Hi, I'm 57 yr old gov't worker eligible to retire after 33 yrs. on the job. My wife is a teacher with 4 more years to eligibility. I am at the point of diminishing returns in my retirement plan. My pension will now fund 85% of my working pay so if I continue to work it is mostly for diminishing returns. I will pay $360 per mo. in retirement for health insurance, home is paid for, small farm paid for, $250K in 457 plan. One son graduating from college another just starting, but has a scholarship that will pay most of the costs. Live in the midwest in a small town farming comunity. It appears to me that I have most of the things in place as I have planned for years, but I seem to be having a hard time signing my papers. I'm not sure what the reason is. Many of my retired friends tell me I will love it. I am in good health and have lots of hobbies - but I remember as a child, seeing my father flat broke and in the best of times we didn't have much. I vowed to myself that when I grew up I would never be in that situation. I went to college and got my present gov't. job 2 weeks after graduation. My wife tells me that I should be excited and to "go for it". I find myself thinking maybe I should work a little longer, but I can't think of a good reason why. Is retirement really as wonderful as my friends tell me?