Retirement Age, Life After?

[Aitrus]

Aitrus - I have to say that your comment here changed my perspective. As much negativity that creeps into my mind about things that I have not done right, wish I could do over, etc. its not been all bad. I have provided well for my family: a happy wife, a good home, private schools for my kids, and now keeping them debt-free in college. Although I feel like a TSP failure, I am not without optimism that I'll be happy in retirement. Thanks for that post as it lifts my spirits today.

My pleasure, cartmedl. Changing my perspective on life - such as learning to be satisfied with less and deciding that it's me who gets to decide what success looks like instead of others - really took a weight off my shoulders that I didn't even know was there. I'm much more at peace now than I was in my younger days when I felt so much more pressure to perform. Instead, I am happy knowing my family is safe, fed, and housed, I'm in debt to nobody, and I'm free to pursue my hobbies as I wish.

Having sovereignty over one's own life is a wonderful feeling.

[Patriciabell]

The media is full of stories telling us we should keep working until we are in our 70s because modern people are living longer and healthier lives. The experts tell us people in their 60s and 70s are likely to live longer, enjoy working full time and feel great, so why retire.

[dougellen1]

There is no fair and objective media in this country anymore. Anybody with a brain can deduce this. Conjecture, subjectivity and outright lies dominate the vast majority of media. Retire when you're able to, regardless of age! Live life on your terms. If you want to work, then work. Whatever rocks your boat. I'm retired and have zero money worries. Saved a lot, invested better than most and never lived beyond my means. It's not that hard. Takes discipline though.

[wingchaser]

I have a lil’ different take on this subject matter. First of all, as a Federal Civilian, my career has provided opportunity & financial security beyond my hopes & expectations; the termination of which, I don’t take likely. I believe in maximizing this opportunity which has presented itself. Target goals are Maximum Retirement Age, which for this Babyboomer is 2031 (70 1/2). That maximizes all five (5) income vehicles to include:

FERS
SOCIAL SECURITY
ROTH IRA
BROKERAGE ACCTS (FIDELITY) &
TSP BALANCE

I’m on pace to earn more in retirement than in my current capacity, which is another level of achievement that falls in the BETTER THAN AVERAGE category.

I also make more trading stocks (daily) than I could ever make elsewhere & will continue that pursuit into retirement. Currently, I’m working on an Expert System (AI) that can trade programmatically throughout the trading day, thus removing Wingchaser from the equation. Leveraged ETF(s) provide the ability to capture movement in either direction the market may be moving:

3x BULL
3x BEAR

As far as Leisure & Recreation in retirement, my inclination includes:

EXOTIC CUISINE CHEF
EXTREME RIDES (AMUSEMENT PARKS)
DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATERS
NCAAF
TRAVEL (US & ABROAD)
ROAD TRIPS (MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PARKS)
BnB CHASER
SUNSET CHASER
SPIRITUAL CONDITIONING &
VOLUNTEER WORK

Best of Luck (everyone) in all you choose to endeavor!!!

[RMOSER]

I plan to retire in Dec 2022 at 63, and with 23 yrs in. I bought a smaller home in Hot Springs, SD to move to and sell my larger home. I broke the cardinal rule of taking a $50,000 TSP loan plus savings to pay for the house in full. I made sure I had a large enough window to pay all the money back into TSP and I don't regret it. My plan is the visit state and national parks, taking adult education classes on anything that interests me and possibly work part-time. I would love foreign travel but its too costly, but there is so much to see in the US and camping by tent is cheap. I might even drive to Alaska!! I have learned a lot from this site and feel confident in managing my TSP in my future retirement.

[Blue_Radio]

I retired for several professional, financial and personal reasons:

1. My job, much as I enjoyed it, was not what it once was. In other words, my agency no longer valued me as much as it once did. (Nothing personal -- it just happened that way.)

2. I was eligible for full retirement because of service time and age.

3. My finances were in good order and my investment portfolio value was sufficient.

4. My wife would continue to work, easing the financial shock of losing my high-grade salary.

5. My belief that no one should work a single job for too long. I didn't want to "go out the door feet first."

6. The prospect of spending my days differently, outside of the rat race.

7. The realization that being physically idle -- specifically, sitting at a desk for 8 hours staring at a screen -- was becoming dangerous to my health.

8. Related to items 1 and 6, the realization that there are other jobs and things to do in life that I could enjoy just as much as any job I held in the past.

[jimcasada]

Except for numbers 4&7, sounds like me. My wife doesn't have an outside job, but don't say she doesn't work in front of her, unless you want to get an earful. Only regret is that I should have retired maybe a year or so earlier.

[Jimmyk65]

Jim- How long have you been retired? What age if I may ask. Why do you regret not getting out earlier? What kept you at the job instead of retiring? Sorry for the questions. I am 58.5 right now close to full retirement age 60 and 30 yrs. We have run our numbers (back, forth, sideways), thinking we have enough saved that I could retire now, (even with penalty for not hitting full retirement and loss in cost of living until 62) and be fine. Or wait the extra 1.5 yr be better financially. Job is getting pretty stressful; mind is looking toward retirement often, and have other things I could be doing with and for family. Decision is no longer so much finance driven, just trying to figure out when enough is enough.

[Bubba]

I'm 20 years out, but I often do think of retirement. One of my frequent thoughts is the idea of my wife and I retiring at the same time. Sadly, her employer would not pay a dime until she turns 67, so we would be entirely reliant on my income (no problem...at that time). Here is where I wonder:

A. Is it more fun to retire together at the same time, so you have more time together and can travel the world more frequently?

or

B. That one spouse keeps working, so that there is a continuation of income (just in case) and that there is some time of continuity in terms of a work life. The other spouse would help the kids with their children, travel, etc.

I'm interested in people's experiences (obviously this is highly opinionated).

[12squared]

I am 58.5 right now close to full retirement age 60 and 30 yrs. We have run our numbers (back, forth, sideways), thinking we have enough saved that I could retire now, (even with penalty for not hitting full retirement and loss in cost of living until 62) and be fine.

Are you aware that the if you hold out until 62 your pension will be 10% higher (1.1% per year of service) than retiring earlier?

[12squared]

My wife doesn't have an outside job, but don't say she doesn't work in front of her, unless you want to get an earful.

Working, but not "employed".