The “I want to retire soon” thread (1 Viewer)

[PIK95]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

Win the lottery? Married into money?

No. Just don't take vacations mostly.
Paid $140 for house back in 2000. Drive cars forever.

 

[3C's]

$140 for a house? Barbie's Dreamhouse costs more than that!

 

[Beef Ravioli Part 2]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

Win the lottery? Married into money?

No. Just don't take vacations mostly.
Paid $140 for house back in 2000. Drive cars forever.

Gotcha!

What’s the house worth now?

Have you worked at all in the last 15 years? Any income from you?

 

[PIK95]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

Win the lottery? Married into money?

No. Just don't take vacations mostly.
Paid $140 for house back in 2000. Drive cars forever.

Gotcha!

What’s the house worth now?

Have you worked at all in the last 15 years? Any income from you?

What are you the IRS?

 

[AAABatteries]

What are you the IRS?

I don’t know why but this clip popped in to my head at your reply:

“Go measure my penis and let me get on the airplane!”

 

[NewlyRetired]

Have you found that you have been spending more than 4% and/or having your portfolio shrink more than forecast? Also curious if you read the book Die With Zero that has been going around the FIRE community in the last year.

Not sure if you still follow the early retirement org forum, but I recall being surprised there when most folks were saying my SWR would be more like 2% than 4% at my age.

I retired at 42 and as such we planned for a 50+ year retirement so we chose a very low withdrawal rate.

We have been averaging 1.6% withdrawal rate to live on (but that is also supplemented a little by part time work).

Our portfolio is quite a bit larger than when we retired as the market has climbed much faster than we have spent since we retired.

I am a very big proponent of the 2% SWR for early retirees (sub 50) but as been said numerous times now, every situation is different.

 

[Sand]

I'm 47 and in my 22nd year teaching in Florida. . I have to do a minimum of 30 years. That will put me at age 55. At that point, my pension would only pay me 48% of my top 5 years. In a perfect world, I would enter the deferred retirement option plan offered in Florida and teach another 6 years and that would get almost to 62 and social security. I just don't know if I could do it. i'm already feeling burnt in and pondering a possible second career in my mid 50s. No clue what that would be. No matter what, I'm not working past 62.

A general reminder that social security, which is available at age 62, automatically increases by 8% each year until it maxes out after age 70. The trade off becomes life expectancy.

I've napkin'd math those numbers and the break even point for waiting is close to 90 years old. I'm taking it as soon as I can.

it's around 81-82 yrs old for the break-even btw ...

That’s assuming no return on investment during the break even period. I’ve done numbers before and my plan is to start at 62 and invest (probably will use the SS $$$ but not withdraw that amount). If you include any type of return it extends the breakeven from the simple math. This assumes you have enough of a nest egg to invest and still have stocks/index funds. If you get enough of a return (I think around 7% or 8%), the extra SS $$$s you got at 62-70 will cover the extra monthly difference you get at 70 and you have that SS nest egg from 62-70 in your account for your kids.

The vast majority of people consume the money, not invest it. And there is no guarantee at all of the returns you're talking about even if you have the largesse to invest this instead of spend it. With treasury rates being so high, though, maybe there is a strategy that has a bit more certainty to it.

There’s no guarantee you make it to 70 either.

Which is exactly why I am waiting. It is exceedingly likely my wife will outlive me - the plan is that my SS benefit is her longevity insurance. That 8% guaranteed increase each year as I approach 70 for my wife to live off of can't be matched anywhere else. Even if I do kick off before 70 at least I'll have maximized her financial safety to the best of my ability. The worst she can do is a spousal benefit at my FRA if I don't take early.

I think it’s very reasonable to assume a 7% return when you are talking basically a minimum of a couple decades.

Nominal or real? In my modeling I use 3.5% real (7% nominal with 3.5% inflation). With the way we seem to insist on debasing the dollar it looks foolish to assume anything but a pretty healthy inflation rate going forward.

The next thing we are going to look at is converting all pretax 401k into Roth over the first 5-7 years in retirement when income will be low as we are living off cash, tax bracket is low and then letting it grow to see where that break point is.

In the plan, as well, with the proviso that we plan on managing that income to catch some ACA subsidy and stay on the right side of the cliff. (Yes, I know there is no cliff right now, but that will revert shortly.)

 

[Sand]

And I have no "portfolio" Just a wife with a job.

Ah, so a pension.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

it's around 81-82 yrs old for the break-even btw ...

That’s assuming no return on investment during the break even period. I’ve done numbers before and my plan is to start at 62 and invest (probably will use the SS $$$ but not withdraw that amount). If you include any type of return it extends the breakeven from the simple math. This assumes you have enough of a nest egg to invest and still have stocks/index funds. If you get enough of a return (I think around 7% or 8%), the extra SS $$$s you got at 62-70 will cover the extra monthly difference you get at 70 and you have that SS nest egg from 62-70 in your account for your kids.

absolutely agree with everything here - yes, it's a straight "payback" calculation.

 

[fruity pebbles]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

Win the lottery? Married into money?

No. Just don't take vacations mostly.
Paid $140 for house back in 2000. Drive cars forever.

