So I cross the line... Should I tell others?

[Hillbilly]

My spouse was the only to know when I pulled the plug.
After my last day, next was parents, then FIL,MIL.
From there, I let others tell of my decision or my new activities brought attention to me (ie from neighbors, friends, etc), then I would fess up.

 

[harley]

Not me. I managed to get RIF'ed after I was FI, and I bragged to everyone I met about it. I was pretty obnoxious, I'm sure. I've never been known for my subtlety. Or for my class, either.

 

[38Chevy454]

As others suggested, just say "A corporate re-org eliminated my position. I am taking some time to investigate options." No need for anymore.

 

[Senator]

If you are ashamed of not working, go back to work.

I wouldn't care what others think. If you see my responses on this forum, you probably already know that.

 

[Bamaman]

My megacorp in 2008 sent all employees 55 years of age or 30 years on the job home. It was totally a business decision--nothing personal.

Megacorp overreacted to the economic conditions of the times, and their business came back to higher sales levels quickly. But Megacorp paid dearly with severance pay, insurance benefits, a pay supplement until age 62, and 5 weeks additional vacation.

I felt almost guilty signing into the state's computer every Sunday night to say I was still looking for a job. But the unemployment compensation for 50 weeks was sure nice.

Had I not been 58 1/2 years old, I might have been looking to put my talents to work. Instead, I decided to take care of my family and do some mission work working constructing homes for tornado victims and for our local church camp.

Never hurts to give back a little to society. And at your young age, take two steps back and regroup.

 

[LOL!]

"In a recent MegaCorp reorg, my position was eliminated and I was given a [-]nice[/-] package to leave the company."

Perhaps the only thing to add to that is, "I guess I'll have to start looking for another job."

 

[Toocold]

Thanks all for your thoughts.

RE: on DW. I told her 5 years ago that I was thinking about RE and I told her last year that I was planning 2020, so she already knows. We celebrated going out to dinner today.

I'll likely tell my friends whenever they ask, but not necessarily be upfront about it. I probably won't say I'm retired.

 

[rk911]

i wasn't shy about my retirement plans at or away from work. i gave 6-mos notice and helped my replacement get acclimated. some at work we're 'betting' i'd be back at a FT job within 6-mos. my relative's knew as well as my buddies. my retirement wasn't a secret. i don't recall getting any negative pushback, jealousy, etc.

i'm..none of us...are not responsible for someone else's thoughts, actions or reactions. OP, i wouldn't...and I didn't...go bragging about ER but i wouldn't keep it a secret either for fear of alienating someone.

 

[Floridatennisplayer]

Same here. I didn’t give a crap. Gave a 6 month advanced written notice as well. Hoping to push them to a package, which happened. In the big picture, you think it’s important now, but it’s just a freaking job in the end. In 3 months they won’t even remember you. My company and the current employees have no idea who I am now. Old news. It’s done and over.

 

[marko]

In 3 months they won’t even remember you. My company and the current employees have no idea who I am now. Old news. It’s done and over.

My experience is somewhat different and, admittedly, likely unique.

Fifteen+ years later I'm still getting calls from former employees/co-workers asking what I'm doing--implying that they'd like to have me hire them wherever I'm working.

Time warp! They seem to remember me as a 52 year old...when I tell them I've been retired for 15 years, they slowly come to their senses.

The company that acquired us also realized that there were key people they gave away and a year or two later the phones started ringing asking people to come back.

 

[Animorph]

I had pretty much the OP scenario. My DM was the only one who couldn't understand why I was retiring early. She was concerned about what I would do with all the time. No problem anywhere else, though many coworkers also at least semiretired.

 

[Gumby]

One thing I did was to change my Facebook place of employment to "Gumby Enterprises" and my position as "Chief Retiree" with the job description of "Responsible for amusing myself every day". I thought it was a low key way to inform anyone who cared to know. Within a day, I had numerous congratulatory messages from distant friends and relatives.

So far, I haven't had any negative reactions. My good friend at work did urge me to stay until she could retire too (she is a little older than me), just so she would have someone to talk to every day and walk up and down the stairs in thrall to her super fitness monitor watch thing.

 

[Ronstar]

Yes tell others. And to temper anticipated jealousy and Bad feelings from others - tell them your position was eliminated.

 

[FIREchief]

When I FIRE'd from Megacorp, I only told my two bosses (wife and Megacorp supervisor) and HR. I didn't announce anything and only said goodbye to the handful of true friends at Megacorp who I had met over the decades. I didn't make it a point to inform anybody else either at Megacorp or the real world. I think DW told MIL, who a year or two later thought I was still working. That's all the attention I wanted or needed.

 

[mpeirce]

I probably won't say I'm retired.

When I reached FI and decided to leave my job I really didn't know how to describe it. At 49 saying I was retired sounded wrong. But after a while, I decided it was the easiest way to describe the situation to others.

 

[Red Badger]

+1

I was outta sh*ts to give when it came to what others might think of my retirement.

