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My dad died at 66, but he had retired at 55 (federal gov't career). He got a lot of enjoyment out of those ten years, traveling, volunteering, dancing. I'm so glad he didn't wait until 65 to retire.
My father also retired at 55 (fed.govt). Both his parents died in their early 60's and he thought he would too. He lived 40 years in retirement. He began exercising, long bike rides, jogging, tennis, etc. after he retired which probably helped.
Who's to say the gentleman that died didn't live a fulfilled life? Retirement is but one phase and waiting until that phase to live life to its fullest might be to wait too long. I still work - a year past the day I could have retired - and love my life! I've "done stuff" that leave most people shaking their heads. My wife only encourages me too knowing that the day will come when I "can't". Retirement is but one phase - don't chance running out the clock 'cause there's no such thing as taking a knee now.
When it's our time, we go. The heart controls. I'm sure there are plenty of stories about those who retired after a LONG history of work and died mowing their lawn or teeing off on the golf course. My dad did none of the above, worked a lifetime, retired and lived to mid 90's...we just don't know.
He died in his sleep on Sunday night. Never got one day of retirement, never got one penny of social security.
Time waits for no man.
LOL. Uncle Sam's dream retiree.
At almost 52, I balance between saving for retirement and living high on the hog indeed. It's a delicate balance. Should I drop dead before 62, 67, or 70 (whenever I decide to take SS), well that's just too damn bad.
My mom dropped dead at 62, my father felt cheated he had only a few retirement years with her. Since she smoked and drank herself to death, two activites that WILL kill you, end of the day the only person "surprised" was him, apparently. And her, poor woman. I was highly sorrowful, but my no means surprised.
My father dropped dead after 19 years on SS and his pension, he got (almost) his last score of years on that program. He lived four "quarters" as I called them, and acted accordingly in each. I'm doing same, being in third quarter myself.
When it's our time, we go. The heart controls. I'm sure there are plenty of stories about those who retired after a LONG history of work and died mowing their lawn or teeing off on the golf course. My dad did none of the above, worked a lifetime, retired and lived to mid 90's...we just don't know.
It's precisely that we don't know that motivates me to want to retire as early as possible. I want my last days, months, years to be without living in the rat race I call work. I want to spend some time without the stress, relaxing and doing things I enjoy. I don't wish to die without that experience.
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