Retirement Again. (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 5/24/2026 7:51:57 AM EDT
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My old retirement thread has been resurrected. It's running it's course. This one is a different angle. It's " How is retirement working for me?". I crossed the finish line last Sept... That was a few months earlier than originally planned. The plan was to quit this past April. However, leadership became intolerable at work last June, July and August. I issued an ultimatum: this aspect of work changes, and it changes in the next two weeks, or I quit. It did not change. I left.... Now , 8 months later, I've got zero regrets. Best decision ever. How is this remotely a survival thread? Easy. Work was killing me. Literally. Stress off the charts, blood pressure thru the roof, total insomnia for night after night after night. Fantastic recipe for a heart attack... What does it take to retire? Obviously, enough income to pay the bills. There's different ways to achieve that, and it's in other threads. I really think there's a other aspect to retirement... WTF are you gonna do???? I'm seeing two camps on this one. One retiree has no plan. Retirement is simply " can't wait until I retire, then I don't have to go to work". It's the negative option: don't have to get out of bed, don't have to go to work, don't have to listen to the boss. It's all " don't". What's missing is the "what am I gonna DO?". I'm seeing seriously bored retirees, with some seriously negative lifestyles here .. it's TV and booze and boredom... The second option: I can't wait to retire so I can do all these other non-work things. I'm seeing this option as very "successful". In my case, the wife and I run a successful small business centered around making and selling pottery. It's a perfect job for us. Yeah, a job in retirement. I'm noticing a couple forms of "loss" in retirement. Loss of income is one: it's hard to make an income and save for 42 years, then throw a switch and start spending investments. The job helps. I'm productive. I make "play checks", money I can freely blow without guilt There's also a loss of meaning. We do our jobs, we have a self image. We introduce ourselves to people and we ask "... So what do you do?". I'm a cop, a construction worker, a nurse, etc. all of a sudden it's " I used to be a cop, a nurse etc" and there's some loss there. In my case, my side gig gives me something to achieve, something to be productive about . I suspect not every one will see this as relevant, but if you're goal oriented all your life, that doesn't just turn off because you retired The little side business is PERFECT for us. I am productive. I can literally say " I made $xxx today". It's providing some goals and targets. And it's providing " success". My schedule is mine: I work when I want to. I don't when I don't want to. The flexibility is key The other aspect of retirement is interaction. There's no more watercooler talk. There's no watercooler... It's awfully easy to end up very isolated.. work, even tho it often sucks, forces interaction with others. There's not a lot of others at home when you're sleeping in. In my case, social interaction is now various shooting sports on a schedule work wouldn't allow previously, as well as the side gig .. Overall, retirement has been a success. But I'm thankful my days are full and busy. I've never been busier... There's craft shows ( our business), shoots ( sporting clays and Practical Pistol), family events, home projects, and travel and I'm BUSY... If your looking at retirement in the next ten years, it's easy to end up boiling it down to numbers and math: this is my income, these are my needs. That doesn't cut it. Simply thinking " I don't have to work anymore" is simplistic and I don't think it's successful. I retired at 57.. I can reasonably live to 87.. WTF am I gonna do for 30 years??? The answer to that will change. The first 10 won't look like the last 10, but I'm thinking there'd better be some sort of plan... Do with this what you will... I think there's more than math involved. I suspect successful retirement might involve a broader plan... We all know of Jimmy, who worked until 65 then dropped dead six months later... I'm wondering how many Jimmy's were in that simplistic " I don't have to work" but now have NOTHING to do lifestyles.. |
| Good post. I can retire at any time but am staying to get a little more cash stashed away but the biggest issue for me is what you covered. I agree that you need to have a hobby or purpose to keep you active and not just become a couch potato. Thanks again for your timely, for me at least, post. |
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Originally Posted By FiremanFrank: Good post. I can retire at any time but am staying to get a little more cash stashed away but the biggest issue for me is what you covered. I agree that you need to have a hobby or purpose to keep you active and not just become a couch potato. Thanks again for your timely, for me at least, post. I’m with you. Can pop smoke any day (eligible to retire now), just want to bank couple more years. House paid off last month, truck and car paid off. Want to bank a couple years of house “payments” before I call it. Great post OP. Thank you. |
"F*ck it I'm done. Nothing to say other than I'm done giving a f*ck." - xerxes2695 - 1-6-2021 - 1849hrs.
