At 57, I'm "rounding third and heading for home" as I think I can retire at 62.

I do know I want to work about 20 hours a week, if for no other reason than to get out from under Luscious' feet. And it will help keep me in fun money.

I know a few things already:
(1) I am not looking for second career. NO STRESS NEEDED!!! Been at it over 30 years and will have 36 in when I call it quits. Time to cool down.

(2) Retirement Me working in a gun shop would be like 21-year-old Me working in a beer store. Been there, done that, owed the cash register money at the end of the week.

I flew out of Columbus last week and thought driving one of those shuttles from the parking lots to the terminal would be a pretty low stress gig.
"Where ya parked?"
"Row 6."
"Got it."

Maybe I could become one of those hardware store gurus.
"No Sir, half of those nails do not have the head on the wrong end, they're just stacked that way in the box. You have to turn it around, like this. And you'll need a hammer."

So it's sharing time. What are you all doing for extra cash?

How many Wal*Mart greeters do we have on this board?

Try driving a school bus. You could get a bumper sticker that says "I am a victim of identity theft".

I'm 63 and can't wait to retire. I won't quit working but will find a no stress job for fun money..."can I get you a cart?". I had a friend who died at the wheel while driving an airport shuttle, so that's out of the question. A school bus driver is also out...I'd get arrested the first time one of those kids sassed me (low tolerance for smart ***!). Maybe a parking lot attendant would work. Another idea is to walk the beach in the summer with a power painter full of suntan lotion...only a buck! Refill with aloe vera at the end of the day....only 2 bucks. Whatever you do, be aware that the social security agency limits your annual income to around 14 K 'til you hit 66years of age.

Well I'm 56 and almost got thrown out trying to steal 2nd base Be careful about heading for Home, I understand that "life" has one hell of an arm.

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Forum consigliere

59 1/2 now and dropped out of the rat race at 52. For the last 8 years I have worked at a low stress fun job. It is easy to go to work went you can quit anytime. I have drove a school bus and it is not the way to go. The Job I retired from was the school bus supervisor for the local school system. If you want to sub in the school system do it in a class room. That way the kids are in front of you not behind you while you drive a large bus down the road. Bus drivers also do a morning and a afternoon route, they go to work twice in one day.

When you figure out what it is, let us know!

I got my 20 in as a John Deere tech..retired and started my own business doing exactly the same thing..except on my terms in my shop with another long-term JD tech renting space from me for company.

Business is good..too good!...I took the sign down out front and do zero advertising..and still have too much work. However I do get to set my own hours..and don't normaly work weekends.

I'll probably be working on green and yellow machines until I die!

I've been retired 10 years and have had several jobs lasting an average of 2.5 years. When I went for an interview I was up front with them, stating I wasn't sure what I wanted to do but promised I'd work at least a year and give 30 days notice (after that) if it wasn't working out. Some lasted a couple of years, others one. Now my only "job" is a volunteer at a local wildlife refuge (for the past 8 years part-time). I suggest you try as many different jobs as possible, you never know until you try it. I don't regret any job (in retirement), only the ones I could have tried but didn't. Good luck.

"Good morning, would you like a cart?"

Nothing stays the same. Life throws curves. I WAS in good shape when I retired at almost 59 on january 2000. I was single and had built up a fair 401K. I had this dream of takeing off the summer and then going to truck driveing school and seeing the country and getting paid for it.
Here`s the way it went:
March was the bust in the stock market and my 401K was about 1/2 wiped out as I was in risky stuff.
July a drunk T-boned me leading to a bump on my leg that led to a pulmonary embelism that kept me from truck driveing. It also stopped me from getting flight physicals to pursue my first love.
Then dad came down with alzheimers in wisconsin and I had to live with him for 8 months while argueing with him to either come west and live with me or go to assisted liveing. Had to handle all his affairs then he died.
Met a woman who was ill, she lived with me for about 3 years and then I buried her. She had no insurance and it cost me a fortune.
My home was broke into and I lost a fortune in guns.
I thought I would never marry again, but met my wife and got married.
I lost my nose due to cancer. Probley would have not got the operation and would have just took my chances except I couldnt do that to my new young wife.
I havent worked a lick or earned a honest dime since I retired. The 401K is worth less than half at retirement. My retirement went down next to nothing because of the way I took it that seemed right at the time and conditions back then. (A lot to age 65 and then way down to next to nothing when soc sec kicked in.)
Wifes health insurance is way over $600s a month! Remember, I wasnt planning on getting married again, and for her my retirement stops when I kick the bucket as I was already retired when we married.
Here is the kicker. We live good, God has provided for us from unexpected luck. I dont worry much about it. No, I cant bring myself to spend for a new truck, quad or guns. But then again I dont need em, I have far more than I need.
The point of all this is to tell you no matter how well you plan, you will get curve balls and blind sided. Yet you will make it!

