Who could comfortably retire, but keep working

[Nightowl]

It sounds like you want to keep working! That's ok as you are doing what you like while being able to take time off to do other things you like to do! After being retired for nearly 13 years, playing golf and shooting and reloading to my hearts content, I think retirees need something to do that keeps them busy!! Gotta keep the mind and body active!! Sitting at home and watching daytime tv will kill you!! You will know when it's time!

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I retired at 57. Drew my pension then later my SS. Pretty soon I will be retired as long as I worked. Lord wiling.

 

[Golddollar]

You'd be surprised how quickly you can get used to not working for a living.

Took me all of 2 seconds

 

[rwsmith]

Disability since 2002...

That hasn't been fun, or lucrative. We saved up pretty well for retirement, but I wonder what it's going to be worth in a few years. That thing about 'less taxes when you are retired' is a bust if you try to USE any of your retirement saving.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I worked as a part-time driver and dispatcher at a large limo company for some years. Met lots of retirees, most weren't working because they needed the money, but too much of the wife's 'Honey Do' list", too much of the MIL, too much of her friends, too much of the grandkids, etc. One man said his wife was always "volunteering" him as a driver, he said if he was going to be a chauffeur he was going to be paid for it. Recall one board member wrote that when he retired his wife acted like he had moved into HER house.

 

[moosedog]

After 32 years in LE, I retired in 2009 as a physical wreck. I was on my way to some very bad health issues. It took me a good year and a half to unwind and start taking better care of myself. I have since learned how to relax, exercise and eat better. I honestly have not had one single day where I have nothing to do.
Whatever you choose to do, make it something you enjoy and take care of yourself physically, mentally, and help those around you as much as you can.

 

[ladder13]

My goal was never to be the richest man in the cemetery, but to retire young enough to do the things I didn’t do while either working OT or two jobs to achieve that.
I did.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I retired from the feds the first day I could, with my health insurance paid, pension, and a solid monthly draw from my TSP (edit: and LEOSA creds). Did nothing for a couple of years, got called out of the blue by the elected county prosecutor who needed an investigator after his got elected sheriff. Solid salary, and a shot at being vested in another pension. Did that a couple years until my boss got beat in the next election and the incoming PA had their own thoughts on staff. Got called out of the blue again by a buddy in the bail bond industry and did the bail bond/bounty hunter gig for the next four years. High risk/high reward business which I really enjoyed. Got called out the blue again when a fella' who used to work for me back in my local PD days called and said he was running for prosecutor, and wanted me to come back if he won. Darned if he didn't win by three votes, so I'm back. I promised him this term, and told him "We'll see" about a second. I'm straight salary, don't have to pay for health insurance, set my own hours, wear shorts unless I might have to walk in a courtroom, and generally enjoy what I'm doing . . .

 

[pawngal]

I've been semi-retired for 10 years. Own the pawnshop, now with a partner. We cover for each other when ever we want time off. I like to travel to visit friends and family and go to concerts.
I will keep working as long as I am able, I need the contact & interaction with people. I plan to do some volunteering at the local animal shelter.

 

[16thVACav]

"Work is a four-letter word."

(Unknown pundit)

 

[NYlakesider]

I retired early from my construction union with a good pension and health benefits Older than wife so till she retired I took a truck driving job not so much for the money, i called it a gas money job!

Being a older guy there and realy did not have to be there I still gave the boss a good day. He was a kinda of Simon Legree and had the others in the company kind of paranoid!

He tried egging me on and I told him you need me more than I need you, go away and bother someone that you can impress,

When I quit under honorable conditions a couple years later he offered me more money to stay. As we were moving about 70 miles away I said no way. We parted under good circumstances

 

[yaktamer]

Foreign car dealership! Ideally Jaguars, Land Rovers, Bentleys, Rolls, etc., but Mercedes, Ferraris, Lamborghinis would work too. Americans think British accents sound exotic, sophisticated, and classy. Make those customers feel they are getting their money's worth!

(Plus, you like, and know a lot about, cars.)

I was going to suggest a gun store that sells fine, high-end shotguns. "Yes, sir. I have just the thing right here. Bespoke side by side, 28 gauge, double triggers, straight stock with beautiful grain. Perfect for a refined gentleman such as yourself."

 

[The Big D]

I retired at 55…

…having maxed my Federal retirement benefits.

30.5 years of service, exactly, that garnered me 83% of my pay. Given I was contributing 7% of pay to retirement I was effectively working for 10%. (Some say that was all I was worth, but I digress.) Retirement pay raises based on annual Federal pay raises have kept me on pace with inflation…perhaps ahead.

Did not need or want another job. If I wanted a job would have kept the one I had.

That said, life is simply grand. Zero financial worries and health is excellent. I am fortunate!

Be safe.

 

[sigp220.45]

I plan to do some volunteering at the local animal shelter.

Hell yeah! I started walking dogs once a week at our local shelter. We are maxed out on dogs at home so I get to play with lots of pups who really need it.

 

[mtgianni]

I’m 65 and we have several rent houses and other funds so retirement wouldn’t be much of an issue, but I can’t really picture myself not working. I own my own business and like what I do and I can pretty much take off whenever I want.

Your first few sentences describe why I wanted to retire. I had earned max vacation but was restricted as to when I could take it and rarely was it when I wanted. Much more often it was when they wanted me to take some. When my feet objected to being on hard surfaces and the constant travel I was happy to go.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I did thirty years with the USPS. In that time I watched about two dozen coworkers work well past their retirement, claiming there was nothing for them to do. Nineteen of them got unhealthy and couldn’t do their jobs well. Five people got cancers of various types and continued to work on, hoping to die on the job and cash in on 5x their insurance. Each of these people held up the advancement of junior coworkers by staying on. They did a disservice to the USPS, coworkers, their families, their customers and themselves.

Leave ASAP and enjoy what time you have left.

 

[yaktamer]

I would have already retired if I didn't have to split my pension with my ex. Now it's looking more and more like my retirement years will be spent underground.

 

[CH4]

I comfortably retired 9.5 years ago at the rip old age of 50. In addition to having two International consulting businesses, I work for a multinational corporation. In my spare time I go to gun shows, which reminds me there’s one today in Vegas.

 

[22lrfan]

I quit working 1 1/2 years ago. The company changed hands and I was not compatible with the new leadership. Luckily I was financially in a position where I could walk out. Now I've got plenty of time to do all the things the boss (wife) wants me to do. No regrets at all.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Here is a prime example of a former coworker who has outstayed her usefulness. 40+ years of service, can barely get about, and holding up junior clerks advancements. She holds up mail carriers who stand around waiting for her to process the mail.

The cart came from the Walmart 1/2 mile up the road.