“If you live here and your allegiance is to another nation, you are an enemy.” - C10 - 6-7-25 - 1816hrs
“If you live here and your allegiance is to another nation, you are an enemy.” - C10 - 6-7-25 - 1816hrs
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This is good to hear. We all have our timeliness and situations, but like happens. We are 5-10 years out, but my wife's cancer is going to change some things. She wants to move closer to family sooner than we anticipated. I will likely have to make a major job change. My wife will likely continue to work (going back to teaching in the classroom), which she enjoys. I will do whatever until 62ish. I just want to stuff the 401k as much as I can and of course get rid of as much debt as possible. Things change, but we all need to understand how life changes and we have to adjust. I do think it's important to have a purpose and stay busy post retirement. Retirement isn't just the goal, it's the start of a new chapter to keep living and enjoying life. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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Retired at 59, at 60 I became VP of my dirt bike enduro club. I use to spend most of my free time doing trail work once a week, now I often do two days a week and also do 99% of all administation tasks. I have 4 acres of property, lots of trees. No end of work that can be done. I have done a lot of things I put off and would never do other wise. Bought a small loader tractor to do many. 30 yards of mulch. Cleaned out pole barn and covered dirt floor with gravel. Refloor deck. Replaced 50 yo water heater. Had buddy replace all carpet. I did a lot of prep and cleaning first, helped with tear out. Surprisingly I have so much to do I shoot less that I did working. |
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Congrats OP on being able to go at age 57 ! Well done. I'm just jealous as I retired at exactly 61.5 years of age. Ha  All I would say to the men in the last few years before pulling the Plug - is this Cartoon right here: Attached File |
Lifetime Member: National Rifle Association, Texas State Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America
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I rarely do work for pay since retiring. A couple little things here and there. I work on my small acreage, not too many crazy projects as I don’t want to invest extra cash in a NYS property that I may not get back out. I will bail but haven’t yet. I like my place, I keep busy with club hobbies. I also chill out a lot. Today it’s rain and forecasted for rain all day so I’m drinking coffee and contemplating what I will work on in my reloading laboratory in a bit. I had a conversation with a buddy that is still working comparing the attitudes towards yard work maintenance. He is more diligent than I out of necessity as he works 50 hours a week. I may do more hours of yard work than he does but it’s 2-4 hours at a time and then I say I’m done for the day, usually around 2-3 o’clock if it gets warm. I also have the ability to just say F it for the day, the work will still be there, or something else will be there to work on but it’s sunny, light winds and a perfect day to go fly my RC planes or hit the range. Unfortunately my two big hobbies are competing for the same kind of weather days. I’m not bored. Some might call me lazy but I labor as much as I want and try not to wear myself down. One or two work/productive things a day is all I ask of myself. Oh and plus one on the work BS from management pushing up the timeline. I used to love going to work and for the first two decades was thinking I’d do 30-33 years there. Cuomo BS, crazy covid management actions, other stress and demands of extra work accommodations for management with no extra remuneration or even consideration and my desire to serve was cooked out of me. Don’t tell me I’m appreciated and we all have to work together and do even more while cutting out the OT that they used to pay for the major inconveniences. They liked to think we were in the military. I just talked to guys at that place the other day. They’re absolutely miserable. The new generation isn’t making themselves available to the abuse. Sucks as it used to be a good job but now it’s just a money for time affair. No pride, no morale, no faith in leadership. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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I retired 5 years ago and in that time I have traveled about 50 thousand miles. Spent 8 months overseas in 2022. Skippered a 3 masted schooner from California to Sydney Australia in early 2021. Haven’t had that much peace and fun in a long time. Both of those trips were unexpected. I work out 5 days a week both weights and cardio. I’ve gotten into wood working and reloading. Always have honeydos. Prior to retiring I had been to more countries than I have states so I’m working on that. Twice a year about a half a dozen of us go scuba diving and generally are gone for a week to 10 days. When I retired my former employer paid out all my accrued leave and they paid me an additional 12 weeks of pay to get me to leave early 😁 So I can’t complain |
I too am lost, I feel double-crossed & I'm sick of
Joined:
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5902
EE: 100% (613)
MI, USA
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I retired on Feb 1st @ 58, my story as to why I retired is similar to the OP’s. I had a great job, worked there for 18yrs, good money and a lot of quality people. I did like my job until there was a leadership change, it went downhill over the last 2 yrs and I had enough, so I gave my notice once I figured out it was never going to change back. I’ve been more happy, relaxed & at ease in the last almost 4 months than I ever have been and I am keeping busy with stuff around the house/land. The whole lack of self worth/purpose point is one I haven’t had an issue with, yet, when asked I happily say I’m unemployed by choice as I’m retired. The first book I read after retiring is below. It kinda touches on the OP’s points. I’d suggest it to anyone looking to retire in the next 10 yrs, but don’t wait until you retire like I did. It’s kinda hokey but makes some good points. Attached File |
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson
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I pulled the retirement trigger last August. Absolutely loving it and am not going back. Like others, toxic management in the upper ranks killed all joy in my career. Staying busy by prepping to build a house, my wife and I will be doing a significant amount of the work ourselves. Currently sketching cabinets to start building them. Also trying to get back into cycling and lifting but sciatica is causing issues. The one "mistake" I made was telling a buddy that runs a local auction house to call if he needed a hand. Both my wife and I have been busy helping him for about a month now, he's setting up his next auction and it's a border line horder situation. The estate was owned by a noted local antique dealer so it's a treasure hunt. Plus working with my buddy is just entertaining as hell, he's full of great stories and we learn a ton of stuff about antiques and what is valuable and what is junk Semper Fi |
| Tangentally related, but from my observation in my work area (~3k professionals averaging about 50yrs of age) is that many retire without much plan for what they want to do with themselves after retirement. The number of those I've seen dead within 9 months of retirement is shocking. One could almost argue that retirement without a post-retirement purpose is a threat to ones short/medium term survival. |
"Always consider the possibility that you may be wrong. Especially when you are absolutely certain you are right."
