Tell me about Retirement...The good, the bad, the ugly

[Lisa Starr]

Due to ongoing health issues caused by my Stem Cell Transplant, it sounds like I'm going to be moving into retirement much earlier than I had intended. As many of you may know, I worked a ton of hours when COVID-19 first hit the USA. Well, those demands on my body caused a whole host of symptoms to reappear and I've been forced to stop working again entirely. Today I got the news that the Oncologist, Cardiologist and Specialist dealing with the chronic fatigue held their teleconference and that I need to stop gainful employment, as my body simply can no longer support that activity level. I'm not sure whether to celebrate or cry. Granted, I'll be turning 60 yet this year, but I've enjoyed my work all these years. How do you fill your days? Are you able to find meaningful activities to help maintain a structure to your life? My husband still has several years to work, so traveling or doing things together won't be able to happen yet.

Please share your experiences and lessons.

Thanks

[Howard Garner]

Find a hobby. Anything to keep busy. Not not become a coach potato.
Inactivity is the biggest downer.
Retired for 10 years and enjoying it. Have model railroads as my hobby.

Howard Garner

[George Bokros]

Stay busy, find a hobby you like if you don't have one. Hopefully you will have health insurance through yor husbands employment.

[Larry Frank]

Get well first !!!

You will need to find activities that your body can tolerate. It is difficult. But do not panic and take care of mental health as well.

I have chronic pain from my back and other joints. I can not do large woodworking projects anymore but have found smaller ones. I am doing more scroll saw type work. I also try to do a good job with dust collection and air filter.

Take your time to figure out what you can do and concentrate on those

[Mel Fulks]

Well! I'm not down with that...just down over that. I suggest trying something like hobo art . Also called tramp art,hey I
didnt name it ! Any way it's whittled chains, whistles, small boxes,etc. I know you will find a way to stay busy. Stay
with us.

[Jim Becker]

I will tell you that I'm very thankful that I was able to retire "early" at age 60 myself. The good is a lot less stress and I'm doing things that I enjoy. In my case, some things haven't changed...I'm the primary cook in the household, do the laundry, care for the property, etc., for example. The bad...which is also the good...is that I seem to be busier than ever. I agree with the others that you should give good thought to how you will spend your time so that you can promote self care every day. I elevated my woodworking and other creative activities to a place I couldn't do while still working full time, especially with the travel I was doing. Try to choose some options for your time that are enjoyable to you while also catering to the reality of your physical needs.

Your reason for considering retirement is a good one, even though it may be outside of your original plan. Your health and maintaining your recovery is a good priority to have.

In my case, Professor Dr SWMBO is two years younger than me, has tenure at the university that she's on faculty, is the provider of our health insurance via that work and enjoys teaching her masters and doctoral students. She'll likely continue with that until age 65 for both functional and enjoyable reasons unless presented with a "package she can't refuse". (that also includes the aforementioned health insurance.)

[Dave Mills]

I retired really early, at 49. As long as you have things to do, hobbies, pets, sports, reading, whatever it may be, you will quickly be wondering how you possibly came up with 40 hours every week to hold down a job. It is also a great time to start a small business of your own, and the finance side of it can work very well. So if selling wood projects is of interest, I would certainly examine the possibility, or of any other hobby activity. It can create some great tax advantages. And I assume you're going to be getting some SSD money? My wife had to retire early for medical reasons, and we never knew about SSD, never applied until we were way too late to make a claim. Don't miss that out, if it's a possibility.

Dave

[Bruce Wrenn]

In retirement, health insurance is the biggest thing. Because you are going out on medical reasons, after a year, you will be able to go on Medicare, unless they have changed the rules. Same goes for SS disability. As for something to do, I don't know how I ever had time to work. Most days, the "to do list" doesn't get done, but there is tomorrow. Finally able to do some projects for myself and some needed home repairs. Anybody want to help put on eight squares of shingles? Two story, 3/12 pitch. Next after shingles is remove tub and convert to shower, plus get rental house back on line. Cabinets in my shop, plus more insulation on the walls. Get rid of forty years worth of accumulated junk from my business. The list goes on and on, plus the new additions added daily.

[Ed Aumiller]

I took very early retirement... Knew I needed to stay active so my woodworking projects increased... After 2 months of retirement, I was working on a shop cabinet and wanted to finish it that day... Do not know what hit me but I realized I had the rest of my life to finish that cabinet (I am type A+ person, i.e. DO IT NOW!)....
I looked at the cabinet and literally forced myself to lay down the tools and go to my deck, poured a glass of wine, watched the deer in the yard ....
Best thing I ever did.... I realized then that this was just the next phase of my life...

Take the retirement as just that, the next phase of your life to be ENJOYED....
Stay as active physically as you can, BUT stay active MENTALLY!!! That is very important.

Do not know your situation, but after you retire and if you stay active, you will be busier than ever and wonder why you did not do it sooner !!!!!

The best of wishes for your future and ENJOY retirement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ralph Okonieski]

Sorry to hear about your illness forcing retirement, but look at it as an opportunity to do things that you may not have had time for. It is very important to stay busy. Others have suggested hobbies which agree can be fun and productive. Our city has a senior center which sponsors weekly activities (bingo, cards, exercise, ...), at least it did before COVID. Look for something that keeps the mind active; take a class at local university or offer to teach or tutor if so inclined. Learn a foreign language. There are many things, just do some research. Stay positive. Best wishes on your retirement.

