Rethinking Retirement???

[Goonie]

I have time to spend with my elderly parents.

Growing up my both of my folks worked days, and I was in school, but then I also had a lot of stuff going on in the evenings, so we didn't get a lot of time to spend together. When they retired 20 years ago this past May, I was still working (some of it 'swing-shift'), and I had even more stuff going on in my free time. So I still didn't get to spend much time with them.

I didn't get to spend much time at all my with my Dad before he passed away in '98. My Mom hit 80 this year, and now that I'm retired, we get to spend a lot of quality time together. She has all sorts of things going on all the time, and I do too, but we also have a lot of time in between to hang out. It's nice to have this time!!!

 

[Rambler]

I don't need w*ork for the social aspect of it...rather that is the root of most of the problems and difficulties that many of us face with the dreaded "w" word....I believe anyway.

On the other hand, I will work...in my garden, at the soup kitchen, around the house. I've always had an interest in real estate, so I may dabble in that. Work it is, but if I go there it will be because I WANT to not because I need to....more of a hobby I guess, but work nonetheless. By the way, who said driving a big RV to the next destination isn't work...

 

[Khan]

Growing up my both of my folks worked days, and I was in school, but then I also had a lot of stuff going on in the evenings, so we didn't get a lot of time to spend together. When they retired 20 years ago this past May, I was still working (some of it 'swing-shift'), and I had even more stuff going on in my free time. So I still didn't get to spend much time with them.

I didn't get to spend much time at all my with my Dad before he passed away in '98. My Mom hit 80 this year, and now that I'm retired, we get to spend a lot of quality time together. She has all sorts of things going on all the time, and I do too, but we also have a lot of time in between to hang out. It's nice to have this time!!!

Time.

Days and years and barrels and acrefeet and savannas and oceans of time.

The greatest treasure of all.

 

[dmpi]

I don't think there will be enough jobs in America to support all the old farts that plan on "working until they drop". There is going to be a gaint surplus of labor, which will pressure salaries to go even lower. This is going to be brutal.

 

[FIREd]

The funny thing is that people always assume that they will have the option to work until they die. You know there are reasons why most people in America retire "early" (that is before they qualify for full SS benefits). Americans retire on average at age 62 according to studies I have read. Is it because they are all so rich they can afford it? Nope. It's because they have no choice. That's right, they either can't continue working because of their poor health, or because they can't find a job. People who have not saved enough for retirement take comfort in the idea that, if they have to, they can always get a job to complement SS. That's a flawed assumption.

I don't think there will be enough jobs in America to support all the old farts that plan on "working until they drop". There is going to be a gaint surplus of labor, which will pressure salaries to go even lower. This is going to be brutal.

I somewhat disagree with that. I would say that it depends what kind of jobs you are talking about. I do believe that as the boomers age, we will face labor shortages in a number of areas while others, as you pointed out, will face surpluses.

 

[Goonie]

Time.

Days and years and barrels and acrefeet and savannas and oceans of time.

The greatest treasure of all.

Oh, YEAH!!! It is the greatest treasure! I followed my map to where "X" marked the spot......and I found that treasure! Those endless days of play and enjoyment!!! This is the life!!!

 

[Spanky]

I don't think there will be enough jobs in America to support all the old farts that plan on "working until they drop". There is going to be a gaint surplus of labor, which will pressure salaries to go even lower. This is going to be brutal.

Thank you for those kind words about the elders.

 

[mikex]

"Those who say 'I'll never work again' are making a major, major mistake. Because they're going to find themselves adrift, away from a community purpose and a sense."

Please, oh please let me experience finding myself adrift...

 

[unclemick]

One thing I discovered in 13 years of ER - be prepared to run if someone mentions 'free' T shirt.

Used to get them for giving blood(or coffee mug as a change of pace). Now they sucker you in for about anything - building playgrounds, judging science fairs, volunteer teaching math, science, hospital volunteers, adopt a road, etc, etc.

Never, never volunteer - don't hang around with retired engineers - wear Jimmy Buffett shirts and tell em you're allergic to T's.

Of course - you 'will' get sucked in periodically - comes with the territory.

Never admit you volunteered and tell everybody - those do nothing Corona beer ads are your favorite.

heh heh heh

 

[dmpi]

Thank you for those kind words about the elders.

I can talk that way because I'm a old fart myself.

 

[starry night]

Sayeth Friedrich Nietzsche:

"There exists above the "productive man" a yet higher species."

