Is "early retirement" insensitive right now?

[Gumby]

Not due to any sense of guilt, but just because I like people to feel good about their lives, if someone still working says "You're so lucky to be retired," I will often respond "Well, we didn't have any children to pay for". I think many people would find that an unacceptable trade-off, so it tends to mitigate any hard feelings.

 

[Amethyst]

Some people associate "retirement" with being old and frumpy, living in a retirement place and having nothing interesting to do. That may be how retired grandparents behaved, or something. So even if they are not thinking about money, they can't imagine someone relatively young, healthy, active, wanting to "retire."

 

[ArmchairMillionaire23]

I have four more years to go... (plus a few days)
But it might be a loooooong 4 years.

Most of the people in my department are on the perpetual earn to spend treadmill. Most of them are buying new trucks every few years so most have a lot of debt. Of course through word of mouth they found out that I'm maxing out my 401(k) contributions and that somehow offends them. But then again I show up early every morning and put in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay and that seems to offend them as well. So I just go in every day, do what I'm paid to do, help out other departments if I'm able (which also seems to offend them) and then go home for the afternoon.

'Purchasing' vacation is a trend at Mega-Corp. Basically you get an extra week or two off each year but it gets deducted out of your checks spread throughout the year. Most of the people in my department follow this trend as well. I choose not to and again, this offends them. A 4-10 workweek is offered most of the year and I do participate in this. For me, I'm 'purchasing' an entire year of vacation (early retirement) by putting $500 into my 401(k) every week for my final 5 years there so I can retire at 54 instead of 59½.

There a few people in other departments who know what I'm planning and are encouraging about it. My own department - not so much. Do I care? Not so much. It might be a long four years but at least it's only four more years. Plus I agree with many here who've stated that by retiring early I'll be opening up a spot for someone to get a promotion.

 

[GenXguy]

I would just say that I'm able to retire early because I worked a lot of extra hours year after year and managed to save and cut spending enough even while paying higher taxes as a single person with no kids to subsidize others.

It wasn't an easy path, and I don't feel guilty about that.

 

[Katiek]

Most people won't think about you much, if at all, once you're gone, so I wouldn't worry about it.



As others have said, there are likely some people in the work area who've faced challenges many early retirees haven't, so it's nice to be thoughtful about what you say and how you say it (and not just during a pandemic). But I wouldn't let any concern about other people's reactions impact your plans.

 

[Amethyst]

It may be useful to stop and consider whether you give any thought at all to people who retired ahead of you.

When most of us walk out the work door, the waters close over the space where we used to displace air, without so much as a ripple.

Most people won't think about you much, if at all, once you're gone, so I wouldn't worry about it.

.

 

[Andre1969]

I've been thinking about it, and over the years when coworkers have left, either through retirement, taking another job, or getting fired, I realize that outside of the office, they really had no significance in my life, and they just fade away.

If I think back on it long enough, I'll usually remember them, but again, it's not like their existence has any bearing on my life. One of my first wakeup calls was when the guy who had been my supervisor from 1993 to 2001, retired. He was a good ol' boy from West Virginia, retired Air Force, and tended to rub people the wrong way. But, I got along great with him. He had a trailer on a permanent campsite in Southern Maryland, and also had a boat, and always talked about having me come down some weekend. But, it never happened.

And, once he retired, I think I heard from him twice. Both times by email, and both times asking for information about something. Not a hey, how ya doing or anything like that. The first time, I got him the info he wanted. But then the second time, I just ignored it. And never heard from him again.

I sort of liken it to that old Twilight Zone episode, "The Bewitchin' Pool." One line that always sticks in my mind is "Those voices come in loud and clear for a bit. But, over time they fade away, and before you know it, you don't hear 'em at all!" Or, something like that.

That's pretty much how I've felt about work ever since then. Usually, whenever someone retires, or transfers, my first thought is usually "how incompetent is their replacement going to be?" but the person leaving, even if it's someone that I liked, is usually forgotten somewhat quickly.