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Long retired, and in my eighties. I keep plenty busy with hiking, biking, some paddling, camping and with shooting sports. House chores and yard work, projects and visiting friends takes much of my time. My kids and grandkids are close and important. Health and mobility are somewhat compromised. That dictates much of what happens. Money is not an issue, retirement income exceeds expenditures. No need to touch assets. Life is satisfying and awfully good. This was not serendipitous. Hard work, planning, timing and yeah, some luck made it all happen. |
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I’m off on a medical right now, looking to be about 5 months and I’m 3 months in right now following a shoulder surgery. It’s the longest period of not working in my 53 year old life and is most definitely showing me a glimpse of what retirement is like. One thing I can absolutely say has been a surprise is that while I am more rested, I still never catch up on sleep and a lot of those aches and pains I associated with my work are still here despite trying to mitigate them with orthotic shoes, staying off my feet etc., so the idea that I will retire to pain free nirvana is a pipe dream. Better for sure, but who knows how bad my body will be in 12-13 years? I haven’t had any problem filling my time or managing to not spend money out of boredom, so that’s a relief as well. I’m fortunate to have a job that I don’t hate, coworkers I like, and a company that I respect. Been there 22 years, and have always hoped to retire from the place….. But…. The owner has stepped aside and has let the kids take the reins and they are breaking eggs and making omelets. Poorly managed leadership terminations that were Emotional with no vision for the replacements that caused the people under them to leave as well, and now I find myself in a position where I am a fairly well compensated employee who has nobody fighting for him and nobody that knows what I actually do for the company and what my skills are. The last time this happened, I got laid off in the recession, pretty sure it’s going to happen again in time. Might be time to chase another opportunity, particularly as I would have enough time to earn a pension. My job isn’t killing me but I have always valued my time and planned to work as little as I had to before popping silk. You don’t get those years back. |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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I quit working 10 years ago and pretty much retired. Tired of making some idiot rich. How I did it was living CHEAP. I don't have a big fancy house with a big mortgage and high taxes. Small 800 sq ft house but 40 acres and a big shop. Cheap older cars and trucks that I can repair myself. Going out to fancy places to eat or vacations are out. I hunt, fish, ride my old Goldwing, cruise in my 5.0l Coyote and enjoy life. A good BBQ and a cold beer is my summer evening. Will be 62 in a couple months. Will officially retire and draw my SS. Have those 10 years of practice. Live is to short to wait. How long are you going to be around?? |
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Originally Posted By Chipper44mag: snip Will be 62 in a couple months. Will officially retire and draw my SS. Have those 10 years of practice. Live is to short to wait. How long are you going to be around?? Best line in the thread. Retirement is all about how long you plan to live. People don't like to think of that at all but it's key to financial planning. There's how long and then what after. I added one more element. How long will I be able to still do physical activity. The more you do, the more it costs. Pretty darn easy to sit around and watch the grass grow. I wish I had done what you are doing. I totally blew that physical activity thing and I don't think I'm going to win any prizes for dying with more money in the bank. That said, I was enjoying my career. I was working with great people I still consider good friends, doing something worthwhile, and seeing the world while I was doing it. I just lingered too long. If I can tell anyone anything at my age now it's, we pay for the sins of our youth in our old age. Runners have bad knees, lifters bad backs, bad diets intestinal issues, and you will have a mix of all of them. There's no avoiding this. Everyone tells you things start breaking in your 40s but few will tell you it will slow you down or stop you in your 70s. Bucket lists are for when you are young. BTW, I was an engineer, the 5L Coyote is the best engine design this century so far. Ford saw this go to gasoline thin oil to gain the 1/2 mpg coming and it's oil system is a killer design. That's all three of the generations. |
"We prepare so we don't have to go to the Superdome!"
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Glad this thread has spurred some discussion.... I was on track for an early retirement. Divorce happens. I lost half, and that's a BIG set back . I bit the bullet, and buckled down, HARD. It took five years, but I rebuilt what was lost. Then I got to 57, and had a choice to make: I can keep working and making decent money. Or I can cross the retirement finish line and enjoy my time. I like to think of life as something like a football game. I just started the fourth quarter.. if I play right, there's lots of good football to be played. But the game is usually pretty much done if I wait until the two minute warning... I've got lots of friends and family who are 70+. The vast majority of them have slowed down considerably. Strength, balance, fatigue, all go out the window... So, I opted for "enough money" and more time instead of pushing for more $$$. I retired. So far, I've done a bunch of little things.... A lot of fishing. Made a lot of pottery ( side hustle). Drove to FL, spend 10 days with a buddy, and learned basics of Sporting Clays ( basics: there's a lot more sky than there is clay!). Yesterday I slow trolled the entire perimeter of the lake for crappie, rowing a canoe. Today I'll spend 6 or 7 hours riding a motorcycle thru some of the best twisties in the NorthEast. Tomorrow, I'll figure out, but it's some version of "whatever the fuck I want..." Everyone's situation is different: different choices mean different outcomes. However I think there's a point where Time becomes far more valuable than Money. I do see friends and family who are "trapped": they are 65, 67, 68 and still working. And no retirement in sight. Why? It's the end result of previous decisions. And that means debt.. in their 50's they decided to buy. They signed loans. Loans for cars, boats, credit cards, whatever. They promised tomorrow's money for today's pleasure. And tomorrow came. They're in the fourth quarter, game clock is running down. They desperately want to retire and enjoy that boat. However the boat stays tied up at the dock while they work, trying to pay off the boat... See the trap there?? Oddly enough, while a buddy's $90,000 pontoon boat was tied up because he was at work, I rowed my kevlar canoe 6.5 miles and fished most of yesterday on an absolutely gorgeous little lake... My actual boat is 30 years old, but runs great. And regularly take my wife on long boat rides thru the 1000 Islands of NY. Our longest? 82 miles... Everyone has choices to make. I think the choices of the 40s and 50's determine what the 60s look like... And I'd argue that for most of us, 60s usually mean better health and more play that the 70s, certainly the 80s.... Choose wisely.. there's no "do over" button.... |
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retired at 48 two years ago and have been busier than ever. Just got a dream job that many I know are so jealous of. You have to do what you love or you become a mushroom. |
have gun will travel
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
