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. I just don't know what I would do if I was retired. We travel a lot and take a lot of vacations but after a week, I'm always ready to come home and do something productive. I do get tired a little more quickly than I used to, but sometimes I'll go home early and rest. I'm just not interested in the TV, Internet, news, most sports, gossip, or keeping up with current events in Hollywood. I don't want to do crafts or gardening or volunteer work, if I'm going to work, I'd rather do construction projects and make a lot more money. It's a business I know. Any other guys out there that choose to work full-time, even though they don't have to?
Who could comfortably retire, but keep working
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I retired one year ago (age 66) - sold a business I started 33 years prior. Best thing I ever did! I fish, hunt, camp, golf, and a lot of other fun stuff. But I'm not the kind that needs to be busy every hour of the day (thank God!).
Going fishing with my son right now ….. see ya!
Going fishing with my son right now ….. see ya!
I semi-retired in late 2020, went back to work in February '23 and enjoy the work, the people, and the travel. My current contract is good until 2029, but I'd be 74, so we'll see how it goes.
Yendor357
Member
When you're retired, there's always something to do, if you want to do it.
I worked at UPS for 43 years. I'm 63. I always worked a lot of hours, lived on less than I made, maxed out my investments. I make more being retired than what I did working.
I did my part. I can coast from here on out.
I worked at UPS for 43 years. I'm 63. I always worked a lot of hours, lived on less than I made, maxed out my investments. I make more being retired than what I did working.
I did my part. I can coast from here on out.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I hit mandatory retirement at 57. I took a couple of insurance investigator gigs but quit them pretty quick. Sitting in a car and waiting for some disability cheat to fire up the jet ski wasn't appealing to me. I found a good part time gig with General Dynamics qualifying FFDOs, but after six years I got tired of getting up at 4am.
My current time filler is doing backgrounds for a local PD. They call me when they need me, never question my hours or work product, and it lets their detectives do real detective stuff.
It worked out especially well since my son left the loving arms of the NOPD to work for the same department at twice the pay and 1/100th of the danger. Now my other job is being a grandpa.
I have a good pension, Social Security, and a little monthly gun money from the VA. My PD pay goes to a savings account so I can pay it back out in taxes every year.
My current time filler is doing backgrounds for a local PD. They call me when they need me, never question my hours or work product, and it lets their detectives do real detective stuff.
It worked out especially well since my son left the loving arms of the NOPD to work for the same department at twice the pay and 1/100th of the danger. Now my other job is being a grandpa.
I have a good pension, Social Security, and a little monthly gun money from the VA. My PD pay goes to a savings account so I can pay it back out in taxes every year.
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LVSteve
Member
I've been semi-retired for a year having been the subject of a total debacle of a layoff. What kind of large company fails to check that you've acknowledged an email on the subject or inform your line manager as to what is about to happen? Yeah, time to move on.
OK, so I've been doing a bunch of stuff at the house to facilitate contractors fixing a bunch of issues here. That's all done now except the flooring, which can wait. What to do?
My wife and my friends have suggested I just pack it in and collect SS. That plan has its attractions, although it might be just a little tight on money depending on the windfall laws. I would like to do some short term consulting in my old field except the only real openings are in two states to which I have no wish to move or continually travel to/from. I might sign up with the school district as a part time IT tech, but I'm not formally qualified in that field. I'm also well versed in report and manual writing, but I cannot show any previous work as it is all either proprietary or burn before reading.
I don't fancy retail sales, but stocking shelves would be good exercise and get me off the sofa.
I suppose I could work in a gun store, but will customers listen to a guy with a heavy British accent?
OK, so I've been doing a bunch of stuff at the house to facilitate contractors fixing a bunch of issues here. That's all done now except the flooring, which can wait. What to do?
My wife and my friends have suggested I just pack it in and collect SS. That plan has its attractions, although it might be just a little tight on money depending on the windfall laws. I would like to do some short term consulting in my old field except the only real openings are in two states to which I have no wish to move or continually travel to/from. I might sign up with the school district as a part time IT tech, but I'm not formally qualified in that field. I'm also well versed in report and manual writing, but I cannot show any previous work as it is all either proprietary or burn before reading.
I don't fancy retail sales, but stocking shelves would be good exercise and get me off the sofa.
I suppose I could work in a gun store, but will customers listen to a guy with a heavy British accent?