At 62 I took early retirement from my union (pipefitters) but wanted to work something different. By getting out at 62 instead of 65 I got 90% of my pension for the 3 years difference.

Wanted to do something different and as I had a CDL I got a job driving building supplies to the eastern half of NYS. It was a good job, made a couple bucks and saw some very interesting sights and met some good people. Did that for a few years and totally retired sold our present house and moved to the lake year around!

On rare occasions I still will drive for a couple local dealerships, picking up cars in dealer trades. IMHO that’s a great job for a retired person. A couple of my buddies do it.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I'm 65+. I'll work until the end of 2013 when I'll be 66 3/4. I have a pension coming in now starting at 65 from a 32 year career in manufacturing. My full SS starts early next year. This will allow me to triple dip until I quit my present job that offers no pension benefit.

I have been taking NRA instructor courses for the past two years and plan on using firearm instruction to bring in a few extra dollars a month.

Between my pension, 2 401k's from different employers, my SS and my wife's SS when she turns 62 at the end of this year, we should be able to survive in reasonable comfort.

LTC

I retired at 56 after a 31yr LE career at my salary. Kids were grown and on their own. I've never felt the need to do anything except hunt, fish, and play with the grandkids.

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Sheriff Russell Cottle. ret

To the OP: Talk to the Social Security Office rep.. Then talk to your tax preparer. As it stands now if you take SS at 62 and you make more than $25,000 a year individually, or combined (you and spouse) $32,000 a year you will pay income tax on the SS benes over those amounts. The first year on SS is really confusing, so get info from a tax expert.
Dollar amounts have changed since the COLA increase this year. If you make more than $1,140 (I think it was) before the COLA a month you have to give back half of your SS payments for the overage.
Times are tough here. Jobs are non existent. I thought about volunteering at a couple of the the nature centers around here to keep busy. I was set to start at one. Then I thought whats the sense of leaving my dogs alone to take care of some other animals.

At 51 I sold my business and was able to set back a tidy sum. After a two month, 9,000 mile tour of the US west of the Mississippi it was time to figure out what to do with my time. I took a parttime job as a go-fer at a Chevrolet dealership, 15-20 hours a week. After years of 60-70 hour weeks running a business, this job was a breeze. This lasted until health issues arose. At 62 I started collecting my benefits.

B) FWIW, those "wrong way" nails are planned. If you were a real carpenter you would know they are for the other side of the house


Hope this helps, Jim

When I was still working, I had a bunch of retirees who drove cars for me. A lot was local, but from time to time they went all over the country. You might check with local dealers and rental companies. They all use PT drivers.

I guess I really lucked out. I retired from LE with an outstanding pension (its private, we ran it, not the city, because of that its over funded). I also retired from the NG, and get SS.

Best part, is when I croak, my wife gets my police pension, and most of my guard pension. She'll never have to worry financualy.

Bought a couple of "repos" and fixed them up and I'm getting a bit of rent which finances my running all over the state chasing my granddaughters' Volly Ball and Basketball teams.

And I can still aford to shoot.

It's like the old saying...

Do you know how to make God laugh...

tell Him your plans!

Retired (1st career) - 1988
Retired again (2nd career) - 1996
Retired yet again (3rd career) - 2005
Now I work for myself. Full time.
My boss is a jackass.

rayb

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"cumplo pero no obedezco"

Retired from LE at age 50 with 28.5 years in.
Did the GS p/t thing until recently - it was fun most of the time, but working for another's family in the 'family business' has it's challenges.