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Originally Posted By Chipper44mag: I quit working 10 years ago and pretty much retired. Tired of making some idiot rich. How I did it was living CHEAP. I don't have a big fancy house with a big mortgage and high taxes. Small 800 sq ft house but 40 acres and a big shop. Cheap older cars and trucks that I can repair myself. Going out to fancy places to eat or vacations are out. I hunt, fish, ride my old Goldwing, cruise in my 5.0l Coyote and enjoy life. A good BBQ and a cold beer is my summer evening. Will be 62 in a couple months. Will officially retire and draw my SS. Have those 10 years of practice. Live is to short to wait. How long are you going to be around?? Two things that scare me about doing this: 1) Not working for the last decade HAS to be a hit to your already reduced SS income taken at 62. And: 2) Health insurance…. A *lot* of bad luck can and does befall a person from 52 to 65……. If it weren’t for those two things, I’d sell my house and retire to my cabin right now. |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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Originally Posted By TomJefferson: Best line in the thread. Retirement is all about how long you plan to live. People don't like to think of that at all but it's key to financial planning. There's how long and then what after. I added one more element. How long will I be able to still do physical activity. The more you do, the more it costs. Pretty darn easy to sit around and watch the grass grow. I wish I had done what you are doing. I totally blew that physical activity thing and I don't think I'm going to win any prizes for dying with more money in the bank. That said, I was enjoying my career. I was working with great people I still consider good friends, doing something worthwhile, and seeing the world while I was doing it. I just lingered too long. If I can tell anyone anything at my age now it's, we pay for the sins of our youth in our old age. Runners have bad knees, lifters bad backs, bad diets intestinal issues, and you will have a mix of all of them. There's no avoiding this. Everyone tells you things start breaking in your 40s but few will tell you it will slow you down or stop you in your 70s. Bucket lists are for when you are young. BTW, I was an engineer, the 5L Coyote is the best engine design this century so far. Ford saw this go to gasoline thin oil to gain the 1/2 mpg coming and it's oil system is a killer design. That's all three of the generations. Someone recently said in a YT video to me that “Retirement isn’t potentially decades of Vacation, it’s decades of Unemployment.”. That kind of caught me off guard because that really is what Retirement is. The bills still come in the mail and they don’t care where it comes from just like they do for people who aren’t retired. Life goes on, you just hope your expenses and income after you stop working at least balance out-It’s like I tell people about Preparedness: “We are all just Surviving every day-some days we just have more to work with than others.”. |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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Originally Posted By TheOtherDave: Two things that scare me about doing this: 1) Not working for the last decade HAS to be a hit to your already reduced SS income taken at 62. And: 2) Health insurance…. A *lot* of bad luck can and does befall a person from 52 to 65……. If it weren’t for those two things, I’d sell my house and retire to my cabin right now. It’s only an issue with social security and early retirement if you have planned poorly for retirement and consider social security to be a critical part of your retirement funding. If you can’t retire without social security, then you should definitely work till 62 at least and 65-67 is far better (maybe mandatory) from a monetary standpoint. Relative of mine had to work till 70 in order to make it financially. Very poor planning on his part. But, he always said “I’m never going to retire” so I guess he got his wish. As bad as Obamacare has been, if you keep your taxable income super low, then health insurance becomes affordable. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
West Virginia born and bred
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EE: 100% (2)
WV, USA
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I stayed until I was 62 because the wife hit 65 and two of her prescriptions were expensive if insurance wasn’t there to help. Eye medication is expensive. Basically my monthly income hasn’t changed except for what I was putting in the HSA account. That’s been almost 2 years ago. I have not regretted it one minute. I’m a homebody anyway and I’m either here or at the cabin 1-1/2 hours away. That’s the extent of my travel and I don’t want to go anywhere else. Should have took some and seen Sequoia National Forest when I was younger, other than that work took me all over the US. I did get a business license and go back in and help at work a few times. If they wanted to pay me for that, I was willing to take the money. I’ll be letting the license expire in a few months. There’s a reason I retired. Plenty to do around the house and cabin and I enjoy spending time with my wife and the pups. |
Montani Semper Liberi
Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
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Originally Posted By TheOtherDave: Someone recently said in a YT video to me that “Retirement isn’t potentially decades of Vacation, it’s decades of Unemployment.”. That kind of caught me off guard because that really is what Retirement is. The bills still come in the mail and they don’t care where it comes from just like they do for people who aren’t retired. Life goes on, you just hope your expenses and income after you stop working at least balance out-It’s like I tell people about Preparedness: “We are all just Surviving every day-some days we just have more to work with than others.”. Hope isn’t a course of action. Develop a plan. Figure out your retirement expenses. Add some for unexpected expenses and entertainment/travel/etc. Then, figure your expected retirement income. Estimate on the low side for a cushion. If the numbers work or will work at a certain date, then you now know when your exit date is. For me, 55 is a decent retirement but I’ll have to do a few less things than I would like. 57 is the age that I can retire with not a care in the world (financially) so that’s my exit date. I know I can go sooner if I want to/need to but I’m planning on 57. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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The best thing about retirement is cutting loose and moving if you're able. Once I had wheels up it didn't matter where we landed as long as it didn't have "street lights". My current retirement home is in the UP of Michigan. Amazingly good from a survival stand point over the old place in Riverside California. The Riverside home sold for $30,000 more than I paid for the Michigan one. The Riverside home sat on a 7,405 square foot lot, the one in Michigan sits on 1.7 million (40 acres) The population density of Riverside is about 4,100/sq.mi and here in the UP it's about 4 with much of that in a half a dozen towns. The rest of us are hidden between those places. We've been here retired five years and here's what's surprised me. -- the cost of food in rural areas is higher than in the city -- the cost of energy (gasoline, diesel, propane, electrical power) is higher than in the city -- the cost of labor (AC&R, roofers, lawn, auto mechanics) is higher than in the city -- medical specialist are a couple hours away when they used to be in the same big hospital with the primary -- the fire department/EMS response is way slower than when they were 1500 feet down the road -- there can be an hour or more wait for an ambulance in bad weather or if they're busy -- it's all worth it! -- car insurance was about 1/3 the former cost -- range fees in the countryside are much cheaper  Now  Then  |
It used to not suck so much, honestly.
