Transitioning away from work and into retirement...

keedge

keedge

New Member
Location
Vacaville, California
Hi all,

So I turned 62 on Nov 8th, and turned in my notice at work that I will retire at the end of the year. So another 6 weeks from this writing. Ihave done a lot of work looking at the finances, and what retirement life will be like and I think we are about as prepared as we can be. Now is the time to do it.

It is interesting as I finish off my career knowing that I will be leaving soon. Transition work to others on the team, letting folks that I have worked with know that I am leaving. It is a weird feeling, but a good one at the same time.

Any advice out there from others that have done this transition?
 

Other than really missing my paycheck, I was ecstatic to retire on. Friday and wake up Monday not having to blast thru barn chores, so I could get to work on time. I worked to live, I did not live to work.

I didn’t need to find a new identity as I already had one with my horses.

From what I gather reading on forums and warching tv segments, the people who can’t find some sort of passion to spend their time on/with after retirement, are the ones who have the most problems adjusting. They were so laser focused on their jobs and being successful, they forgot how to be real.🤠🤠
 

I suppose that it’s different for each of us.

I stopped working at 51 and found that there was no one available to do things with.

The people that had the money didn’t have the time and the people that had the time didn’t have the money.

That was twenty years ago and not much has changed, I’ve found it difficult to create and maintain a social network.

I really don’t have the need or desire to do anything amazing or worthwhile in retirement, I’m content to just bump along and live a quiet little life.

Don’t overthink it just take it as it comes.
 
Thaks all for the replies, I think for me since I have been working remote for the past almost 6 years (went on remote only at work when covid hit) my wife and I have adjusted to be around each other all the time. So that won't be a problem. As for the switch from work to retirement, work was always a means to enjoy my off time. At least in the later years.

Early on I was gung ho about rising up the latter, but quickly realized that I wasn't suited for it. I was much happier just doing the "tech" thing and working on software applications. I can take that into retirement and tinker as I want. But for us the big switch (and enjoyment - at least for me) will be that I will have time to spend in my backyard and work on the garden and fruit trees that way I want and what the plants deserve.

So, looking forward to it. Only 42 days let. WooHoo!!!
 
QuietByNature said:
@keedge
Congrats on your early retirement
I turn 61 in a little under a month and am retiring on Jan 2nd 2026. :giggle: Just 21 more business days left for me, but who's counting LOL

I worry about, will I survive on my pensions (work and Gov) but will make the best of it.

What comes after retirement, well that remains to be seen. :D
Click to expand...
Since I am offically retiring on 12/31/2025 and all weekdays from 12/24 - end of the month are either holidays or mandated vacation (shutdown) my actual last day working will be Tuesday 12/23/2025. 19 more workdays. Can't wait now.
 
I think it all depends on the circumstances. I was prepared to work until probably 70 but due to Covid my company unexpectedly eliminated my job. I was 62. I had an executive position with nice benefits and worked remotely, but I traveled often.

The most important thing is that I started discovering years earlier to no longer tie my identity to my career. I became husband, uncle, friend, cat daddy, etc. My finances were also in order so I made the transition quite easily. I'm now also in much better shape than I was during my working years. I'm sure it has added years to my life.

I sometimes still can't believe I have no deadlines and don't have to answer to anyone else. It's beautiful!
 
Last edited:
seadoug said:
I think it all depends on the circumstances. I was prepared to work until probably 70 but due to Covid my company unexpectedly eliminated my job. I was 62. I had an executive position with nice benefits and worked remotely, but I traveled often.

The most important thing is that starting discovering years earlier to no longer tie my identity to my career. I became husband, uncle, friend, cat daddy, etc. My finances were also in order so I made the transition quite easily. I'm now also in much better shape than I was during my working years. I'm sure it has added years to my life.