So no vacations and old cars allowed you to retire at 33? I’d like to see that math lol.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

I'm 47 and in my 22nd year teaching in Florida. . I have to do a minimum of 30 years. That will put me at age 55. At that point, my pension would only pay me 48% of my top 5 years. In a perfect world, I would enter the deferred retirement option plan offered in Florida and teach another 6 years and that would get almost to 62 and social security. I just don't know if I could do it. i'm already feeling burnt in and pondering a possible second career in my mid 50s. No clue what that would be. No matter what, I'm not working past 62.

A general reminder that social security, which is available at age 62, automatically increases by 8% each year until it maxes out after age 70. The trade off becomes life expectancy.

I've napkin'd math those numbers and the break even point for waiting is close to 90 years old. I'm taking it as soon as I can.

it's around 81-82 yrs old for the break-even btw ...

That’s assuming no return on investment during the break even period. I’ve done numbers before and my plan is to start at 62 and invest (probably will use the SS $$$ but not withdraw that amount). If you include any type of return it extends the breakeven from the simple math. This assumes you have enough of a nest egg to invest and still have stocks/index funds. If you get enough of a return (I think around 7% or 8%), the extra SS $$$s you got at 62-70 will cover the extra monthly difference you get at 70 and you have that SS nest egg from 62-70 in your account for your kids.

The vast majority of people consume the money, not invest it. And there is no guarantee at all of the returns you're talking about even if you have the largesse to invest this instead of spend it. With treasury rates being so high, though, maybe there is a strategy that has a bit more certainty to it.

There’s no guarantee you make it to 70 either.

Which is exactly why I am waiting. It is exceedingly likely my wife will outlive me - the plan is that my SS benefit is her longevity insurance. That 8% guaranteed increase each year as I approach 70 for my wife to live off of can't be matched anywhere else. Even if I do kick off before 70 at least I'll have maximized her financial safety to the best of my ability. The worst she can do is a spousal benefit at my FRA if I don't take early.

I think it’s very reasonable to assume a 7% return when you are talking basically a minimum of a couple decades.

Nominal or real? In my modeling I use 3.5% real (7% nominal with 3.5% inflation). With the way we seem to insist on debasing the dollar it looks foolish to assume anything but a pretty healthy inflation rate going forward.

The next thing we are going to look at is converting all pretax 401k into Roth over the first 5-7 years in retirement when income will be low as we are living off cash, tax bracket is low and then letting it grow to see where that break point is.

In the plan, as well, with the proviso that we plan on managing that income to catch some ACA subsidy and stay on the right side of the cliff. (Yes, I know there is no cliff right now, but that will revert shortly.)

same - it's like an insurance policy for me

 

[stbugs]

I'm 47 and in my 22nd year teaching in Florida. . I have to do a minimum of 30 years. That will put me at age 55. At that point, my pension would only pay me 48% of my top 5 years. In a perfect world, I would enter the deferred retirement option plan offered in Florida and teach another 6 years and that would get almost to 62 and social security. I just don't know if I could do it. i'm already feeling burnt in and pondering a possible second career in my mid 50s. No clue what that would be. No matter what, I'm not working past 62.

A general reminder that social security, which is available at age 62, automatically increases by 8% each year until it maxes out after age 70. The trade off becomes life expectancy.

I've napkin'd math those numbers and the break even point for waiting is close to 90 years old. I'm taking it as soon as I can.

it's around 81-82 yrs old for the break-even btw ...

That’s assuming no return on investment during the break even period. I’ve done numbers before and my plan is to start at 62 and invest (probably will use the SS $$$ but not withdraw that amount). If you include any type of return it extends the breakeven from the simple math. This assumes you have enough of a nest egg to invest and still have stocks/index funds. If you get enough of a return (I think around 7% or 8%), the extra SS $$$s you got at 62-70 will cover the extra monthly difference you get at 70 and you have that SS nest egg from 62-70 in your account for your kids.

The vast majority of people consume the money, not invest it. And there is no guarantee at all of the returns you're talking about even if you have the largesse to invest this instead of spend it. With treasury rates being so high, though, maybe there is a strategy that has a bit more certainty to it.

There’s no guarantee you make it to 70 either.

Which is exactly why I am waiting. It is exceedingly likely my wife will outlive me - the plan is that my SS benefit is her longevity insurance. That 8% guaranteed increase each year as I approach 70 for my wife to live off of can't be matched anywhere else. Even if I do kick off before 70 at least I'll have maximized her financial safety to the best of my ability. The worst she can do is a spousal benefit at my FRA if I don't take early.

I think it’s very reasonable to assume a 7% return when you are talking basically a minimum of a couple decades.

Nominal or real? In my modeling I use 3.5% real (7% nominal with 3.5% inflation). With the way we seem to insist on debasing the dollar it looks foolish to assume anything but a pretty healthy inflation rate going forward.

The next thing we are going to look at is converting all pretax 401k into Roth over the first 5-7 years in retirement when income will be low as we are living off cash, tax bracket is low and then letting it grow to see where that break point is.

In the plan, as well, with the proviso that we plan on managing that income to catch some ACA subsidy and stay on the right side of the cliff. (Yes, I know there is no cliff right now, but that will revert shortly.)

