People who can't or won't retire.

[braumeister]

I believe for those folks it's all about being surrounded by people who make them the center of attention. Once some get used to that, they value it so much they can't give it up. The presidential candidates mentioned above would be prime examples, IMHO.

 

[RetireAge50]

They think we are crazy and we think they are crazy. I'm glad we all get to make our own choices.

 

[2017ish]

...

The husband was SHOCKED that I was retired. I was too young, I must get bored, I was doing a disservice to myself and the world by not "contributing". I pointed out that I was happier than I'd ever been. (And this was confirmed to him by my sister and my husband.) He still felt I should be working.

....

The one advantage of being a litigator--I don't think anyone has mentioned my moral obligation to continue contributing when informed that I am soon to retire! (DW, OTOH, has gotten a fair amount of that from some of her patients and other docs.)

Agree--no skin off of our back.

 

[RobbieB]

I think I'm going to start telling people I'm unemployed instead of retired.

Instead of getting social security, I'll say I'm on government assistance.

I gave up looking for a job because I'm old and have grey hair.

They'll probably reach in their pocket and give me a few bucks -

 

[Teacher Terry]

I find it bizarre that someone you don't know well would make those judging comments at a dinner party. Maybe they can't afford to retire and maintain their lifestyle so are jealous. My DH lost his job at 53 and could not find another so he had to take his pension early. He works any chance he gets 4 years later. It is mostly project work that ends. I retired at 58 not because I was sick of the work but I was sick of being tied to the office. They did give me 1 day/week to work from home hoping that I would not leave. If they would have let me come in 1 day/week to see my clients and then work from home I would not have retired at 58. Within 6 months I was bored but then came an opportunity to teach an online college class which I love doing. I can do it from anywhere so it has not affected vacations. For me this is perfect. We each have our own office and TV areas so I think that has helped. We do some things together like a daily walk but not everything. It was an adjustment because he lost his job right after I retired but 4 years later we have adjusted.

 

[GrayHare]

Normally I fly under the radar when out and about - but in the past 3 days I've run into folks who absolutely, emphatically believe I'm too young to retire, and that they want to control when other people (around them) retire.

I would take such a comment as a compliment that someone feels I have the talent and ability to do useful work. OTOH if the comments show hostility it suggest the commenter is troubled or not sociable, and I might choose to associate with other people instead.

 

[audreyh1]

This checks with what many people have said to me. At least half the people I discuss retirement wth say something along the lines of "I'll never retire, I'd be too bored."

I think that shows a lack of imagination, but whatever.

Definitely a lack of imagination!

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I noticed the big hat, no cattle types (from The Millionaire Next Door book) seemed shocked to hear we retired early. I think they assumed we were poor instead of frugal and saving money.

 

[rodi]

For those speculating that the VC couple are less wealthy than they appear.... you'd be wrong. I think they just don't get it.

As for the librarian who won't let her husband retire... Yeah, that seems very controlling.

No worries... these aren't close friends... and I don't care what they think of my early retirement.

 

[ProspectiveBum]

For those speculating that the VC couple are less wealthy than they appear.... you'd be wrong. I think they just don't get it.

I think it's just a different wiring. They're probably a Type-A power couple, who would be bored to tears in retirement. No different from an extrovert who can't comprehend how or why an introvert would rather stay in on a Saturday evening.

As for the lady who wouldn't "let" her husband retire, I imagine there's a long list of things she doesn't "let" her husband do. Yikes! I'm just glad that that's not my marriage.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

I think the reasons are as varied as the meaning of "retirement."

My DW's parents are very well off. They own several businesses that keep them VERY, VERY occupied and they just don't let up even though they are quickly approaching their 70s and aren't in the greatest physical shape health wise. Financially speaking, there is no reason for them to continue to work. They are also keenly aware that if they happen to die before the businesses are "wrapped up", they will be liquidated. They have 3 children and NONE of them have shown interest in nor have they worked in any of the businesses.

Another example is my DW's boss...she is 74 years old and showing signs of dementia that is causing issues. In the last couple of weeks, her husband has been in the hospital to remove a tumor and then have a stint put in his heart. He will probably have bypass surgery within the month but yet she has been going to work incessantly. They are also in the process of going through a merger and the writing is on the wall that her services will no longer be needed, but she keeps on keeping on and making everyone's life miserable in the office.

I can't understand it myself. I am quite happy to be retired and am somewhat lucky that I was able to do it earlier than later in life...I have absolutely ZERO desire to ever have a j*b ever again.

 

[HadEnuff]

I know people like that. I vacillate between feeling sorry for them and envying them.

But I am happy where I am, doing what I am doing (which ain't much)...

 

[bclover]

I believe most people are afraid of losing their income source. Others either love their job too much or don't know what else to do if they quit their job. It takes certain personality to retire early, and they are happier for it. I feel sorry for those who hate their work but continue to work despite they have enough to retire.

I think you maybe right. After I retired I had serious panic attacks, even a double, triple checking the numbers. I've worked steadily since I was 16 and the thought of not having a paycheck was scary.

Almost every person who I tell I'm retired ALWAYS ask me " whatcha" going to do all day. My reply "whatever I want"

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

 

[Walt34]

Almost every person who I tell I'm retired ALWAYS ask me " whatcha" going to do all day. My reply "whatever I want"

At 66 I no longer get that question but I did when I retired at 52. But given my job (police officer) it was fairly normal to retire at that age. Trust me, with some very rare exceptions you really don't want 60-year-old police officers still working.