| My retirement plan is in northern MI as well, off grid, low bills-just taxes, insurances and food. |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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For those who consider social security to be a critical part of their retirement funding planning: https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/social-security-predicted-shortfall-congress/2026/06/10/id/1259266/ https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/social-security-medicare-funding/2026/06/09/id/1259071/ |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By TheOtherDave: Someone recently said in a YT video to me that “Retirement isn’t potentially decades of Vacation, it’s decades of Unemployment.”. That kind of caught me off guard because that really is what Retirement is. The bills still come in the mail and they don’t care where it comes from just like they do for people who aren’t retired. Life goes on, you just hope your expenses and income after you stop working at least balance out-It’s like I tell people about Preparedness: “We are all just Surviving every day-some days we just have more to work with than others.”. Originally Posted By TheOtherDave: Originally Posted By TomJefferson: Best line in the thread. Retirement is all about how long you plan to live. People don't like to think of that at all but it's key to financial planning. There's how long and then what after. I added one more element. How long will I be able to still do physical activity. The more you do, the more it costs. Pretty darn easy to sit around and watch the grass grow. I wish I had done what you are doing. I totally blew that physical activity thing and I don't think I'm going to win any prizes for dying with more money in the bank. That said, I was enjoying my career. I was working with great people I still consider good friends, doing something worthwhile, and seeing the world while I was doing it. I just lingered too long. If I can tell anyone anything at my age now it's, we pay for the sins of our youth in our old age. Runners have bad knees, lifters bad backs, bad diets intestinal issues, and you will have a mix of all of them. There's no avoiding this. Everyone tells you things start breaking in your 40s but few will tell you it will slow you down or stop you in your 70s. Bucket lists are for when you are young. BTW, I was an engineer, the 5L Coyote is the best engine design this century so far. Ford saw this go to gasoline thin oil to gain the 1/2 mpg coming and it's oil system is a killer design. That's all three of the generations. Someone recently said in a YT video to me that “Retirement isn’t potentially decades of Vacation, it’s decades of Unemployment.”. That kind of caught me off guard because that really is what Retirement is. The bills still come in the mail and they don’t care where it comes from just like they do for people who aren’t retired. Life goes on, you just hope your expenses and income after you stop working at least balance out-It’s like I tell people about Preparedness: “We are all just Surviving every day-some days we just have more to work with than others.”. My concern is inflation. Right from the get go inflation at the tail end of covid was making my retirement money go shorter than it had been. Of course I anticipated inflation but not so fast and high. Here we are again with 4.2% inflation just recently. Pensions are fixed and the pension I have has some real shitty COLA features…..won’t change at all for five years after retirement, no COLA until then and when it does, it’s capped at just 50% of inflation. So you’re always getting pushed poorer on that front. so you’re getting five years of no increase forever lost then thereafter you’re getting up to half the percentage….if they feel like giving it. I’m not super concerned about that part even though it pisses me off. I kind of wish I took the lump sum payment instead of the pension and put it in my 457b or an IRA. At least there in theory, I get inflation covered by growth. Not the end of the world because my investments can double my income if I wanted to draw on it and still continue to grow. I used to think I would take SS at 62. Looking at my bigger picture I’ll probably push it back. Maybe it’ll leave me more room for Roth conversions. We’re over valued in stocks at the moment now I think and we may be looking at another big dip. If the dip is deep enough I’ll do another timed Roth conversion to convert on the lows. Being a single tax filer I can only convert so much before hitting the rape me tax brackets. Bonds are the other place I am watching. They’re not really the safety net that they were 20 years ago I believe thanks to the government insanity with borrowing and what it’s doing to the 10 year bonds. I was completely out of bonds for the last ten years. I want the safety that they used to be known for back then at my stage now but I still see bonds as a mess. It’s also the canary in a coal mine.  |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: For those who consider social security to be a critical part of their retirement funding planning: https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/social-security-predicted-shortfall-congress/2026/06/10/id/1259266/ https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/social-security-medicare-funding/2026/06/09/id/1259071/ |
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
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Originally Posted By 7: Looks like NO means testing.....yet. Thanks for the articles. I don’t see that happening. I think if we look at the last time this was an issue, that’s the playbook for this time. Personally, I think we will see a combo of things so either we piss everyone off equally or at least not piss off any group too much. I’m guessing a small tax increase (maybe even increase the employer contribution amount only so the politicians can say they are “making the employers pay”), a benefits decrease but hidden so it only affects future recipients, change how COLA is calculated, substantially increase the top contribution limits, cap the amount that an individual or couple can receive, and gradually phase in an increase in the retirement age. So, mostly what they did last time. But, I’m just some random guy from the internet so who knows if I’m right. America is too addicted to SS so it’s definitely not going away and 65+ voting block is too large to make cuts to those receiving SS today. Changes will have to be made and no one is going to like it. But, if you are depending on SS, there are no other options…..changes will HAVE to be made. And if you are dependent on SS, you should be happy changes are being made to ensure you get something after years of paying in. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Been fighting this in my head for the last few years. I tend to be a borderline horder myself (goes with the prepping lifestyle), but have been telling myself that in 25 yrs, someone else is going to own all my stuff........if I am VERY blessed I might have 35 yrs. Why do I need all this crap. Time to simplify. Not sell everything, but definitely thin out. 30 yrs of small town practice, old school on call 24/7......Doc's tired. I hate the idea of selling out to corporate, but I'm to the point that I'll take what offer I can get. My whole life has been stomping out other people's fires, and I'm sorry, but people are diffent than they were 30 yrs ago. There are still many, many good clients, but the level of entitlement sets my teeth on edge. The old family farm with the run down 3/2 and a carport needs remodeling, the 30 acres of trees need exploring, and the five acre pond needs to be thinned out of the small bass. It might even need a little off grid cabin built on it. I'm beyond ready. Sounds like quite a few of you guys have got it headed the right direction, and I'm proud for you. Hopefully can join the ranks soon. Doc |