My wife works so both of us will likely or already have the max. That’s a big problem with all these discussions, no one’s situation is the same.

 

[Sand]

I'm 47 and in my 22nd year teaching in Florida. . I have to do a minimum of 30 years. That will put me at age 55. At that point, my pension would only pay me 48% of my top 5 years. In a perfect world, I would enter the deferred retirement option plan offered in Florida and teach another 6 years and that would get almost to 62 and social security. I just don't know if I could do it. i'm already feeling burnt in and pondering a possible second career in my mid 50s. No clue what that would be. No matter what, I'm not working past 62.

A general reminder that social security, which is available at age 62, automatically increases by 8% each year until it maxes out after age 70. The trade off becomes life expectancy.

I've napkin'd math those numbers and the break even point for waiting is close to 90 years old. I'm taking it as soon as I can.

it's around 81-82 yrs old for the break-even btw ...

That’s assuming no return on investment during the break even period. I’ve done numbers before and my plan is to start at 62 and invest (probably will use the SS $$$ but not withdraw that amount). If you include any type of return it extends the breakeven from the simple math. This assumes you have enough of a nest egg to invest and still have stocks/index funds. If you get enough of a return (I think around 7% or 8%), the extra SS $$$s you got at 62-70 will cover the extra monthly difference you get at 70 and you have that SS nest egg from 62-70 in your account for your kids.

The vast majority of people consume the money, not invest it. And there is no guarantee at all of the returns you're talking about even if you have the largesse to invest this instead of spend it. With treasury rates being so high, though, maybe there is a strategy that has a bit more certainty to it.

There’s no guarantee you make it to 70 either.

Which is exactly why I am waiting. It is exceedingly likely my wife will outlive me - the plan is that my SS benefit is her longevity insurance. That 8% guaranteed increase each year as I approach 70 for my wife to live off of can't be matched anywhere else. Even if I do kick off before 70 at least I'll have maximized her financial safety to the best of my ability. The worst she can do is a spousal benefit at my FRA if I don't take early.

I think it’s very reasonable to assume a 7% return when you are talking basically a minimum of a couple decades.

Nominal or real? In my modeling I use 3.5% real (7% nominal with 3.5% inflation). With the way we seem to insist on debasing the dollar it looks foolish to assume anything but a pretty healthy inflation rate going forward.

The next thing we are going to look at is converting all pretax 401k into Roth over the first 5-7 years in retirement when income will be low as we are living off cash, tax bracket is low and then letting it grow to see where that break point is.

In the plan, as well, with the proviso that we plan on managing that income to catch some ACA subsidy and stay on the right side of the cliff. (Yes, I know there is no cliff right now, but that will revert shortly.)

My wife works so both of us will likely or already have the max. That’s a big problem with all these discussions, no one’s situation is the same.

Absolutely - my wife works but right now so it will even out a bit, my SS earnings are 3x hers at the moment. And if you and your wife are at the 35 year max then SS is chump change for you; 340k annually over 35 years is a ton of dough.

 

[Beef Ravioli Part 2]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

Win the lottery? Married into money?

No. Just don't take vacations mostly.
Paid $140 for house back in 2000. Drive cars forever.

Gotcha!

What’s the house worth now?

Have you worked at all in the last 15 years? Any income from you?

What are you the IRS?

I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds. I’m curious how you can retire at 33 or whatever the age was.

With your concerns about me being the irs, now I’m concerned you’re in the mafia, so I’ll just let you be.

 

[PIK95]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

Win the lottery? Married into money?

No. Just don't take vacations mostly.
Paid $140 for house back in 2000. Drive cars forever.

Gotcha!

What’s the house worth now?

Have you worked at all in the last 15 years? Any income from you?

What are you the IRS?

I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds. I’m curious how you can retire at 33 or whatever the age was.

With your concerns about me being the irs, now I’m concerned you’re in the mafia, so I’ll just let you be.

I was just playing. I get a small check from my retirement every month, and my wife does pretty well. Getting our house for $140 in 2000 really was the key. $1500 a month mortgage is super doable these days.

 

[stbugs]

I'm 47 and in my 22nd year teaching in Florida. . I have to do a minimum of 30 years. That will put me at age 55. At that point, my pension would only pay me 48% of my top 5 years. In a perfect world, I would enter the deferred retirement option plan offered in Florida and teach another 6 years and that would get almost to 62 and social security. I just don't know if I could do it. i'm already feeling burnt in and pondering a possible second career in my mid 50s. No clue what that would be. No matter what, I'm not working past 62.

A general reminder that social security, which is available at age 62, automatically increases by 8% each year until it maxes out after age 70. The trade off becomes life expectancy.

I've napkin'd math those numbers and the break even point for waiting is close to 90 years old. I'm taking it as soon as I can.

it's around 81-82 yrs old for the break-even btw ...

That’s assuming no return on investment during the break even period. I’ve done numbers before and my plan is to start at 62 and invest (probably will use the SS $$$ but not withdraw that amount). If you include any type of return it extends the breakeven from the simple math. This assumes you have enough of a nest egg to invest and still have stocks/index funds. If you get enough of a return (I think around 7% or 8%), the extra SS $$$s you got at 62-70 will cover the extra monthly difference you get at 70 and you have that SS nest egg from 62-70 in your account for your kids.