Now do firearms instruction and Concealed Carry classes.
And hunt, fish, shoot and goof off.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Sounds like my boss.I've been self employed for 30 yrs.Turned 62 in May and get my first check(SS)in July.To a very small hit on the amount from SS,but health issues are really slowing me down this year.Probably wont see 66.Still working,but just not as hard or as long hours.Plan on keeping on doing what I've done for awhile,just not as much.Good luck on your plans.Dave

When I retired 3 years ago I thought that I would like to work a part time job. I was wrong. The best part about being retired is not working. What was I thinking?

I started drawing my pension last year, and I get $50 a month, for the rest of my life, whether I need it or not!

After today's decision, you might have been sent back to 2nd base.

I retire I'm gonna live like I'm in my 20s again.

Sleeping on my buddy's couch.

Don't drive any farther than you can hike back home 'cause the hooptie's on it's last legs.

Pizza is too a vegetable!

Jeans, T-Shirts, flannel shirts all become the same color after they are all run through the washer and dryer together several times.

Underwear? What's underwear?

Beer is too a vegetable!

Man, I wouldn't make it a week!

I think I am being trained for retirement by the people that employ me. Yet again they were too late getting a contract set up for me to continue uninterrupted. If they ever get their act together and give me 2-3 years work on the bounce I will probably whine. I like the time off.

If you have the knack and a keen eye, you can always scout the garage / yard / estate sales for underpriced goodies and try your hand at eBay or other similar venues. Lots of people do it. No stress, no time clock to punch and you are your own boss. Kind of like a smaller scale, locally oriented AMERICAN PICKER. Sounds like fun to me. :>)

I retired last yr.at 67 ...36yrs.with the Power Co.was enough!The Lord was good to me,I got a pension,a 401 & SS.Reason I retired was.... called in & told my job would be discontinued in 2012.I could roll someone but why take a person's job.Called my Financial Planner & he said...Jim,you've been preparing to go for the last two yrs"You're good to go"!!I told the boss I'M RETIRING I was called in a wk.later & asked if i wanted to work another yr!!
I said,Thought you said my job was discontinued!!He said,I was kidding!(I failed to see the sense of humor).I said....I wasn't...I'm retiring! I love retirement!! SIMPLY LOVE IT! I make extra $$ sharpening knives & teaching knife self defence.I'm one of BRAM FRANKS(great guy & Teacher) Instructors.
Jim

I turn 60 in August and retire September 1, been with the same outfit for 43+ years. I think the part I will miss the most is BS'ng with the guys in the shop. It's been quite a ride, I moved 7 times with them and saw much of the world but it's time to move on.

I hung up my cleats after nearly 3 decades of faithful, Federal service. I could have stayed much longer but figured it was time to move on; while experience counts there's something to be gained by fresh eyes and ideas. I teach part time at the local college; brings in the "fun money" while still providing an opportunity to share my life experiences to those who wish to listen. Alas, I've discovered most 20-somethings already (claim) to know it all

I made a few bucks on The Bay in the past. When they changed the rules a few years ago it hacked me off so I gave it up. It may be time to revisit that thought.

Keep 'em coming folks!

Took early retirement from law enforcement in 1995, started building houses and running a roofing company. By 2005 I was sick to death of being a babysitter for adults that claimed they wanted jobs but just couldn't handle getting to work every day, came in 2 hours late but made up for it by going home 2 hours early, had trouble doing what they promised to do, finishing what they started, cleaning up after themselves, or getting along with customers and coworkers. Swore I would never take on anything that I couldn't do by myself, never wanted to rely on another person for anything again.

Hooked up with a couple of insurance companies, handling claims investigations, then branched out into underwriting inspections (property insurance, my building and roofing background was quite valuable to them). By 2008, with the 'housing bubble' bursting, insurance companies started getting pretty tight fisted, and 50-plus well-paid hours per week turned into 20 (or less) hours at marginal rates, little more than covering expenses.

Always doing a few holsters on the side. Decided to offer them on-line, and business became steady. Put up a website and have been working pretty much 7 days per week for the past 4 years. Now I am training a very sharp young person to take over the business, which I hope will allow me to play a little more while still keeping as busy as I want to be.

I don't think I could handle a day without being productive. Can't stand the thought of sitting still for very long.

