Back "in my day" people retired at age 65! (acquaintance, relative)

[matisse12]

He did have a part-time job for quite a while, with scattered hours in late afternoon and evenings.

Part-time jobs which are satisfying or felt to be worthwhile for people with higher education or those who have masters degrees who are also older are not always all that easy to find.

[Travelassie]

Originally Posted by Just Conversation

At Christmas a group of relatives was talking to my brother who retired in his late 50s. He had lost his job but got a huge severance check and decided after some thought that with savings and great investments he could afford to retire from full time work.

I don't know if it was jealousy or ignorance or whatever, most of the relatives in the discussion did not think it was right that someone would retire in their fifties. One older guy in his 70s, told him, "In my day, you were expected to work until age 65, then you can retire." Another person said, "But your still young, why would you want to just sit around the house all day at your age?"

What do you think about people who retire in their 50s?

IMO, if they can swing it, more power to them. I was 64 when I retired from my full time job. Began collecting SS at 65.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Other than dot com millionaires, successful young rent seekers, and, people who get inheritance sufficient to become independent, retirement at a younger age = defined benefit program.

Then there are the rest of us.

I plan to work until at least 72, unless either #1 I become too unhealthy or outright die before then or #2 I get early retired by the Darwinian sink or swim globalony so-called-economy. It is what it is.

[Clemencia53]

Originally Posted by matisse12

He did have a part-time job for quite a while, with scattered hours in late afternoon and evenings.

Part-time jobs which are satisfying or felt to be worthwhile for people with higher education and/or masters degrees who are also older are not always all that easy to find.

I have a degree - an "easy" job like organizing shelves would be a great way to pass the time. I hate messy stores - lol.

[mco65]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Other than dot com millionaires, successful young rent seekers, and, people who get inheritance sufficient to become independent, retirement at a younger age = defined benefit program.

Then there are the rest of us.

I plan to work until at least 72, unless either #1 I become too unhealthy or outright die before then or #2 I get early retired by the Darwinian sink or swim globalony so-called-economy. It is what it is.

I think that was my plan as well at one time. I had a great job that I absolutely loved... felt as if i would never retire and would work until i died. But like everything in life.. things change. One of my motivations for retiring is watching my parents during their retirement these last 15 years... Now I want to retire ASAP to be more like them!

[Clemencia53]

Originally Posted by matisse12

He did have a part-time job for quite a while, with scattered hours in late afternoon and evenings.

Part-time jobs which are satisfying or felt to be worthwhile for people with higher education and/or masters degrees who are also older are not always all that easy to find.

maybe just go back to school and hang out with the young kids while pursuing a fun degree.

My roommate will be done with his masters this spring. He will be 70 soon. He said he is going on to law school. He hates being home -especially now that he can't do as much physically as before. Cancer and back problems.

[selhars]

Of the hundreds of people you know who are in their late 50s how many of them are working full time?

Whether we know them or not…I'd say most people in their 50s are working full-time.
Unless a person:
-- starts a job young and stays there….with government or not….
-- starts young and saves A LOT
-- gets an inheritance that helps a lot financially
-- doesn't have a health issue that prevents it

…more than likely that person IS still working in their late 50s.

I marvel at all the discussion, all the threads asking what people think about whether people should or shouldn't retire.
Good heavens, how many times must it be said that there IS no should or shouldn't about that.

If you can -- and want to -- and can afford it -- DO it
If you want to and can NOT afford it -- save more, make it a goal, and THEN do it
And don't worry or concern yourself about what OTHER people do!

Personally, I know people who've retired at all ages:
-- mom was a teacher who took advantage of an early retirement offer at 57
-- friend was a teacher who had wanted and hoped to hang in until 62, but inner city teaching got so bad she retired at 59 and 1/2 (and isn't even thinking about working again)
-- a cousin retired from the military in his mid-late 50s, and got a gov't gig and did that until 65
-- another cosign who retired from the military in his early 50s, and got a got another full time job
-- I had one boss who retired at 55 after 30 years with our company (was life long single and saved money) that was more than 5 years ago and she's still not thinking about working
-- I've had co-workers who retired once they could get on Medicaid (would have done retired, sooner but waited for that)
-- I've have co-workers who retired once they were Soc Sec. FRA
-- I have co-workers now who are in their mid-70s and still working every bit of OT they can get

But don't WE ALL know people who've retired at various ages? What's new or unique about that?

I DO still marvel that people think of becoming a bump on a log when retired. EVERYONE I know who has retired -- at whatever age -- has PLENTY to do.

[mco65]

A good friend of mine (retired and in his early 50s) is going to law school now.. for no other reason than to have something to do! He loves telling me about all the cases and laws he is learning about... He is definitely enjoying it.

[North Beach Person]

I'm not doing much more than I did when I was working and don't know how I got everything done when I was.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Just Conversation

At Christmas a group of relatives was talking to my brother who retired in his late 50s. He had lost his job but got a huge severance check and decided after some thought that with savings and great investments he could afford to retire from full time work.

I don't know if it was jealousy or ignorance or whatever, most of the relatives in the discussion did not think it was right that someone would retire in their fifties. One older guy in his 70s, told him, "In my day, you were expected to work until age 65, then you can retire." Another person said, "But your still young, why would you want to just sit around the house all day at your age?"

What do you think about people who retire in their 50s?

Not my circus. Not my monkeys.