the movies I missed and following the end of America on MSNBC, I’m fine. Only problem is when you never get up of the chair your body starts falling apart. LOL

[ProfessorGAC]

61. Four Years For Me

I don't miss it either. They asked me about consulting. I said no thanks.
The only "work" I do is substitute teach and I can say no anytime I want. It's a spare time activity and not a real job.
Unlike real teachers, when the last bell rings, I'm totally done. No homework to grade, no lessons to an, no meetings, no after school activities.
It's kind of an ideal way to stay busy in retirement, especially in the months where the weather is unfavorable for golf.

[VoteBlue2175]

62. Retired 3 years now.

It is positively life-transforming when you are no longer governed by money or alarm clocks!

[Rabrrrrrr]

64. I look forward to the freedom of retirement! Glad you found it! nt

[love_katz]

66. I retired over a year ago. I love it!

Like many people, I worried that I couldn't afford it. To my surprise, I am actually doing better than when I was working. Going to work every day costs a surprising amount of money. I find that I spend much less now that I am staying home. I was considering working one more year, because the employee shortage would have meant many more hours of work available to me. But kids under the age of 12 were not yet being vaccinated, and I figured that risking my life for the extra income was not worth the risk. I noticed how many posters mentioned toxic work environments. That was one of the reasons why I decided to hang it up, combined with the fact that my profession is grossly underpaid, and getting time off to actually use my medical insurance was just about impossible. I'm still not great at managing my time, but I don't miss the stress of juggling the demands of my job at all! My honest wish is that everyone receives the good fortune of better working conditions and a happy retirement while we still have the good health to enjoy it.

[mike_c]

71. congratulations! I semi retired five years ago...

...but I still work one semester each year. This semester is my last. I'm really enjoying retirement too. I'm still doing lots of the things I did at work, but that's because I enjoy most aspects of my job. I'm just transitioning from pro to amateur, lol. My old job is my new hobby!

[XanaDUer2]

72. Disabled at 56

Guess I'm early retired. Last job a toxic torture chamber, and I've been in my field 36 years. Couldn't take it anymore.

No more getting up at 530, working 7 days in a row, office bullies, terrible management. Abusive public.

I am kinda bored. But a bad day at home is better than a good day at work. At least my last job.

Worried about finances. Hoping to get $2000 a month on SS, worried Republicans will take the earned benefits i spent 36 years paying for

[TrogL]

77. I retired a little

I'm living off my pension but I've got a side job mostly to keep me busy

[BumRushDaShow]

85. Retired from the federal government 2 weeks after 45 was inaugurated

which was after they took Pres. Obama's portrait off the walls in my building's lobby (and did the same in any agencies in the building that had them up), but BEFORE they had 45's photo portrait ready to hang.

I already had a pile of hobbies before that and being retired meant that I would now be consumed by them (plus add on DU).

I have had to make sure to set aside a block of time to do some "chore" (wash clothes, vacuum, run errands, clean bathrooms, water plants, etc) each day. I watched my mother (a stay-at-home one) do that - she would try to get her "chores" done "before noon" and then she would do her leisure reading or watch a CSPAN panel or some movie on TCM or would turn on "Microwave" (that is what she mis-called MSNBC ) in the afternoons and evenings.

[Kaleva]

86. Adapting to living on $1200 a month was a challenge

[G2theD]

87. I relate completely

Except for the melanoma, my experience is very similar. (the best to you in that fight).
I loved my job working as a mainframe system programmer.

But at the same time I was tired and beaten down by the pressure and really bad management above my manager. Constant audits by medicare/medicaid, Tricare, and veterans health insurance. You couldn’t go 2 months without an audit.

So, as soon as I was eligible for Social Security, I said screw this place (I had given them a years notice and spent a few months educating
my replacement! and didn’t look back.

It’s funny my manager was a climate change denier and very religious. One day he was talking about how abortion was bad. I said “well then don’t get one”. He wasn’t amused. He didn’t like my politics either. So we made a pact to never talk about politics and religion. After that I discovered that he was a very nice person. We became pretty tight at work. Luckily he used to be a system programmer ((VTAM, TCP/IP) and not a manager that knows absolutely nothing about what you do. I miss him a lot. We text each other from time to time.