There are so many ways to be productive outside of the workforce. I count ourselves so lucky to be out of that workaday world and able to fill our time as we choose. It's a sad commentary on peoples' lack of creativity or self-actualization for them to ask how I could possibly fill my time or interest if I am not working/i.e. employed.

 

[CuppaJoe]

Getting a part time, non-strenuous job may not be an easy option to pursue. There are going to be 340986762309487 or more seniors applying for each part time "Welcome to Wal-Mart" or "Will you have fries with that order, Sir?" job, and such jobs are going to be hard to impossible to find due to competition from other seniors who haven't adequately prepared for their retirements.

At least, that is my prediction. It's worth every cent you paid for it.

Great viewpoint, W2R. Its curious that the media doesn't stress that. After my mon retired she tried to go back to a previous career in selling ladies' dresses; there were no openings. Here comes another Depression Era comment: when jobs were so scare, those who had them were very polite to customers.

 

[52andout]

One more thing. I read these articles and listen to people's comments about working at wally world or some other low paying job. Think about it. I was close to suicidal when I was making $35/hr putting up with the bull. Do you think you would be any better off working with people who can only get minimum wage jobs and putting up with corporate bull for $7.15/hr? I don't think so. Who in their right mind thinks being a greeter or making fries for under $10/hr has any romance or intrigue.

Now if you have a hobby that turns into some money making that is different, or say a love of nature and get some work in a state park for instance, but I think the romantic notion that a low paying job means that it will be OK is all off. I put up with several extra years of bull just to avoid that kind of job.
Yesterday we were driving in a city. I saw a guy who was sitting in a chair near the gate of a parking lot in case someone drove in. Two or three hours of that and I would be going gaaagaaagaaa and drooling.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

There'll always be some "About Schmidt" people.

But heres a riddle. If all the products are produced at bare bones prices in china, and all the service jobs are manned by seniors working for cut-rate wages, perhaps we oughta be looking at some Treasury Deflation Protected Securities...

 

[chinaco]

The funny thing is that people always assume that they will have the option to work until they die. You know there are reasons why most people in America retire "early" (that is before they qualify for full SS benefits). Americans retire on average at age 62 according to studies I have read. Is it because they are all so rich they can afford it? Nope. It's because they have no choice. That's right, they either can't continue working because of their poor health, or because they can't find a job. People who have not saved enough for retirement take comfort in the idea that, if they have to, they can always get a job to complement SS. That's a flawed assumption.



I somewhat disagree with that. I would say that it depends what kind of jobs you are talking about. I do believe that as the boomers age, we will face labor shortages in a number of areas while others, as you pointed out, will face surpluses.

Yup! Unfortunately, American Business is becoming more and more heartless. The benevolent corporations of Post WWII are no longer that way. World economic conditions have changed. The increased competition has caused (or justified the behavior) Execs to strip away wages, benefits, and often the job itself. At the same time they grab all they can for themselves. Let's face it life is unfair! The sad truth is that you are only one step away from losing your job. And this often occurs in ways that have nothing to do with anything you did. Outsourcing is the American way now days. You cannot work hard enough or fast enough to be less expensive than someone that earns 1/6 or 1/10 of what you earn. Throw on top of that, no pension costs and no/low health care costs to the company...

I also agree that there will be an eventual labor shortage. Unfortunately, by the time that happens, most people will be too old to work for the reasons you cited. Right now... we are at what is considered full employment (marco economics). If you are an older worker, you had better have a skill that is in high immediate demand. Otherwise, all else equal, the company will choose the younger worker. In many cases your wisdom (via age) does not trump (the perception of) younger, smarter, faster. Not to mention that as you age it is likely that your boss will be biased and just "relate/bond" better with younger employees that are closer to their age.

 

[heyyou]

Same as Khan, I'm happier now than I've ever been before. Now why would I want to return to work?
Those who speak of the social community at work, did not know my co-workers.
Recidivism is for criminals, is there a similar word for failed retirees?

 

[walkinwood]

Reading your posts reminded me that I got a lucky break. I work for megacorp from a home office and my colleagues are scattered around the country. As a result, my social life is very separate from work. So, from a social life standpoint, ER is not going to have an effect on me. I can still keep in touch with my friends from work - after all, most of our communications take place by phone today with only a couple of in-person meetings a year.

 

[Spanky]

Reading your posts reminded me that I got a lucky break. I work for megacorp from a home office and my colleagues are scattered around the country. As a result, my social life is very separate from work. So, from a social life standpoint, ER is not going to have an effect on me. I can still keep in touch with my friends from work - after all, most of our communications take place by phone today with only a couple of in-person meetings a year.