[glenn bradley]

Primary question; will you still be able to work in the shop? That availability or denial of that activity will certainly alter recommendations.

[Thomas McCurnin]

I wanted to work until age 75 and business circumstances (bad) and health circumstances (good) forced me into retirement at age 69. I thought I would hate it, but enjoy it.

I found out that after 7 years of battling cancer, that it was gone, in remission for the last 6 years, and not likely to ever return. I don't want to sound preachy, because I'm not terribly religious, but God has given me a second chance. So do I go back to work and work until I die at my desk (Plan "A") or give this second chance a completely new and different life (Plan "B"). After speaking at length with my bartender of 20 years, he convinced me to do something completely different with my life.

So we traveled last year to China, Pakistan, Kashmir, India and Nepal. I'd still be on the road, but for this damn virus.

I am blessed with financial stability and good health. I don't deserve this and question why me?

[Jay Aubuchon]

Lots of good suggestions above. It is fine to just goof off some, but I wouldn't recommend it full time. Find things to occupy your time in satisfying ways, but such that you can stay within the boundaries that your health allows. I too have health issues, although not as significant as yours sound. I know my limits.

In addition to a serious hobby or two, I highly recommend some kind of volunteer activity. There are many worthwhile organizations out there with diverse needs. For me, it was best to choose volunteer activities that are very different from what I did for a living. I've given enough of my life to statistical analysis and software development.

[Bill Dufour]

You will need to get out of the house and socialize with adults. Swimming and bicycles are the easiest on the joints. You pay may not go down as much as you think. Union dues,retirement and social security is not taken from the retirement checks. At some point that special hardware or wood stash you are saving for a special project should be used. About one month ago I cut up a one inch bolt I had been saving for 40 years. I used the head for a knob and tossed the threaded portion. It makes a great lock knob on my saw.
Bill D

[Bruce King]

We retired April 2018, I was 58 and her 59. We moved and did a remodel which kept us busy. Then after some rough patches with my elderly parents and my health issue we got ebikes. We already were bike riders but wanted these after riding ebikes in Asheville with a tour group. We get four times the exercise on the ebikes because we ride much more. We travel with the bikes too, Airbnb, iTrip, VRBO, Evolve are the ways to stay away from crowded accommodations. We had to put a 2 inch hitch on our car and order a heavy duty bike rack for these heavy bikes. You can get a very good ebike for 1500. No need to buy from the local bike shop for three times that.

[Ron Citerone]

3 years out for me and the "Good" is endless............If I ever find the "Bad and ugly" I will let you know.

I had 2 heart attacks before retiring and the diminished stress plus being able to excercise and cook and eat healthy food has made a huge difference in my life. I keep myself busy by painting my kids houses and renovating my old bay cottage, but I do it on my schedule........tired/rest.........hungry/eat.........sweat/sit in AC etc. Good luck to you!

P.S. I retired 2 years before my wife. I did the shopping, cooking and some of the laundry and that allowed her to concentrate on her job easily. Also, I always got up when she did so she didn't have to look at me laying in bed, plus it got me moving earlier so I could be productive at a liesurely pace.:)

[Mike Henderson]

I retired early - not by choice. I really enjoyed my work and would have worked for many more years. But you take what gets thrown at you.

My wife was ill so for a good many years I was busy taking care of her. She passed away in 2010. During that time, when I had time, I learned woodworking and built some nice furniture.

I remarried and am now able to really retire. My wife and I travel and I continue to do woodworking. I also took up beekeeping but that doesn't take a lot of time. I often wake up wondering what I'll do that day but I always manage to stay busy.

Work on your health first. Once you're felling reasonably well, figure out what you'd like to do. It could be a hobby or volunteer work, or travel, or something else. Believe it or not, you will find things to do and you'll be busy. We all go through it.

Mike

[Kev Williams]

I notice you like dogs :) -- Train a favorite animal- dog, cat, rabbit, sugarglider, mongoose, whatever-- to be a Therapy Animal, and join one of the groups who take them to children's hospitals, retirement homes, etc. to let people enjoy their company (and yours). Good for them, and you ;)

[Lisa Starr]

Thank you! I'm fortunate in that we'll be financially okay. I'm covered by both a long term disability policy and SS disability. Together they makeup about 60% of my prior take home pay. As my husband is self-employed, we were already paying for his health insurance and I'm on Medicare thru the SS Disability.

I think the word "RETIREMENT" was sounding really scary, when in reality, it is what I've been doing on and off for the last 5 years after being diagnosed with Aggressive Lymphoma. I had to learn to be okay with just sitting in my recliner when I was tired/sick as I was one of those people that multi-tasked constantly prior. I had returned to work part-time and was feeling reasonably well prior to COVID-19. When everything went crazy at work, I made some poor decisions and worked 60,70 or 80 hour weeks running on sheer willpower. Well my body wisely decided otherwise, and I've undone all the gains I made in stamina since the SCT 3 years ago. I'm told that if I take my time and listen to my body, I should be able to return to a reasonable activity level. At this point, I get a maximum of 4 hours in my shop some days and need to rest most afternoons before making dinner. I also am able to go for a walk in the evening with my husband and the dog.