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Two things that scare me about doing this: 1) Not working for the last decade HAS to be a hit to your already reduced SS income taken at 62. And: 2) Health insurance…. A *lot* of bad luck can and does befall a person from 52 to 65……. If it weren’t for those two things, I’d sell my house and retire to my cabin right now. Remember that SS looks at your highest-earning 35 years. For me, retiring at 56 (in 35 days!) means I'll have one year (1992) in that calculation where I wasn't working a solid FT job and only had about $8,500 in adjusted income. 1987 will fall off this when 2026 is added in, which is great since I was 17 and worked a short summer job that year before heading off to college. It's easy to do the calculation yourself and see the impact- just remember to inflation-adjust everything using their official numbers. |
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Someone recently said in a YT video to me that “Retirement isn’t potentially decades of Vacation, it’s decades of Unemployment.”. I don't really agree with that mentality at all. Do you consider a weekend unemployment, since you aren't working and bringing money in? Of course not- it's a break that is funded by your labors prior to that. Retirement is the same. I'm not unemployed- it's a very long weekend that is funded by what I did during the very long workweek career. |
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Originally Posted By TAP: I don't really agree with that mentality at all. Do you consider a weekend unemployment, since you aren't working and bringing money in? Of course not- it's a break that is funded by your labors prior to that. Retirement is the same. I'm not unemployed- it's a very long weekend that is funded by what I did during the very long workweek career. I heard from a friend of a friend….when you retire you realize that your income is now basically fixed. You won’t be earning more/working OT etc to fund a big purchase or expense. You have to live on what your essentially fixed income is. Sure you can withdraw more from your investment/retirement accounts to cover whatever expense you have….but those accounts have limits on them too. You can only withdraw so much before they run dry. I have a couple I’m friends with who spent hard and heavy early in retirement. While they are getting by now, they don’t have much cushion. They also have lots of debt. Yes they have some pension income, SS, and 401k type accounts but they spent the 401k accounts down too fast/too early and now are having to make cuts in lifestyle. So, it’s kind of true in some ways. Mindset wise at least. If you have $5mil put away but a $500k a year lifestyle at retirement, the math doesn’t work and retirement will be like a period of unemployment…you’re gonna have to go back to work. If you have $5mil and a $100k a year lifestyle, then the math works out very well. So, I kinda agree but also know that won’t be applicable to my situation. I think it’s dependent on the person but could apply in some (maybe many) cases. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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A couple of items to consider... The weekend idea: nice concept...a weekend or a week off aren't "unemployed". However , there's income before the weekend, I come after the weekend, and it's a limited time away from work. Retirement isn't a weekend. It's often measured in decades. In my case theres a reasonable chance I'm going to be retired for 30 years .. And inflation doesn't generally have any impact on a weekend. It's incredibly material over decades... Some of the examples I'm reading are of a common them: retired. Spent heavily. Now squeaking by on a limited budget. The lesson there: out go ( spending) can be more significant than income. |
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A couple of items to consider... The weekend idea: nice concept...a weekend or a week off aren't "unemployed". However , there's income before the weekend, I come after the weekend, and it's a limited time away from work. Retirement isn't a weekend. It's often measured in decades. In my case theres a reasonable chance I'm going to be retired for 30 years .. And inflation doesn't generally have any impact on a weekend. It's incredibly material over decades... Some of the examples I'm reading are of a common them: retired. Spent heavily. Now squeaking by on a limited budget. The lesson there: out go ( spending) can be more significant than income. A lot of really good points, and it all just goes to show there is no one magic right answer for everyone. The concept of spending potentially being more than income is certainly not limited to retirement, and it seems to be the core issue for folks who's retirement is not great- and I suspect that imbalance didn't start the day they quit working. |
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Originally Posted By TAP: A lot of really good points, and it all just goes to show there is no one magic right answer for everyone. The concept of spending potentially being more than income is certainly not limited to retirement, and it seems to be the core issue for folks who's retirement is not great- and I suspect that imbalance didn't start the day they quit working. It does stand to reason that someone who lived above their means while working, will also probably live above their means after retirement. Definitely applies in the case of the couple I’m friends with. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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My credit score is 847. Know why? Credit is the ultimate Catch 22. When you need it, it's like pulling teeth and when you don't, it's easy as pie. I have zero rotating debt. What I charge, I pay off monthly. I charge a lot. Mostly for the reward points and pure convenience. Next, it's a mistake to think someone who isn't downsizing after retirement is in debt or doing it wrong. Some of us simply plan to not do so. One of the things that will surprise you in a positive way is exactly how much money you were spending to work. Commuting, lunches, drinks, vehicle maintenance, and even clothing costs all go down If you plan on this, you are planning too close. Plan instead on this much for a vacation or toy each year and then you will have a buffer for Mr. Murphy because that guy sucks. |
"We prepare so we don't have to go to the Superdome!"