The vast majority of people consume the money, not invest it. And there is no guarantee at all of the returns you're talking about even if you have the largesse to invest this instead of spend it. With treasury rates being so high, though, maybe there is a strategy that has a bit more certainty to it.

There’s no guarantee you make it to 70 either.

Which is exactly why I am waiting. It is exceedingly likely my wife will outlive me - the plan is that my SS benefit is her longevity insurance. That 8% guaranteed increase each year as I approach 70 for my wife to live off of can't be matched anywhere else. Even if I do kick off before 70 at least I'll have maximized her financial safety to the best of my ability. The worst she can do is a spousal benefit at my FRA if I don't take early.

I think it’s very reasonable to assume a 7% return when you are talking basically a minimum of a couple decades.

Nominal or real? In my modeling I use 3.5% real (7% nominal with 3.5% inflation). With the way we seem to insist on debasing the dollar it looks foolish to assume anything but a pretty healthy inflation rate going forward.

The next thing we are going to look at is converting all pretax 401k into Roth over the first 5-7 years in retirement when income will be low as we are living off cash, tax bracket is low and then letting it grow to see where that break point is.

In the plan, as well, with the proviso that we plan on managing that income to catch some ACA subsidy and stay on the right side of the cliff. (Yes, I know there is no cliff right now, but that will revert shortly.)

My wife works so both of us will likely or already have the max. That’s a big problem with all these discussions, no one’s situation is the same.

Absolutely - my wife works but right now so it will even out a bit, my SS earnings are 3x hers at the moment. And if you and your wife are at the 35 year max then SS is chump change for you; 340k annually over 35 years is a ton of dough.

I wish we made that for 35 years. Getting max credits isn’t that high. See the table below. My wife needs some more years because she stayed home with the kids for a bunch of years. Definitely leaner years as one earner with 3 kids. She’s done great since then so she should get there or at least very close to it.

Contribution and benefit bases, 1937-2024

Year​ Amount​ 1937-50​ $3,000​ 1951-54​ 3,600​ 1955-58​ 4,200​ 1959-65​ 4,800​ 1966-67​ 6,600​ 1968-71​ 7,800​ 1972​ 9,000​ 1973​ 10,800​ 1974​ 13,200​ 1975​ 14,100​ 1976​ 15,300​ 1977​ 16,500​ 1978​ 17,700​ 1979​ 22,900​ 1980​ 25,900​ 1981​ 29,700​ 1982​ 32,400​ 1983​ 35,700​ 1984​ 37,800​ 1985​ 39,600​

Year​ Amount​ 1986​ $42,000​ 1987​ 43,800​ 1988​ 45,000​ 1989​ 48,000​ 1990​ 51,300​ 1991​ 53,400​ 1992​ 55,500​ 1993​ 57,600​ 1994​ 60,600​ 1995​ 61,200​ 1996​ 62,700​ 1997​ 65,400​ 1998​ 68,400​ 1999​ 72,600​ 2000​ 76,200​ 2001​ 80,400​ 2002​ 84,900​ 2003​ 87,000​ 2004​ 87,900​ 2005​ 90,000​

Year​ Amount​ 2006​ $94,200​ 2007​ 97,500​ 2008​ 102,000​ 2009​ 106,800​ 2010​ 106,800​ 2011​ 106,800​ 2012​ 110,100​ 2013​ 113,700​ 2014​ 117,000​ 2015​ 118,500​ 2016​ 118,500​ 2017​ 127,200​ 2018​ 128,400​ 2019​ 132,900​ 2020​ 137,700​ 2021​ 142,800​ 2022​ 147,000​ 2023​ 160,200​ 2024​ 168,600​

 

[Terminalxylem]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

What was your career? How do you fill your days?

 

[gianmarco]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

What was your career? How do you fill your days?

Taco Bell beef and cheese burritos.

 

[jm192]

We are a largely middle aged group of men. Anyone looking to push up their retirement date? I’ve been a nurse for nearly 20 years. At 52, I’m constantly playing with the numbers trying to figure out a way to retire in the next 3-4 years. Healthcare has changed so much in the 20 years I’ve done it. I’m not naive to it always being a business but it’s right in your face now. I just don’t want to do it any longer. Anyone else looking to get out of the pressure of the rat race soon? what industry are you in and why?

Same exact boat as you, but I'm 54 in a month. I'm thinking about doing an on-line Psych NP program to get away from the bedside and up my earnings for the home stretch. I'm hoping maybe a new mental challenge will cure the burnout I'm feeling. Or, at least, make me a nicer nest egg.

We may need a separate healthcare workers contemplating retirement thread.

I'm 51, wife is 50, and we're both on the cusp of retirement. As @fruity pebbles mentions, medicine is too business-like nowadays, and it's super gross.

We originally were shooting for 55, but I'm not sure my wife will make it. She dreads going into work, even though she's only part time. I can go a few more years, but not sure it's worthwhile.

