When do you think you'll retire? Or, if you're married, when will your spouse retire?

I think many of us have changed our minds about retirement during this past year. I won't retire until Ross does. His new plan is to cut back days as the years march on, eventually ending up with only one or two days of work a week. But who knows how old he'll be when he finally decides not to work at all.

With the current economy, all we can think about is adding to the retirement. There's no way we can consider living on it now.

My husband retired at 60 (he's now 65). When I retired 2 years ago (I'm now 62) I thought we'd travel and do things...nope, didn't happen. Husband is a stay at home and I'm a goer. I stayed home one winter and said that's enough. Living in a cold, cold climate there's nothing for me to do outside, so I went back to work teaching preschool 3 mornings a week. Just enough to get me out the door and keep me from being bored and yet I can still have my social life.

I've signed my contract for another year but then I think I'll do some traveling alone if he won't go. Does anyone else travel alone? I've decided to do maybe like a 2 day bus trip and see what it's like by myself. Time will tell what I do, if anything.

I expect to work until 65. I wish I didn't have to but that's just reality.

He took early retirement at 58 because he had the benefit working for 1 employer for the whole of his career, though he moved around in company. Then he started up his own business last year at 65 coincidentally. He sees as "fun" way to make abit of money. I'm happy for him, because he likes doing it though he's had to work long hrs. to complete certain projects. Hopefully this is not going to be all consuming thing for him because I would like him to be healthy in mind and body.

In ten years' time, I'll be 63 and my oldest grandson will be heading off to university. My retirement falls along the line of my grandchildren's future endeavours. I have saved for my children and have transferred a bulk of my possessions to them. Everything I do now is for my grandchildren. So, I make hay while the sun shines and grateful that I can.

Unless I become infirm, I don't think I'll ever retire. I have always been busy and the greatest fear for me is boredom. I have entertained the thought of putting up a cooperative food store exclusively for the elderly some time in the future. Perhaps, employ retirees as well who would want to be kept busy for a few hours a week. Come to think of it, maybe I should start on a feasibility study soon...while the brain is still sharp. LOL!

Lola, what a great idea....yes, act on it now while you can! LOL! I think it's too late for meeeee...

I retired four years ago when my company retired me. In other words, I was caught up in a downsize. I think I've told it before, but that's when I finished my book, had it published, and started writing publicly. I write articles for magazines, sites, blogs, and will write for food. I happily work for DotsieMeister and a few other clients. I also transcribe audio files and do some editing. I will never retire fully, I don't believe. I'm one of those crazy people that love to work...but only if it is something I love doing.

I sometimes marvel at the fact that I've been able to make a living working from home, yet OH SO GRATEFUL!

But when I was laid off, I knew I had to either fish or cut bait. It was time to either follow my dream, or always wonder what it would be like....My gut spoke...I listened!

Plains, fortunately, you can travel in the summer during your time off.

orchid, Let's home he doean't get bogged down by his hobby/fun/passion job. I thnk lots of boomers are doign what he's doing. I think it's the way to go.

Lola, I love your ways. Will you be my mentor?

JJ, thank God for you girlfriend! Glad you enjoy what you're doing.

I think many boomers will work long past retirement doing something they enjoy. And if not working for pay, then volunteering. I know there are people out there who call us the selfish generation, but I don't buy it. Not for oneminute. Boomers are givers!

I plan to quit work in 3 years. I work in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at a University. It is God's little joke; me being a dancer, singer, writer and poetess. I had no choice in that job......I know the Professors have all had lobotomies (excruciatingly boring...tunnel-vision).

arrrghhhhhh; I just want OUT, and to promote my book (to be published), and go on a cruise, and, and, and........I've always made the best out of life........but it is a struggle in the Math Department.......

I pray that God sends me a husband before that time, so that I can spend HIS money, too!

I will never stop moving and shaking.....i just don't want to be where I am!

Love, Alice

Alice, how long have you been there? Sounds like a major case of burn-out.

Anne, I don't see anything wrong with working until the end. I believe my dad's generation retired too young and became inactive, which may have added to their imobility and brain drain. I think you use it or lose it.

I hope to retire in 3 years myself. I don't know how we can swing it financially, (really~! how do people do it? that's a BIG cut in income.)
Then i will have more time to paint.(bwahahahaha)
Creative endeavors are kind of strange. You can't just say,
"Mimi will paint for 2 hours a day" and expect it to happen.

About our parent's generation, I think they glorified inactivity and it hurt them badly. Their parents worked manual labor and their scant free time was taken resting. So they got the idea that leisure was good, important, even while their jobs had changed drastically to desk jobs and non laborious enterprises. But they still had the notion that the BIG DEAL was to sit down and now rest. My stepfather, who is 80 something, actually said it "Now I don't have to do anything" and he quit being physical. And it's really hurt him, he's become weak and feeble. I don't want to do that. I know that physical work/exercise is something our bodies need, even if we don't WORK work, the body still requires it or it wastes away.

Gosh, with today's economy, I'll probably work until I'm 75!

My first visit...I've read a few of the retirement comments and wonder if we're not the first generation of women, as a large work force of women (with honor to the women who worked in the 40's and 50's) who is facing this issue as a group. Most women of my mother's generation worked out of necessity and didn't have the choices of careers that we have had. Now we're trying to use rules that have been applied to men about when to stop working and what we'll do. I think women have such diverse interests, needs and wants that all we really miss is opportunity. I'm a working physician and can't decide when to retire. But I do think I can keep myself busy with some of the fun stuff I missed schooling and working and parenting and "wifing" all these years. Anyone out there agree or disagree?? We all need feedback in this uncharted land.

