Why did you retire? (55, move, retired, years)

[luckodeirish]

Might seem like a silly question, but I'm wondering, did you retire because you had enough income to do so, because you were "done" working and decided to make lifestyle changes to allow you to retire? Did you hit an age ceiling and find you were mandated by your career to retire? Incur an injury, or a medical condition?

What's your reason?

[Jaggy001]

I was 5 years from mandatory retirement. These are the top 3 reasons in order ….

1. Because I could financially.

2. Because I was done with the corporate bs.

3. Because I realized that, professionally, there was no more growth in my chosen field. It was just another 5 years doing the same stuff.

[Ghostly1]

I retired because I could and I wanted to.

[Muonic]

I never wanted to work in the first place. So as soon as I could afford to quit, I did.

[jim9251]

Because after 35 years in law enforcement I had enough. I was offered an early buyout four years ago at 58 and couldn't sign the papers fast enough.

[biscuitmom]

Originally Posted by luckodeirish

Might seem like a silly question, but I'm wondering, did you retire because you had enough income to do so, because you were "done" working and decided to make lifestyle changes to allow you to retire? Did you hit an age ceiling and find you were mandated by your career to retire? Incur an injury, or a medical condition?

What's your reason?

Not a silly question at all.
I loved working but after 47+ years of it felt the urge to experience a new lifestyle while I am still healthy enough to enjoy it. I felt like a teen-ager who senses it's time to leave home and strike out on her own. Or like a 30-year-old woman who loves single life but has met the 'right' man and chooses to share her life with him. Or like a happily married childless woman who realizes she is ready for the challenges of motherhood.

In every case, I was happy right where I was but felt an almost primal urge to move on. I've got at least one more transition ahead of me and I'm pretty sure I'll know once again when it's time.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Jaggy001

I was 5 years from mandatory retirement. These are the top 3 reasons in order ….

1. Because I could financially.

2. Because I was done with the corporate bs.

3. Because I realized that, professionally, there was no more growth in my chosen field. It was just another 5 years doing the same stuff.

Same here.

The company that I was working was sold and I had no interest in working for the new owners.

I had planned to work another three years but ... there was no way that I wanted to stay there.

[Themanwithnoname]

Medically retired from the Marine Corps.


It's enough to survive on, but I do contract work also.

Some here will say "I'm not retired"

I have a letter signed by the President that says otherwise. But then... politicians lie!

[biscuitmom]

Originally Posted by Themanwithnoname

Some here will say "I'm not retired"

Say what? Please explain, or at least expound.

[Themanwithnoname]

Originally Posted by biscuitmom

Say what? Please explain, or at least expound.

It's come up before.

I still do work for income.
Freelance, and less than 6 months/year.... And i have a military ID that says "Retired" in my wallet. but some people say your not retired unless you live only off unearned income.

I was just heading off the argument by giving it honorable mention...