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Next, it's a mistake to think someone who isn't downsizing after retirement is in debt or doing it wrong. Some of us simply plan to not do so. Agreed. I have no intention of downsizing or reducing fun/hobby spends. In fact, I intend to increase them since the time will soon be available as well, which was always my limiting factor. In some ways, I'm fortunate and have a "good problem"- I overdid my retirement savings/investing, frankly. I have too much money that is tied up until I'm 59-1/2, and then at a 5% withdrawal rate my income will be roughly double what my highest income year was while working. |
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Originally Posted By TAP: Agreed. I have no intention of downsizing or reducing fun/hobby spends. In fact, I intend to increase them since the time will soon be available as well, which was always my limiting factor. In some ways, I'm fortunate and have a "good problem"- I overdid my retirement savings/investing, frankly. I have too much money that is tied up until I'm 59-1/2, and then at a 5% withdrawal rate my income will be roughly double what my highest income year was while working. In my opinion, it all depends on cash flow. Most people end up having to downsize because they never saved/invested enough. I plan to live just like I do now because I have planned well for retirement. Most people have planned poorly and will be forced to downsize in some way….some a little….some a lot. If you have lots of debt in retirement but also lots of cash flow, all is well. If you have no debt and lots of cash flow, all is even better. If you have no debt but poor cash flow, things are likely still fine. You might not have lots of cash for travel/recreation but you can most likely still retire if you wish. If you have lots of debt and poor cash flow…..well, you’ll have to keep working. I know and am related to quite a few people in that situation. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Thanks for the update frozenny! I've been updating my retirement planning and the tool you posted in another thread, https://ficalc.app/, has been helpful!  Its funny talking with one of my friends that is retired, who is relying heavily on SS for his income. Would not recommend that. Even if you max SS, SS isn't really a lot of money to live on. For me SS and pensions are a base to reduce retirement income volatility, and my nest egg is the primary. I like my job, but the wife and I want to travel more. I'd also like to hit the range more, teach firearms more, read history more, maybe write Sci-Fi stories or volunteer. At this point I plan to work till I'm 62. That may change the closer I get to 62. Will see what things look like then. Glad you mentioned Purpose. I am a planner and would say it's best to have a plan going into retirement. What is important to you? What do you want to do? What do you not want to miss out on? Goals, milestones, etc are a thing for me. Some people may want a break from goals and milestones, but I'm going to have a written plan for what I want to do in retirement. Space Shuttle's last flight was 2011 and I left the Texas Guard in 2020. So in some ways I've already closed some significant chapters of my life. Beyond the process of moving on after 2011, in some ways life has felt like retirement since then, in that nothing I've done since 2011 was ever as difficult, stressful, or as unforgiving as human spaceflight. |
per aspera ad astra
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: For those who consider social security to be a critical part of their retirement funding planning: https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/social-security-predicted-shortfall-congress/2026/06/10/id/1259266/ https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/social-security-medicare-funding/2026/06/09/id/1259071/ Originally Posted By ColtRifle: For those who consider social security to be a critical part of their retirement funding planning: https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/social-security-predicted-shortfall-congress/2026/06/10/id/1259266/ https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/social-security-medicare-funding/2026/06/09/id/1259071/ Yep. From the horses mouth: Social Security Board of Trustees: Projection for Combined Trust Funds Remains Consistent with Prior Year The OASI Trust Fund reserves are projected to become depleted in the fourth quarter of 2032, with 78 percent of benefits payable at that time. The projected actuarial deficit over the 75-year long-range period is 4.42 percent of taxable payroll - up from the 3.82 percent projected in last year's report. Medicare is in worse shape. We read the Social Security and Medicare trustees reports. If you’re not worried, you should be. This year, the trustees reckon that figure at $243 trillion in today’s money. (Just under a third of that, $71.9 trillion, would be for Social Security. Most of the rest would be for Medicare Part B, which is almost entirely financed out of general taxation.) That’s the present value of all the extra money, on top of payroll taxes, Medicare premiums and benefits taxes, that taxpayers will need to find in the future to keep these programs going on their current basis. (And it understates some of the problem, because this assumes Social Security cuts, under current law, starting in 2034.) |
per aspera ad astra
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The large numbers quoted for the cost of Medicare and Social Security are pretty much meaningless because that’s over many years. Believe it’s calculated over 75 years. The issue is, as most of us know, it’s a pay as you go system unlike 401k retirement savings plans, with a tiny amount of interest earned by buying government debt. So, the only fix will be to raise taxes and/or cut benefits. No other way around it. Personally I believe it will be a combo of all those. And, whatever party is holding the bag at the time the fix is implemented, that party will likely pay for it at the next election. But, it’s not going away. Another thing mentioned by people is “cut all the disability people off social security and it’ll be good”. Well that’s not correct. The sick, lame, and lazy who get SSI are not being funded by the SS taxes we all pay. The SSI program is run by the Social Security Administration but it is NOT funded by FICA taxes. It’s funded by the general fund. So, even if we did cut those people off, Social Security funding problems for old people won’t change a bit. Changes to SS are coming. No one will like it. Personally, I’m looking forward to what they decide. I’m gonna laugh at all the doomers once it happens. Personally, I’ll collect it when I get to that age. But, I haven’t planned for it so if it’s not there for me, it changes nothing in my life. But those who are depending