I agree that we are the largest generation to face this issue as a group. Absolutely! And of course we'll do it differently than men.

I think you can keep yourself busy with the fun stuff as long as you feel your life has meaning, purpose. Some boomers are choosing to volunteer. That might be an option for you. Maybe an occasional mission trip where you use your skills? Or maybe volunteering occasionally at a local clinic. I believe boomers are giving back and will continue to do so in larger numbers as we conitnue to age.

My GYN is doing the occasional mission trip. She retired earlier than anticipated due to the high rising cost of malpractice insurance.

tbmd, don't mind my manners. Sorry. Welcome!

Welcome tbmd!
If I could retire, I would. Problem is; I have too many wishes financially…so I suppose that is still important enough to me to have to continue my work. I do find myself procrastinating more often. I suppose that is hard for you to do in your profession, but since I’m my own boss…I can cheat on me, and even fire and rehire myself daily. lol
My actions and thoughts tell me I’m ready to retire. I have so many other interests that I love to pursue. Hopefully in three years, 63, I am able to.

Welcome TBMD,
Well I actually retired at 66 and started taking my Social Security, but then realized I could take SS and still continue earning a paycheck with no penalty. I started my own little business and now three years later, I can work pretty much when I want to but have a rather large successful business to keep up with. I guess we never really know. Also, unless married, I believe we women need to work longer to support ourselves, I too like to eat etc.!

I'd rather set my hair on fire, drink bleach and lick all of the bathrooms in central station with my tongue than stay in the job I am in (University-Department of Mathematics and Statistics)....so.....I will quit this job in 2-3 years and become a gypsy....actually I will continue to go to school, dance, sing, write, bask in the glow of having my memoir and poetry book published (thank you Chatty), and tease as many people as possible.

That is my story, and I am stickin' to it! Subject to change without notice, LOL, LOL

Yes, but do you hate your job Alice? lol lol...
(I love your lol lol's)

Most probably, I will be retiring 10 years from now. I'll see to it that I will be there will be changes with my life - have my own business and be able to travel as much as I want. I want to enjoy the fruits of my work and be free.

Anne

Global Ceo
www.globalceos.com

Welcome aboard! I hope to get to know you through your posts.

Do you mean that you will have your own business while in your retirement? Or will your own business allow for that retirement?

Just now seeing this thread. You ladies crack me up!!
But it is all good, of course.
As for us, Greg is retired and I do some part-time gigs
here and there, but that will dwindle further as time
marches on.
I plan to do a whole lot of volunteering.

Cindy

So many of the ladies here are planning their retirement.
Am I in the minority of those by being retired ?
60 is the usual time here in UK to step back..although a set time of 65 is ahead for later born boomers.

Or are most of the posters younger than me..(born in 1946) and still on the cusp of retiring.

When some kind soul closes the lid on my casket...

I would love to retire and will - when I win the lottery! In the meantime, I have a day job that's not too stressful, a side business with no stress at all, and another side business that I'm trying to figure out how to expand so I can quit my day job. If I can make enough money with the not-my-day-job jobs then I probably won't want to retire.

What an interesting thread. I don't think I'll ever really retire. I have a small business that is pretty portable...I do some work on the Internet so as long as I can have an Internet connection I'll be able to do my thing no matter where I am. I can't imagine not doing anything for years on end. I like to keep busy and keep my mind active. I'm fortunate because with what I do I can work when I want and where I want so I can always take time off if I want to.

I really feel for those ladies who are working in jobs they don't like. I've been there and it's no fun. Hope all of you feeling that way can find a way to move on to something you enjoy more.

Returning to this tread...
retire
whilst I no longer do paid work my life is full and like many of those here who also no longer have an employer we wonder where we had time to work.

yonuh and maggie, I'd lvoe to thear more about your jobs. I'm curious...

Anne, my FIL is in an Alzheimer's care facility for many reasons, but one was definitely that he couldn't be home alone with ONE care provider, whether it was family or someone from an agency. Honestly, it's scary, and he's very strong. We don't think he'd ever hurt soemone intentionally, but he's literally out of his mind. The other night it took three aides to get him back to his room. He thougth someone had been murdered and was going in all the residents rooms to notify them (many were sleeping.)

Do you have a medicine you can use to sedate your patient if need be? I hope so.

I retired in June of 2008 at age 55. I had taught school for 33 years. I miss the kids but I love retirement. I've always wanted to be a stay-at-home wife and mother, and now I can be - even though my boys don't live at home anymore. I'm still here whenever they need me, and we can have late night phone conversations.

maggie2, I tend to think along your lines. Actually I was always looking forward to retirement, but after a sick week,...which bored me to death...uh uh...don't think I'm ready yet. I need to keep my mind active as well.

After my stepfather passed on, my mother got bored too so went out and found a job, she was 72 then and had worked all of her life. Mother worked for the County Assessor until she was 87, and loved it but was having problems with one nasty woman there so she retired and took her pension. She is 89 now and hates being inactive, says she should have listened to me when I told her to confront that evil b-i-t-c-h and give her a piece of her mind. She has regretted retiring everyday since.

When asked, I told someone I'd retire when they lit and threw the match into the crematorium....Ouch!!!!

Anne, I'm just seeing this. No, I don't believe this is a law.

coffeemom, retirement sounds like it suits you. It sounds very relaxing, and the idea of having time seems peaceful!


I think that if I wasn't working, I'd probably do lots of volunteer work. At this stage in life, I still have lots of energy. Retirement scares me a bit. I was a stay-at-home mom until my kids were leaving the nest, so now I'm enjoying the work.

chatty, I bet your mom misses the people at work as much as she misses the work itself. Also, having something to look forward to doing each day is so important for the elderly.