I just figured out I'll be missing the joy of a three-day weekend now that I've retired.

Other than that big disappointment, everything else is going well. Just saw the doc and have no restrictions on what I can do six days after getting my knee scoped. First time in ten years that knee hasn't hurt. Life is more than good and I am grateful.

Less mon.

Gratitude is the basis of a Joyful life.

Congratulations.

BMT

Ward, you don’t know how lucky you are when you get such relief from a scope ! Now take care of your knees and don’t get to replacement.

Every day is Saturday 😁

If you can afford it, retirement is fantastic. Do it when you can.

Live on.

Retired here in 2008.

I can't wait. just a few more months

Unlike some, I planned for my retirement. I make more $$ now than when I was working and also like was said, everyday is Saturday. Almost everyday. Most gunshops are closed on Sunday. LOL

I have been enjoying every day being Saturday since September. It’s wonderful. When people ask if I get bored I just laugh. Glad to be out of the rat race and enjoying retirement. Everyone should get out as soon as they can.

If I ever figure out a downside to retiring, I'll be sure to let everyone know.

Retired you have a 7 day weekend!

Me too, have union pension, SS, and state pension. I’m very lucky. It took me a while to get used to retirement. I’m lucky I have a shop to build things to kill some time. I can’t imagine living in a subdivision with no land. Congratulations on your retirement

I am retired (3 going on 4 years) but for some reason, weekends are still special. I guess a lifetime of working and looking forward to weekends is a hard habit to break.

I do love going to the range during the week and meeting my other retired shooter friends there! Haven't been to the range on a weekend in years!

Don't quite understand that fascination of retired people letting everyone else know they're retired.

....congrats on the knee.

Been retired 11.5 yrs now

Haven't missed working at all

Stay busy all the time.....even in the dead of our long winters

Learn how to set your IPhone or other to count your steps

10K steps daily is my daily minimal goal...which is 4-5 miles

Hiking while camping too helps...

5/31 I'm done. Saturday will be the day I don't go to the range as I can use it M-F.

Congrats

Good fur you......

Enjoy !

Retirement is like being a little child, with out parents saying no! Do whatever you want, whenever you want! Doesn't get much better than that. Nine years retired here!

Every day is Saturday, work is for suckers.
My left knee was like that, easy peasy. My right knee not so much, ended up replaced.

The downside of retiring is that your next milestone is dying.

At what age did y’all retire?

Fishing on a Tuesday is glorious. Weekend fishing is sooooo overcrowded.

More time for doctor appointments

I couldn't handle retirement.
Staying home all day just ain't for me yet.
I suspended my pension and went back to work full time.

I have been retired for a few months, really do not like staying home at all. I might look into doing something else a few days out of the week.

I went after 30 years at age 53. I keep plenty busy.

No nookie at work.

48. Been almost 2 years already. I haven’t regretted it for a second.

Only thirty years to go

I retired at 52, took about two years to not feel guilty, moved to family ranch and work as hard as I ever did as a steel worker for 30 years, enjoy it.

Good on the knee and stay healthy to enjoy all that you’ve worked for.

Congrats.

I'm going on 3 years retired. I'm thankful for it everyday!

I retired in 1996. For me, there is no downside to retirement. Ymmv

I was 2 months from 60 when I retired. Timing was perfect. My dad passed away in November so I’m taking care of my 88 year old mom . I stay busy . I really don’t know how I found time to work all those years . I’m NEVER bored .

At the end of this September it will be 30 years for me. It is all great until your health starts failing and you can no longer do the things you enjoy. It's been a great ride though!

Jim

The only downside to retirement is that you just keep getting older....

Cant imagine a single downside other than a few more dollars. I've got so many things I need to do that I don't have time to approach right now.

Probably keep at it a few more years.

Only downside is you never get a paid day off,

I’m way too young for that. Tired of working for idiots and narcissists who take credit for everything I did and then crapping on everyone beneath them when schitt goes sideways. Last job ended on the whim of the new CEO who, to make a name for himself, unilaterally decided to shut down the smaller divisions of the company, even though we were quite profitable. “Too little to worry about”.

Best thing ever. I started my own consulting gig and rep for a couple different companies. I don’t have to do a bunch of pointless BS anymore and basically work part-time. No, I don’t make as much over the course of the year, but when I am working, I’m getting paid well! Screw the corporate dumbasses. I’m much happier now and have time to help my aged parents.

Gives my wife more time to invent things I have to do, and buy chit I have to maintain...but, no "work" pressure.

I like that.