I like to get a job like that -- no traffic, live anywhere, get up at any time.

 

[Moemg]

The only rethinking I've done about retirement is why I waited so long .

 

[Goonie]

Today I got reinforcement for my never wanting to work again. I went to the annual cookout/steak-fry put on by the operators association I used to be a member of. Most of the guys I used to w*rk with were there, and they were relating the all the fun sh*t they'd been doing this past week.

(First a quick note: operations were always severely affected by rain, and by power outages)

Anyway, this week we've had a lot of rain, 5" to 7", in 3 [-]days[/-] nights! Also we had a hellacious lightning storm the other night for about 3 hours straight, along with several wide spread power outages. Several of the guys were out all night fighting the elements, hooking up generators to run the large pumps, pulling motors on critical equipment that were zapped by the lightning strikes, trying to troubleshoot and fix malfunctioning equipment, pumping out motor rooms, etc. Just all sorts of fun and wonderful stuff!!!

They had my sides aching from laughter, telling me all about there sorrows!!! I told them that I sure was glad that I would NEVER have to have that much "fun" EVER again!!!

Heh.....Been There....Done That.....Got the Pension to Prove It!!!

 

[old woman]

My brother is retiring Aug 1 and his wife tells me he needs a job not to go stir crazy home alone all day. He studied to be a casino dealer but hasn't landed a job yet. They have an embroidery business in the home with more work than they can handle when they both work full time. He will get 3 pensions and she will work 3 more years. He already gets tired early and naps a lot and his shoulder hurts is why he is retiring at 58. My guess is after the first month not having a dealer job he will quit looking. He doesn't need the money, he can go to the casino and gamble to be around people or go grocery shopping, invite people over, play with his grandkids. The dealer job will be less and less appealing. Or he will land the job and burn out or get fired or take too much time off.
I think it will be more of a back up idea in case he gets bored.

 

[TargaDave]

I've met people who love to work and retired only when health required it, in their 70's+, and that's fine, more power to them. What bothers me is how many people on either side of this choice seem to feel the other side is full of people needing medical attention.

Laurence, you da man. Completely agreed.

 

[volga]

Its very telling that the main stream media is now attempting to manipulate opinion to keep the woking stiffs on the job. Its a scare tactic at one level. I suspect it may also be driven by policy makers that do not like the looming prospect of a large, well educated number of people with time to freely read, view and react to policy issues by being independant of the daily work place. The rank and file have broken their chains to the corporate establishment and just may have some views they are willing to vote on or react to. Bottom line is this propaganda piece is an indication that keeping us all busy has social utility to those in power.

 

[Zoocat]

Yup! Unfortunately, American Business is becoming more and more heartless.

I also agree that there will be an eventual labor shortage. Unfortunately, by the time that happens, most people will be too old to work for the reasons you cited. Right now... we are at what is considered full employment (marco economics). If you are an older worker, you had better have a skill that is in high immediate demand. Otherwise, all else equal, the company will choose the younger worker. In many cases your wisdom (via age) does not trump (the perception of) younger, smarter, faster. Not to mention that as you age it is likely that your boss will be biased and just "relate/bond" better with younger employees that are closer to their age.

I agree. From what I have seen myself and heard second hand, the workplace has definitely become Darwinian. So if you're elderly and you want to work part time, then find a boss who is middle aged and will appreciate your maturity and other good qualities. The majority of young bosses do not like to hire and work with elderly people.

Here's what my experience has been trying to get a part time job in my field of expertise. Employers continually asking me why I am interested in the job "at my stage." There are some odd assumptions going on here. Maybe, that at my "stage" I wouldn't want a job, or that I don't need a job. Why would any employer assume that? I also have the sense that the workplace, full of youngish people, has no idea what kind of crisis is coming down the tube.

But unfortunately most employers were not interested in interviewing me. So it goes. I'm lucky that I won't be on the street. Some others, not so much. I'm not looking forward to seeing so many elderly folks in my generation go through a tough time.

 

[old woman]

So if you're elderly and you want to work part time, then find a boss who is middle aged and will appreciate your maturity and other good qualities. The majority of young bosses do not like to hire and work with elderly people.

Part is the elder employees own fault. I was asked what I thought of a potential hire once and didn't want her because I thought she was older than me. Younger bosses may not get the respect from older employees. How would you feel if you were 25 and had a 65 year old with 40 years experience reporting to you? Some are bound to think they know the job better than that young whipper snapper.