on it might wanna come up with an alternative plan just in case!! |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: The large numbers quoted for the cost of Medicare and Social Security are pretty much meaningless because that’s over many years. Believe it’s calculated over 75 years. The issue is, as most of us know, it’s a pay as you go system unlike 401k retirement savings plans, with a tiny amount of interest earned by buying government debt. So, the only fix will be to raise taxes and/or cut benefits. No other way around it. Personally I believe it will be a combo of all those. And, whatever party is holding the bag at the time the fix is implemented, that party will likely pay for it at the next election. But, it’s not going away. Another thing mentioned by people is “cut all the disability people off social security and it’ll be good”. Well that’s not correct. The sick, lame, and lazy who get SSI are not being funded by the SS taxes we all pay. The SSI program is run by the Social Security Administration but it is NOT funded by FICA taxes. It’s funded by the general fund. So, even if we did cut those people off, Social Security funding problems for old people won’t change a bit. Changes to SS are coming. No one will like it. Personally, I’m looking forward to what they decide. I’m gonna laugh at all the doomers once it happens. Personally, I’ll collect it when I get to that age. But, I haven’t planned for it so if it’s not there for me, it changes nothing in my life. But those who are depending on it might wanna come up with an alternative plan just in case!! If you think the stocks you own or even cash in the bank are safe investments, you might wish to read up on some other countries' recent history. |
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Originally Posted By voyager3: If you think the stocks you own or even cash in the bank are safe investments, you might wish to read up on some other countries' recent history. There are approximately 195 countries in the world. What countries are you referring to and what are you defining as “recent history”? Are you saying people should not invest in the stock market? What would you recommend people do to build and maintain wealth? |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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I strongly urge you guys to read The Great Taking by David Roger’s Webb. We had a thread on it a year or two ago. Arfcom’s forum software won’t let me create a hyperlink, but you can download it at thegreattaking.com. |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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Originally Posted By TheOtherDave: I strongly urge you guys to read The Great Taking by David Roger’s Webb. We had a thread on it a year or two ago. Arfcom’s forum software won’t let me create a hyperlink, but you can download it at thegreattaking.com. That book is conspiracy nonsense. Not saying he is wrong about everything he writes but taken as a whole book, don’t waste your time with it. The world isn’t perfect. Never has been….never will be. Learn to work within the imperfect system we have instead of holding hands, singing kumbaya, and wishing upon a star for some perfect monetary system all while believing the evil bankers are after you. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: That book is conspiracy nonsense. Not saying he is wrong about everything he writes but taken as a whole book, don’t waste your time with it. The world isn’t perfect. Never has been….never will be. Learn to work within the imperfect system we have instead of holding hands, singing kumbaya, and wishing upon a star for some perfect monetary system all while believing the evil bankers are after you. How many billions in your hedge fund? How many times did Soros come to you to pick your brain? Bro might be crazy, but he’s qualified to have his opinions and the laws they passed about stocks and investments pretty much the world over are very real. |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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Originally Posted By TheOtherDave: How many billions in your hedge fund? How many times did Soros come to you to pick your brain? Bro might be crazy, but he’s qualified to have his opinions and the laws they passed about stocks and investments pretty much the world over are very real. That’s the problem with people like him. They have some experience at face value and as a result, people eat up everything they claim without critical analysis themselves. His conclusions are the most insightful as to why he is a nut. Again, he’s not 100% wrong in everything he claims but his conclusions are where it comes off the rails. Don’t just blindly believe stuff. Do your own research. Read stuff written by people with different views. Form your own conclusions. Dont blindly believe any one person. Think about your own statement above “Bro might be crazy….”. You want to base your financial health on a crazy person? For the record, I don’t think he’s crazy but I do think he’s a conspiratard. People who eat up conspiracies end up in a dark place mentally. I’ve been there. Once I started thinking critically for myself, I realized how conspiracy believing people aren’t in love with the truth….they are in love with the conspiracy. I have a good friend who I eat lunch with weekly. He’s eats up every conspiracy out there. I think highly of the guy as a person but when I break down the various conspiracies he eats up, instead of thinking critically, he moves on to the next conspiracy. I like the guy a lot but he’s very tiring to be around for long if he gets into his conspiracy shit. My neighbor is deep into conspiracy shit. I’ve quit talking with him because he wears me out. But they both have a few things in common….they are unhappy people and they make poor financial decisions because “I’m not going to let the system get me.” In my life, once I stopped listening to the conspiratards and started learning how our monetary system works, my net worth skyrocketed. I wish I hadn’t listened to all that nonsense in the past but on the bright side, at least I understand the mindset of those who eat it up. Our monetary system is far from perfect. But it’s not going to change because you believe some small group of “evil bankers” want to take all your money and enslave you. All these people have one thing in common….they want to complain about what they see as the problem but they are always short on solutions. Not to attack you but….if you believe this stuff, what are you doing to protect yourself from it? If you have all this knowledge to “beat the evil system”, is it working for YOU? How’s your net worth doing? |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Where There Are Sheep, Wolves Will Always Thrive
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