Do you work part time in retirement?

[DrRoy]

Quote:

- No - Zero - NA

Quote:

+1 Same. Retired for ME is no work whatsoever forever.

Nuff said.

[music-and-ski]

One of my objectives when I retire is to play more music. I have too many friends who are trying to make a living playing music to compete with them by giving my talents away for free. In my community and social circle it is not acceptable for me to play certain types of shows without receiving payment, but I enjoy playing those types of shows. In fact, it's one of the reasons I want to retire — is to play more music at a quality level that people are willing to pay for, in times and places where others have arranged audiences to listen to me.

Mind you, I try to avoid using words that indicate I'm taking money to play music. I take money to organize the event, drive there, practice for it, arrange the songs, hire the other musicians, pay someone else as a sub if I'm sick, and all that. I also take money out of principle, to support the idea that quality musicians are valuable just like quality plumbers and quality engineers and quality lawyers are valuable.

[Tekward]

Yes (extra cash but still enabling Roth conversions)
8-60 hours per month (occasional, remote & I set availability)
Teaching/consulting (decent rate, but some of it I do for free, supporting veterans)


I question myself before every session, but always end up happy after every session.

[Mr._Graybeard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by music-and-ski One of my objectives when I retire is to play more music. I have too many friends who are trying to make a living playing music to compete with them by giving my talents away for free. In my community and social circle it is not acceptable for me to play certain types of shows without receiving payment, but I enjoy playing those types of shows. In fact, it's one of the reasons I want to retire — is to play more music at a quality level that people are willing to pay for, in times and places where others have arranged audiences to listen to me. Mind you, I try to avoid using words that indicate I'm taking money to play music. I take money to organize the event, drive there, practice for it, arrange the songs, hire the other musicians, pay someone else as a sub if I'm sick, and all that. I also take money out of principle, to support the idea that quality musicians are valuable just like quality plumbers and quality engineers and quality lawyers are valuable.

A Canadian singer/songwriter often plays coffeehouses and house parties in our area. He tells the story that he was a bush pilot up north when a close call with some power lines convinced him to change careers. You're probably familiar with him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE5vHgUmK5k

[atmsmshr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R Well, all I would know about atmsmshr is that he was the rich, upscale dude living in the cardboard box next door who could afford to eat dog food instead of worms and dandelions.

Fear not - I will share the dogfood with worthy neighbors.

[Badger]

If you are working then you are NOT retired.


Cheers!

[Markola]

Hide the bong. The retirement police have arrived.

[Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr._Graybeard A Canadian singer/songwriter often plays coffeehouses and house parties in our area. He tells the story that he was a bush pilot up north when a close call with some power lines convinced him to change careers. You're probably familiar with him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE5vHgUmK5k

Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed it. I so admire talented people.

[harley]

I guess I'm not really retired anymore. I tend to answer "Self Employed" on most questionnaires these days. We started a small business in DW's name a few years after FIRE, although I do all the work. I figured we'd make a couple thousand dollars a year. But it's grown so much that I'm making about 75% of what I was making when I was working full time.

I have a few periods of being pretty busy, almost full time, especially near the end of the year. But mostly I work maybe 2-10 hours/week, and sometimes nothing at all for a month or so. When I finish the end of year stuff I don't usually have anything else until late March/April. And I enjoy it, and can do it at my own time. I get to keep my hand in in the high tech/AV world, which is fun. I tend to work on it at night while DW and I are watching TV.

It's very low stress job, and I can just stop doing it anytime I want. So I don't really consider myself employed. More like FI/semi-RE. Not what I had planned at all, but I'm pretty happy with the way it's worked out. It's funny, because I spent most of my working years planning to get out. And I would never go back to work under anyone else's rules. But I'm quite pleased with my current situation.

[novaman]

Years ago I had a patient in his late 70’s who had the appearance, energy and the vibe of someone at least 15 years younger. He would come in well dressed, was very charming- think a mature James Bond.

On one of his visits I asked him what his secret was, and he told me, “the secret to aging well, is to never retire. I could have retired several decades ago but instead I have decided to keep going. I don’t work hard like I did when I was younger but to this day I still go into the office a few days a week and do some work. It keeps my mind sharp.”

This patient lived an active life until the end, when, at the age of 83 he passed away from injuries he sustained when he was thrown from a horse while horseback riding.

I never forgot what he said and I am following his advice. I continue to work a little bit and stay engaged, and it seems to be working because even though I’m now 56, a lot of people I meet think I’m in my late 30’s.

