I look at my Social (In)Security statement every year, and all things being equal -- that is, if I'm still physically able to work that long -- it's a no-brainer; I plan to keep at it until at least 70 and possibly beyond. Lacking a huge nest-egg and with a 401K that didn't get off the ground until my 40s, that's the option I've left myself.
But financial considerations aside, I like what I do for a living and firmly believe that working is a good thing even if you can afford to retire earlier. My 70-something mom still works so that's been my example. What do you think? Are you counting the days until you can say "take this job and ...", or is employment in some form part of your senior scenario?
2007-05-14 01:58:12 · 14 answers · asked by Clare † 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Sweet Ray, you have the best of both worlds and I congratulate you -- and wish you and your wife a wonderful retirement! But surely you don't want to support me, tax-wise, any longer than necessary? The longer I stay in the game, the better. And the job I do requires not youth, but knowledge and experience; the older I get, the more my employer values what I do.
2007-05-14 02:40:21 · update #1
At 53, I am just kicking in. I am smarter, wiser, and certainly more aware of what needs to get done.
I have so much to accomplish that retiring is not even an option. I feel like a kid. I jump out of bed to see how far I can leap. I dance around while I clean house. I refuse to 'act old' by complaining about aches and pains.
I need to work because it is good to work. It keeps me sharp, on the edge, and provides unending satisfaction.
I love going the extra-mile and making others look good.
To me, not applying what I know today is letting life pass me by. I didn't spend all this time and effort to get here just to sit down and do nothing!
2007-05-14 04:02:34 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I AM not actually a boomer, I was born in 1936 and I will be 71 this year. I am at work right now. I will work as long as I am able out of necessity. My wife and I both draw social security and I even have a part time job. One day my fellow employees will think I am taking a nap at my desk and I will be "home with the Lord" I would like to retire, but I don't think I can afford to. I don't make much money here, by modern day standards, but it does keep me active and out of trouble. I work for my brother who will probably retire before I do.
2007-05-14 02:14:08 · answer #2 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am going on 66...I have no intentions of ever retiring...to do what??? Sit around and complain that there is nothing to do??? No way! I love what I do, talk to people from all over the world, if I do not feel like going "in" to work, I don't.
At my age, I will collect my first full social security check this month. At some age, you qualify for full SS pay AND you can earn whatever you want with NO deductions from your ss check..for me, that was 65yrs + 7 months.
And to those who think we are selfish to continue working, I say phooey on you...get your own job, just like I did. I do not need to retire so that someone else can work!
I have seen far too many people retire, have nothing to do, and go all but crazy. And, I have seen far too many people literally die of boredom. I suppose it would be a different story if I did not like my job, but I find it hard to believe that anyone my age would even consider working at a job they didn't love. Good luck
2007-05-14 08:33:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm retiring this May 31. Age 64. Having physical problems doing my job. Not plannimng on working except maybe something part time.
2007-05-14 12:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked just enough years to earn Social Security benefits (10years), and have been a homemaker ever since (27 years). I am now old enough to begin collecting reduced benefits, but my younger husband makes too much money. I would have to pay 80% of my benefits back in taxes. I will wait until he decides to retire (in about 10 years), and then we can both collect.
2007-05-14 12:17:04 · answer #5 · answered by Yarnlady_needsyarn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I plan on working my current "job" until I reach a certain amount in my savings account. Once I reach that point, I plan to find a line of work I really enjoy doing and plan on doing that on a part time basis for about five years. Then, I'm going to chunk it all, take a trip around the world and when I get back home, I'm going to find myself a brand new shopping cart to push around. I do know for sure that I'm not going to do the Nursing Home gig. When I reach that point, I'm going to climb into my shopping cart and cross an Interstate highway during rush hour traffic.
2007-05-14 05:47:32 · answer #6 · answered by miri-miri-off-the-wall 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My retirement fund service has a site for calculating retirement needs. It says there is no scenario on earth in which I can ever afford to retire! I assumed as much, but it was depressing to see it in writing.
2007-05-14 09:38:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi
Well I'm retiring June 8 2007
yippee
2007-05-14 09:05:37 · answer #8 · answered by pcc122 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will work probably until I die, in part out of necessity--lack of financial resources--and in part out of wanting to have a point to my days. If my resources were larger, I am sure that it would be easier to have a point to the day without work.
2007-05-14 08:04:31 · answer #9 · answered by SAMUEL ELI 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you are young you always plan to retire early. But reality creeps in, it is not possible for most people.
2007-05-14 08:24:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