Please understand, I'm not complaining about this at all and consider myself to be very blessed to be alive. I just have to remind myself frequently that I'm here spending time with people I love.

[Jon Grider]

I was nudged out of my job of 39 years in 2019 at 65. Retirement was on my short list anyway, but open heart surgery sped the inevitable. I love being retired! I've found a few retailers that sell my woodworking thingamajigs, so I spend several hours a day in the shop. I strive to work efficiently and approach my woodworking as a business to make profit. I hike on trails 5 or 6 days a week for a couple of hours per and read a lot. I'm never bored, even with Covid protocols. Alone time has always been something I like and covet. Prayers for your health and adjustment to the changes you are experiencing.

[Joe Bradshaw]

Lisa, sorry about your illness. I have been retired for twelve years now..I can tell you that retirement isn't all that it's said to be..It's even better. You have gotten some good advice from others. Work on getting better and then decide how to handle the best years of your life that are coming up. My hobbies are wood turning and spoon carving. Some days I don't even go into my shop, but , just sit on my front porch and read. Hang in there girl.
Joe

[Stan Calow]

Lisa, sorry about your illness. Retirement is great, its just different. The pressure is off, and you can put your time and attention to anything you want or nothing. Take classes, visit places you always wanted to see, etc. Just try to get into a regular exercise routine or you can get sedentary and waist a lot of time on the couch. Don't look back.

[Jim Becker]

In retirement, health insurance is the biggest thing. Because you are going out on medical reasons, after a year, you will be able to go on Medicare, unless they have changed the rules. Same goes for SS disability.

SS disability is what gets the Medicare benefits. It's pretty difficult to get through the qualification process, often taking multiple efforts with the assistance of an attorney that specializes in this area (they get paid by SS out of the "back benefits" after final approval) and sometimes multiple years unless there is a clear, documented history of disability. (We went through this process with our older daughter...successfully...so are intimately familiar with it)

But yes...health care is the absolutely BIGGEST concern for anyone retiring prior to 65 for any reason and even then, it's still a consideration because basic Medicare doesn't (currently) cover many things including prescriptions without supplemental insurance. That factored into my own decision, but we were already using Professor Dr. SWMBO's benefits for insurance rather than my former employer's health care plan because hers was more comprehensive relative to our daughter's needs while she was still a minor. My former employer also went to a "high deductible" plan which I wanted ZERO part of.

[Lisa Starr]

Thanks Jim - I've already been thru the SS Disability process and have it. I also have been on it long enough that I have Medicare. I have an Advantage plan that is very inexpensive compared to what I paid on the open market prior and has coverages that suit my health status.

[Aaron Rosenthal]

Lisa, I've so much enjoyed your posts, and the ongoing discussion of your business issues lately.
Get well. It's the most important thing. My wife was involved ina life changing car collision 3 years ago, and I see, every day, the struggles you are going through.
Every respondent here has focused on a mentally healthy viewpoint. So true!
I never "retired". I just slowed down a lot, and changed my focus. I'm still raising foster children, looking after my wife, etc.
So many of us here have focused on your health care - thank the Creator it's not something living in Canada, I need to worry about.
You'll find something to do. Vital, active people always do.
Best of luck, and our blessings to you.

[Paul F Franklin]

Lisa, there are a lot of good comments here. I, too, am sorry that health issues are causing you to change direction perhaps before you were ready. But you seem to have a good attitude about it, seeing the potential opportunities and not just the negatives.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned: Like many folks I suspect, I was fairly dependent on work for social interaction and intellectual stimulation. I worked with some brilliant engineers and other professionals, and of course we had our work and profession in common, so it was natural to get together outside of work as a kind of extended "family". When I got laid off (when I was 59 or 60, I forget), because the company decided to leave the market area I was responsible for, I decided to retire, both because I was fortunate enough to be able to, and because at that age, finding a new, good, spot in the industry was not going to be easy. Plus, I was pretty seriously burned out. Anyway, I maintained many of the friendships and interactions with my previous work-family for a while, but it became harder to do over time, mostly because the common bond of work was no longer there. There's more to it than that though....they of course were still busy with work. And frankly, I think they didn't really want to hear about how enjoyable I was finding retirement, and how much more time I had to do what I really enjoyed doing, when they were still working long hours and struggling to find any free time. So most of those work relationships drifted away, although I still have some former coworkers that will, I'm sure, remain life-long friends.

That's a too-long story to make the point that there are social adjustments needed for many after retirement, and it takes some work to meet new people and develop new friendships. Fortunately, I have never needed a great deal of social interaction. But for folks with stronger needs for interaction with others, retirement can be quite an adjustment.

[Stephen Tashiro]

It's worth mentioning that the first few weeks or months of retirement may be awkward. You'll probably have a nagging feeling throughout the day that you should be somewhere doing something - it's like knowing you are missing an appointment but can't remember what it is. That discomfort gradually goes away.

