How do you like retirement??

[LPS]

That may sound like a dumb question.  I may retire in a couple of years.  I hear some guys say work as long as you can and some say retire as soon as you can.  I am looking forward to it but sounds too good to be true that it is actually becoming a real possibility.  I do like my job but would be great to stay home and have all of the home duties done so when the weekend comes the wife and I can actually do some fun things instead of mowing shoveling etc.  I have a lot of skills so getting a part time job would be easy for me if I need some extra "minnow money".  I also have the home business to help keep me out of trouble.  I have had one of my dealers express some interest in buying my business which would be a nice influx of moola to pay off everything but it is a great part time job "at home" which is great too.  So I do have some options.  This is one of my favorite subjects now so I appreciate all and any responses from you experienced retired guys and all others.  See ya later, now I have to go to work....     I will check back later...

[glenn57]

I am eligible to retire with full benefits, except for the fact that my bride is younger then me so I will wait till she turns 58. I think it would be great for the first year, but after that????????? I need to keep busy, as most of my friends can attest, I cant just sit there. besides my wife wont let me............i'd drive her nutz!!!!!

as far as retiring and doing something parttime? I go with this philosophy, if you enjoy what you do, stay with the current employer, continue to grow benefits and retire when your good and ready.

[LPS]

My wife is younger than me too.  If I retire in 2 years I will be 64 so can use her insurance for a year till Medicare kicks in for me.  Otherwise I am thinking 65 at the latest.  BUT who knows at that time I may want to do another year.  I do worry about having enough to do too.

[Retired on Osakis]

That's one of life's important decisions that you will ultimately have to make when YOU feel the time is right. But if your interested in others stories, here is mine. I will be retired for 10 years come January. I spent 41 years doing a job I really enjoyed working on weapons systems but finely made the decision that it was time to hang it up. I was also a little concerned about what I would do with all my spare time. That time doesn't exist for me. After you retire you will adapt your way of life to the time you have. You will do new things or things that you felt you didn't do enough of in the past. As an example, maybe you will spend more time for fishing. There are times when I think, How did I ever have time to have a job? Hang on to your home business if you need something extra to keep you busy. The big thing to keep in mind is when your ready mentally, are you also ready financially. Whenever you decide to hang it up I hope you totally enjoy the life of an old retired fart.

[HD]

I have ALL of my bills scheduled to be paid off when I hit 65. I will NOT work past that time frame. My current employer has already asked if I would be willing to work on a contract labor basis....and, I still to this date, have turned down the idea.
I have way to many projects, that I would never get bored, plus mama wants to travel some. SO.... 65, is not a goal, it's a fact. ...unless I croak first.

[LPS]

Great you guys and thanks for the info.  I may be able to work at my current job part time as in 40 hours a month.  That is the most I can work and still draw my Union Pension.  I of course have another pension and SS so I should be ok financially.  Like I said this is kind of my favorite subject now so love hearing others perspectives about it.  RO I like your story, that makes me feel better about it. 

[The General]

Well only being 40 I have a few years yet unless bills being paid off is the criteria then I could retire tomorrow.  But I suppose I better keep at it until I at least get the 2 kids through college.  However my dad recently retired a couple years ago I think he was 62.  I never thought I'd see the day he would retire from the company he built (implement dealership).  Like RH said he is as busy now as he was when he went to work every day.  I'll call him up and ask him what he's doing and he'll say out fishing in South Dakota the last 3 days.  He called last week and asked me to go feed the dog and grab the mail as him and mom just picked up and left on a drive......a drive to the bad lands, Wyoming, and Montana.  So I guess I better keep at it so I'm around to take care of the parents dog and home whenever they decide out of the blue to leave. 

[Boar]

ive no idea wen i can retire. i have at least 15 years yet. but physicaly doubt if ill make it. im beatnup to much.  back, shoulder, hips. yu name it i hurt.  i thi k my retire.ment will financially be very tough. i have many thing i want to do that will keep.me busy but u less there enough money for  pain killers. ive no.clue whats gona happen

[deadeye]

Short story, I got laid off 8 years ago (I was 58 at the time) and I have not yet had time to look for another job.  Hunting, Fishing, working on kids projects, volunteering and vacationing so far have not left any spare time to look for work.  My advise is to retire as early as possible because you never know what life brings. Good luck.

[LPS]

Good to hear DE.  I am in good health now and would like to hope I am in two years too.  I have  been thinking of doing some helping out in the community as a volunteer also.  Maybe help out at the Humane Society here.  And I do have home projects that I keep on putting off that would be nice to catch up on. 

[Rebel SS]

I find the best thing to do is keep somewhat a schedule or a regimen. Keeps things from going willy-nilly. I like to schedule at least one project a day, or for however long it takes, then stick to it. You don't have to rush it. I was forced into early retirement on disability 5 years ago, and I let it drive me crazy for the first year...I have to be going full-bore all the time. Finally settled in and realized it's not going to change, so make the best of it. Money was the big issues, i had been making good money, then had to live on a disability check. Took my retirement cash out at that time, and combined it with an investment acct I had, that was paying a healthy 5%. I  let it sit until it matured two years ago, then flipped it over to another acct I had.  Took out a small amount to do some painting and  to keep busy. One thing led to another...remodeled entire upstairs. New bathroom, window coverings, paint, wood flooring, carpet, etc. I worked at it for six months before I finished. Just spent the last two weeks working my tail off doing the same to the rec room. Keeping busy is the key...yet take time out for fun and those "mini-vacations' in between. 