 

[GoodLife59]

In this season of illness, unemployment and photos of food pantries on every news site, is it insensitive to tell colleagues and customers that I'm retiring early? I've tried saying "I'm stepping back from work to pursue my interests," but that sounds like I'm having a midlife crisis and I'll be back when the money runs out (I'm not coming back).

I think I feel lingering guilt over my success. But I made many sacrifices when I was younger - including shelving unprofitable dreams in order to be a responsible wage-earner - and have been planning for retirement since 1995. It just happens that I'm retiring when other people are not doing so well.

I think you’re fine. Most people will be happy for you. Others that may be contemplating the same idea will have questions. The reality is your last day will likely be a Friday and by Monday morning your colleagues and customers will have moved on. Enjoy it and Congratulations!

 

[ychuck46]

Why Not?

There will always be some who are ill, some who are unemployed, and some who need to take advantage of food pantries. Today is no different than some other time to those who are affected. That being said, enjoy your early retirement and don't let anyone make you feel guilty for your hard work.

 

[slowsaver]

I've tried saying "I'm stepping back from work to pursue my interests," but that sounds like I'm having a midlife crisis and I'll be back when the money runs out (I'm not coming back).

So what if people think you're having a midlife crisis. Is there really any shame in that? There shouldn't be.

 

[kcowan]

I tried saying I was independently wealthy and did not need to work anymore. Turns out I had to stop because "other" people did not like it.

So many people can't handle the truth!

When we started blowing the dough, even some of retired friends were shocked.

 

[Earlygirl]

When I retired at 60.5, I worked with a lot of younger people. I'm sure they thought I was plenty old enough. �� So it's all about perception. I know that's not particularly early, but I had planned to work til age 65. So it seemed early to me.

 

[67walkon]

Someone will become a victim somehow. Book it. I still have a few life long friends who seem mildly offended that I'm not working anymore and they are. From my perspective, I'm sad they feel that way but in the other hand I've enjoyed myself more than I have in memory. I can do useful things for others, and I do, but most of all I enjoy the freedom.

 

[bgares]

We could all eat some humble pie. Those that gloat about their success may have missed many simple things in life. How many missed birthdays, school plays and sporting events of children, nephew's and nieces. How many missed family gatherings around holidays. Many one have choose to be single. That’s fine, but without my Wife and Family reflecting on my early 20s I may have been dead before my 30th birthday.
Please don’t gloat and be grateful for all you have in life. We have lived a balanced life so far. Wishing everyone health, happiness and prosperity in 2021

 

[HMMY]

Think of it as leaving a job opening for someone else, an act of charity

I retired at 52 a few years ago, and people kept asking me when I was going back to work. Now, I can say I wouldn't dream of taking a job away from someone who needs one.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

Here we are, 100+ answers later, and I think I may have given an opinion earlier. (Or was that a similar thread?)

Now, I am thinking I will say "I am stepping away to spend more time with my family." Which, after all, is TRUE!

 

[Katoslake]

I announced my retirement back in early September 2020. Termination date 10/31. MegaCorp allowed me to help screen candidates to fill my position. I had direct contact with hiring manager. Person selected had been laid off back in early spring (Covid) and really needed a job. My good fortune opened the door to someone that needed a job. Win/win

 

[Live Large]

Most Post I’ve read Thread

It may be useful to stop and consider whether you give any thought at all to people who retired ahead of you.

When most of us walk out the work door, the waters close over the space where we used to displace air, without so much as a ripple.

OP - interesting enough to read thru over 100 posts!

Who do you matter too most? Your family? Immediate close friends? Co-workers can be like old classmates after you’ve graduated (retire) lose all contact no reunion. Fade 2 Background the less conversation about it the better imo ~ just do it!
We all have been replaced...Nothing Stops!
Retirement is new...the industrial Titans had you work until you dropped on the job or off.
WW2 had serious outbreak of tuberculosis notwithstanding horrors of war. Life will have its tragedies ~ I spoke to folk born in 1925 a lot and one who’s still telling stories born 1927. Got the Time to listen ~ retired!