[Jim Becker]

Thanks Jim - I've already been thru the SS Disability process and have it. I also have been on it long enough that I have Medicare. I have an Advantage plan that is very inexpensive compared to what I paid on the open market prior and has coverages that suit my health status.

That right there is the golden key to allowing you to make this decision now if you feel it's the right thing to do. I'm really happy to hear you already successfully "did the dance" so you have that coverage. Thanks for clarifying this point because ... it's important. So care for yourself in the best way possible. If retiring helps get you there, go for it!

[Bruce King]

For those still working and planning to retire before 65, Its really beneficial to retire in a way where you don’t withdraw from taxable retirement accounts until after 65. This puts you in a bracket to really gain from the health care subsidies for everyone that has taxable income below 65k. It’s best when income is somewhere below 35k. We found ourselves benefiting from that as a surprise so we got really good healthcare insurance from Bluecross with max out of pocket of only $700. Our cost is less than 25% of the premium. Nothing political here, just filling out the forms available. The only drawback is that I can’t invest non retirement account money in the market because it would be dumb to risk money, pay taxes if I made money and pay back subsidies if I made money.

[Mike Wilkins]

You have to have something to fill your time since you will no longer be employed-a hobby such as woodworking will fit the bill nicely. I also have 2 motorcycles for fun.
Income will be seriously altered, so budget carefully. I have a wife who is seriously into couponing which has saved us a boat-load of food and toilet paper money. Take a careful look at cutting non-essential expenditures and watch credit card expenses.
Staying busy is key.

[John K Jordan]

Due to ongoing health issues caused by my Stem Cell Transplant, it sounds like I'm going to be moving into retirement much earlier than I had intended. As many of you may know, I worked a ton of hours when COVID-19 first hit the USA. Well, those demands on my body caused a whole host of symptoms to reappear and I've been forced to stop working again entirely. Today I got the news that the Oncologist, Cardiologist and Specialist dealing with the chronic fatigue held their teleconference and that I need to stop gainful employment, as my body simply can no longer support that activity level. I'm not sure whether to celebrate or cry. Granted, I'll be turning 60 yet this year, but I've enjoyed my work all these years. How do you fill your days? Are you able to find meaningful activities to help maintain a structure to your life? My husband still has several years to work, so traveling or doing things together won't be able to happen yet.

Please share your experiences and lessons.

Thanks

I retired in 2006 at age 56. I was highly motivated to retire early since first my hands started to give out with overuse (too much coding) then I my shoulder need surgery from too much mousing at the computer. Both of these gave me near continuous pain when working at the computer. And although I had the greatest job/career in the world (basically did what I wanted to do) I like retirement far better. Those people I know that have nothing to do seem to spend retirement on the couch and go down fast.

We bought a farm, have llamas, alpacas, horses, mini-donkeys, and beehives and raise guinea, peacocks, and chickens. I haven't watched an hour of television in maybe 15 years. Yes, I'm tired all the time and don't have 10% of the energy I had 20 years ago (some days I can barely walk up the hill from the barn) but I wouldn't want any other kind of life. If I'm not busy all day I get worthless, feel more tired, and start getting a little depressed sometimes. I usually get up about 5am and start my day with a walk down to the barn to check on things. (Tomorrow fully I expect to have a skunk in a trap in the barn - good fun!)

My wife of 50 years is slowly losing her vision so we travel a lot so she can see things while she still can. (She retired a few years ago.) Lots of trips to Europe and around the country, well, not with the current pandemic, but we suspect that will be under control eventually. We do lots of volunteer work too, raise a garden, and eat like royalty. (She's the best cook in the southeast!) I love teaching (woodturning, construction, welding, honeybees, animal care), especially to young people, teen aged. In fact, hanging out with little kids seems to give me more energy than anything!

439301

I've been teaching kindergarten SS classes for over 25 years and often have kids visit the farm to see the animals and maybe get a woodturning demonstration or make or help make something. For me, there is nothing better than interacting with kids. This is from Saturday, a Pikachu (sp?) made from cherry, cut out on the scroll saw, for him to give as a birthday present! (paint and Sharpie)

439300

Here's hoping and praying that your health situation will stabilize and improve! And keep busy!

JKJ

[Mel Fulks]

John, I think you might get another career....writing football half-time notes for coaches !
My wife has a serious eye condition,too. Hoping for a cure for all eyes.

[Steve Eure]

I too had to retire early because of health issues. In the beginning it was stressful not knowing what to do with my time. I farmed so there was always something that needed to be done, so I had busy days all the time, which I loved. Then came the illness. I finally re-found my love for woodworking, and now stay busy when I feel like it. Another plus is that my grandchildren live close enough that I can spoil them while their parents work. With ball practice and now "home"schooling, I have plenty to do.
Seeing that you are already into woodworking, find a niche that works for you, whether it'b turning or flatwork, scrolling or the like. Good luck, but most of all stay safe and take care of your body.

[John K Jordan]

John, I think you might get another career....writing football half-time notes for coaches !
My wife has a serious eye condition,too. Hoping for a cure for all eyes.

Ah, remind me about this "football". I think I watched it in the mid '60s when I played the trumpet in the school band but for some reason I remember the cheerleaders more than the game.

