Community Chat

[rustee]

I retired from teaching at age 54.  I am going to be 70 in a few months.  The work required after the school day ended, the endless day-to-day hassles at the high school and some health issues caused me to rethink my future plans.

[DukeBlueNan]

I retired from teaching almost four years ago. Everything that other educators have said here is part of the reasons. Plus, I was/am old!   Friends, teaching is for the young! I made the decision to retire right before the end of the year and the gosh awful testing. I honestly didn't think I could stand to deal with all that one more time. I have one word to say: Yippee!

[LTT1]

@kyreb

I don't know what I would do.

The words of wisdom told to me were true "when you are ready, you will know it."

Still not sure what this means to others.

If you are having doubts, you might just sit with the indecision until the right choice shines down on you.

Meaning: finances/stress/DHs degree of need and how you feel about that. There is no "right" answer-- it all depends on how you decide you feel about your life.

[just bee]

I'm so enjoying reading your posts.  It has me thinking: When I graduated from college in the early 80s, I had prepared to be a teacher.  After a five-year program that included two majors, a minor and student teaching, I was trained to go out and become a high school English and Theatre instructor.

As it turned out, I took a different path.  I often wonder if I'd still be in the classroom today if I'd gone right into teaching after college.

Truth be told, I don't think so.

[ShowMe]

I retired at the age of 67.....  Worked 50+ years and was ready.  Was a secretary in a law firm.....  And had my fill of attorneys......  Which included having been married to one for 15 years. 

Loved being retired up until 2 years ago when I found out I have cancer.  That was a hard pill to swallow.  Never thought I would end up having to take life saving treatments the rest of my life.....every other week.  It hasn't been an easy time for me.  I live alone and have had to do so much on my own.....but God has placed some very wonderful folks into my life by being a neighbor, a chemo buddy, etc.  This has helped me a lot to cope.  Also have a great support system on these boards.  Some have been with me since the beginning of all of this.....and I really love them a lot.

Just wish I had more energy and could do more things.  Think I would enjoy retirement once again.  Oh, I love not having to set the alarm, going to bed when I want to.....except for when I have a treatment or doctor's appointment the next day.  Have been fortunate enough to have my laundry done and apartment kept clean for me.  Used to love to cook....but not so much now......find it hard to eat what I've fixed.   

Really, I love being retired.....no more traffic to battle with each day....  And when it snows or we get ice, don't have to drive in that any more.  Many good things about being retired. 

[Mom2Dogs]

I am 62 in a few months....dh is 10+ years older, we are self employed.

Both of us are in good health...retirement is scary to both of us, ha!

We do not know what we would do on a day to day basis without the structure of work.

Right now my health insurance keeps us working but if we wanted to retire we could.  Working together has made it difficult to make a lot of friends.....neither one of us has co-workers that we got friendly with....just each other.....we will retire when my DH feels he can no longer put in the time, but we are hoping for at least another 3-4 years.

Those that are retired enjoy.

[ShowMe]

---

@Gracies Mom wrote:

I have been retired for 2 years and 3 months--I was 58 years old when I made the decision.

I was diagnosed with a recurrence of my original cancer for the second time and I needed radiation--I worked through most of it until the side effects were too much for me to work through. At the same time, my Mom wasn't doing well and subsequently passed away a few months later. I came back to work after my radiation was finished and all was OK until my boss, who was not a nice person to begin with, did my annual evaluation--she told me that my work was excellent, however, she cannot give me a perfect score because I had not made an effort to volunteer that year for the good of the hospital (I worked in medical records as a coder)--I thought I heard her wrong! I reminded her that I just finished radiation and couldn't work for awhile because of the side effects--and that my Mom got very sick and passed away--volunteering was not foremost on my mind at that time. She didn't care--she was as cold as ice! That was on a Friday---by Monday I gave her my letter of resignation--she told me she was shocked--that she has no idea why I was leaving--can you imagine? After working since I was a teenager, I decided enough is enough.I worked in the medical field since I was 20--I used to love it--but after all I went through, I now hated it--I couldn't read and evaluate one more patient chart. I also could not deal with such a nasty ice woman as a boss--no compassion whatsoever--life is too short to have to put up with her anymore--so that was that. Since I still have cancer--it is now a chronic condition--I decided to retire as I never know when it will become acute or spread again---my husband then retired last year.It's tough living on a fixed income, but we're managing. It was one of the best decisions for me. I love being home and not having to work my appointments and chores around a work schedule--I do what I want when I want!!!

---

Looks like we have something in common.  The cancer.  I've not had radiation, but IV treatments (OPDIVO).  Have had many side affects from it....but do manage somehow.  And like you, I do what I want when I want.....except for doctors and treatment, and PETscans......  Yes, financially I have to be very careful how I spend my money and being able to save on what I have coming in.  Not always easy. 

Good luck to you......

[Goodie2shoes]

I retired @ 65 after a 40 career as a nurse. I had a knee replacement in May of 2015, achilles tendon repair the end of 2015 with a complication and reclosure of the wound early 2016. I planned on retiring  about August  2016 but after several surgeries I decided to  retire in April. When I returned to work the end of March, I gave my 2 week notice. I have never looked back, since retiring I found a wonderful man who I am head over heels in love with, starting traveling and we've even discussed taking a cruise which will be a first for me.  

[hckynut]

---

@Gracies Mom wrote:

I have been retired for 2 years and 3 months--I was 58 years old when I made the decision.

I was diagnosed with a recurrence of my original cancer for the second time and I needed radiation--I worked through most of it until the side effects were too much for me to work through. At the same time, my Mom wasn't doing well and subsequently passed away a few months later.

I came back to work after my radiation was finished and all was OK until my boss, who was not a nice person to begin with, did my annual evaluation--she told me that my work was excellent, however, she cannot give me a perfect score because I had not made an effort to volunteer that year for the good of the hospital (I worked in medical records as a coder)--I thought I heard her wrong!

I reminded her that I just finished radiation and couldn't work for awhile because of the side effects--and that my Mom got very sick and passed away--volunteering was not foremost on my mind at that time. She didn't care--she was as cold as ice! That was on a Friday---by Monday I gave her my letter of resignation--she told me she was shocked--that she has no idea why I was leaving--can you imagine?

After working since I was a teenager, I decided enough is enough.I worked in the medical field since I was 20--I used to love it--but after all I went through, I now hated it--I couldn't read and evaluate one more patient chart. I also could not deal with such a nasty ice woman as a boss--no compassion whatsoever--life is too short to have to put up with her anymore--so that was that.

Since I still have cancer--it is now a chronic condition--I decided to retire as I never know when it will become acute or spread again---my husband then retired last year.It's tough living on a fixed income, but we're managing. It was one of the best decisions for me. I love being home and not having to work my appointments and chores around a work schedule--I do what I want when I want!!

[libbyannE]

I decided to leave my career at age 55. There were things I did not respect about our leadership, and I could see them running the business into the ground. Time to go. Glad I did. Within two years, that portion of our corporation was out of business. We planned our exits years earlier and had our new lakefront house ready, so on Jan. 1 if that year, my husband left his long career, and in the middle of January, I gave notice. Never looked back! Totally happy. Wish I had done it sooner!