My last day was 1/4/2021. I do what ever I feel like doing and the freedom, lack of work pressures, and not answering to “the man” is heaven on earth.

[malaise]

88. I love retirement

The most noticeable change is that in all these years since retiring, I have rarely caught a cold or had the flu.

[noiretextatique]

89. I waste 15 hours a week commuting

And everything I do is online or on a server. 2 more years, and I am done.

[A HERETIC I AM]

91. I'll have to work till I drop dead

Hopefully I’ll get the truck to the shoulder before that happens!

Like many millions of Americans, I’ve had to surrender a few 401(k)’s over the years in order to keep my head above water. That has had the predictable effect of leaving me with bugger all in retirement savings.

So unless I either elect to live like a pauper the last few years of my life or I win the Powerball, if I want to keep the standard of living I currently enjoy I’ll have to keep on working.

If I get a debilitating illness that precludes that, I’ll eat a bullet.

I’m not going to waste anyone’s time trying to look after me.

Fuck it.

In the mean time, I’ll see to it the mail I haul gets where it’s going on time.

I don’t like to be an asshole downer type, but way too many Americans are in the same spot as I am.

[Trueblue Texan]

100. Mail carriers and Postal workers are heroes too!

They work their asses off and most folks have only complaints about them. I appreciate what you do and hope you will find a way to have a decent retirement. Best wishes to you.

[A HERETIC I AM]

101. I really do appreciate the sentiment...

But there is bugger all that will allow me to have any kind of retirement.

My next oldest brother lives with me. For whatever reason the cosmos has declared, and as I am the youngest of 4, it has fallen on me to make sure my loser, useless, stoner, ne’er do well (how do well? Ne’er, that’s how) perennially under-achieving older brother has a roof over his head.

So….I work 60 plus hours a week so he can sit on his ass on a couch I paid for and play video games on a TV I paid for under a roof I pay the mortgage for. Sure, he gets Social Security and pays me an agreed upon monthly, but it isn’t even close to half of the expenses AND I am on the road all the time!

What a deal, eh?

So…I know the only person that can allow me to be taken advantage of is me, but the alternative is that he would be living under a bridge if I didn’t do what I’m doing.

So I do the “Christian” thing and look after my brother. And I’m an Atheist.

Retirement is a pipe dream.

[Trueblue Texan]

112. Well I hope the hell...

...your brother at least votes Democratic!

[A HERETIC I AM]

125. He does

But he’s registered as Independent!

He is however, as much a lefty as I am.

Otherwise he’d be living under the aforementioned bridge!

[Dysfunctional]

92. I retired in 1995 at the age of 52 thanks to having seen a psychiatrist once in 1966 in the army.

My disability had nothing to do with my being in the army but he said I was schizoid whatever that meant in 1966. I served another 14 months until my enlistment ended. My VA disability, Social Security, and my wife's Social Security when she turned 62 have made our retirement pretty good.

[DFW]

93. Everyone should try to find their own path.

My wife and I turned 70 this year. She took early retirement ten years ago. I’d go stir crazy. I work full time, have done so with the same outfit since I was 23. We were maybe 12 people then. About 550 people now. I take as much vacation as I feel like, and accord the same to all who work under me, as long as stuff gets done. If retirement suits you, by all means take it. It doesn’t suit me—not yet anyway. When it does, I’ll join the ranks.

[Trueblue Texan]

95. Thank you so much for posting this...

I am thinking about retiring in the next year and I am worried about it. I'm luckier than many, but don't feel prepared to give up my income. I know I have good money skills and can adjust, but I don't want to live every minute thinking about how little I should spend. This was encouraging.

[keithbvadu2]

96. My friend was getting ready to retire.

My friend was getting ready to retire. She planned to clean her house from stem to stern, take 30 days. Then she didn't know what she was going to do with the rest of her life. I told her: you will find so much to do that you will wonder where you found time to work before. She later said: yeah, I was right. She get married, built a new house. Never did finish cleaning the old house.

[liberal N proud]

97. I have 6 more years of hell.

I could retire in a year but need to max it out.

[mac56]

102. Good post.

I retired this past August. Still working out the details, but am very happy.

I used to say that I'd be working till lunchtime on the day of my funeral.

