Quote:
Originally Posted by selhars
I suppose this is a case of the OP just wants help thinking out loud about this question.
Until s/he says more about how s/he feels about it -- their own thoughts -- what does it matter what someone else's considerations were.
Others have already pointed out some factors. I take it that with a pension and SS money is not a factor. Or should I say at least you have enough more the lifestyle you want -- and more.
So, OP,....do you want to retire or not?
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Agree, the OP is thinking out loud.
He doesn't really give much info to even give an opinion that would help him decide
Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorman
Well I'm healthy and just turned 66 so in 2 months I'll reach my full SS retirement age and have a pension.
Just me and no debt to speak of so I'm trying to decide whether to retire or keep working.
My work with the government is not taxing on me so physically I can continue to work as long as I want to.
Anyone else gone through this give insight on their decision and what insight can you give in reflection of your decision.
Thanks
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With a user name like outdoorman, I assume you like being outside. What kind of hobbies do you have?
Do you like to travel or are you more of a local homebody?
The fact that you're healthy is a good reason to put into the retire sooner because you could end up getting cancer before or soon after you retire, not having much retirement time. That's what happened to my dad. My FIL who was 72 at the time, did not retire yet when he was diagnosed with brain cancer that took him in 6 weeks. MIL was also 72, working part time still, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time (she fought 3 times) almost a year after losing FIL. She stopped working after that. Breast cancer took her a month before she turned 85. Thankfully, she was healthy between each cancer diagnosis, so she did get to enjoy retirement as much as she could without the love of her life.
My dad worked 6 days a week since coming to the US in 57. He was forced to retire after being diagnosed with diabetes and prostate issues. A year after being forced to retire, he started building a house 7 blocks away from me. They lived over an hour away. We had big plans, we would get to see each other almost every day, we were going to get a table at a local flea market to sell stuff from his business.
In 2005, his house was almost done. He had a prostate biopsy, never recovered. He thought it was from the anesthesia, turns out he had terminal Leukemia from chemicals at our gas and service station. He was admitted to the hospital a week before his 69th birthday. I had to do the house closing.
He fought 8 months. Thankful he was a few blocks away. It made it much easier to take him to his appointments 3 times a week when he wasn't admitted. He spent a total of 9 weeks admitted due to not having an immune system.
He did not have a good quality of life because the cancer and treatment effects drained his body. He felt useless except a few times he was able to help us by running a back hoe to dig out tree stumps and plant another tree. I made sure his last Thanksgiving and Christmas were extra special, he said they were the best he's ever had. It's very sad that he finally had the American dream, only to end up with terminal cancer, not get to enjoy his retirement.
Unfortunately, I know too many people that passed away while still working. The biggest shock was one of my sister in law's at 40 from a heart attack, then another SIL at 54. My BIL went home for lunch, found her dead on the kitchen floor.
My hub's friend lost his wife at 60 to COVID. They both had it, both hospitalized, no health issues.
My daughters grandmother passed away a year ago, she lived to a few months shy of 91. Thankfully she did not die from COVID. She came to the US in 1949. She hadn't worked since I knew her when she was about 60. She enjoyed going to Atlantic City, was fairly active until about 10 years ago.
My elderly neighbor retired at 65, he lead a pretty active life up until he passed away a few months shy of 90.
My first FIL had retired around age 53. He sold his business, they moved a few states away. He enjoyed many years of golfing and going on a week long fishing trip every year until he had a massive heart attack in his sleep at 63. It was a shock, but his own father had passed away at 55 from the same thing. Had he waited to retire, he would not have gotten those 10 years of retirement.
Unfortunately, I know more people that have passed away before or not long after retiring then people who did retire, had a few years to enjoy it.
Even though you are healthy now, you do not know what tomorrow will bring and if you will get another tomorrow. If you do get another tomorrow, your quality of life may not be the same as it was the day before.
I was forced to retire in my mid 30's when I injured my back 20 years ago. As I've gotten older, I've developed immune issues and allergies to things like medications, medication fillers and ingredients in vaccines. I've been forced to slow down. I used to be able to work in the garden but I can't spend as much time doing it, can't do it every day either.
It looks like COVID will be with us at least another year. My opinion is we will have to learn to live with it like it's another flu.
If it was me having to decide, I would look at my family tree, how old my dad was, also siblings and parents. Do the same for my mother's side. All of my family is in Europe still, they did not grow up or live long in a world where just about everything causes cancer. Most have passed away in their early 80's, which I don't think is realistic for me. You have to figure out what is realistic for you. Also how was their health and did anything run in your family. Since your male, did any have prostate issues later in life?
Hopefully I've given you something to think about with your own family and friends. How were they when it came time to retire? Did they get to retire and enjoy it?
Too bad we don't have a crystal ball that will give us the answer. You can leave it to a magic 8 ball if you can find one online lol
Good luck with your decision.
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