ER is not an easy undertaking for most did U read all posts? Best get going while it’s good for you!
I just love it, affirmation is the common LBYM then do as Moniker. Life is way to short

 

[Time2]

"How are you able to retire at 45?"

A response for those you care to teach, "The magic of compound Interest!" "huh"

"here's a compound interest calculator."
Compound Interest Calculator
Get to know it.

 

[Time2]

Only if they are supporting your "early retirement."

We have seen a number of spouse posts throughout the years . . .

Many could say I was insensitive to my spouse. We were self employed, just the two of us running the business for 18yrs, open 70 hrs a week. At 61, I was done, we had bountiful nest egg, so I cut back to one day a week, just to give my wife one day off. She worked 10+ hours 6 days, on her day off she worked on her garden, didn't really take time off or relax. Luckily we had a hurricane, it destroyed our business, so she had a forced retirement. She's happy about it now, does not miss the mental drama caused by very local competition and she's got plenty to do. I find retirement has made her nicer to live with!
The negative thing about losing the business to a hurricane, I always wanted to seek out a young couple working but earning low wages, with a least one that had the drive make a business work (my wife) and teach them how to run it. We could have made a huge impact on their lives!

 

[Rambler]

I’ve been retired for 8 years. I’m not particularly politically correct. But, I had been planning and working toward an early retirement for 30 years. I had a variety of reasons for leaving when I did, but really it boils down to the fact that I had enough in my retirement bucket to overcome the massive pile in the BS bucket. There is no shame in retiring early if you’ve made the right moves for yourself and can afford to support yourself. Maybe you just say that you’ve planned this for a long time and are ready to move to the next stage of life.

Edit to add: we never told my wife’s sister that I was retiring. We told her that I was leaving my corporate job to be a financial advisor to a wealthy client. We didn’t tell her who the wealthy client was. She still thinks I’m a financial advisor, and when she visits, I spend a good deal of time on the iPad looking at financial charts....playing the part.

 

[flyboy541]

Are you insane

I retired as quick as I could. Didn't work one second more then what I needed to leave. When I stop and think about modern working schedule, it makes no sense. Spend your whole life trying to make money to live on and pay bills, then you die. You leave all your money to your kids or grand-kids to piss away on drugs, booze, casinos, boyfriends, girlfriends, pay off their friends bills and mortgages, be the big shot till the money is gone. Your money ends up destroying their lives.

 

[ls99]

Am with Ricki Gervais' sensitivity at the 2020 Golden Globes.

 

[Big_Hitter]

But I made many sacrifices when I was younger - including shelving unprofitable dreams in order to be a responsible wage-earner - and have been planning for retirement since 1995. It just happens that I'm retiring when other people are not doing so well.

yep, when everyone else was taking motorcycle trips across the country or picking strawberries in Spain I was studying for actuarial exams, which took all of my otherwise spare time for several years - zero regrets or guilt retiring early

 

[MrLoco]

I have no problem with someone wanting to retire early, whether due to hard work, lots of planning, and/or some luck (unexpected investment spike, receiving a sizable inheritance, etc.).

I do get annoyed when someone is sticking their success in my face, usually someone who has won the game many times over. For those people, it doesn't seem to be enough to be retired and be happy. Honestly, I've seen some posts this year asking whether an $8M+ nest egg is enough to retire on, and I wonder if they are truly asking for advice or just showboating. Maybe I've been reading too much into those posts.

I don't understand why you would get annoyed at someone asking if retirement would be prudent with a NW of $8 million? You are looking at it from your perspective. Perhaps they will have high expenses in retirement that will require monthly income streams in the tens of thousands of dollars due to travel, vacation homes, boats, etc.