[Scottie Mom]

104. I retired too early -- only 49 years old.

I decided to go back to work part time when I was almost 65. I got so bored, I could not stand it. Not matter what I did to take its place, I missed practicing law. So I decided to paralegal for a local civil trial attorney and here I am nearly 10 years later, still working. Beautiful office in a historic building -- it looks like a movie set!

I have my own private office and work on "projects." I'm in the office at the most 3 days a week, usually 2, and I keep thinking in my mid-70s, I should stay at home and "enjoy" myself. I can take my dog to work and there are great restaurants and shops by the office. From the time I was in grade school, I wanted to be and attorney and I did that for a long time. Now I get to enjoy research and drafting pleadings, interviewing clients and witnesses, but don't have to do the business end of running the office. I love it!

I enjoy being home, but my mind got so bored, I went back to work doing something I loved and missed. The extra money is nice, but it's really the love of the law that keeps me in a law office.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

121. These are great stories

Really enjoyed reading all of this. Lots of great people here.

[BigmanPigman]

110. I say the same thing to myself daily, no joke!

I had to leave teaching 9 years ago since the environment was making me constantly ill. Watching the pennies, paying healthcare, etc on a very small budget is what I stress about now and it is NOTHING compared to the 1,000,000% stress I felt every single day while teaching. Between the time I retired early and my dad dying was 6 of the best years of my life! If I had to work instead of spending time with my dog and family I would be miserable and angry every second. It also has allowed me to get more involved in politics and other activities. Politics is stressful but not as bad as teaching.

[XanaDUer2]

113. My job was killing me

I stress about the same. But it's a million times better than when I was working.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

122. What did you teach?

And who?

[BigmanPigman]

124. Mostly 1st grade.

I was sick 90% of the school year. Classrooms are germ factories. When 2 doctors tell you to quit, you listen to them.

Eating right, sleeping, exercise, flu shots, etc did nothing to help me. I got mononucleosis for 6 months and worked every day since no doctor would correctly diagnosed me, even though my eyes were turning yellow and I was down to 85 pounds (I was 40 years old so no one even thought of mono). I also got severe pneumonia but again, the doctors only said to stay out of school for 3 days. I was harassed by the administrators since they were told not to hire substitutes and was forced to work while sick most of the time. On the 3rd day I was out sick I ended up in the ER and had lost more than half of my blood internally. I had to have 3 transfusions of packed blood. Meanwhile I was not worried about almost dying, I was worried that I couldn't leave substitute plans and called the school every day with verbal instructions from my hospital bed since I feared I would be fired. The 4th year I taught I was put into an old classroom that was filled with black mold. I have permanent respiratory damage from that. The school district told me the building was safe. I was coughing up blood and went to the union for help. When I was out sick during the 2nd month I was finally told that the building was so full of mold that it had to be destroyed. I found out they donated it to Mexico, nice huh.

This is why I get so angry with cheap school districts who think teachers are disposable, especially during Covid. Teachers are seen as glorified babysitters who work 50 hour weeks for little pay and respect. We would make more babysitting individual kids.

[Locrian]

111. 1 more year - I hope....

Didn't expect to have to be the (sole) support for (daughter) with disabilities which sorta put a snag in things, but life is too short to never have any time. Seen too many people die at 59/60 (or earlier) - life is too short.

[lunatica]

117. I'm retired almost five years now and I love it!

[CTyankee]

118. I was targeted to be part of a "clear the dead wood" campaign by a bad boss. It was my last year

at a job with impossible goals to reach. The boss wanted everyone over the age of 60 out when she took over. I was determined to keep my job until I reached an age where I could get more from SS. I did my job. I would have been let go earlier but I had told my department staff that I was retiring at a certain time. They would have been pretty unhappy if I were let go prior to that time. In retirement, every dime you can get from SS counts.

Well, the bad boss was fired by the Board of Directors within a year of my leaving. She had overplayed her hand, been deceitful and just like that she was gone.

[GenThePerservering]

120. I was forced to retire when my company collapsed

due to a crazy CEO. I hated it, so now I run a small business.

ETA: I was in the workforce for 51 years.

[Pinback]

126. 4.5 years off the clock

I liked my co-workers, most of them. And I worked hard and was productive. Fortunately thanks to decent wages (IT work, mostly) and a frugal lifestyle, I was able to retire a few years before I had originally planned.