JKJ

[roger wiegand]

I tried to retire early (well 60 maybe) but people kept bringing offers I couldn't refuse of fun, challenging, and interesting new opportunities. So I kept "working" though I knew I was a volunteer at that point, which does make a difference (though it doesn't free up any time). I also love being fully retired now, though I can't imagine how I had time to spend 60-70 hours a week at work all those years and still get anything done at home and in the shop. Working at something you really love doing doesn't feel so much like work, but being retired is still different. I'm busier now than ever, and am contemplating retiring from retiring so I might finally have time to go fishing again someday.

We started doing at least two month-long trips a year to places on our bucket list as soon as I retired, at least one to someplace warm during mud season in Boston. . A lot more time at home this year, with our trips to Europe and Australia cancelled. The garden looks much improved as a result, and a major long term organ renovation project is going to finally get finished.

As to the bad and ugly, I can only comment from observation. Top of that list, the obvious candidates are lack of health and lack of money. As I think about it now though the real killer problem seems to be lack of curiosity/imagination. Without health and money everything else becomes more difficult but plenty of people live very happily with either or both of those problems. The folks who are miserable in retirement are those who can't or won't think, explore, try something new, read a book, learn to do something new, make a new friend, go someplace they've never been, etc.

Engage with the world and seek out opportunities to grow and learn and life is great.

I've been trying to learn to speak Italian the last couple of years, it may kill me, but I'll have fun in the process.

[Jim Becker]

For those still working and planning to retire before 65, Its really beneficial to retire in a way where you don’t withdraw from taxable retirement accounts until after 65. This puts you in a bracket to really gain from the health care subsidies for everyone that has taxable income below 65k. It’s best when income is somewhere below 35k. We found ourselves benefiting from that as a surprise so we got really good healthcare insurance from Bluecross with max out of pocket of only $700. Our cost is less than 25% of the premium. Nothing political here, just filling out the forms available. The only drawback is that I can’t invest non retirement account money in the market because it would be dumb to risk money, pay taxes if I made money and pay back subsidies if I made money.

That's a nice ideal, but not financially feasible for many folks in many areas of the US. $35K isn't even close to affordable to live on in so many places. And having to pay for health insurance out of that, even subsidized, makes it more difficult. Accordingly, it makes it very difficult for folks to retire early for both income and health care reasons. Had I not "done the right thing" for so many years, there would have been no way I could make the move at age 60, even with Professor Dr. SWMBO still working.

[Jim Becker]

I forgot to mention, my father retired early at age 50 because of health issues with his heart. Five bypass operations and innumerable stents...he lived to 87 and his mind and a fall is what did him in. Ironic. Thankfully, he had a pension that was well funded and a lot of savings to supplement.

[Adam Grund]

Enjoying reading the replies- the joy and discovery of a new life almost is fascinating.
After having kids, I’ve often thought how cool it would be If retirement was reversed somehow. Like don’t work your younger years and then work when your older. I’ve not hit those golden years yet so I don’t have any inciteful experience to bring to this daydream, but having two young babies I can say it is an exhausting exercise in sanity and then that ever so small window of joy they bring each day makes it hard to want to ever leave for work.
Anyways, Lisa I hope you maintain your health and enjoy!

[Bruce King]

That's a nice ideal, but not financially feasible for many folks in many areas of the US. $35K isn't even close to affordable to live on in so many places. And having to pay for health insurance out of that, even subsidized, makes it more difficult. Accordingly, it makes it very difficult for folks to retire early for both income and health care reasons. Had I not "done the right thing" for so many years, there would have been no way I could make the move at age 60, even with Professor Dr. SWMBO still working.

Sorry, $35k of income is in the range of getting the good subsidy. You live off money you have outside your retirement accounts so even if you spend 90k you still get the subsidy.

[Bruce King]

Enjoying reading the replies- the joy and discovery of a new life almost is fascinating.
After having kids, I’ve often thought how cool it would be If retirement was reversed somehow. Like don’t work your younger years and then work when your older. I’ve not hit those golden years yet so I don’t have any inciteful experience to bring to this daydream, but having two young babies I can say it is an exhausting exercise in sanity and then that ever so small window of joy they bring each day makes it hard to want to ever leave for work.
Anyways, Lisa I hope you maintain your health and enjoy!

Lots of people take their “retirement” from 18 to 45 and say I don’t care if I work till 75. Problem is finding gainful employment in later years that your aging body can handle.

[Jim Koepke]

Took my retirement at 57-1/2. They couldn't promise me they would add more years at the other end for sticking around.

At one time it was my plan to work into my 70s. Sure glad that plan crashed and burned.

One of my supervisors told me about studies indicating people who retired early tended to live longer.

Glad for all the advice that convinced me to save more for retirement. Wish that had been started earlier. Haven't taken disbursements from my 457 or 401k plans other than to fund a new roof a few years ago.

But now life is pretty comfortable and debt free because of decisions made years ago.

The biggest hiccough of my retirement was needing triple by-pass surgery.