Sold out in 2008 don't know how I got everything done when I worked 70 hour weeks.
I find I don't lack for having to do things. I tae the weekends off.

I did 30yrs as pest control specialist, some good years a lot of lean years. I put money away in a 401k. At 48 retired, went to start withdrawals from my 401k. Had like $36000, not nearly enough to retire I had it in a fund that really didn’t make money. So back to work as a landscape worker. Long days, seems like everyday is a Monday. Not going to lie I cry myself to sleep at night. I’m 50 back to square one again.

After 34 years as a LE, I retired. Wow, once I got away from that game, I felt much better. Even my wife says I am a different person. I took a federal army base job where I deliver the mail and packages to contractors, and army buildings. I can say that for once in a long time, I am content and happy with what I do. No bad outcomes and all the folks I encounter are nice. I do not hate what i do and do not mind going to work. The worst part of my job is the drive in. No regrets!

Very good news!!!

I'm going to work till I die if you call it that. Been making a living fishing and hunting for 50 years. About 20 years ago we decided to slow down and started farming and now I only fish when the fish are biting. In a couple of months I'll be on Medicare and I'm looking forward to getting my cataracts fixed, hearing aids and some dental work done. Been a great run with few regrets.

Downside---You never get a day off

Been retired for 12 years.
I first wondered how I ever had time to go to work, but, have adjusted.

Sold my business and retired a month before turning 60 - when my Air Force pension started. Sixteen years of bliss, so far.

Seven-day weekend is true, more time for doctor visits is true, also. Your body stops working when you do, it seems.

To answer the question asked on page one, we tell people we're retired so you working stiffs will know where your SS payments are going. To us.

Thing is, "use it, or lose it." I should work more, and harder.

Retirement for me is pretty much the same as it was at work, but less fishing…

Problem with not working is when do you take a break?

I retired in 1997. Haven't found a down side.

I got a call from a buddy this past week. She finally quit her job and is partnering with a mutual friend to do IT consulting. We'd always promised each other that we'd jump ship and go into business together.

At first, I said, "Count me in." They want me to manage the Managed Services aspect of the business. That is, at least in part, outsourcing small businesses' Help Desk. That was my bread and butter for over 20 years.

I was sitting there contemplating getting back in. The next phone call I got was from another old work buddy. He spent 20 minutes bitching about how his email is screwed up and he can get no help from his company's IT. About 10 minutes into the call, I realized that I was free of all this, and I'd be stupid to jump back in. My buddy with the new consulting firm called back yesterday and I told her to count me out. After that, I took a nap.

I have to say, I was a happy little stress monkey for 40 years. There was nothing quite like the smell of a server room on fire. However, I also have to say that my time has passed. I just spent 3 hours doing load comparisons with my Brown Bess and then switched over to 25-06. I got up, drank my coffee , watching the sun come up and had breakfast and my second cup at the shooting bench, just outside my bedroom window.

I'll take this view over a dark cubicle any day:

I have no desire to retire... I wouldn't know what to do with myself on a daily basis.

I just don't set well. I've known folks that are like me... They retired and died within 6 months to two years.
Just mentally wasted away...

Besides, my wife expects me to always be there for all the money she thinks she needs. She's always wanting more of it, and then expect me to just put all of my social security checks in a bank savings account for her. She thinks her retirement years are to expect everything in life that she's "always wanted", with tears in her eyes.

Guess she zeroed in on me from a distance, 30 plus years ago...

I don't set on my ass very well. Working and contributing to society up onto the day you die, is something I consider a blessing not a curse. Up until being self employed, I use to work 70 to 75 hours a week. Now at 70 y/o, I'm pretty much the only slave on the plantation at my house. I do everything, because my wife is "always tired" and " I can't I've got to go to work!" Yeah, 36 hours a week, pushing paper from one side of her desk to the other, answering phones and making phone calls.. and she's "exhausted".. I gather that is where the expression came from that 'we were made for each other'.

Women.. choose wisely.

Get up every day, get dressed and do something worthwhile.
Words of wisdom from my Grandpa

I retired the month after I turned 60. Been at it over 10 years now, and still LOVE it!

As stated, every day is Saturday, AND every night is Friday night!

I figure with social security and my pension, I'm getting holiday pay seven days a week!

Virgil B.

I haven’t really worked a traditional 9-5 in decades. I can’t really see myself ever fully retiring as I like fishing and I will probably die in the wheelhouse. I have a plan to start easing back on things when I hit certain ages.


My wife has fair warning that when I hit 56 (when I kick my youngest out) I am buying the best troller money can buy and I will casually troll, hunt, cruise southeast Alaska.

