What defines a 'successful retirement'? (alcohol, conversation, friend, years)

[Mr5150]

I think being happy and content might be a factor

[brightdoglover]

I concur that any financial person is talking about "enough/a lot" of money.

To me, successful retirement is starting to look like not having to go to work and having enough money to not do so- the rest is icing on the cake!

[GeoffD]

For me, "successful retirement" is stopping work and not having to make any lifestyle changes. I use the same definition for "rich". At age 57, I'm not "rich" by that definition where I can say F U to my job and go do what I want. I'm doing the best I can to achieve my flavor of "successful retirement" for age 65.

[AustinB]

Still alive long enough to retire...

[rmm0484]

To me, a successful retirement is being able to:

wake up in the morning and get out of bed,
live in modest but comfortable surroundings
eat well but not prodigiously
have one's health needs met
have spouse, pets, friends to share with
have just enough stuff, not more than is needed
look forward to the day and what it holds
give back to others

[Nor'Eastah]

Do you remember the news stories of 20 years ago, where retirees were said to have to choose between food and medicines? Where they were eating dog food and cat food? Fast forward to today, where the Walmart greeter epitomizes the 'retiree' trying to make ends meet.

These are examples of 'unsuccessful' retirements. If you are unable to retire and stay retired, if you are unable to retire and have at least a modest standard of living, then your retirement has not been 'successful'. While money itself does not guarantee happiness, it does seem that a lack of it can mean the difference between staying retired and going back to work (the ultimate lack of success).

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by rmm0484

To me, a successful retirement is being able to:

wake up in the morning and get out of bed,
live in modest but comfortable surroundings
eat well but not prodigiously
have one's health needs met
have spouse, pets, friends to share with
have just enough stuff, not more than is needed
look forward to the day and what it holds
give back to others

Do you mean I'm getting a spouse in the next few years?! I already have several dogs and a few friends.

[mathjak107]

Stay with the dogs, they will love you unconditionally more than a spouse.

Want proof ?

Lock both your spouse and your dog in the trunk of your car for a few hours.

When you open the trunk see who is happier to see you.

[galaxyhi]

To me, a "successful retirement" is one:

1} you have HEALTH to do what you want to do
2} you have enough WEALTH to financially do what you would like to do.
3} you have the MENTAL STATUS to do what you want to do {not senile or alzheimers}
4} you can maintain a good and healthy DIET.
5} remain ACTIVE to do what you want to do.

I think if you have all those {and maybe more} then you have a successful retirement. MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING, BUT: it can go a long way towards doing what you want to do {traveling, second winter home,visiting family etc.}

Money does you NO GOOD if you are not healthy or mentally healthy, as money often cannot buy these for you!

The Opposite?
1}relying on social services or government handouts {NOT Social Security-if you paid in, you get out}
2} visiting food pantries and soup kitchens for free meals
3} suffering in a house you cannot maintain, or in a housing development for low income
4} Not having good health
5} not being able to adequately pay your bills.
6} no money to do anything with!
7} NOT being able to do the things you's like to do {lack of money, health or whatever}

WILL My Other Half and I have a successful retirement? Don't know yet , as we have yet to retire, but we will probably have half what we need and like to do. FOr instance we'd love to travel, but I have degenerating bones/back and get around with a cane, and MOH Has a bone diseased hip that sometime requires the use of a cane...travelling NOW is becoming an issue for us.

Money? we should have enough to live adequately compared to today, but we'd like more we think. We are struggling to add to retirement so that can happen,but so are others our age {50s}.

What does the future hold health wise? my health has never been so hot, and MOH is developing "old age syndrome". I will have surgery again in October, the second time this year} We are hoping for the best.

Best of luck for a HEALTHY, HAPPY, WELL FUNDED retirement for all!!

[Loriact]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

stay with the dogs, they will love you unconditionally more than a spouse.

Want proof ?

Lock both your spouse and your dog in the trunk of your car for a few hours.

When you open the trunk see who is happier to see you.

😂