<p>I retired when I did because I was not ill, and was not facing a job layoff. I wanted to leave while the going felt good, not out of necessity. </p>
<p>But really, this took years of planning. It’s not like I woke up one morning and decided to retire with absolutely no planning. I knew I could retire, and I wanted to. I just “knew” the timing was right.</p>
<p>And I have not regretted it one bit.</p>
<p>We knew the timing was right because we had met with one paid (HR benefit that they paid for consult) and one broker financial planner that showed us we could comfortably afford to retire, paid off mortgage and all tuitions, H’s pension had maxed out and his work was becoming “not so fun.” If he had retired any sooner OR later, his pension would have been less. </p>
<p>We knew we lived on less than H’s pension paid, plus we have RMDs and rental income, so are much more comfortable than we expected to be. </p>
<p>I retired when I felt I wasn’t doing a good job. I worked hard, but I could honestly see that I wasn’t as effective as I had been in the past. I needed to feel that I earned my pay (consultant). H retired for health reasons. Is reasonably patched up now and we are enjoying retirement A LOT! Getting to travel (which the way we do it now needs some stamina) Glad we are going while we are active/able. And both kids are off our tuition and on their own. Both in grad school, but paying their own way so more $$ free. One thing that let us do college more easily was paying off house in 15 years. Lived here 29 now. </p>
<p>I am wrestling with this now. In January I left a job I hated, finished my teaching certification, and am looking for a teaching job. I just found out that the teaching position I THOUGHT I was going to start in a week has been eliminated. So now part of me is scrambling to find something new, but another part of me whispers, “Maybe it’s time.”</p>
<p>H likes his job and will continue working for many more years. We can live on his salary just fine, especially if I pick up some tutoring or freelance editing. D is independent of us; we have no huge expenses any more (like tuition or mortgage); it would be nice to retire young-ish when H and I can travel and putter. More important, we have plenty of retirement savings, plus I will get a nice pension from a previous job. </p>
<p>I am torn. Part of me is tired of working and tired of looking for a job, but another part of me wonders if I’m just not reacting out of shock and anger to my sudden job loss. (Really?! Who loses a job before it even starts?!) I would love to write a book, volunteer with a literacy group, and reconnect with my far-flung family. So much confusion!</p>
<p>Scout - can you substitute teach a bit? This is the best way to get into a school, as principal and administrative staff will know you and your work.</p>
<p>Anxious mom. I agree substituting is a good idea. But Scout needs to know that in some school districts, this won’t necessarily get you a job there. But it could put you in line to be a long term substitute. That is a good thing to have on your resume when looking for teaching positions. It means you have some experience, and many districts are looking for that. Subbing day to day in different places is vastly different from managing your own students for a long term.</p>
<p>Don’t give up, Scout. There are districts looking for folks like you who are experienced with life, but are not at the top of the teacher salary range. You will find something!</p>
<p>Timely thread! School starts tomorrow. I am enjoying my last sacred moments of summer vacation.
Tomorrow, I will begin my fortieth year of school employment, as a teacher and more recently as a school social worker/counselor. I am ready to stop today, but need the health insurance while S2 attends grad school.
This will be my last year. I plan to leave quietly at the end of the school year, no big announcements.</p>
<p>I look forward to pursuing studio art that feeds my soul. Teaching used to do that. No longer. Public education has changed too much and my values are not synching.</p>
<p>This past month, I have received much unsolicited endorsement for the textiles I create and sell. It feels as if the planets are aligning for retirement. I have very little interest in the business end of art and it intimidates me, but I will create and sell as much as I have energy for. I hope to find a good balance of doing what I love and teaching my craft to,others. I still love to help others learn new things.</p>
<p>Two more years for me. That is when my benefits will be the greatest. I still love my job (most days) but I am more tired than I used to be. I may get a part time job, but I hope my main job is caring for a grandchild or two. I have also already chosen my volunteer gig for the retirement years. I’ll be tutoring at a homeless shelter, trying to help the children make some good progress. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but the start time and my work end time, plus travel, have not worked out.
Wow, Merlin! 40 years! Think about what a positive difference you have made for so many children.</p>
<p>(Really?! Who loses a job before it even starts?!) </p>
<p>Scout59- this happens in federal jobs- they have alotted money then it is taken away for another position. When I was offered my federal job on a Friday then gave me until Monday to decide. I then needed to give 30 day notice at my last one. The new job told me they would hope the job was there by then but warned me it might not be. That was 20 years ago and I know it still happens.</p>
<p>Yea, that was one of the reasons that S didn’t pursue one of the jobs he really wanted because they were frantically calling for funding for his position when he showed up for his in-person interview at the site. He figured that was a very bad harbinger and took a job with more secure funding. </p>
<p>Having a fulfilling volunteer gig is a wonderful thing for a happy retirement, at least in my world!</p>
<p>I have one year and eight months to retirement. And I am very aware of it every single day that I go to work. I’m done and I know it. But I have certain goals still and financial needs, still.</p>
<p>FOUR more years, four more years, four more years…
Wait, am I running for re-election?</p>
<p>Still LOVE my job most days but physical and mental demands are challenging, no doubt.</p>
<p>Who here is currently retired? One book i read cautioned that being retired can really be difficulty if you are not prepared. How did you prepare?</p>
<p>I am semi-retired and H is fully retired. We prepared by living below our means and saving like crazy so we would be financially comfortably. We also have a LOT of interests and decluttering to do to keep us very busy. We have lots of friends and loved ones who live within a short distance of us.</p>
<p>What other “preparing” is needed? A lot depends on the individual. He was fully retired 12/2012. He went back to work after 4 weeks because they really needed him to help train folks. He worked for another 6 months and has been fully retired a year now. We both adjusted very well without much “preparation.” I think folks who don’t have outside interests, are in poor health, few social contacts and support, have little or no money have a tougher time with retirement. It has been great fun for H & me. We get up when we choose, have a light meal, and figure out our plans. H enjoys puttering around the house. I am still running my nonprofit (mostly as a volunteer). We go out to eat or bring home takeout whenever the mood strikes us. We get together with friends and family when the mood strikes us. We travel when we want for as long as we like. It’s working great!</p>
<p>I am retired…and I love it. I have time to do some meaningful volunteer work, and things I enjoy. I can travel, do hobbies, and see family. I’m really busy, and it’s great! </p>
<p>ETA…the best part is my time is mine, and my obligations are flexible. </p>
<p>Many of my friends have moved after retirement. While I am very happy for them, it is hard for me. This is somewhat upsetting to me as I am so overwhelmed with work I find it difficult to foster more friendships. These were 20 year friendships. Darn.</p>
<p>it did NOT work out for several people in my office at all. They were under the ground few months later, sad but true and very very scary. I do not look at my life in any kind of phylosophical sense, 3’s or whtaever. I just wnhat to be netertained every minute of my non-sleeping hours. </p>
<p>I don’t want to offend anybody but I have a hard time understanding people who love their work so much that they don’t want to quit and experience the infinite amount of possibilities that the world has to offer, more than can ever be experienced in a single lifetime. In the surveys I’ve seen where the dying are asked what they most regret, not many say they wished they had worked more.</p>
<p>Re: post 36. I doubt that retirement caused the death of your colleagues. </p>
<p>You have made it very clear that you don’t intend to retire, and that is fine. But like with students and homework…your way is not the only way.</p>
<p>And furthermore, there are plenty of fulfilling ways to be entertained that are not a job.</p>
<p>I remember when my father retired at 65 and his boss said that he wouldn’t survive even 2 years after retirement. My father went to this guy’s funeral 1 year later and my father died 30 years later.</p>