Retirement Readiness?

buyornot · ‎03-10-2010

I am 63,still teaching young ones full-time and have the summer off. My friends all say that you will just KNOW when it's time to retire. Do you retirees find that this was true? Just having the summer off,I am starting to miss work. I don't want my career to be over and my husband is retired and it's a LOT of time together Maybe it gets better with time and you fill space with other things? My grandkids live out of town

Financialgrl · ‎03-13-2010

I think you will just know when its time. I had no choice, they were moving my job over 100 miles away and I actually tried to commute that distance for 2 months and saw it wouldn't work. Even if you retire, you can still volunteer, work something part time that would not make enough money as a career, etc. I retired a long time ago (very early retirement) but I took off a year, worked in a school attendance office for 3 years, took off another year, then did temp work for the school system, volunteered for a few years and now I travel a LOT with friends. Retirement doesn't have to mean sitting at home bored doing nothing.

BTW, any volunteering, part time jobs, etc you choose to do, you're retired so if they don't work out, you can leave, try something else, etc. When you retire you have the flexibility and fewer issues when you were young (usually kids gone, you no longer have to work at any job you don't really care about due to the salary issues, etc.). I constantly redefine my retirement to however I am feeling at any given time - if you are in a rut, you can just change it!

Preds · ‎12-17-2012

I would think that if you are already missing work and are healthy enough to keep working, then why retire? As long as you enjoy your job, it might be helping you stay in mental and physical shape.

Fate whispers to her, "You cannot withstand the storm." She whispers back, "I am the storm."

docsgirl · ‎03-09-2010

I am a 68 year old retired teacher and work as a substitute. Bless your heart for teaching the little ones but that age level was never for me. I started out in 4th grade but took my 2nd Masters in Reading and became a Title I Reading Specialist, working with mostly middle school children. I didn't actually retire. I resigned my position because my now late husband was critically ill and I refused to place him in a facility. He was a school superintendent. Having rambled on about that, as others said, you will know when it is time. I love substituting because I walk in and walk out, without all of the responsibility. My best friend, also a retired teacher, refuses to step foot in a classroom but does private tutoring so that is another option. I retired from New York but currently reside in Ohio. We have 'retire-rehire,' where you can retire, collect your pension and health insurance and be rehired at a beginning teacher's salary minus benefits. I think you can only work like this for 3 years. I don't know if that's an option where you teach. It's a good thing for the teacher, but doesn't open the doors for the new grads seeking positions. Also, you stated that you are 63 so you do not qualify for Medicare. If you retire, will you have your health insurance paid for by your district or can you be covered under your husband's insurance? These are question that would factor into your decision. It's not my place to say this but I will say it anyway. Cherish every moment you have with your husband. Today would have been our 41st wedding anniversary and I would give anything in the world to have him with me for one more day. As I said, it's not my place but I'm feeling grateful to have had him for a husband but I'm also feeling very sad that he is no longer with me. Enough rambling. Good luck with whatever choice you make. docsgirl

violann · ‎03-10-2010

I also had to retire for health reasons that more or less resolved after I left teaching, and after 7 years away, I have yet to find a really comfortable niche. Be sure you know where you'll be landing before you jump.

pattypeep · ‎06-06-2011

You're not ready and your friends are right. I loved working and loved my job and thought I would die at my desk. Then one day, it happened. The day of reckoning. It's been 6+ years and I've never looked back. Love retirement !

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea-Robert A. Heinlein

kdgn · ‎03-09-2010

If you don't want your career to be over and you still have the mountains of patience that is required working with the little ones, then you aren't ready. If you only want to return to work because your husband is home full time, then retire and stay home. Don't use the kids as an escape.

I retired early from teaching kindergarten due to my mother's illness. I do regret retiring before I was really ready. But I also know an immense amount of patience and stamina is necessary for that age group. If you still have both of those plus the enthusiasm, you aren't ready. Just don't wait too long.....

lulu2 · ‎03-09-2010

On 7/8/2014 buyornot said:
I am 63,still teaching young ones full-time and have the summer off. My friends all say that you will just KNOW when it's time to retire. Do you retirees find that this was true? Just having the summer off,I am starting to miss work. I don't want my career to be over and my husband is retired and it's a LOT of time together Maybe it gets better with time and you fill space with other things? My grandkids live out of town

I too am 63 and was a teacher. Almost 12 years ago I went on a medical leave for a year, then took early retirement. I can honestly say, even though I loved my job, I have not missed it for one moment. For a teacher, retirement is like having the first day of summer vacation every day. At times I've found myself over scheduled and needed to cut back.

My husband is not retired. When he has a conference in a place that intrigues me, I tag along. Our Grands are about 45 minutes away so I see them often. Our nephews lived with us after my sister and her husband died so I am a grandmother to their children. They live a plane ride away, so I visit them every few months.

Life is never boring.

route 7 · ‎01-29-2011

I knew when it was time. Actually I took a cut in my pension and don't regret it! I'm retired 9 years now and it's so great. There will always be stress, etc. in life but knowing I can get up in the morning and not have to go to work is such a blessing. Of course if you like your job it's a different story but I was tired of the drama and changes that were happening in my workplace. I now volunteer with animals and life is good!