Retire at 60, go back to work at 65?

[Teacher Terry]

Could you consult p.t. in your field and still have travel time? I teach an online college class and it can be done from anywhere in the world that has internet access.

 

[Big_Hitter]

after I retire I may look into doing some expert witness work, just to keep the brain going

 

[Teacher Terry]

I never taught before retiring and I really love it. It only takes about 10-15 hours/week and I occasionally consult in my previous field.

 

[bclover]

Realistically,
Why would someone hire you at age 65, there are a lot of competition for those low skill jobs, even from other retired folks.
At best you will earn minimum wage and be employed about 20 hrs/wk, so you are looking at earning 9K/yr if you are lucky.

Usually better to work OMY but live like you are earning $8/hr, then retire.

I dunno about that, I know around here many seniors get retail low wage jobs easily. employees love them because they are reliable, don't call out on weekend nights, are very polite (no offense teenagers but how about a "thank you") and are very flexible.


I know a number of early retirees that have simple jobs.

my sis retired as a NYC detective, ridiculously high stress, works P/t at Macy's. loves it!! No stress, no mess. The most crap she gets is from obnoxious customer, which after 20 years as a cop, she shuts them down easily. uses her salary as her Atlantic City gambling money and it gives her something to do

a good friend of mine, actual college roomie is a retired workmen comp attorney. Retired at 54, now works at planet fitness gym. loves it. scans members in, hands out towels. gets free gym use, lol and a few bucks. Has zero interest in do consulting, p/t or any other "practicing law" work.

My old tax accountant retired, life guards at the Jersey shore during summer season. Again, absolutely no desire to do ANY cpa work just wants to, as he says "be a beach bum"

now me, after 25+ years of the office politics BS, soul sucking popularity contest that my mega corp put me through, if I ever get another "job" it will totally be a mindless, drone, have a nice day gig. I agree though, if I'm going to go back to work itvwould definitely be before 65.

 

[RunningBum]

My dad did something like this. He retired at 62, and may have pretty quickly taken a job at Walmart, or maybe he waited a couple of years. He loved WalMart and thought being a greeter would be great. Then they stuck him with lousy hours and ignored requests to block time off. Sometimes he'd have to go clean up a mess in the men's room. He had to deal with customer complaints, and people coming back in to return used gum (slight exaggeration). Basically it was the crap job that you get as a kid that motivates you to continue your education so you don't have to work places like that ever again. Think about that.

So he quit, got bored, and tried working at a home improvement store. Not too different, plus they wanted a bit more physical lifting and such that he was up for. That didn't last either. Luckily he didn't really need the money, otherwise he'd have been miserable.

To fill time, because he didn't have too many hobbies, he volunteered at a hospital for a few years. That was better because most places realize they have to keep volunteers reasonably happy or else they'll leave. But, no pay.

 

[Al in Ohio]

My plan is to retire now and go back to work at age 98.5 so yeah there's more of us.


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[harley]

I never taught before retiring and I really love it. It only takes about 10-15 hours/week and I occasionally consult in my previous field.

Choosing to work because you enjoy it is one thing. That's the FI in FIRE. Having to go back to work after experiencing freedom is a horrible concept (to me, anyway).

I have a couple of friends/ex-coworkers who, in their late 30s, cashed out all their accounts and moved down to FL. They hung out on the beaches, went to the parties, and did cool things like scuba and sailing and such. They would occasionally get a job doing something like renting rafts and beach umbrellas, but mostly just being bums. We were all highly jealous. But after about 10 years they started running out of money. The hiatus was extended for a couple more years after a particularly successful visit to the track, but that was purely serendipity.

I talked to them about 10 years ago, just as I was retiring for good at age 50. They were both back at work, had zero money put away for retirement, and intended to work for the rest of their lives. They didn't say they regretted their decision, but now that their in their 60s I wonder how they feel. I guess it's an individual choice, but there's no way I could experience that freedom then have to go back to someone else's schedule and someone else's control. Brrrr!

 

[bclover]

Choosing to work because you enjoy it is one thing. That's the FI in FIRE. Having to go back to work after experiencing freedom is a horrible concept (to me, anyway).

I have a couple of friends/ex-coworkers who, in their late 30s, cashed out all their accounts and moved down to FL. They hung out on the beaches, went to the parties, and did cool things like scuba and sailing and such. They would occasionally get a job doing something like renting rafts and beach umbrellas, but mostly just being bums. We were all highly jealous. But after about 10 years they started running out of money. The hiatus was extended for a couple more years after a particularly successful visit to the track, but that was purely serendipity.

I talked to them about 10 years ago, just as I was retiring for good at age 50. They were both back at work, had zero money put away for retirement, and intended to work for the rest of their lives. They didn't say they regretted their decision, but now that their in their 60s I wonder how they feel. I guess it's an individual choice, but there's no way I could experience that freedom then have to go back to someone else's schedule and someone else's control. Brrrr!

A very individual choice. I also know a similar couple, lol actually I'm related to them. In one aspect I admire them, they never brought into what I call a very "American" definition of success. Never wanted to own a house or car, after college immediately left for Europe, lived a very nomadic life. Now in their 60s they live in Vegas, she sells soaps and candles, he works p/t at the casino and they seem slap happy. Go figure. Never had a full time gig, no ss benefits and seem to enjoy life. I remember once asking if they worry about how they will live when they're 90, they claim they do not. I admit to not having that much Zen.
I do often wonder if I'm so much "wiser"??

Op, I think the entire concept of retirement is morphing, the great thing about the FI part is you can challenge the standard perception. Retirees are going back to work, school, starting their own businesses.
If at 65, you want to hang out at Walmart go for it, I'm a "girlie girl", my happy place is the MAC cosmetic store, lol heck I'd work there for the 20% discount alone.

 

[kgtest]

Without knowing what kind of work you do, any STEM job will be closed. Newer versions, newer technology, etc. will make you obsolete. Even forgetfulness will make your guru skills obsolete. And you will be OLD.

You can work at menial jobs, but you are fer better off to work OMY at what you are doing and give it up completely. Volunteer if you want.

If it is going back to work at 65 is for the money, it is foolish.

Left to work this morning (i am not ER) and saw this feller getting ready for the day. Came home from work and he was just finishing up on a tricky inclined driveway.

We got to talking cuz he commented on my Silverado. 70yr old Vietnam MARINE CORPS vet with 11 grandkids and 4 great-grandkids. I didn't pry too much but he mentioned he LOVED owning his own driveway company...and has owned if for the past 10 years after he retired from a "previous life".

He mentioned he had a 28' Gulfstream, and three pick-ups, 2 diesels, of course that massive extended MACK Dump Truck, the nice air conditioned skid loader and roller. My boy was fascinated with the machinery...and Louie surgically removed the driveway, I was impressed for as old as he was.

Like I said I didn't pry, perhaps he had to pay-off grand child’s expensive doc bills, or he's just helping build a larger nestegg for his great-grandchildren...but the guy is a brute workhorse.

Before he left I thanked him for his service...he said he'd do it again tomorrow. Guy hit the beach March 8th 1965 in a massive surge to support operation rolling thunder for you war buffs.

As for me, I'm hoping to hang it up at 50 for good, if i get bored work PT until that becomes too much work. A feller retiring from my work gave me a few pointers, show up everyday on time, do good work and stick it out as long as possible. For him that was 55.


The irony of this, my neighbour getting the work done is only 55 and is dieing of cancer. He is bored out of his mind and wished he could keep working...two guys, two different perspectives.