Looking forward to retirement?
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Not so fast there... I find this to be true in my own life.
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Feeling like you're contributing to something, and getting some positive feedback about it every once in a while, is pretty important. I guess one can probably do that in retirement, but it's not as easy to find a way.
But those who continue working for the meaning of it all, are probably working relatively high level jobs. They aren't working at Home Depot stocking shelves. As I see some older people doing around here.
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Yeah, mine is definitely higher level in terms of skills and experience required, not to mention lucrative and exceptionally flexible. I find it very rewarding. I'll be there another three years, but once I hit RMD age, 73, I'd get diminishing returns financially as my Medicare premiums would go way up, not to mention income tax.
Then I might have to find a volunteer position of some sort. I considered being a CASA (court appointed special advocate) for kids in the foster system, etc. but not sure if the sadness around those situations might overwhelm the good I could do for the kids. When I was about 30 I looked at Big Brothers, but the limitations they put on volunteers was stifling.
I do have some interest in programs supporting the kids who age out of state care at 18. I find it pretty cold that we take a kid that young with a subpar upbringing and basically dump them on the street. Maybe lobbying or something.
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No regrets getting away from London commuting/management/rat race and retiring at 58.
Plenty of hobbies and a feeling my body was aging and needing more daily rest.
Covid and then buying a fixer-upper house has meant plenty to occupy our
minds, and neither of us have got to grips with all our planned activities & hobbies.However our new next door neighbours here both retired two years ago. He was 67, active, and has had greater difficulty adjusting. Three unpaid jobs (council auditor, prison inspector, court usher) and took up painting, joined a gym briefly, cycled for a few months; also gets involved with local council activities. Really nice chap, luckily he has a wife, grandchildren and a mother in law needing his attention.