 

[friar1610]

At 66 I no longer get that question but I did when I retired at 52. But given my job (police officer) it was fairly normal to retire at that age. Trust me, with some very rare exceptions you really don't want 60-year-old police officers still working.

My experience has been similar - retired at 58 and got a lot of comments about being "too young" to retire. Now as an "old fart" of 71 it's apparently socially acceptable to be retired.

 

[Which Roger]

I think it comes down to personality type. If I was type A, I can see how it would be easier to stay in the workforce where I could get the status, power, structure, etc. that I needed than to leave the workforce and create these things in retirement. Fortunately, I'm not type A, and a major motivator for ER was to get away from a lot of the things that type A's thrive on.

 

[unclemick]

'The flying fickle finger of fate.' or however the quote goes.

Looks like I may unER after a 22 year run. The Wife's Brother passed away from his second heart attack out on the Family Farm. Didn't farm (CRP) but a retired 'gear head' from mega corp over 25 plus years so tuning up for an auction of surplus in the spring of 2017.

Perils of Pauline sawmill driven by 128 hp Caterpillar Diesel, 7 tractors from a 1935 Farmal up to International rigged for log handling, 3 pickups 10 wheel C-60 down to Chevy Silverado, 2 ATVs and a small 1960 John Deere diesel bulldozer. Assorted mowers, snowplow and snowthrower(8 foot). Two machine shops 100 ton punch press , two bed mills, sheet metal roller, grinders, valve grinder, and others, drill presses, etc. etc. Assorted gas powered field welders, compressors and 4 or 5 chain saws. Maybe 20 - 30 cordless and regular electric hand tools plus three chest height machinist chests I haven't found the keys to yet.

Only the start - I have all winter to inventory 6 buildings from the 48 x 160 footer on down to the full size drive in tractor wash.

Auction in the Spring. Keeping the farm so mid contract CRP work Plus after 25 years as a bachelor the family farmhouse needs remodeling from 1965 when it got indoor plumbing and electricity.

heh heh heh - At age 73 the male hormones are twitching and the urge to remodel and tinker is strong. I need to keep a grip after 22 years of hard work toward professional slackerdom and 'high class ER'.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

In regards to the "what are you going to do all day?" question, I have started telling people the oh-so-great line, "Well, you know, I get up in the morning with nothing planned and yet I go to bed only getting half of it done." That usually shuts them up.

Oddly, Nords has posted an article on his blog about military folks that are in good positions to retire after 20+ years (as I did) but go on to have bridge careers instead.

Why Military Retirees Keep Working - Military Guide

 

[brucethebroker]

Anyone else think "what are you going to do all day/I'd get bored" is really "I can't afford to retire and won't admit it" instead?

 

[2017ish]

Anyone else think "what are you going to do all day/I'd get bored" is really "I can't afford to retire and won't admit it" instead?

Not for those who I'm personally familiar with. They are similar to the VC couple in rodi's first post. The guys I work with put in their seven days a week, love what they do, and can't imagine not doing it--even though they apparently spend little and are in their mid 50's to early 60's. They were simply puzzled as to why I would want to retire. Same is the case for some of DW's peers.

 

[aja8888]

The husband was SHOCKED that I was retired. I was too young, I must get bored, I was doing a disservice to myself and the world by not "contributing". I pointed out that I was happier than I'd ever been. (And this was confirmed to him by my sister and my husband.) He still felt I should be working.

I wonder what they thought you were not "contributing"?

(maybe to federal/state taxes, FICA, Medicare payments, unemployment funding....)

 

[travelover]

I wonder what they thought you were not "contributing"?

(maybe to federal/state taxes, FICA, Medicare payments, unemployment funding....)

I suspect this is their way of patting themselves on the back by highlighting the imagined contrast (look at how much WE are contributing).

 

[friar1610]

Oddly, Nords has posted an article on his blog about military folks that are in good positions to retire after 20+ years (as I did) but go on to have bridge careers instead.

Why Military Retirees Keep Working - Military Guide

It's funny - during my last assignment (in the DC area) I had a guy working for me who was about my age with roughly the same number of years of service. It was also his last tour and we used to discuss post-retirement plans often. I planned to work for about 10 years post-Navy and he planned to completely retire and move to a place he had bought in the hills of Tennessee or NC. I remember I often said that guys like us were "too young to retire" (both 50-ish at the time.) Then he got a high-pay offer from a Beltway Bandit and retired sooner than planned to take it. I finished my career, took 3-4 months off and then took a job with a semi-BB. I soon learned I didn't enjoy it that much and used the next 6 years as a chance to sock away the bucks, retiring for good at 58. Last I heard, he was still working, doing very well and driving a BMW. I'm perfectly happy with retired life and my 12 year old Volvo.

From what I learned after retiring for good, I probably could have done fine retiring for good right after the Navy. Or working harder at finding a 2nd career I would have enjoyed more even if it didn't pay as well.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Most of the offline people we know who voluntarily ERed were from outdoor / environmental kinds of clubs. So I guess people like that already have clubs and social groups outside the workplace and enjoy being outside more than inside office buildings.

 

[Big_Hitter]

I wonder what they thought you were not "contributing"?

(maybe to federal/state taxes, FICA, Medicare payments, unemployment funding....)

retirees at my golf club keep a lot of people employed, a lot