GypsmJim
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When I first lost my job due to company relocation (actually I QUIT), I started my own business and only worked part time. Still made more than with a job but I enjoyed the free time.
Calls often, had to get up early some days, always had to secure new work, etc.
Now I pulled the plug. I get up when I **** well please, go fishing or shooting whenever I feel like it and moast of all, have no stress.
Yes, I have enough to live on. Will I ever work again?.....NO ******* way.
Calls often, had to get up early some days, always had to secure new work, etc.
Now I pulled the plug. I get up when I **** well please, go fishing or shooting whenever I feel like it and moast of all, have no stress.
Yes, I have enough to live on. Will I ever work again?.....NO ******* way.
C'mon, mate - lose the accent; don't be a Herbert. Then all will be tickety-boo.
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.)
Eleven years ago I opted for the Stage IV cancer/ICD/AFib/CHF early retirement plan.
I don't recommend it but it has worked thus far.
As to the accent; early on males would say "your mouth don't work right". Females would say "keep talking".
I don't recommend it but it has worked thus far.
As to the accent; early on males would say "your mouth don't work right". Females would say "keep talking".
Forced out at 64, had enough saved to live well enough. After 4 years, a former competitor asked what it would take. I said 20 hours per week on average, a fixed retainer, and commission on sales over $x. They said ok. I work from home, travel a bit on their dime, we are both thrilled.
We remodeled 4 houses in 4 years after I retired. I could not sit and do nothing.
We remodeled 4 houses in 4 years after I retired. I could not sit and do nothing.
34 yrs working my tail off. Nights weekends holidays all the OT I could get. At 53 I pulled the plug. A back injury made the decision easy.
Started work in August of 1969, actually the reason I didn't make Woodstock. Hit it steady until 2021 when COVID struck. Then broke my back due to boredom (long story). Took short term disability, sick time etc and retired at the end of the year. Thought I could not survive without the discipline of work. Always knew discipline comes from within. I get by just fine, have all I need and pretty much all I want. Whether I was making social worker money, pharma money, or teacher money I always kept to a budget. No different now just more time to get stuff done. SS "pay record" shows 54 years, no "zeroes." I'm done. Joe
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Lots of people want to hire me but they all want to pay me what I'm worth. I can't see wasting my time for that.
Probably a problem with my vision. Lots of things I just can't see myself doing anymore.
Probably a problem with my vision. Lots of things I just can't see myself doing anymore.
StrawHat
Member
My wife and I own our own business, been at it since 2008. Could we retire? Yes, our investments are well grounded and would take care of all of our needs. CAN we retire? NO, our customers will not hear of it! Good itinerant knife sharpeners are hard to find!
Kevin
Kevin
Being comfortably retired for several years, once had an agency contact me about going back to teaching federal LEO's about barricade and hostage negotiations.
They ask what it would take......I told them.....haven't heard from them since.
They ask what it would take......I told them.....haven't heard from them since.
As a fellow retired UPSer - on the management side - I completely agree with both of these statements.
I was able to ditch the Fortune 100 rat-race at 55, and I've never looked back or had any regrets. I've worked at a couple of smaller companies since I left "big brown" in 2018. But these days I'm happy to say I don't need OR want a J-O-B.
At this point I'm trying to persuade the Mrs. that SHE should retire - so that we aren't tied down by her J-O-B. That would give us the freedom to go where we want, and do whatever we want, anytime we want. I want to be able to just drop everything anytime and head up to the lake for a few days - without regard for what day of the week it happens to be.
At some point it is time to stop squirreling it away for "some day" and start USING it. I think we have reached that point. I just have to convince HER that it is time to make that transition.....
IMO, it comes down to the question of how much is enough...?
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Grayfox
US Veteran
I turned wrenches for 42 years. I liked it when I was younger. But,it was hard, dirty work and it took a toll on me. I retired at age 60 in 2014 on the very first day I was eligible. I've never regretted it one bit. 
You'd be surprised how quickly you can get used to not working for a living.
You'd be surprised how quickly you can get used to not working for a living.
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!
I retired at 57. Drew my pension then later my SS. Pretty soon I will be retired as long as I worked. Lord wiling.
You'd be surprised how quickly you can get used to not working for a living.
Took me all of 2 seconds
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.
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
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
I did.
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 . . .
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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.
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.
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"Work is a four-letter word."
(Unknown pundit)
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