I'm a Family Medicine doc. I worked as an adult hospitalist the last 6 years. Inpatient medicine has gone to hell. Everything is about productivity and doing less with more. Nurses are leaving inpatient/bedside nursing in droves.

I'm only 36. No where near being able to retire. I switched last month to primary care. So far outpatient seems more employee friendly.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

We are a largely middle aged group of men. Anyone looking to push up their retirement date? I’ve been a nurse for nearly 20 years. At 52, I’m constantly playing with the numbers trying to figure out a way to retire in the next 3-4 years. Healthcare has changed so much in the 20 years I’ve done it. I’m not naive to it always being a business but it’s right in your face now. I just don’t want to do it any longer. Anyone else looking to get out of the pressure of the rat race soon? what industry are you in and why?

Same exact boat as you, but I'm 54 in a month. I'm thinking about doing an on-line Psych NP program to get away from the bedside and up my earnings for the home stretch. I'm hoping maybe a new mental challenge will cure the burnout I'm feeling. Or, at least, make me a nicer nest egg.

We may need a separate healthcare workers contemplating retirement thread.

I'm 51, wife is 50, and we're both on the cusp of retirement. As @fruity pebbles mentions, medicine is too business-like nowadays, and it's super gross.

We originally were shooting for 55, but I'm not sure my wife will make it. She dreads going into work, even though she's only part time. I can go a few more years, but not sure it's worthwhile.

I'm a Family Medicine doc. I worked as an adult hospitalist the last 6 years. Inpatient medicine has gone to hell. Everything is about productivity and doing less with more. Nurses are leaving inpatient/bedside nursing in droves.

I'm only 36. No where near being able to retire. I switched last month to primary care. So far outpatient seems more employee friendly.

I hope you find something worthwhile. Inpatient medicine IS a complete mess. Was just talking to the nighttime hospitalist last night about how bad things are getting.

I got into this profession to help people- to do something rewarding. It’s gotten inbearable lately

 

[Terminalxylem]

We are a largely middle aged group of men. Anyone looking to push up their retirement date? I’ve been a nurse for nearly 20 years. At 52, I’m constantly playing with the numbers trying to figure out a way to retire in the next 3-4 years. Healthcare has changed so much in the 20 years I’ve done it. I’m not naive to it always being a business but it’s right in your face now. I just don’t want to do it any longer. Anyone else looking to get out of the pressure of the rat race soon? what industry are you in and why?

Same exact boat as you, but I'm 54 in a month. I'm thinking about doing an on-line Psych NP program to get away from the bedside and up my earnings for the home stretch. I'm hoping maybe a new mental challenge will cure the burnout I'm feeling. Or, at least, make me a nicer nest egg.

We may need a separate healthcare workers contemplating retirement thread.

I'm 51, wife is 50, and we're both on the cusp of retirement. As @fruity pebbles mentions, medicine is too business-like nowadays, and it's super gross.

We originally were shooting for 55, but I'm not sure my wife will make it. She dreads going into work, even though she's only part time. I can go a few more years, but not sure it's worthwhile.

I'm a Family Medicine doc. I worked as an adult hospitalist the last 6 years. Inpatient medicine has gone to hell. Everything is about productivity and doing less with more. Nurses are leaving inpatient/bedside nursing in droves.

I'm only 36. No where near being able to retire. I switched last month to primary care. So far outpatient seems more employee friendly.

I hope you find something worthwhile. Inpatient medicine IS a complete mess. Was just talking to the nighttime hospitalist last night about how bad things are getting.

I got into this profession to help people- to do something rewarding. It’s gotten inbearable lately

Absolutely - hospitals are increasingly being treated like big businesses, which they are, of course. But the result is an assembly line of badness, and with facilities trying to recoup covid losses, it’s only getting worse.

Good to hear outpatient is a little better, but I've heard horror stories on that side, too.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

We are a largely middle aged group of men. Anyone looking to push up their retirement date? I’ve been a nurse for nearly 20 years. At 52, I’m constantly playing with the numbers trying to figure out a way to retire in the next 3-4 years. Healthcare has changed so much in the 20 years I’ve done it. I’m not naive to it always being a business but it’s right in your face now. I just don’t want to do it any longer. Anyone else looking to get out of the pressure of the rat race soon? what industry are you in and why?

Same exact boat as you, but I'm 54 in a month. I'm thinking about doing an on-line Psych NP program to get away from the bedside and up my earnings for the home stretch. I'm hoping maybe a new mental challenge will cure the burnout I'm feeling. Or, at least, make me a nicer nest egg.

We may need a separate healthcare workers contemplating retirement thread.

I'm 51, wife is 50, and we're both on the cusp of retirement. As @fruity pebbles mentions, medicine is too business-like nowadays, and it's super gross.

We originally were shooting for 55, but I'm not sure my wife will make it. She dreads going into work, even though she's only part time. I can go a few more years, but not sure it's worthwhile.

I'm a Family Medicine doc. I worked as an adult hospitalist the last 6 years. Inpatient medicine has gone to hell. Everything is about productivity and doing less with more. Nurses are leaving inpatient/bedside nursing in droves.

I'm only 36. No where near being able to retire. I switched last month to primary care. So far outpatient seems more employee friendly.

