61 & retired from admin (secretary) job

[American-Canadian]

Hi, I'm so happy to be retired now for a year. Although I didn't dislike secretarial work I'm glad to be done with it -- 38 years of full-time work is enough. I just never had the drive or the desire to go to college.

I feel fairly confident retiring -- I have health care through my retired husband and he receives a small pension. I think my work peers wondered how I was able to pull it off when I turned in my notice.

Although I do NOT have a pension, I'm glad I had the sense to save in IRAs and 401ks for the last 30 years. Those investments along with the $1,100/mth Social Security starting in the new year should carry me through. My small house in a mid-size city is paid for (30 yr mortgage paid off in 14 years).

We have money for a few vacations a year but love staying home too.

Thank you all for your helpful posts -- I've been reading them for years.

One of the best perks of being retired is how I look forward to the mornings now -- getting up when I feel like it, enjoying a long, leisurely breakfast with my newspapers and coffee without having to hurry to get ready for work -- it's every bit as enjoyable as I dreamed it would be.

 

[MichaelB]

Congratulations and welcome to the board. Tell us a little about yourself.

One of the best perks of being retired is how I look forward to the mornings now -- getting up when I feel like it, enjoying a long, leisurely breakfast with my newspapers and coffee without having to hurry to get ready for work -- it's every bit as enjoyable as I dreamed it would be.

After 10 years, I can only say it get better with time. Hope yours does too.

 

[LauAnn]

Congratulations.

I too started out on the secretarial route and did so for many years while working at a university. It was work I enjoyed and afforded me the chance to complete my degree tuition free whereupon I continued to progress up the ranks a little. I have 22 months to go before I too can start enjoying my mornings. I am sooooo looking forward to it.

 

[omni550]

Welcome, Am-Can!

Hope to see more postings from you here on some of those glorious mornings.

omni

 

[WhoDaresWins]

Hello and welcome. I am not yet retired but right now am thinking "three more years", when I will be 60. I, too, look forward to a time when every morning is relaxed and unhurried and I can finish my small pot of coffee at leisure.

 

[Meadbh]

Welcome and congratulations AC! You are clearly delighting in retirement and you so deserve it. I've been privileged to work with some excellent secretaries over the years and know that a great secretary is a kingpin of a great team. But you're finished with all that now!

 

[FreeAtLast]

Welcome! It sounds like you put many long years in the work place, now it is time for you to have a leisure life.