Too much ice cream and fatty foods. Live and learn.

jtk

[Jerry Bruette]

That's a nice ideal, but not financially feasible for many folks in many areas of the US. $35K isn't even close to affordable to live on in so many places. And having to pay for health insurance out of that, even subsidized, makes it more difficult. Accordingly, it makes it very difficult for folks to retire early for both income and health care reasons. Had I not "done the right thing" for so many years, there would have been no way I could make the move at age 60, even with Professor Dr. SWMBO still working.

Bruce is referring to regular taxable income. If the money comes out of a Roth IRA or Roth 401K it's not taxed as regular income. Then you qualify for the health care subsidies.

[Larry Frank]

The issue of finances and medical care are one of the critical areas. My wife and I have had a very good financial planner for years. There are so many rules and things I do not know. Missing deadlines or withdrawal requirements can be costly. Plus, I just do not want to spend time studying and doing the bookwork to manage everything.

We sat with our advisor yesterday reviewing where we are and needed changes. Also, we had long discussion on the effects of the upcoming election and how to financially prepare.

[Jim Becker]

Sorry, $35k of income is in the range of getting the good subsidy. You live off money you have outside your retirement accounts so even if you spend 90k you still get the subsidy.

I understand the point about the subsidy. But I, like a large percentage of folks, have all of my retirement funding in retirement accounts, so there's no choice but to use some of it for income because, well...401K was how those funds were accumulated and that money had to be rolled over into IRAs per the rules. For folks who have non-retirement account liquidity, what you propose is an interesting option, however.


Bruce is referring to regular taxable income. If the money comes out of a Roth IRA or Roth 401K it's not taxed as regular income. Then you qualify for the health care subsidies.

I have some of my money in a ROTH IRA, but I cannot take the money out for a few more years because of the 5 year requirement for rollovers. That ROTH money came from post-tax contributions to my 401K while working as I was putting more money in than was permitted pre-tax. (the whole reason I was able to retire early was saving more) There was no separate ROTH account because of the level of contributions I was making to the 401K. The Professor has a little money in a ROTH, but is also limited because of contribution levels to her 403B plan. (similar to a 401K plan, but used for non-profits, etc.)

[Bernie Kopfer]

After hearing many retired patients complain about the fact that they had no spare time and that they were busier than when they had been working I started asking some questions. What I discovered was that the difficulty people were having with retirement was that they could, and did
procrastinate. What they did not do today they could do tomorrow and why not spend a little bit extra time on the computer why not have more coffee with friends why not just do nothing? I warned my intensely driven type A sister that this is what she would probably experience and a couple years into retirement she came to me and said “ I didn’t believe you when you told me but I found it to be absolutely true I procrastinate “. I experienced the same thing myself after retirement, but at least I was forewarned and excepted it as how life was going to be. Sometimes the weeds get too tall but they will still be there tomorrow when I think I’ll have more time😎

[Lee DeRaud]

I retired at 55, so I got this question a lot from my former coworkers. The thing I told them is that people who see time as something to be enjoyed will love retirement, those who see time as something to be filled will have to work hard at it.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Lisa, sorry to hear about your health issues! About 7 weeks before my 61st birthday, I awoke deaf. For safety reasons for me and the customer's equipment, I could no longer work. It was instant retirement. 18 months later I had surgery and received a cochlear implant. While it's not perfect by any means, the hearing it provides sure beats being deaf!

Between traveling, woodworking, yardwork, and family, staying busy really is a matter of choice. In the very near future, I plan on adding some volunteer work to my schedule.

Most importantly, take care of yourself. Then determine what you enjoy and can do within the confines of your medical issues. Take care!

[John K Jordan]

...What I discovered was that the difficulty people were having with retirement was that they could, and did
procrastinate. What they did not do today they could do tomorrow and why not spend a little bit extra time on the computer why not have more coffee with friends why not just do nothing? ...

For those who want to accomplish things one thing that really helps is to keep a list. A hint from a friend - write the list on a 3x5 card folded in half, when full, add another card. He always keeps his list in his shirt pocket along with a pencil. Cross off items when done. Keep the cards as a reference for what got done when.

I've already done seven things on my list for today, most of them farm chores on the mental list including the morning 1/2 mile walk. Fortunately, there was no skunk in the trap this morning to deal with like there was yesterday morning (as I had anticipated.) That skunk has already provided supper and breakfast for the vultures. Headed out now to reload the chicken feed container, tend to the baby peacocks, put the weedeaters back in the shed, haul and spread a couple of loads of dirt and lay down some erosion control mat on an uncooperative spot, extract the honey from the boxes robbed a few days ago, and if time allows build some sawhorses, grade the driveway, then mow the horse pasture if it's not too hot. For sanity's sake I keep in mind it's not possible do everything I want to do the same day.

BTW, my retirement list does include very important things like "spend quality time with Kindle", just now accomplished in the rope swinging chair on the screened porch with the wind chime just outside. Retirement life is what you make it. It can be better than good.

JKJ

[Thomas L Carpenter]

I retired at 66 and am now 75. Spent most of my retirement time volunteering for various groups aiding those with disabilities. Tremendously satisfying. While i could still do significant woodworking, I made things for sale at craft shoes and consignment shops to raise money for Special Olympics. My wife belongs to the the local Civitans whose goal is to also raise money for various 501(C)3 groups aiding those with disabilities. You can be as busy as you want to be, meet a bunch of incredible people. I know this is not for everyone but give it a thought. Just to be clear, I have two sons with Fragile X so this comes easy for us.