+2. Recently, I found a few sh*ts to give, but not for w@rk or co-w@rkers. I save them for my real self and my real interests. When I walked out the door for the last time, I didn't care if it hit me where the Good Lord split me. That chapter of my life was over.

 

[rk911]

I had pretty much the OP scenario. My DM was the only one who couldn't understand why I was retiring early. She was concerned about what I would do with all the time. No problem anywhere else, though many coworkers also at least semiretired.

my mom was supportive but did wonder how we (wife was retiring also) would fill our days. we've been RVers since 1986 so i replied that we would likely spend more time on the road. i recall she said that we couldn't spend our lives running up and down the highway. without skipping a beat I told her, "not to worry, we've reserved MP 347 to MP 45 on I-57". about a year later while we were yakking on the phone she mentioned how different, how relaxed i sounded. while she accepted my ER she was ultimately happy with my choice. she'll be gone 6-yrs in december and i miss her every day.

 

[SecondCor521]

If friends or acquaintances have a truly negative reaction(*), as someone already said that is their problem. It is also probably true that they are less likely to remain my friends or acquaintances. FIRE has helped me realize I don't have to put up with that stuff.

I retired at 46. I had kept my plans close to my vest, so when I left, almost everyone assumed I was going to work for someone else. I explained that I was not. Out of several hundred people I informed, only one or two asked how I did it, and I suspect those one or two people already knew and/or were on a similar path themselves.

(*) By this I mean anger, jealousy, resentment, envy, etc. Surprise, curiosity, shock, uncertainty on how to handle, etc. are OK with me.

 

[Perryinva]

I didn’t tell my siblings. None of them are doing well financially because of their own truly stupid decisions. I don’t need them asking me for money. They already think we are rich. DW’s family all knows, and the only one that would ask for money knows better than to ask. And I’m 61, more FIR than FIRE.

 

[ckelly78z]

The common answer I get when asking about someone's retirement plans where I work is "I will have to keep working forever". This is because of bad planning, and a YOLO attitude that keeps them in new cars, and designer clothes, but doesn't allow for any savings for the future...."they will cross that bridge when they come to it" is another answer I have gotten.

When I finally retire (hopefully in 5 years at 59.5) there will be many who will ask how, but few who will follow.

 

[Racer X]

I was pretty weird about it when I retired. I think I had some survivor's guilt about leaving my team. There was a rumor going around that I was going to go into business by monetizing a hobby, and I did nothing to dispel that. My wife obviously knew the truth, and I told my parents. Other than that, I just sort of faded away. Now, looking back at it, I was kind of silly. I'm not embarrassed I retired early. Hell, I consider that winning the game. Retirement has been one of the best things to ever happen to me. Most people have been happy for me. A few are curious about "what I do all day." I can't really think of any that have had negative reactions. If I were to go back and do it all over, I think I'd just be matter of fact about it and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Revi]

I am not telling many people yet.

I have decided to retire next spring, but I haven't told many people yet. It seems like a lot of people know, however.

 

[Murph]

Lip zip

In a recent MegaCorp reorg, my position was eliminated and I was given a nice package to leave the company. I've been working on my FI plans for almost a decade now, so this was a very welcomed and hoped outcome.

I am planning to tell my and DW's immediate family. Yesterday, I was meeting with my friends and I was torn on whether to say something. I decided to not mention it for fear any unnecessary reactions.

For those who finally pulled the trigger, how did you handle this? And did others react the way you thought they would? Also, I haven't hit 50, if age plays a role in this.

I told only my parents and DW just before submitting my two week notice at Megacorp. I asked them not to tell anyone until after the date. i also asked my employer to respect my privacy, which they did.

On my last day, a Friday, just before I turned in my laptop, I sent a broadcast email to 50 or so colleagues and logged off. They didn’t close my account immediately so I was able to monitor email on my phone over the weekend, and I received a lot of kind wishes.

Why did I do this? I didn’t want the attention an announcement would have gotten me. Saved having to talk about it (at 59, I felt I was being pressured to leave).

 

[ziggy29]

I was 47 when Megacorp RIF'd me in 2013. I was surprised at how quickly a peace came over me, and DW didn't freak out, either. I think my being calm helped there as did my assurance that our finances were fine even if I never worked another day in my life. Then when it came time to tell others, it was no big deal. Most people noticed I was a lot more laid back and less prone to stress out about things after I was laid off. It was one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

Helped that I got 6 months pay in the severance package, too.

 

[Live Large]

(*) +1
I liked talking about retirement age 45 ~ zeroed in.
My off assignment began at 49 after that I literally spent 3mos at work then on the books until age 51 So officially retired. I got questions like,
“Are you retired yet...”

My sister ended up posting a picture of Me on her FB
6mos later got quite a few congrats ~ folks w/small talk ask what do you do - “I’m retired “ Ez Pz
Lot of different responses, sure one will work - or say
you work on leisure activities it’s a full-time job...lol