Who needs retirement anyway?

[JustCurious]

Who needs retirement anyway? - Money Features

"How hard is it to stay retired? As you’ve no doubt heard, football legend Brett Favre just came out of retirement — for the second time. But it isn’t just sports figures who see retirement as little more than a passing phase: Polls suggest that anywhere from one-half to three-quarters of working Americans plan to return to some sort of work after they retire — that is, if they expect to retire at all. Some can’t imagine life without some kind of work; others simply need the money. For many people, especially Gen-Xers, the notion of working after “retirement” may almost seem a given, especially for those who are struggling to save enough in the current recession."

[Bikerdude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustCurious Who needs retirement anyway? - Money Features "How hard is it to stay retired? As you’ve no doubt heard, football legend Brett Favre just came out of retirement — for the second time. But it isn’t just sports figures who see retirement as little more than a passing phase: Polls suggest that anywhere from one-half to three-quarters of working Americans plan to return to some sort of work after they retire — that is, if they expect to retire at all. Some can’t imagine life without some kind of work; others simply need the money. For many people, especially Gen-Xers, the notion of working after “retirement” may almost seem a given, especially for those who are struggling to save enough in the current recession."

My guess is this will become the new "cool" for people who cannot retire.

[LoftyNotions]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikerdude My guess is this will become the new "cool" for people who cannot retire.

I never have been "cool", and I don't plan on starting now.

[IBWino]

I sometimes wonder if I will retire as soon as I had been planning. I am nearing the point of FI, which is slowly improving my attitude at work and will hopefully give me some control over my job.

[bbbamI]

People should do what makes them happy. If working pleases them, it pleases me......as I want my social security benefits...

[ikubak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBWino I sometimes wonder if I will retire as soon as I had been planning. I am nearing the point of FI, which is slowly improving my attitude at work and will hopefully give me some control over my job.

The closer I get to FI the less I want to work. This does nothing to improve my attitude. The closer I get to FI, the less focus I have on work. I find myself wanting to do other things not work related.

[W2R]

My attitude is rapidly deteriorating at work. I am getting rebellious and outspoken. My supervisor is probably scared of me after yesterday.

[kaneohe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire My attitude is rapidly deteriorating at work. I am getting rebellious and outspoken. My supervisor is probably scared of me after yesterday.

For the safety of your co-workers (esp. managers), I give you the same advice I gave DW: People like you should be required to wear an outer garment with
conspicuous labeling...."Don't Tread On Me". In CA, companies have to have post signs warning of potential hazards (mostly environmental) before people enter buildings. Seems to me, people like you and DW (before retirement) fall in the same category.......I actually felt sorry for DW's managers sometimes

[growing_older]

What happened yesterday?

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by growing_older What happened yesterday?

I told her I didn't want to wasn't going to go on a work related trip for a number of very excellent reasons, which I listed. Middle management said oh yes I was. We took it from there...

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire I told her I didn't want to wasn't going to go on a work related trip for a number of very excellent reasons, which I listed. Middle management said oh yes I was. We took it from there...

Was it a round-trip ticket?

[freebird5825]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire My attitude is rapidly deteriorating at work. I am getting rebellious and outspoken. My supervisor is probably scared of me after yesterday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire I told her I didn't want to wasn't going to go on a work related trip for a number of very excellent reasons, which I listed. Middle management said oh yes I was. We took it from there...

I knew ya had it in ya.

Travel...
Picture a person with bilateral carpal tunnel, tendonitis, painful trigger points all through her back, with all of this medically documented and an accepted Workers' Comp case still active...and I was still expected to travel, by myself.
So I whipped out the old Fraud, Waste and Abuse reg and informed them that I could easily videoteleconference at a much cheaper cost. Pin drop.
So W2R, find the reg and do your meeting by videoteleconference. What are they gonna do, not promote you in the next 79 days?

[ejman]

Last day on the payroll December 31, 2002. Supervisor wanted me to travel right after Christmas to meet with successor on some office matters in a faraway city... Advised supervisor that wasn't going to happen. Some how the world continued to spin normally...

[Moscyn]

Are these the "symptoms" of early retirement - outspoken and rebellious? Because I'm certainlly exhibiting them (intend to early retire in 1 or 2 years' time). I won't call it rebellious but rather justifiably retaliating. I also realise that such behaviour may not be negative as a lot of people stop giving you nonsense and bureaucracy. I must admit that does increase productivity but not necessarily nurture a good rapport. But it does get me out of the office earlier every day.

[W2R]

Well, I haven't been like this up until this week, Moscyn. Good idea, Freebird, but a telecon will not satisfy management since this time I would be going to represent the agency director. Kaneohe, I need a sign like that too. And yes, Nords, it is a round trip ticket! ejman, that is encouraging because that is just about as unreasonable as this trip. Middle management is bound and determined to get me on that plane and I am not going but I hate this - - I would rather go out nicely and without all of this strife.

[Midpack]

I probably won't retire, but I am 265 days from eligibility for a small pension, my last barrier to retirement. I am sure it will be liberating just to have that additional option. Haven't become (more) rebellious and outspoken yet, wonder if I will? Actually I have become less rebellious and outspoken over the last few years since I realized I was getting close to pension eligibility. Interesting stuff...

[Walt34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire Middle management is bound and determined to get me on that plane and I am not going but I hate this - - I would rather go out nicely and without all of this strife.

With a short time to go you already have your KMA hat. As I understand it in federal government it just about takes an act of congress to fire somebody, so just extend your right hand, palm up, curl your fingers and extend the middle one. They'll get the idea, and by the time the paperwork is done to fire you you'll be retired.

What else can they do? Revoke your birthday?

[Amethyst]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt34 As I understand it in federal government it just about takes an act of congress to fire somebody, . What else can they do? Revoke your birthday?

They would be welcome to my birthday...I haven't wanted one of those for several years now!

The rumors about not being able to fire a federal employee are false.

That being said, I imagine it would be hard to retaliate against someone who is showing a little attitude but only has 6 months to go. In fact, in their heart of hearts, many people probably understand - but THEY still have to work there, so must play the game.

Those who work hard and give the government its due, don't usually get fired as in "no more paycheck, door hits you in the @$$ on the way out" but can be made thoroughly miserable on a daily basis. There are all kinds of undesirable assignments and unpleasant bosses [as want2retire has observed], and a perceived slight gets remembered for many many years. So it's best to toe the line, and let one's pride take a back seat to the sound of "ka-ching" [or perhaps "bleep," since it's all electrons] as another mortgage payment gets sent to the bank and another chunk of $$ goes into the TSP.

[Moemg]

Once my decision was made to finally retire and I picked a date I got more mellow and I am pretty mellow to begin with .

[Rambler]

The closer I get to FIRE the more firm (outspoken, rebellious, obnoxious, depending on what flavor of the day they're pushing) I get with corporate HQ...I'm still pretty patient with my team, but there are days that bring me to the brink, even with them. As of right now, I'm pretty sure I'd make it, but still hanging on (kids in college, uncertain economy, etc).

W2R, we have different perspectives on travel, but if it were me I'd almost jump at the chance to travel, just to get away, although I know its not that simple.

R