I retired 5 years ago at 58. Went back to work part time 3 1/2 years ago driving transplant surgeons around the state. I only work 2 days a week usually Tuesday and Wednesday. Extra cash doesn’t hurt any. Because of health issues, my wife had to retire early and gets no pension. That was a decision we both made. Been married to her for going on 42 years. I’d work up to my dying minute to take care of her.

Ron

Sounds like a keeper, congrats old friend.

Lots of people have pride in retiring. Lots of them have pride in other things I don't share either. Whatever makes them happy I guess. Its a wonderment to me. I don't hate my vocation, perhaps that's the difference. If it makes you happy, knock yourself out.

My grandma told us when we were little, "Boys, do something, even if it's wrong." And since the age of 13, I've gotten a W2 or a K-1 every year since. I'm planning to stop practicing when I'm 72. And already thinking on what I'm going to do then for an encore career.

Retired seven years ago. Best job I ever had, this retirement is. Bliss.

If you are working some other job or operating some business venture etc, are you really "retired"?

I'll do something until I'm physically unable, because I need some purpose in life other than piddling around day after day.

Buck: I do not consider fishing or hunting every day for an allowance "piddling around day after day".

As much as I like being retired, I would trade it in for my youth.

You got me there.

Wifey told me I could semi retire if I live that long looking forward to it

Good luck with that

Every day we get older

Yes........one day closer to dying.......

Yep......true story

This

Wanted a pic of my very last UPS pkg that I delivered

Nov 28 2011

27 yrs.......1.5M miles

here it is

Console Coal in Utah

That's me in the brown shirt (: and my ole buddy 'Sid'

Do do not miss all the BS that went along with it

👍

I turned 60 2 weeks ago. I am sure I have 3 more years to go. I can take S.S at 62 and a very small pension of $750 month from the union. That does not leave me much . I have my own home made retirement portfolio that is now paying $2,000 a month is dividends . I will be ok, but I wont see the world. I dont need to neither. I am happy hunting public land 5 miles from home and fishing 26 miles and another spot 71 miles one way. Not too expensive huh? Everything is paid.

Well when the eyes failed I had to pull the plug, didn't want to, but smart move really.
That was 2019, went at 62 and have bought a crap load of guns and stuff, going camping with fifth wheel, then later will be Hawaii and then next year an alaskan cruise.

Live on

Stay healthy

Eat right

Excercise

5 miles daily walking.....minimum

As in pic

checkin trail cameras in the dead of winter

Never saw a big cat dammit

Down side NONE!

I find OnX to be more useful than counting steps. The length of a step varies, especially in the hills. OnX tells me exactly how far I've gone.

Retirement is great with all the money I have now. Just a few months ago, Social Security gave me a huge raise, almost enough to buy a couple dozen more eggs.

Thanks to all for the replies. Stress reduction was the big reason go retire. Cataract surgery and getting my knee repaired make me feel better than any time since turning 40. One week post surgery and I the doc says there are no restrictions.

There's something else to do in life. I'm taking a few months to figure it out. Until then, I'm thankful for what I have.

Ward

Why thanks Tikkanut!!! . I am very healthy , I think, I eat just a bit too much and get all kinds of excercise. I will never live the good life , but I live very good is some ways.

I've been retired for 8 years. I have more projects in the works than I even did while working. Granted, I do them at a quarter of the speed that I used to.

How could you not know your 401K balance, and/or be surprised at a low balance? I monitor mine non-stop and force it to make money for me. I also have 2 side hustles going that make passive income for me.

Doubt I will ever retire and do nothing....it's a quick path to an early death.

I left my job of ten years last month. I was the only employee left dealing with a multi-company breakup and just finally had it. My wife and I have a profitable business which she runs but I'm not ready to hang it up completely. I had some contract work starting on the side but figured out that the people were going to be extremely high maintenance and I don't need that right now.

I just turned 64, not hurting for money, and I'm considering retirement or at least semi-retirement. The last month and a half has been very relaxing other than the two weeks I had Covid (just getting over that).

I think I really just needed a break and will do some contract work in the future if it suits me.

I've been retired since Jun 1st. My blood pressure average is down 10 points.

Planning to do it in October. Excited.

It’s nice to do whatever you want, when you want.

None

The only downside is age, and that will happen whether you retire or not.

Money can be crucial. You'll be on a fixed income while everything else goes up. Even with no debt, there will be taxes, insurance, monthly bills, and the invisible expense of inflation.

