Are you retired?

Awesome. What's it like?


It's been great. really enjoy the free time. I was a little concerned about the spending at first, and the reality that there's no more paychecks coming in.

But I'm getting a handle on things as I go along.

I feel like I could never go back to work now.
 
Yes. About 15 months ago. It was the best thing I ever did and I went when I was on the top and still loved my job. That is how I wanted to go not when I hated my job or the place I worked.

I left and haven't been back there and never have looked back.
 
Retired at 59 last November 4th. My one year anniversary is right around the corner.
 
I don't hate my job. It's just gotten very frustrating with big company beauracracy and inane inefficiencies.
Every meeting I go to I leave feeling ... "that's one more hour of my life I won't ever get back!"

I like the people I work with on a daily basis. Upper and mid management .... not so much.
 
:biggrin::biggrin:56
I've been semi-retired for 10 years, but have really cut back the last two years even more this year after a good friend had a stroke. You only have one life to enjoy, so make the most of it. I still run our small business, my wife works part time in the medical field and is 5 years younger. We could stop working, but I still like the few hours a week I work. Fly fishing and other outdoor interests keep drawing more of my attention.
 
Seems like I missed this thread first time around. I retired at 56, 11 years ago. My DW retired at 45, 4 years before me.

Never really thought about retirement until I was about 53. Too busy with my career, which I loved up to that point. Suddenly I reached FI and started to muse about it. DW thought I was crazy. Took about 3 years to get my successor ready and after a couple of delays finally did it. No regrets, it’s been wonderful.
 
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I can't remember if I posted in this thread or not (and too lazy to look) :D

But yes, and happily so!

albireo13 said:
Awesome. What's it like?
Click to expand...

Here's what it's like for me...

Remember when you were a kid during the summer? You know, no school, no real worries, just lots of freedom? For me, it's very much like that but *even better* because when the street lights come on, I don't *have* to go home! :dance:
 
Are you retired? Yes

How old where you when you retired? Me 53 DW 53 (Both 57 today)

When did you want to retire? 55

In our early 20's we developed a plan to retire at 55.

FN
 
I don't remember if I did this one before, but yes at 57.
 
Are you retired? Yes

How old are you when you retire? 56

When do you want to retire? planned for 60, things worked out well and the people here inspired me to do it!
 
Yes!

Retired 2 years ago at 60. Planned to go at 59 but stayed an extra year to pay off both cars. My husband retired 3 mos ago at age 59 (he planned to wait to 60 but work became too stressful). Since he retired, he's lost almost 20 lbs and plays lots of sports (softball, golf, water volleyball and bowling). He looks 10 years younger! He eats healthy now and his doctor was blown away with the improvement in his blood test numbers!

We both LOVE retirement!!!
 
No but planning to go next summer after turning 55 and qualifying for ER at my employer. Going to be a long winter.
 
No Planning to retire Jan 2018 (55 years 11 months YO)

had a plan to retire at 53, than 55 4 months, than 55 and 11 months....
 
Yes. Retired just over a year ago at 58. My goal was 55 but got stuck in the OMY loop. Finally after a strong stock market, vesting stock options and an upcoming round of layoffs with a nice severance package I decided that it is time. I volunteered to be laid off and probably saved someone else's job. You all can guess which one of us is happier about that deal! :)
 
Retired: 59
DH: Has small consulting business from home, his own hours and lots of freedom.

We did not realize it was possible until plugging numbers into FI calculators and getting a serious report from our VG advisor. When he said "You guys are fine, for 40 years" So then I told him to plug in numbers, higher spending amounts, lower RR, what if we spend a big chunk one year on something...he said "looks good, I wouldn't worry about it!" I was sort of shocked. Especially if market at least stays stable, 5% RR, we'll accumulate rather than deccumulate (made up word).
 
Are you retired? Yes

How old are you when you retire? 55

When do you want to retire? 54, boss had one-more-year syndrome..
 
Teacher Terry said:
I would not be surprised if a bunch of retirees in their 50's was the result of losing a job and not being able to find another one.
Click to expand...

NW-Bound said:
... or they did not bother to look for another one, when they figured out they had enough to live on.
Click to expand...

Yep, I've seen tons of 50 something year-olds get pushed out. Some had to scrape by, often the end of their professional careers. A few saved enough to intentionally w*rk just part time or quietly retire.

NW-Bound said:
...
My wife and I both retired, or rather quit voluntarily. She did not have any pension or benefit, but the work condition got to her. That division of her megacorp (one of the Dow 30) was having a bad time, and the pressure was horrendous. They wanted to fire all the people working for her, and sent her to India to train replacements. So she quit, and never thought of finding another job.

I was working part-time already for almost 10 years, and one day did not want to continue. And that was that.
Click to expand...

It was pretty much the story for me, but from small-mid cap tech. Similar to your wife's situation, I traveled to the Pacific rim for almost a decade to train a couple of generations of my replacements. When they were more than ready to take over, they became too expensive and management wanted me to hit the road again and train ANOTHER group of people in an even cheaper asian country! DW wasn't too thrilled, and found it a good a time as any to FIRE. :dance:
 
Hello all, not been on here for quite a while but felt I should come on today because I actually retired yesterday! I planned to go 4/5 years ago but actually didn't mind my work and the pension pot needed a little more in it. Anyway aged 58 I've finally done it and looking forward to the future!
 
Congratulations, Evergreen! Welcome to the fun side of life.
 
Yes, I am retired.

Stopped working full time and downshifted to part time at age 56. Retired at age 59.

I had expected to work part time from home until about age 70 because the work was easy and I was enjoying it. Then I stopped enjoying it so I stopped working.

I was never focused on early retirement. We did always have a goal in mind for investable assets and were always good savers. When I finally decided I didn't want to work any longer, we were fortunately in a position to support retiring.
 
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