[Dotch]

You were 58 deadeye? Hey I'm 58! Retirement sounds like fun but not quite ready yet. Intriguing though. I should have no problem finding things to do. Lots of old toys to play with, messes to clean up, buildings to fix and should be able to find a farmer or two to help with fieldwork to supplement my income. Did a little of that recently and enjoy it once I get comfortable with the machine. And the mini-vacation idea is definitely to my liking. A 3 or 4 day weekend suits me just fine only with greater frequency. Once a year is not enough. It's soon to be my turn.

[cookie]

Well I tell people this is my retirement, our property here on the shores  of upper red lake will go to the kids to keep it in the family. Working at a golf course part time, mowing for the township part time, renting the two cabins when ever possible. I thought hey If grams could clean cabins when she was 90 so could I. But I'm also in Boars boat , been a labor my whole life and at 56 my body is more like 65. Not sure how long I can physically do the fish houses but could always hire a younger buck, BOAR maybe? That would keep a income coming in the winter. I figure I can mow tell I drop dead. I have a passion for golf  so that drives me to go to work and swinging the clubs keeps the back muscles loose.    The honey bunny  has no benefit coming so it will ss for her and that's quite aways away .  You defiantly   want to stay busy I can attest to that.

[LPS]

A few years ago I helped a farmer here driving semi loads of grain to the elevator and working in the fields.  I liked doing the field work the best.  Big tractor with the GPS steering.  40 some foot wide field cultivator behind it.  Man was that fun.  It steers until you get to the end of the field then it beeps to let you know you are near the end of the field.  I would like to do that for some extra spending money.  Great to watch the geese and other wildlife while out there listening to Vikes news on the radio. 

[Bobberineyes]

Definitely hold on to that cdl  LPS. I plan on holding on too mine when I pull the pin. My goal is 60, I've been a union member for 26 years but a few years ago our pension was bought out. Not to worry though the 401k is kicking some butt. Not all my eggs are in one basket besides them.
 
If you have any Ira's  or 401's keep putting as much in as you can now and besides the business you should be fine.  On a side note LPS I envy all you guys that live as far away from the cities as you can, unlike me 

[LPS]

Well guys tomorrow the wife and I are going to Thief River Falls for my first PERA Pre-Retirement seminar.  We are both looking forward to it.  Having the day off, talking to other people in my situation and having a bite to eat, along with some shopping.  Kind of like "retirement".      I got some Soc. Sec. stuff started too.  I can retire the earliest on Oct 1, 2018.  I will be 64 and a few months.  The latest would be Aug 1, 2019 when I am 65.  I would gain about $100 per month by waiting longer.  I am thinking I can make $100 a month easily doing my side business so I am ready to go ASAP.  Still like my job but tired of some BS that goes with it. 

[mike89]

I say go for it!!  took my SS at 62 when I retired, that was when my had cancer and not sure on the bills, waiting I could have more like you, but said the heck with it!!!  good luck!!!

[deadeye]

LPS, just watch out for yourself.  Most pre retirement seminars involve someone or institution going after your $$. 

[Rebel SS]

And watch out for your sneaky insurance agent, too! My State Farm guy started hammering on me about investments they had, until I finally told him I do my own, and if he didn't can it, I was dropping everything with them and moving on. Haven't heard an investment peep from him in five years. 

[glenn57]

And watch out for your sneaky insurance agent, too! My State Farm guy started hammering on me about investments they had, until I finally told him I do my own, and if he didn't can it, I was dropping everything with them and moving on. Haven't heard an investment peep from him in five years. 

ye big bully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

seems like thats the way ya need to get your message across for them to understand!

[Rebel SS]

When he starts calling me at home, at nite...NFW!!!  I dislike salesman anyway.   

[glenn57]

When he starts calling me at home, at nite...NFW!!!  I dislike salesman anyway.   

I'm wit ya on that!!

[mike89]

LPS, just watch out for yourself.  Most pre retirement seminars involve someone or institution going after your $$.

this is so true!!!!!!

[LPS]

This is a PERA seminar.  Public Employees Retirement Association.  They are there to help us do it right.  Will be fun. 

[Rebel SS]

Well, get started off in the right "retirement mode". No doubt they will have cawfee, bars and cookies. Take small bag to sneak extra bars and cookies into.   

[mike89]

This is a PERA seminar.  Public Employees Retirement Association.  They are there to help us do it right.  Will be fun.

the were sort of like that, so it did help some...   My biggest deal was getting more and more confused at times!!!  I still am on a couple things!!!!  and that is when you turn 65, what is the next thing to do!!!  stay with work insurance or go for the retired type!!! so far staying with my own....   just my 2 cents...

[Fawkinnae]

Help! HD! I'm trying to participate in this terrific thread but everytime someone posts I have to start over... anybody else having that problem?

[Rebel SS]

This is a PERA seminar.  Public Employees Retirement Association.  They are there to help us do it right.  Will be fun.

the were sort of like that, so it did help some...   My biggest deal was getting more and more confused at times!!!  I still am on a couple things!!!!  and that is when you turn 65, what is the next thing to do!!!  stay with work insurance or go for the retired type!!! so far staying with my own....   just my 2 cents...

Won't matter...the way it's goin', there won't BE any insurance anyone can afford in a year!!! 

[Rebel SS]

Help! HD! I'm trying to participate in this terrific thread but everytime someone posts I have to start over... anybody else having that problem?

Not me....

[glenn57]

This is a PERA seminar.  Public Employees Retirement Association.  They are there to help us do it right.  Will be fun.

the were sort of like that, so it did help some...   My biggest deal was getting more and more confused at times!!!  I still am on a couple things!!!!  and that is when you turn 65, what is the next thing to do!!!  stay with work insurance or go for the retired type!!! so far staying with my own....   just my 2 cents...

Won't matter...the way it's goin', there won't BE any insurance anyone can afford in a year!!! 

hell the Trumpster will have it all fixed in no time!!

Oh and I don't know, I'm not tired yet!