The downside to retiring..... it has been like rocket fuel for my tendency to procrastinate.... the upside, it's drives the little woman nuts...

Sometime soon. I've got too many other things I want to do other than work.

Love retirement. It's your time. Just learn to live without doing and spending for or like you did working.

I flew airplanes 40 years and retirement is dull as hell!!

I've worked for myself since I was 27. The day I retire is the day my heart stops and I'll die happy.

Less money more ,honey do lists. Enjoy!

Yes there most definitively is a down size to retiring and money isn't it (if you plan for it), There are some people more adept to retirement, hobbies, travel, etc. I myself are reticent to do it if for no other reason that I'll just wither on the vine. There's only so much hunting and shooting a man can do, so I'll probably work into my seventies..

Been retired for 15 years. That is the downside, time seems to fly by.

On the flip side, my brother-in-law worked his a$$ off all his life and accumulated money, property and equipment planning to enjoy when he had time in retirement. He worked into his 70's raking in the money, had a dizzy spell, fell and bumped his head. Now he can't walk, barely see and can't use any of the assets he worked so hard for. Now sits in Depends and regrets he waited too long. I'm glad I did it when I did

Nice. Enjoy it.

Never know what day of the week it is (but I really don't care).

My uncle owned a car dealership his entire working life and died of cancer a few months after retiring. He was very bitter about the hand he got dealt.

About to turn 61 and not sure what to do. Would like a LOT more in 401k, gonna get about $900 a month pension, don't own land I always dreamt of, tired of IT work and lived in fear of re-losing my job these last ten years. Still owe on my house but have equity.......Wish I could count on my wife having the same goals as I do but it isn't that way.

Would love to do something I could love doing for a while. Want to stay busy and out of the house.

Thing is I know several people who died right after or right before retirement and that worries me. I am in excellent health and would be a shame to waste it.

My daughter asked me,"Daddy,what do you do all day now that you've rerired ?"
My answer,"whatever the hell i want !"

I got 25,000 steps riding my atv yesterday!

The best part of being retired are retirement camping days, that’s Monday through Friday. Come home to tend the garden and mow the lawn on weekend then go ride The Palisade Plunge Saturday on my Mtn bike.

Being bored in western Colorado isn’t a problem.

I quit working at age 57 in 2008, the week obuma was elected.

I did not need to work and I did not want to pay more income tax to obuma.

When I quit I was designing aircraft electronics, but only charging ~35 hours a week.

When I was 40, I worked over 60 hours per week for multiple clients.

What have i done as a retired person? I fixed broken scissors this week and did a stress calculation on the Aluminum rivet in double shear.




Aluminum strength is 30kpsi in shear.
0.125" diameter area = pi r squared = [3.14] [0.016] = 0.049 sq in
It is in double shear, so 0.1 sq in
.1 [30k] = 3,000 pounds
With 10:1 leverage, one would have to pull on the end of the handle with 300 pounds of force

When you retire you can live much better. Just make a plan to live more simple and directed. You do not need the same level of expenses, just figure out what you will earn, then adjust your lifestyle. Do you need new vehicles? Do you need to eat out? Do you need new electronics?
I sailed until that was done, then I played golf til I got good (finally had time), then moved to the mountains and live low key. Shooting is now my biggest expense, in my backyard. Don't be afraid to change and simplify life.

Been in the famdamily business for 40+ years.
I'm honestly ready to walk away[close it up].
Within a year I'm thinking.

I'm sure that I'll go to work somewhere as a 'part-time Charlie', but a place where when I'm off the clock I'm unemployed.

Not afraid at all....just need a plan here.

Family businesses are the worst. You're never paid proper scale for the work you do. Unless you inherit the business, your years of service are a poor investment.

I am retired and my income is not fixed. Are not your investments growing?

Ward: There is NO "downside" to retiring!
I have been retired for just over 25 years now and if I had known how wonderful retirement really IS, I would have retired 5 years sooner, when I was first eligible.
I have NOT cared what day of the week it is for over two and one half decades and don't even wear a watch anymore.
Life (retirement!) is GOOD!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have just under 9 more years to go.

I guess I am one of the few who loves what I do and like mental stimulation. I think sometimes work is what keeps you alive. I am self employed and would not have it any other way. I hope to die while working if my health will allow to work to that point. Don’t get me wrong , I play hard as well as work hard. I hunt , fish as much as I can but if I did it all the time I would get bored. I am a veterinarian who raises beef cattle on the side and have no desire to retire. Farming is my stress relief. Life is great and I am so thankful.