[Bruce King]

I retired at 55, so I got this question a lot from my former coworkers. The thing I told them is that people who see time as something to be enjoyed will love retirement, those who see time as something to be filled will have to work hard at it.

Very good way to look at it.
I forgot to mention in my previous posts about how your body will produce less adrenaline in retirement especially if you came from an intense or stressful job. I find that riding my bike fast gets my adrenaline flowing really good. Got the ebike so I can ride it fast for longer periods. Goal is to get exercise but not come home and hit the couch. My advice right after retirement is to get the house and property fixed up if you were behind on it. Woodworking is much more enjoyable if you don’t have deferred maintenance and it gets way harder to do the older you get.

[Ole Anderson]

Enjoyed my career as a civil engineer for 40 years, 25 of that as a consultant/township engineer for a community I travel through daily. Retired 10 years ago at age 63. Every day I get to see the fruits of my labor, a water tower here, a parking lot there (reviewed site plans for the local Home Depot). Surrounded by memories. I have always been a jack of all trades, so I have a lot of opportunities helping out where I can, a lot of projects at church, or helping my son with his new house, doing all of the trim work and helping him completely finishing a 1600 sf basement, including all of the wiring, steel stud walls and flooring. Helping him take down trees and making cord after cord of firewood. Lately I have been looking after my neighbor's lawn while he social distances due to cancer at his home up north. Church keeps my busy as I am the tech guy as we continue streaming services and I recently got appointed to council with the property committee as my responsibility. We have a motor home and spend 3 months in Florida. Oh, and the '84 Jeep is always begging for attention. We live on a lake so the pontoon gets a workout. When I have spare time I immerse myself in one of 35 YouTube subscriptions I have. I am on my lake association, now contemplating a second augmentation well,something I was very involved with at work. While I enjoyed work, I was ready to move on with my life the second I stepped out the door. No bad, no ugly. Bored? Nope.

[Myk Rian]

Retired at 55, 16 years ago. Took up WWing, then restoring vintage machinery to refit the shop.
Lately I've taken up astronomy. There's always something to keep you busy.

[Alex Zeller]

Hopefully you will still be able to do woodworking Lisa. I've read a few of your posts about equipping your shop. I'm trying to get all the tools and as much tooling as I can now while i'm still working. One of the nice things about woodworking is equipment seams to hold a good portion of it's value. If bought used it can actually bring more down the road.

My father worked for IBM and with 27 years in they offered to bridge people to 30 years. He passed on the first offer but took it when they offered it a second time. Back then IBM was a different company and they offered retirees their choice of activities they would pay for. My father picked suba diving. So a part of his package was free classes and the equipment. Since it was sooner than planned, but not health related thankfully, he didn't really plan out what he wanted to do. Even though he liked doing it the suba diving only lasted one summer. The lesson I learned from this is to try and plan out your retirement sooner than you think you should.

I figure I have 7 to 10 years left before I'll quit. So for the last 5 years I've been soul searching (for a lack of a better term). What I found out is I like to be creative. I also like to give more than receiving. That's lead me to woodworking and to a lesser extent metal working. My goal is to make stuff that will last a lifetime, long after I'm gone.

[Lee Schierer]

Sorry to hear about your health issues. Every day is a Saturday except Sunday. With regard to work and activities, there are few if any deadlines, so if you get tired you can just walk away and pick it up tomorrow or the next day or a week from today. Do the things that you couldn't do because you had to work. Go see family , take trips, try new hobbies, go back to school, read a book or two or just do nothing for a few days.

[roger wiegand]

I've not figured out that "just do nothing" part. Sitting down in the middle of the day to read a book or, horrors, just do nothing still feels like a criminal activity. The to-do list is way too long for that sort of thing!

Pre-retirement, at least later in my career, I tried hard (with varying success) to take one day a week really "off"; now that every day is Saturday the Saturday tasks and opportunities to work on shop projects have no built-in breaks. Hence it's hard to find time to go fishing. Pathological, no doubt!

[Bruce King]

Being retired and living in a populated tourist area we actually dislike the weekends since the stores are more crowded.
Some working people here prefer week days off for similar reasons and more time to do banking and investment work.

[Stan Calow]

I dont think anyone mentioned - naps. Take one whenever you want. There's nothing on TV during the day anyway.

[Jim Becker]

Being retired and living in a populated tourist area we actually dislike the weekends since the stores are more crowded.
Some working people here prefer week days off for similar reasons and more time to do banking and investment work.

Weekend? What's that? I have to look at my pill container to know what day of the week it is.... LOL


I dont think anyone mentioned - naps. Take one whenever you want. There's nothing on TV during the day anyway.

Sadly, I can't do naps...never have been able to in my entire life. They make me feel like a truck ran over me for some reason...

[Stan Calow]

Sadly, I can't do naps...never have been able to in my entire life. They make me feel like a truck ran over me for some reason...

Jim, try harder.