I hope you find something worthwhile. Inpatient medicine IS a complete mess. Was just talking to the nighttime hospitalist last night about how bad things are getting.

I got into this profession to help people- to do something rewarding. It’s gotten inbearable lately

Absolutely - hospitals are increasingly being treated like big businesses, which they are, of course. But the result is an assembly line of badness, and with facilities trying to recoup covid losses, it’s only getting worse.

Good to hear outpatient is a little better, but I've heard horror stories on that side, too.

I think we need to start that health care workers looking to retire thread. I am extremely interested in hearing other peoples’ perspectives on the trends in the [inevitable] corporatization of care.

 

[PIK95]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

What was your career? How do you fill your days?

"I got the sense," Rusty said, "they're having trouble filling the hours."

All I could think of was the Malloy brothers from Oceans 11 racing the trucks when I read this.

I am basically the stay at home dad/handyman/boy toy.

I retired from the P.O. after I toasted my back. Should have gone WComp, but was young and stupid.

 

[PIK95]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

What was your career? How do you fill your days?

Taco Bell beef and cheese burritos.

Chili Cheese burritos fwiw. But I would have to move out of the northeast to be able to get them.

 

[gianmarco]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

What was your career? How do you fill your days?

Taco Bell beef and cheese burritos.

Chili Cheese burritos fwiw. But I would have to move out of the northeast to be able to get them.

Dammit, I ruined the joke.

 

[PIK95]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

What was your career? How do you fill your days?

Taco Bell beef and cheese burritos.

Chili Cheese burritos fwiw. But I would have to move out of the northeast to be able to get them.

Dammit, I ruined the joke.

Now I'm Jones-n for some. Dammit.

 

[SFBayDuck]

How did this thread become healthcare workers talking about ****ty Mexican food? Can we get back to the secret of how I can retire in the next 3-4 years?

 

[3C's]

I'm 48, retired like fifteen years ago. I am trying to figure out what to do now. My son is a computer science major in college, so I was thinking of learning about coding. Maybe start as a hobby then see where it goes. I dunno. Retirement has been nice fwiw.

What was your career? How do you fill your days?

Taco Bell beef and cheese burritos.

Chili Cheese burritos fwiw. But I would have to move out of the northeast to be able to get them.

Dammit, I ruined the joke.

Now I'm Jones-n for some. Dammit.

I'll grab one later and send you a pic.

 

[mr. furley]

finally figured out what old guys do in their retirement

they stand cross-ways in the whiskey aisle at the grocery store, bitching that kids don't want to work anymore, while completely ignoring the pile up of people saying "excuse us, you're blocking the aisle" because they don't give a **** anymore and don't have anything better to do.

 

[Sand]

With the way we seem to insist on debasing the dollar it looks foolish to assume anything but a pretty healthy inflation rate going forward.

If anyone is looking at real assets (gold, crypto) this seems more realistic than ever.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I'm 64. Planning on retiring in June 2024. Most of my friends are retired or will be retiring soon. A few retired and then went back to work part-time. No way that I am doing that.

I don't think I'll ever retire. I enjoy my job and work from home. Retirement is the #1 killer of old people.

If you don’t have a plan, or it entails an unhealthy lifestyle, maybe.

But if you love the outdoors, being active and traveling, seems like retirement can be at least as fulfilling as most jobs.

I always find that when I'm not working, I get into lazy habits. I certainly don't eat as healthy. I don't know, I'm a creature of routine.

 

[belljr]

finally figured out what old guys do in their retirement

they stand cross-ways in the whiskey aisle at the grocery store, bitching that kids don't want to work anymore, while completely ignoring the pile up of people saying "excuse us, you're blocking the aisle" because they don't give a **** anymore and don't have anything better to do.

I for one will join a gym and blowdry my balls on the reg

 

[NewlyRetired]

I always find that when I'm not working, I get into lazy habits. I certainly don't eat as healthy. I don't know, I'm a creature of routine.

You don't have to work to have a routine.

Many volunteer opportunities will create a routine for you if having a routine is something that is important to you in retirement.

 

[gianmarco]

finally figured out what old guys do in their retirement

they stand cross-ways in the whiskey aisle at the grocery store, bitching that kids don't want to work anymore, while completely ignoring the pile up of people saying "excuse us, you're blocking the aisle" because they don't give a **** anymore and don't have anything better to do.

I for one will join a gym and blowdry my balls on the reg

Why wait?

 

[Terminalxylem]

I'm 64. Planning on retiring in June 2024. Most of my friends are retired or will be retiring soon. A few retired and then went back to work part-time. No way that I am doing that.

I don't think I'll ever retire. I enjoy my job and work from home. Retirement is the #1 killer of old people.

If you don’t have a plan, or it entails an unhealthy lifestyle, maybe.

But if you love the outdoors, being active and traveling, seems like retirement can be at least as fulfilling as most jobs.

I always find that when I'm not working, I get into lazy habits. I certainly don't eat as healthy. I don't know, I'm a creature of routine.

You just haven’t developed healthy routines. If one puts the same time/effort into health as they do their job, it’s possible to develop good habits, I assure you.