I sometimes still can't believe I have no deadlines and don't have to answer to anyone else. It's beautiful!
Click to expand...
This is what I am looking forward to. My wife and I have been talking about it for a while. It was just a matter of when to do it. Once my manager was let go 6 months ago and the new manager has absolutely no idea what our team does I realized that I didn't want to train anyone anymore. Over the almost 16b ytears I have been there, I trained 15 others. 3 of which are still here with me. I noticed some signs that they might be considering letting me go as I noticed more and more stuff going to the others, and requests to better document what I did, etc.... Didn't take much to figure that one out.
 
keedge said:
This is what I am looking forward to. My wife and I have been talking about it for a while. It was just a matter of when to do it. Once my manager was let go 6 months ago and the new manager has absolutely no idea what our team does I realized that I didn't want to train anyone anymore. Over the almost 16b ytears I have been there, I trained 15 others. 3 of which are still here with me. I noticed some signs that they might be considering letting me go as I noticed more and more stuff going to the others, and requests to better document what I did, etc.... Didn't take much to figure that one out.
Click to expand...
I can completely relate. My small company was absorbed by a larger company in 2011 and moved from Miami to Seattle. I was one of the few employees that was retained because I was remote. It was like a "brain drain" the first couple of years to explain the nuances of our smaller company. It was a time that probably took years off my life. I received accolades in the first couple of years for guiding the sales force, then it stopped. Our small company was starting to ramp up again and we were hiring new salespeople, then Covid hit and that was that. These days, the sales force for my former company has been completely eliminated so I'm happy I'm no longer there.
 
keedge said:
This is what I am looking forward to. My wife and I have been talking about it for a while. It was just a matter of when to do it. Once my manager was let go 6 months ago and the new manager has absolutely no idea what our team does I realized that I didn't want to train anyone anymore. Over the almost 16b ytears I have been there, I trained 15 others. 3 of which are still here with me. I noticed some signs that they might be considering letting me go as I noticed more and more stuff going to the others, and requests to better document what I did, etc.... Didn't take much to figure that one out.
Click to expand...
Why not just pack up and leave? I left my job without giving any notice, they came chasing me for a whole year and gave up.
 
keedge said:
Thaks all for the replies, I think for me since I have been working remote for the past almost 6 years (went on remote only at work when covid hit) my wife and I have adjusted to be around each other all the time. So that won't be a problem. As for the switch from work to retirement, work was always a means to enjoy my off time. At least in the later years.
Click to expand...
You already have a good mindset looking forward to having time to do what you enjoy or nothing if you feel like it. IMO most important is enjoying time with your wife. I retired early at age 54 ---30 years ago. My wife & I have been together 24/7 since.
 
Muskrat said:
The very hardest things about retirement were that I no longer had my work identity. I used to have a pretty standard answer as to what did I do? In retirement you have to develop a new identity. That and the fact the paycheck was not going to magically hit my bank account….
Click to expand...
Just as some information regarding your situation. I retired at the end of 2003. Thought it was the best thing I did after 30 years of service. Lasted 3 weeks and then it was ..........oh sh_t! what am I going to do.
Called my old boss and got a referral to a contracting firm that did work for my old company. Been there ever since. Work at home for the most part. Doing the same thing I did for 30 years. I am now 77 and still working about 32+ hours a week.
Retirement is a myth. You ether make money or you spend money. Wasn't able to live the dream. Doing alright but I think that it wasn't just about money. It was more about being useful and I suppose still being valid. I have time to enjoy my life but I don't need week after week of nothing to do. So I am happy with my circumstances. Just some thoughts.
 
Murrmurr said:
I had a hard time adjusting. I felt like I had to be doing something all the time. That lasted a couple years. I still get restless but have a much easier time finding things to do that are meaningful, if only to myself, and I don't put nearly as much pressure on myself.
Click to expand...
I don't think the restlessness ever stops. Doesn't for me. There are so many of us out there. Some find comfort, some don't. Some delve into care giving or interest that they never had time to explore. Some give up and stare at the tv. My advice is keep moving. It ain't over till it's over. Wish you the best.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top