I went to 6-8 hours per week in April unless i decide to work more and that depends on the weather. Worked 3 days last week, 4 hours this week. I’ll be 71 on Thursday and self employed. Figure i will hand it up either year end 2024 or shortly thereafter.

Forced early retirement at 47. Self-employed till 60. I love retirement, I also planned for it and busted my ass to do it.

Just wish my wife was still here to enjoy our retirement.

This thread has been very interesting. As a Financial Advisor who spent the last 25 plus years helping people to retire and meet their goals, I struggle with it. I get those that continue to work and those of you who saw the light. My favorite saying is do it while you can. My wife was the caretaker of her parent the last 20 years, doing their shipping, doctors appointments etc. Her father died in October at age 94.

As i have said to her it’s time to make up for the things we didn’t make the time to do. Bought a new camper this year, traveled around, went to Italy for 18 days.
Next year i hope to be away for 4-5 months.
Take advantage of it, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. I have a 64 yo friend that has advanced Alzheimer’s the last 2 years she doesn’t’ know anyone. Can count 2 more going down that path.

I hunted with a guy who had a Boeing fellowship... high stress job.
He was going to take early retirement, but a month before that was to happen, he dropped dead while hunting.

I hunted with another guy at Boeing, a machinist, who took early retirement... he then had a heart attack while hunting with me, but survived with a stent and a pacemaker.

My wife was an engineer, until I talked her into early retirement. Now instead of meeting me at a restaurant for dinner, she stays home and cooks low carb.

Retire,

The only difference between Saturdays and Sundays and the rest of the week is to remind you when you can see people who are still working.

Most financial planners will tell you wait they want more money in their pocket

I've not really retired; I just don't always work. If I'm not working, I always have some other obligation. Days turn into weeks too quickly. I will most likely die while working because I can't seem to stop. I'm trying to get the physical stuff done while I still can. Right now, I'm building fence. It's a one man show in rough terrain, so it's a bit of work. I suppose I'm in my "golden years", but I don't see much gold. I'm 74. GD

I retired two years ago. It is awesome! I haven't talked my wife into it yet. One of the benefits of her job is paid college tuition for our children. One is out, and the other one lacks two and a half years. She promises to leave after that.

A complete list of my regrets about retiring:
A.
B.
C.
D......................................

semi retarded semi retired. love what work i do got 2 excavators , gravel truck, loader, work is play time in big boys toys . i do need the income, i do need something to do , wife passed 7 years ago. At 77 i have trouble doing a lot of physical labour but can sit on my ass all day . I like most job sites and enjoy creating stuff. My mom passed at 100 ,?????? how much time do i have left ??????


norm

Norm99: Here's some free advice!
Get afuckin hobby!
I know this will make your life fulfilling and diminish your "off your assing".
I have MANY hobbies and enjoy my retirement to the utmost.
Sheesh.
I do hope you have lots of "time left" and that your attitude will improve with interesting hobbies being added to your regimen.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

OK. Is that what yours is doing?

Dambed clickbait!

At 70 YO, I still work, enjoying what I do.
But, your answer totally fits my lifestyle. That is exactly what I do now - other than Doctor's appts & a few "honeydews".

PS I figure as long as I can get on a good horse, I'll be enjoying my life.

Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of what day of the week it is. 😁

I retired 11+ years ago, three days before my 61st birthday. Zero regrets, absolutely zero.

Who gives a chit???

If you have enough money,, NO downside................

Me

Nov '11

gave the keys back to the brown truck

Have not missed it

Define "enough money".

Well, the Mega Millions drawing is tonight?????

That allows one to do what they want to do. Pretty simple.

That's no kind of answer.


What if you had twice as much?

Well, you'd do twice as much, I guess?

Exactly.

Not mine wifes, I did my own

I've been thinking about retirement from the heavy excavation business but then I'll just stay home and farm all the time and I actually work harder at home than at work...

If your farming its just a matter of time

After spending a lifetime doing whatever I want, I probably can't afford to retire.

In my case it's enough to maintain my current "standard of living".

I dropped my retirement packet last week with a date of 30DEC this year, and I'll be 63. That gives me 16 years of federal service and 23 years from the army. I also did 4 years as a contractor when I first retired from the army

I have no expenses other than utilities and one heck of a property tax bill. With the 2 pensions and SS I'll have $700 a week in discretionary spending before touching my IRAs.

I think with my 80 acres, with private range and 9 acre pond, I'll have plenty to do. I've also lined up a part time job working a couple exercises a year, for at least next year. That will get me out of the house and give my wife a break. IF I find myself bored, I can always pick up another contractor job to tie me over.