You can even get to the point you crave healthy food and enjoy exercise.

 

[belljr]

finally figured out what old guys do in their retirement

they stand cross-ways in the whiskey aisle at the grocery store, bitching that kids don't want to work anymore, while completely ignoring the pile up of people saying "excuse us, you're blocking the aisle" because they don't give a **** anymore and don't have anything better to do.

I for one will join a gym and blowdry my balls on the reg

Why wait?

Excellent point......

 

[AAABatteries]

finally figured out what old guys do in their retirement

they stand cross-ways in the whiskey aisle at the grocery store, bitching that kids don't want to work anymore, while completely ignoring the pile up of people saying "excuse us, you're blocking the aisle" because they don't give a **** anymore and don't have anything better to do.

I for one will join a gym and blowdry my balls on the reg

Why wait?

He's waiting on all the pubes to be grey.

 

[massraider]

Most of my family had kids young, worked like heck, raised their kids, but when it came time to retire, they didn't know what to do. They had no time for hobbies, interests, etc.
They had a bunch of kids way too early, raised them, worked and worked and worked, then moved to Florida to graze on buffets.

I'm not going out like that.

 

[nirad3]

I haven't read through this thread and likely won't have the time... since... well... since I will probably NEVER retire. I made some poor financial choices in my 20s, 30s and even a bit in my 40s and most certainly won't have the savings to ever retire. Unless I win the lottery. And I rarely play.

Most likely I'll "work" until I'm in my 60s and then will try consulting of some sort. Hopefully by then I will live somewhere where the cost of living is significantly better.

I don't know if I envy you guys and gals that are either already retired or close to it. I think I'd be bored, and all I'd want to do is travel, which can obviously be expensive.

 

[Courtjester]

I'm 64. Planning on retiring in June 2024. Most of my friends are retired or will be retiring soon. A few retired and then went back to work part-time. No way that I am doing that.

I don't think I'll ever retire. I enjoy my job and work from home. Retirement is the #1 killer of old people.

If you don’t have a plan, or it entails an unhealthy lifestyle, maybe.

But if you love the outdoors, being active and traveling, seems like retirement can be at least as fulfilling as most jobs.

I always find that when I'm not working, I get into lazy habits. I certainly don't eat as healthy. I don't know, I'm a creature of routine.

My problem is since I retired, I spend a ton of time meal-planning for my wife and daughter. I have always loved to cook and now that I have time to really work on meals, the waist line of both my wife and I are expanding.

But the other thing is I have to really be careful about is that 3:00 pm beer that used to be a 6:00 pm beer and then became a 4:30 pm beer.

 

[Sand]

Most of my family had kids young, worked like heck, raised their kids, but when it came time to retire, they didn't know what to do. They had no time for hobbies, interests, etc.
They had a bunch of kids way too early, raised them, worked and worked and worked, then moved to Florida to graze on buffets.

I'm not going out like that.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

 

[Terminalxylem]

Most of my family had kids young, worked like heck, raised their kids, but when it came time to retire, they didn't know what to do. They had no time for hobbies, interests, etc.
They had a bunch of kids way too early, raised them, worked and worked and worked, then moved to Florida to graze on buffets.

I'm not going out like that.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

I like that quote, but fundamentally disagree with the concept of “using up” your body, and *poof*, then you die.

It won’t work that way for most of us, as diseases of excess and the resulting debility last a while. I’d prefer years-decades of healthy lifespan that follows taking care of one’s body. My preferred quote:

“The idea is too die young as late as possible.”

Bad habits and stress will facilitate a skid to the grave, but there’s a wealth of literature that eating right, exercising consistently and minimizing compensatory pleasures helps you live longer, and better.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This question is probably a topic better served in 10-15 years, if the forum still exists, but what are the general hopes that there will be medication to help lesson the effects of dementia in say 30+ years from the present?

I am not hoping for a cure in this time frame but was hopeful that there could be some break through to help reduce the symptoms.

 

[tri-man 47]

I haven't read through this thread and likely won't have the time... since... well... since I will probably NEVER retire. I made some poor financial choices in my 20s, 30s and even a bit in my 40s and most certainly won't have the savings to ever retire. Unless I win the lottery. And I rarely play.

Most likely I'll "work" until I'm in my 60s and then will try consulting of some sort. Hopefully by then I will live somewhere where the cost of living is significantly better.

I don't know if I envy you guys and gals that are either already retired or close to it. I think I'd be bored, and all I'd want to do is travel, which can obviously be expensive.

In terms of travel, something my wife and I have been doing in recent years is to travel on the state highways rather than the interstate system. It's a little slower, but it's so much fun to see the sights along the way, especially when you get to cruise through the center of a small'ish town instead of having a four-lane road passing around it. (Cracker Barrel restaurants are modeled on this ...stopping in town for a solid meal and a little shopping.) The focus becomes the journey as much as the destination. One trip we did was a "Triple D" tour, targeting some restaurants from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives as we meandered from Chicago down to the Golf Coast and back. Fun times (including a dinner connection with @Sand and his wife)!

 

[Terminalxylem]

This question is probably a topic better served in 10-15 years, if the forum still exists, but what are the general hopes that there will be medication to help lesson the effects of dementia in say 30+ years from the present?

