Job in retirement?

[Teacher Terry]

I do part time consulting in my main career. However, I set my own appointments for when I want to see my clients. I only worked 300 hours this year. I really enjoy it and that’s why I still do it.

 

[Koolau]

I think it's great to w*rk for money or as a volunteer - as long as that's what you want to do. I stayed on at Megacorp after being FI because I loved what I was doing - until I didn't and then I FIRE'd.

 

[USGrant1962]

Like Teacher Terry above, I also do part time consulting in my career field and did about 300 hours this year, which was the least I've done since 2018. I do it mostly as a social engagement and mental stimulation exercise but I also appreciate the income. Consulting has carried me through the highest risk SORR period of ER.

I can't speak to "getting a job" as consulting is generally on the consultant's terms. But social engagement, application of your skills, and income are all good things. As long as they don't interfere with your retirement time/goals/dreams...

 

[VanWinkle]

If you find that retirement is not working, take a job and end retirement.
There's no shame in that. People who work in retirement are actually
not retired.

 

[Teacher Terry]

If you find that retirement is not working, take a job and end retirement.
There's no shame in that. People who work in retirement are actually
not retired.

I think if you’re not working full-time, you are definitely retired especially if working part-time is a choice. When I first retired 13 years ago, we were in the process of remodeling an old house we bought and selling our other home. That kept me busy for the first six months.

After that, I tried filling my time with taking classes, volunteering, etc. I found the volunteer work not to be much different than working with being bossed around, etc., but just not getting paid.

Then I was offered an opportunity to teach an online college class, which was a totally new endeavor for me. I absolutely loved it and did it for eight years. Now I’m back to consulting in my field. After some of my friends recently died unexpectedly. I did some soul-searching on how I want to spend my time and decided that I still wanted to keep consulting. When I get sick of it, I’ll quit.

I started my career much later in life than many people because I had my kids young and then didn’t go to college until they were all in school. That may account for why I still enjoy it. Some people have a lot of hobbies, but I don’t.

I have tried many different things in retirement and I read that book that is frequently talked about how to be happy and free in retirement also and really didn’t even find that book that helpful. I think everyone has to figure out for themselves how they want to spend their time.

I also took a month off when I needed to fly to Kansas to be with my ex-husband while he was dying. I was there 10 days and then needed the rest of the time to destress once the kids and I got home. After that month off, I was really ready to go back to work so that answered my question if I was ready to give up consulting work and I’m not.

 

[bloom2708]

If you get a job again, then you can look forward to retiring again someday.

 

[marko]

Indeed. I am very handy, and a close friend and his wife are NOT very handy. Yesterday, he texted me a picture of a broken down pipe of his garbage disposal, and asked (politely) if I were available to consult on this. I am retired, he is working (from home). I said "Sure," went to Home Despot, got the part, went to his house, fixed the disposal, then we had an enriching chat for about an hour about personal problems. He paid me the $5 that the Home Cheapo part cost, and I was on my way. Did I feel exploited? No, it was a friend asking for help. Plus he does plenty for me.

I think there's a difference between helping out someone with a "problem" or "just needs a hand" with something versus an expectation that you're always on standby for errands, driving or whatever the daily need may be just because you're retired

 

[CO-guy]

OP, if you have a "bunch of time in retirement" then what's keeping you from your hobbies? Or is your time being sucked up because you're avoiding your hobbies?

I still consult part-time. I'm FI, but I find the projects rewarding and I put the money to good use. I also regularly volunteer my time with various local nonprofits. However, I don't let either of those things get in the way of my own hobbies, which includes hiking.

 

[Jimmie]

I was a part-time professor for local university computer science dept before I retired. Upon retirement from megacorp, i continued teaching because it I enjoyed it. However, the pandemic killed my passion for teaching and I resigned my position. Since then, we've spent the last 4 years taking 5 or 6, two weeks vacations per year to explore parts of the US & world we've wanted to see.

This year, we've cut back our travel, mainly because it was getting less fun. Six months ago, I was having drinks with some friends and mentioned to them I was getting a little restless and golf three times a week wasn't enough to keep me busy. One of my friends was a partner in a small upscale bistro down at the harbor and mentioned they were having a hard time finding a host and asked if I'd be interested in doing that for some noon-5pm shifts during the week. I've never worked in the service industry before, but decided to give it a try and admit to being surprised at how much fun it was. Unsure of how long I'll continue, but for now, it's something I look forward to doing.

 

[pacergal]

Would "sorry I am working" be an easy reason for your to say no to folks asking for your time? If so, then start "working" on your hobbies!

What makes it difficult for you to decline these folks who take up your days in retirement?
Or dedicate 1-2 days a week only for helping folks, schedule it, then say your days are filled and you are unavailable until XX day next week or two weeks from now?

Retirement is all about having the days be your time to do what you want.
If going back to work fits your desires, then by all means do it.
If not, figure out a way to start limiting the requests for your time.

 

[MarieIG]

Indeed. I am very handy, and a close friend and his wife are NOT very handy. Yesterday, he texted me a picture of a broken down pipe of his garbage disposal, and asked (politely) if I were available to consult on this. I am retired, he is working (from home). I said "Sure," went to Home Despot, got the part, went to his house, fixed the disposal, then we had an enriching chat for about an hour about personal problems. He paid me the $5 that the Home Cheapo part cost, and I was on my way. Did I feel exploited? No, it was a friend asking for help. Plus he does plenty for me.

It was your last sentence which provides the context for me.

 

[Souschef]

When I figured every dollar I earned would be taxed 40% considering Federal, State and SS, it made no sense.
Instead, I volunteered doing things I enjoyed. I flew missions for Angel Flight West and Civil Air Patrol. I also volunteered at a tourist railroad, and at a hospice repairing medical equipment.
The most fun I had was restoring a 1941 switch engine. I learned a lot about diesel engines and made contacts with other restorers.

 

[skyking1]

The other day during the long hours of waiting at the hospital, a lady came by where I was nesting with my laptop, with a rolling walker with a seat. She stopped to sit on a chair and take a break.
I said my wife has a hard time with the stress on her arms with the walker and she commiserated with me.
She said it seems to be set up wrong for her.
I took a moment and lowered the handles. It was much better. Then I had her sit in it. OMG. We had a laugh.
She looked just like Lily Tomlin doing "Edith Ann", her feet dangling off the floor. So I set the legs right, which necessitated re-setting the arms. When I got done she could sit with feet on the floor and roll it without stooping.
I had done these kinds of things for my brother in law for many years, as I made adaptations for him.
Perhaps I could do a job like that in retirement.