Fortunately, I took all my retirement funds out of the public plans 17 years ago and placed them with a professional financial manager. In spite of market conditions he has done very well for us, and we continue to save and invest. Haven't drawn a dime on the retirement money yet, and might never have to; rather leave it so my wife will never have to worry.

Built us a new house in 1999 and paid it off in 2005. Haven't had a debt since then, so we are able to live nicely on very little, and we can do pretty much whatever we want anytime.

Monday it was 107F here. Tuesday hit 109F. I loaded up my camping gear and 4-wheeler and camped out at 10,400' in the Rockies, cruised around on the ATV up to timberline (about 11,500'). Got rained on 3 times, twice with light hail, and saw snow falling on Wednesday afternoon (June 27th!). Watched two old bears for an hour, then trailed a herd of elk for a few hours. Snuggled down in the sleeping bag in temps around 48F or so, then up at first light brewing a pot of strong coffee and making a huge breakfast of fried potatoes, ham and eggs while the sun came back to take the frost off my tent.

Now it's time to get back in the shop and pound hides again. Lots of orders to fill.

Life is good.

Sounds like your a framing carpenter? To a finish carpenter they are flooring nails and ceiling nails!

Retirement means you go to work on "your terms" and if the boss doesn't like it the answer he gets is, "see yah"! Retired in 2009 and working on my terms!
jcelect

Retired and hanging with youse guys.

After retirement, I took a job as a substitute teacher. I really liked it and was offered a full-time position, but had to move out of state. I worked in a newspaper mail room. Did that for a couple of years, but was offered a better job and then they didn't follow through. It was menial work, but no stress. I took a job as "associate" for a large sporting goods store. I stayed with it for a few years until some college student took over the department and wanted to lord over me. My last job was at a large gun shop. They pretty much let me work when I wanted. I stayed with that until the shop changed hands. The new owners are jackwagons. I've been job free for a few years and am a happy camper. At first there was an adjustment, but now I keep pretty busy. I started playing a musical instrument, working out at the YMCA regularly, shoot when I want. I do have some responsibilities taking care of my father. It is a little more demanding since my step-mother passed away 3 months ago.

My advice is to do something you like and has low stress. If possible work for a privately-owned business as opposed to a corporate-owned business. Take up a new hobby.

Dang, without His help you might have had a bad life!!

I retires from Ma Bell in 1988 at age 57. Got my pension & benefits then. I began a little handy man business that kept my busy for 12 years. Not a great deal of money but kept the wolf away from the door. Moved to Oregon in 2003. Bought 2 rental homes to help out. Lost my wife in 2008 so am living with her son & his wife. All OK so far. I turned 81 June 18th.Get to hunt & fish & gold pan & metal detect as often as I wish. Can't move as fast as I used to but still do OK. All in all I've had a Hell of a good time.

Quote: Originally Posted by feralmerril We live good, God has provided for us from unexpected luck. Dang, without His help you might have had a bad life!! Enjoy life while you can. My life has been odd to say the least with women. I never got married the first time until I was 41 years old! That lasted only 3 1/2 years. Then I got married again at 62 years old. On each side of that I unbelivably buried 4 women! Heart attack and 3 by forms of cancer, all far before their time. All at first looked far healthier than me. All you probley would have thought would outlive me by many years. Today my wife has just went through tests for sleep apthia and got machines to help her sleep. She is 17 years younger than me. We both arent the healthest. Last year we went to where we are from. I found out another old lady friend had died the year before with cancer. She was about my wifes age. My wife told me she had complained of stomach trouble to her evidently two years ago. The lady was very fit, ran etc. We have no guarantee`s. Makes me wonder about keeping safe queens etc. I had a friend I worked with who put his daughter through medical school. She married another new doctor. Both had just graduated and got killed in a auto accident. Another friends son got T-boned by a drunk illegal on the way to his wedding rehearsal. We buried him on his wedding day. Another friends son had just got out of the army. He wanted me to fly him about 600 miles to a ranch for a promised job on a ranch. I had to work on the plane so he went on his MC and got killed on the way. We all have storys like this. I say if you can, step aside, enjoy life and let a new kid have our job. You probley can get by on far less than you think you need now. We all have guns we dont need or use, maybe a boat drying out in storage, one too many vehicles we are paying insurance on or whatever. I get by just fine with a casio.