One of the most interesting aspects of retiring has been that I remember more of my dreams now. And when I retired, the scary dreams I often had had -- not about work, necessarily, but quite reminiscent of the dread that often accompanied the anticipation of another work day-- disappeared. I mean, instantly, like turning off a switch. Interesting, and a nice surprise.

[Diraven]

128. I was pretty much forced to retire by my health

Work stress was giving me so much anxiety and depression, plus heart and digestive problems. I literally thought a was dying for the last year at my job and even a couple years after I left before I was back to normal. Now work part time at home at a very stress-free job.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

131. I have never had a job that was better than not working.

I stopped working 8 years ago. To say retired isn't quite right, because I was only working part time, 20 hours a week on the information desk of the local hospital.

I don't understand those who complain about being bored not working. Get a life! Do something other than go to work!

I read a lot, do some writing, attend the odd s-f convention. Currently I'm in Denver at Mile Hi Con, happily chatting with authors and fans and learning all kinds of new things in the field.

When I'm home I read a lot, spend my days with my cat, and do some writing, have lunch with friends.

Even though it would be nice to earn some extra money, I'm not willing to give up my personal time for any kind of a job.

I will add that about a year after I stopped working, I did take a temporary job. I'd seen an ad in the newspaper, looking for a part time employee, so I decided to apply. I'd have been hired on the spot, but their idea of part time was 30 hours a week, and mine was more like 20 hours. The woman who interviewed me, one of the owners of the small business, asked me if I'd be willing to do temporary work for them. I said, yes, and a few weeks later, after they'd filled the job I'd applied for, they asked me if I could come in for a week. And so I did. Good experience. A month or so later they called me again, and I worked about three days for them. All in all, it was a very good experience. But I haven't worked since then, and doubt I ever will again.

[GoodRaisin]

132. The day I retired was the happiest day of my life,

other than the birth of my 2 children.

34 years in corporate life and i was so ready to go. I threw away all my khakis and polo shirts and never wore another one. And I’ve never been on a damn plane ever again.

And you know, the things and people that were so damn important and putting so much stress on my life - suddenly went “poof”, and were gone, just like that. None of that stuff mattered anymore. What a great feeling that was. It’s hard to top that.

[XanaDUer2]

146. I love your explanation of poof

Exactly right. 99% of my daily problems and stress ended, just like that.

[GusBob]

136. I dread the thought of retirement

Good thing I love my jobs and my careers continue to be challenging and very rewarding. As a physician for the IHS I help a lot of people in a very meaningful way in a place and position that very few people in the world would be able to manage. My other practice is run by folks who are like family to me. It helps to be so needed

I will happily die before I ever retire

[Chipper Chat]

139. looking forward to retirement.

I am 82 and still the General Manager of a Hilton Hotel.

[Orrex]

140. I expect that I'll have to work until at least the morning of my funeral

And my plan is to be cremated in a refrigerator box, rather than one of those expensive luxury cardboard boxes that the crematories want you to buy.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

143. I was able to retire early due to my Bank of the Lumpy Mattress

Savings Account, having no debt, and leasing property, which I built a small bungalow on, in Mexico.

Retirement is a great gig, I highly recommend it if someone has the resources to retire within their means comfortably. I have a wide variety of interests, and am easily amused, so I never get bored.

[Jilly_in_VA]

147. I retired from nursing in 2012

I hadn't been able to find a job since I moved up here from Richmond. I have a hunch it was due to rampant ageism in this area. Nobody wants to pay experienced nurses what we are worth; they'd rather pay a young, new nurse pennies, even though they have to train them and run the risk of losing them in 5 years or less (statistically that's true, BTW). That may be why the local hospital has such a horrible reputation. Anyway, the decision was pretty much made for me when I ended up having 4 abdominal surgeries that year. "Here's your sign!"

After I recovered, I started volunteering for RAM (Remote Access Medical) in their free clinics in Virginia at the suggestion of a friend. She's not a medical person and volunteers in the vision clinic, helping people pick out new glasses, but I of course went to the medical side and eventually found a home in the dental clinic doing various nursing and dental assisting chores there. With the advent of Covid, I stopped that and started working with the local SPCA shelter. I'm busier now than I ever was when I was working!