[Paul Brinkmeyer]

Here's the ugly side, it can go bad.
I was forced to retire at 52. Medical problems for me. So we open a small shop doing something we enjoyed.
So suddenly she needed emergency surgery for what should have been a common and simple surgery, BUT the Dr made bad mistake in surgery. She ends up on life support for over a week, and after sometime they send her home. And now she was totally bedridden overnight. After years of going to different Dr's, the medical community gave up, yes we used many Dr's, specialists, and even a summer going to the Mayo clinic. NO luck.
Now I could not just let her in that situation, so I/we turned to "non-traditional" Dr.s...the ones not covered by insurance, pay cash up front.

Lets fast forward, it took 8 years and almost all our savings and retirement, but she is on the mend, she has to do 2-4 hours of therapy every day, and will have to the est of her life to stay mobile. She will always battle pain and other things. (she is off bad drugs) But she is going to bands and dancing, and spending time making new friends, and having fun. Seems when you have this happens most "friends" abandon you.
She was never helped like this with traditional Dr's. Most of the treatments are out there, but not approved for her condition by the FDA or any insurance. Now she will never be able to do a lot of the household things, so I do all the house work, not good enough for her, and I probably will have to work until I can not work any more. We will probably never be able to do all the retirement things we planned on, but at least she has her life back.
I have left a lot out, but you asked for the ugly, it can happen.

[Lee DeRaud]

I dont think anyone mentioned - naps. Take one whenever you want. There's nothing on TV during the day anyway.You know you're an adult when you think taking a nap is a good thing. :)

[John K Jordan]

Sadly, I can't do naps...never have been able to in my entire life. They make me feel like a truck ran over me for some reason...

I can't do naps either. If I am so tired a nap is even possible, it ruins me for the rest of the day and keeps me up late that night, messing with the next day too. Instead of a nap, a bit of rest with a book/Kindle is best for me.

JKJ

[Jim Becker]

I can't do naps either. If I am so tired a nap is even possible, it ruins me for the rest of the day and keeps me up late that night, messing with the next day too. Instead of a nap, a bit of rest with a book/Kindle is best for me.

JKJ

Yea, that's similar for me. Other than when I was really sick in April with what was likely COVID-10, but unproven, napping just isn't happening for me. So I read. Voraciously.

[Bruce King]

Some people just don’t do napping. If you need one and don’t want the hangover part, set an alarm clock for 5 minutes longer than how long it takes to fall out. For me about 15 minutes. I’ve always been a power napping expert but it’s necessary due to meds. Don’t nap after 5pm though unless it’s by accident.

[Lee DeRaud]

I'm starting to wonder how pro-nap/anti-nap correlates to time-enjoyer/time-filler...

[roger wiegand]

I fall asleep while reading sitting up in my chair quite reliably between 8 and 8:30, then I'm good for another 2 hours. If you don't intend to go to sleep does it count as a nap? Never taken a nap intentionally.

[Brian Deakin]

Two important areas I would like to add
(1) Maintaining bone strength Often they breaks and fractures old people experience are different from younger people Older people the brakes and fractures often result from going from a stationary position to movement
Example an older person steps off a curb and their ankle breaks An older person is sitting in a chair and uses thier hands and arms to lift themselves up and their wrist fractures The main factor in these types of injury is a lack of bone strength If you contrast this with young people their breaks and fractures are often from going from motion to stop Example A young person is running and trips
I hope these examples demonstrate the importance of maintaining bone strength and this is particularly important for women

(2) Maintaining or reducing the decline in muscle strength If we ignore this area particularly with leg muscle strength then we could face a situation were all of our other life needs are met but we are unable to get out of the chair Having limited or no mobility could greatly impact on quality of life

[John K Jordan]

(2) Maintaining or reducing the decline in muscle strength...
(1)...the importance of maintaining bone strength..

At 70 the farm and activities, including walking an average of a 5 miles a day, seems to keep my muscle strength up, arms, back, legs.

But how does one maintain bone strength? Good diet along with exercise?

JKJ

[roger wiegand]

(

But how does one maintain bone strength? Good diet along with exercise?

JKJ

Weight bearing exercise-- something like swimming will be great for cardio but not stimulate bone maintenance/development. Weight training certainly, but also walking, running, probably even zumba. do your squats. Getting tested for and treated as required for osteoporosis is worthwhile, though the effectiveness of the various treatments isn't fantastic.

Baling hay is probably one of the more effective things you could possibly do. I'm hoping that hefting logs onto the lathe will work.

[Ron Selzer]

Weight bearing exercise-- something like swimming will be great for cardio but not stimulate bone maintenance/development. Weight training certainly, but also walking, running, probably even zumba. do your squats. Getting tested for and treated as required for osteoporosis is worthwhile, though the effectiveness of the various treatments isn't fantastic.

Baling hay is probably one of the more effective things you could possibly do. I'm hoping that hefting logs onto the lathe will work.

I would tremendously enjoy baling hay again, however no way, no how could I stand up on a moving wagon behind the baler again or walk across a hay mow carrying hay bales. Do still have the hay hooks I used when young. Got them at my Uncle Carl's Sale late 90's. Told him I wanted them as I took them out of the baler before the auction started. He refused any money and told me I paid for those a long time ago. Also have two mowing scythes from my grandfathers sale in 1984, might be able to swing one of those 2 or 3 times before I fell down.
Ron