[flyingaway]

Quote:

Originally Posted by novaman Years ago I had a patient in his late 70’s who had the appearance, energy and the vibe of someone at least 15 years younger. He would come in well dressed, was very charming- think a mature James Bond. On one of his visits I asked him what his secret was, and he told me, “the secret to aging well, is to never retire. I could have retired several decades ago but instead I have decided to keep going. I don’t work hard like I did when I was younger but to this day I still go into the office a few days a week and do some work. It keeps my mind sharp.” This patient lived an active life until the end, when, at the age of 83 he passed away from injuries he sustained when he was thrown from a horse while horseback riding. I never forgot what he said and I am following his advice. I continue to work a little bit and stay engaged, and it seems to be working because even though I’m now 56, a lot of people I meet think I’m in my late 30’s.

If I color my hair, I look like 20 years younger.

[scrabbler1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by novaman Years ago I had a patient in his late 70’s who had the appearance, energy and the vibe of someone at least 15 years younger. He would come in well dressed, was very charming- think a mature James Bond. On one of his visits I asked him what his secret was, and he told me, “the secret to aging well, is to never retire. I could have retired several decades ago but instead I have decided to keep going. I don’t work hard like I did when I was younger but to this day I still go into the office a few days a week and do some work. It keeps my mind sharp.” This patient lived an active life until the end, when, at the age of 83 he passed away from injuries he sustained when he was thrown from a horse while horseback riding. I never forgot what he said and I am following his advice. I continue to work a little bit and stay engaged, and it seems to be working because even though I’m now 56, a lot of people I meet think I’m in my late 30’s.

I assume your patient had a reasonably short commute which didn't wear him out too much. In my final months of working, I was down to 2 days a week but the 75-minute commute each way on 2 different train systems was wearing me down to the point that I had to make it zero.

[Lewis Clark]

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Originally Posted by harley But I'm quite pleased with my current situation.

This is all that really matters. If we are happy with our current situation it just doesn't matter if someone describes us as either "employed", "semi-retired" or "retired". Even if that someone is ourselves.

Time to defund the Internet Retirement Police. : )

[freedomatlast]

Shortly after corporate retirement, I fell into a part time dream "job" which I can't believe they actually pay me for doing. I can work any amount of hours I want but like last week, I worked 46.5 hours over 5 days.

I mostly work on my own, but I do have limited contact with others. I enjoy interacting with some of the younger folks and there's one I am mentoring now on FI at his request.

When it's not fun anymore I will quit. But for now I'm having a ball. And the extra income is like mad money to me. I can blow it on stupid stuff with no second thought if I wish.

[tmm99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewis Clark This is all that really matters. If we are happy with our current situation it just doesn't matter if someone describes us as either "employed", "semi-retired" or "retired". Even if that someone is ourselves. Time to defund the Internet Retirement Police. : )

+1

[tmm99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freedomatlast Shortly after corporate retirement, I fell into a part time dream "job" which I can't believe they actually pay me for doing. I can work any amount of hours I want but like last week, I worked 46.5 hours over 5 days. I mostly work on my own, but I do have limited contact with others. I enjoy interacting with some of the younger folks and there's one I am mentoring now on FI at his request. When it's not fun anymore I will quit. But for now I'm having a ball. And the extra income is like mad money to me. I can blow it on stupid stuff with no second thought if I wish.

I don't know what you do, but it sounds like the gig makes your FIRE even sweeter! Congrats!

[klscaz]

I retired at 59, took two years off and then took a part-time job right before the Covid shutdown. I'm working from home 3 days per week for a call center serving small banks and credit unions. I'm not sure how long I'll do it. Good and bad days like any job but the second I feel stressed I'm out. I'm not in it for the money but for the mental stimulation.

[Rambler]

I’ve been retired 7.5 years. Wasn’t really bored for 6.5 years. Moved to a new place where I am not able to do some of the things I enjoyed. So, I am now exploring some options. That includes going back to work at something I can do that is very flexible, and where I can provide something to the market that seems (to me) to be missing. Another option is to move again...not really my cup of tea, but may have to in order to avoid going nuts. Even if I do go back to work, it would only be on my terms, doing something I’m passionate about. I’ve already calculated how much the government would take, because my marginal rate is already on the very high end, so if I do something, I have to be doing it for the passion, because it certainly won’t be for a lot of after tax money.

[JohnRM]

I have been known to sell stuff on ebay, a little bit of horse trading... but mainly managing various investments. I might like to start some kind of business after this corona crap is under control. It will be after the big mask burning party.

[RobbieB]

No work for me, unless it's working on my own home or my own project.

No volunteering either, not going to work for anyone for zero pay.