Community Chat

[Happiness Is Inside JOB]

One thing I learned from this post is have friends outside your job so when you leave it is not the end all be all!  I plan to just leave and go on a trip!  I have about 10 years to go and I am praying I can make it!

[Elri]

@srgtdj

It is most likely that people are working behind the scenes to give you a sendoff and you just don't realize it!!   In the meantime, they are acting nonchalant and keeping everything below the radar.

[Its Me LuLuBelle2]

@srgtdj, they're all just jealous that you're walking out the door and they'll still be busy bees in a cube farm! I love retirement and I'm sure too will too - congrats on another life milestone. There are days I'm busier now than when I was working; but now it's doing things I love to do. Enjoy!

[AuntG]

After 37 years in the same department, I knew what they do and I didn't want any part of it.  While I wasn't emotional about my job, I knew I would be embarrassed being the center of attention, so I told my boss no gift or party. She let me do it my way, which was buying pizza for our group on the day I announced my retirement. Then, on my final day, the company ordered a cake which we shared and I packed up and left at noon. No regrets, and thankfully, no tears.

[homedecor1]

In my situation corrections had changed from "a tight work environment" to "every man/woman for themselves."

The men when I started were gentlemen.  The few woman I worked with were tight -- as could be expected in a male dominated field at the time.

I took a promotion to get a better position mainly for a better pension...biggest mistake of my career!  In fact, during that 3 years I honestly don't know who were worse the officers (both male & female) or the inmates.  Sometimes, I think the officers😮.

The work ethic was definitely not there, they hired anybody & just wasn't safe IMO anymore.  Working in the juvenile system was a total nightmare...

I remember coming home one day "sick" thinking about how work environment had changed.  My spouse had retired and continued to work in another job.  

he had nagged me for years to move ....so one day, I just went into pensions and requested to retire (they gave me the date).  

I informed the Adminstrator of our facility and she said "good luck!" hmmmmm all the things I thought she'd say never were said!  so i called in Sick the next day (I had 65 sick days) and never returned OR looked back that was 2002.  Interestingly, I started a exit because most people I started with retired soon after -- guess we wanted to live to enjoy retirement!

I didn't expect a "send-off" because those I was work-friendly with were gone & I didn't try to make friends after that.  I counted the days!  

I got the best present of all the 1st month I received my "mailbox" money, ie, pension check💃💃💃

Enjoy your retirement Congrats!!!!!

[CelticCrafter]

When my husband became eligible for his union pension he took it and continued to work part time in another capacity.

One day after two mouthy run-ins before noon with the owners business partner, he decided he had enough.  Handed them his keys, his cell phone, what he was working on and told them he would be cleaning out his desk and at 5PM he was done.

I had wanted him to fully retire a whole year before, but it had to be his decision and even though in the end it was, it wasn't the way he wanted it to happen.

It took him a long time to adjust to it, in the beginning I think he was doubting it and kept telling me he wanted another part time job. 

Now, 9 months later, he's telling me he thinks he wants to apply for his Social Security.

[Sweet_Serenity]

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@OKPrincesswrote:

It was the best decision DH and I made 02/25/16. We gave a year’s notice so everyone had time to be ready. Yes it’s absolutely a big decision but if you have your ducks in a row the best you can, you will find you made the right decision. There’s so much you can do and ease into total retirement.  Retirement is the very reason we work hard all our lives, save money, investment wisely, get debt free and down size if you want. Enjoy the adventures while you can. 

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       Wonderfully said: Best is yet to come! 🥂

[srgtdj]

Thanks again for the many wonderful replies.  Like several of you I am a "young" retiree...only 56.  My husband is older than I and we didn't want to spend his retirement years with me going to the office daily and him home alone.  So I know I am blessed to be able to retire at this age and still have so much to look forward to.  My new life is excellent--we work on the home, explore new areas in our new location, meeting new friends, and time with family that hasn't happened for years.   I am doing more volunteer work now that I have more time.  And there's more time for involvement with my church.  So I don't miss "work" for a second. 

Yes, my feelings were hurt over the lack of a thank you.  But I do realize that everyone moves on and my retirement doesn't change anything at the business.  The gal I developed for years to take my place seems to have forgotten that I ever existed.  For 10 years I coached her, invested in training programs for her, etc so that she could be in a management role upon my retirement.  I think not even getting a Thank You from her was the thing that made me feel the worst.  I didn't want cake, party, or gifts.  Just a thank you.

But as mostof you have said--I am gone--they move on--and so do I in my new life.  While a Thank You would have been nice...it's not necessary for me to completely enjoy my retirement!

Thanks to all for such wonderful replies and thoughtful insights

[Lilysmom]

@srgtdj, best wishes to you on your retirement.  It is truly the nicest thing that ever happened to me.  Like some have said, I am as busy as ever and wonder how I did it all before.  Enjoy!  LM

[Skyegirl21]

I know how you feel. It happened to me also-  Many years a devoted employee with friends, and when I left, there was no fanfare and it was disappointing. That’s life sometimes, we have to keep expectations low, that way they are always met!  Forget it, Be happy and enjoy your life! 💝