Any job where you work for someone else is by definition not low stress. Is this for income or to keep busy?

I was laid off a few years ago and had to find a job before I filled up my time so much that I wouldn't be able to look for one. I plan on retiring in 2.5 years. I'm moving down to my 85 acres, fix up some old cars, build a few ARs, shoot them when I want, reload the amm, run a tractor around the place, cut wood, read more books, build stuff using wood I have on the place, ride the motorcycle, teach the grandbaby all the stuff his parents can't, do something every day. I will have a pension, SS (@62), and money from my IRA, as long as the companies don't severely cut their dividends I'm not concerned with what the stock price does. At least that's the plan. We propose, God disposes.

I plan on being the next Hugh Hefner after I win the lottery.

Ah yes, the "I'll work until I'm old then maybe something cool will happen" Retirement Plan!

thanks for sharing your hard won insight; wisdom don't come cheap.

Reading some of this stuff here I have to tell you older guys, GET THE EFF OUT OF THE STOCK MARKET while the getting is good.
Anybody near retirement needs to get into conservative safe investments. This market is going to tank again with the problems in Europe and the upcoming election. It's not much better than a casino as far as I am concerned.

Another guy hired in the same time I did in 1965. Lockheed had what they called the basic benifit plan. It wasnt a 401K or IRA. It was just a extra benney where they put I think $25s a quarter and it was our choice whether to put it in a stock mutual fund or a savings bond fund.
About 30 years later my buddy and I compared the differance. I was in the riskier stock fund and he was in the safe bond fund. My account was worth many times more than his, he said. Now this guy was wealthy from other sources. For one thing while young he had been on some big city fire department and fell off a high ladder durring training, broke his back and got a huge settelment for the day PLUS a 50% retirement at a very young age. He recovered well. He was the poster boy of our department looks wise in uniform. I was the gruff looking heavy. He climbed and had everything going for him. He got cancer and has been dead about 20 years now. Sometimes things still dont make much differance.

I started my 401k savings plan at 35 years old. The company said if I put in 10% of my pay in 8 years they would give me $80,000 for my $29,000 investment. I put in the max of 16% of my pay for 18 years. I now have a hefty sum. I retired at 52 years old on disability. Right now at 62 years old I'm just slowing down even more. I'm not wealthy or rich but I can enjoy shooting, pay the fuel oil man when he comes, and cover all life's expensive too. My insurance is on my wife's plan she is still working and has a government job. I consider myself lucky buy I did save$$ for all others many years. I never had a fancy car but I may get a new corvette soon. Never drank or gambled too. I worked 7 days a,week most of the time. When I first got married I worked three jobs to jump start my life. Hard work does pay off if we save$$ when were young.

I did lose around $100,000 three times in my 401k do to the recessions and the stock market. But it did recover most of it somewhat. The old timers said not to worry about it till you retire it always comes back and they were right it's only paper right now. I don't have what I could of had but that's ok it could be worse.

My point is if your young get into a 401k now.

Live goes by so fast don't put it off till tomorrow what you can save today.

After 40 years of working and 2 years of retirement, I have come to the honest conclusion that I'm best at doing this.

Sell a gun or 2 for extra money now and then...

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Pace

I retired from the Nuclear industry with 40 years of service at age 60. I went back two years later as a sub contractor doing the same job and making almost twice the pay. I had a great time since I had no employees working for me this time, no employee evaluations to do yearly, no stress at all except doing my job correctly. I will turn 66 in February of 2014 and if I'm still in good health, I may go back to work sub contracting there again just to aggravate everyone. I don't need the money, but it is nice to be able to go buy any gun I want.

i retired at 49 after 25 years in the military. Did an about face and bought a sailboat and sailed around for 10 years...even found a wife in the travels. What opened my eyes was when i went to a retirement dinner and dance for one of the civilians on base. He finally decided to pull the plug at 68. Got on the dance floor with his wife and had a heart attack and died on the spot. Next day i got all my sgts and WO's together and told them about it. Most decided it is better to retire early and enjoy life while you still have your health. When i retired there was always something to fix on the boat and always tried to do 3 hrs work a day on something. After we got off the sailboat I still liked to dabble around but at what I want to do. My big job in life is to suck every dollar I can from my military pension. I'm up to 16 years and going strong....