I am not hoping for a cure in this time frame but was hopeful that there could be some break through to help reduce the symptoms.

Pharmacologically, we haven’t done much for dementia, and I’m not optimistic there will be a breakthrough in the next few decades.

But, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, diet and exercise go a long way to prevent it.

Healthy sleep habits also seem important, as deep sleep appears to be critical for cleaning up the molecular junk our brains accumulate during waking hours.

 

[Peggy]

Most of my family had kids young, worked like heck, raised their kids, but when it came time to retire, they didn't know what to do. They had no time for hobbies, interests, etc.
They had a bunch of kids way too early, raised them, worked and worked and worked, then moved to Florida to graze on buffets.

I'm not going out like that.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

That's what I tell my dentist that wants to whiten my teeth and my doctor that wants me to take fish oil because my good cholesterol is a tad low. Back off man, I'm not going to leave any tread on the tires.

Most of my family had kids young, worked like heck, raised their kids, but when it came time to retire, they didn't know what to do. They had no time for hobbies, interests, etc.
They had a bunch of kids way too early, raised them, worked and worked and worked, then moved to Florida to graze on buffets.

I'm not going out like that.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

I like that quote, but fundamentally disagree with the concept of “using up” your body, and *poof*, then you die.

It won’t work that way for most of us, as diseases of excess and the resulting debility lasts a while. I’d prefer the years-decades of healthy lifespan that follows taking care of one’s body. My preferred quote:

“The idea is too die young as late as possible.”

Bad habits and stress will facilitate a skid to the grave, but there’s a wealth of literature that eating right, exercising consistently and minimizing compensatory pleasures helps you live longer, and better.

Boooooooring!

 

[dgreen]

Most of my family had kids young, worked like heck, raised their kids, but when it came time to retire, they didn't know what to do. They had no time for hobbies, interests, etc.
They had a bunch of kids way too early, raised them, worked and worked and worked, then moved to Florida to graze on buffets.

I'm not going out like that.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

I like that quote, but fundamentally disagree with the concept of “using up” your body, and *poof*, then you die.

It won’t work that way for most of us, as diseases of excess and the resulting debility last a while. I’d prefer years-decades of healthy lifespan that follows taking care of one’s body. My preferred quote:

“The idea is too die young as late as possible.”

Bad habits and stress will facilitate a skid to the grave, but there’s a wealth of literature that eating right, exercising consistently and minimizing compensatory pleasures helps you live longer, and better.

I assume there are suggested exercise levels by age (or some other variable)? I’m late 40s and know my exercise has plummeted over the years. I haven’t been intentional about exercise in a while. I think it would be helpful to know what level to aim for each day/week.

 

[Sand]

Most of my family had kids young, worked like heck, raised their kids, but when it came time to retire, they didn't know what to do. They had no time for hobbies, interests, etc.
They had a bunch of kids way too early, raised them, worked and worked and worked, then moved to Florida to graze on buffets.

I'm not going out like that.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

I like that quote, but fundamentally disagree with the concept of “using up” your body, and *poof*, then you die.

It won’t work that way for most of us, as diseases of excess and the resulting debility last a while. I’d prefer years-decades of healthy lifespan that follows taking care of one’s body. My preferred quote:

“The idea is too die young as late as possible.”

Bad habits and stress will facilitate a skid to the grave, but there’s a wealth of literature that eating right, exercising consistently and minimizing compensatory pleasures helps you live longer, and better.

I assume there are suggested exercise levels by age (or some other variable)? I’m late 40s and know my exercise has plummeted over the years. I haven’t been intentional about exercise in a while. I think it would be helpful to know what level to aim for each day/week.

Read Outlive by Peter Attia. He goes into the athletic goals to stay young while getting old.

 

[Nugget]

Most of my family had kids young, worked like heck, raised their kids, but when it came time to retire, they didn't know what to do. They had no time for hobbies, interests, etc.
They had a bunch of kids way too early, raised them, worked and worked and worked, then moved to Florida to graze on buffets.

I'm not going out like that.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

I like that quote, but fundamentally disagree with the concept of “using up” your body, and *poof*, then you die.

It won’t work that way for most of us, as diseases of excess and the resulting debility last a while. I’d prefer years-decades of healthy lifespan that follows taking care of one’s body. My preferred quote:

“The idea is too die young as late as possible.”

Bad habits and stress will facilitate a skid to the grave, but there’s a wealth of literature that eating right, exercising consistently and minimizing compensatory pleasures helps you live longer, and better.

I assume there are suggested exercise levels by age (or some other variable)? I’m late 40s and know my exercise has plummeted over the years. I haven’t been intentional about exercise in a while. I think it would be helpful to know what level to aim for each day/week.

Hard 75 thread is around here somewhere.

 

[GoBirds]

I’m 46 and behind you guys a bit. I have to work until about 65 if I want my full 86% pension.

Not sure I’m willing to go that far. One kid left to send off to college and then I’m going to really grind the new company I’m working on starting now.

Wife can retire sooner. When the numbers make sense we’re out.

What’s the new company that got you out of construction?