AARP Member
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Name: Jim
Birthday: February 9
Location:
SAN CLEMENTE, California
United States
SAN CLEMENTE, California
United States
The AARP "Retirement on Hold" Artical.NonRetirement
I recently turned 65 and I am one of those leading edge "Boomers" who has no intention of retiring. My plan is to continue working until I am physically unable to do so any longer. I might like to reduce my work hours eventually, but never to stop being a contributing member of society.
I currently work around 50 hours each week at a profession I have been in for the past 30 years. I would like to gradually cut that in half over the next 3 or 4 years in one way or another. I have given the future a lot of thought and will either reduce my hours in my current position or possibly change my career completely. I'm presently conducting a whole lot of research in that regard.
The idea of pursuing an entirely new direction in my career is kind of exciting, intriguing and also downright threatening. I'm sure many would say that this is no time to be changing horses. But that is one reason such a change is exciting. And quite frankly, my work could stand a little more excitement at this point. I would like something new and challenging for the next few years. Something more rewarding wouldn't be a bad thing either.
So we'll see how the next few months go. It would be interesting to hear how others in a similar place in life feel about these things. I welcome your thoughts. Thanks.
jimvick says:
As I continue to watch the effects of out of control medical and oil relate costs, I am more and more convinced that the only folks the can retire financially secure are those who have enough resources in retirement plans to provide them with $75-$85,000 annual income today (if they're in California). And the growing inflation will balloon that income requirement substantually in the coming years. If I'm not mistaken, if you recieve $30,000 in Social Security benefits annually, that kind of retirement income will require something like $1,500,000 in retirement resources to support you. I'm not anywhere close to that, so the only alternative I can see is to continue earning an income. It seems pretty simple, and at the same time it removes any indecision I might have about whether to retire or not. "The die is cast"
Posted: June 23, 2008 5:54PM EDT
jimvick says:
Hi 76Wardwi,
Thank you for your perspective on retirement. I can remember when I used to look forward to the time when I would retire. But my attitude has gradually changed as I draw closer to the traditional retirement age which is 66 for me according to the Social Security. A big part of that change in attitude was the rapidly skyrocketing medical costs that threaten our financial security. I'm quite sure that would not have been a concern for me or you 19 years ago when you retired. That is further compounded by skyrocketing oil/gasoline costs and the resulting inflation in all other costs of living we're all going to face over the years to come. I know I don't have enough socked away to deal with all that.
As I said in an earlier post, I would like to reduce my hours worked from my current 50hrs/week to half that over the next 2-3 years. I do want to be free to do some other things like travel and spend more time doing the things listed in my profile. But I also don't want to give up the stimulation of challenges at work. That may change for me as time passes, but right now I just want to gradually cut back my hours. Thanks again for your contribution and please return.
Jim
Thank you for your perspective on retirement. I can remember when I used to look forward to the time when I would retire. But my attitude has gradually changed as I draw closer to the traditional retirement age which is 66 for me according to the Social Security. A big part of that change in attitude was the rapidly skyrocketing medical costs that threaten our financial security. I'm quite sure that would not have been a concern for me or you 19 years ago when you retired. That is further compounded by skyrocketing oil/gasoline costs and the resulting inflation in all other costs of living we're all going to face over the years to come. I know I don't have enough socked away to deal with all that.
As I said in an earlier post, I would like to reduce my hours worked from my current 50hrs/week to half that over the next 2-3 years. I do want to be free to do some other things like travel and spend more time doing the things listed in my profile. But I also don't want to give up the stimulation of challenges at work. That may change for me as time passes, but right now I just want to gradually cut back my hours. Thanks again for your contribution and please return.
Jim
Posted: June 17, 2008 9:30PM EDT
76wardwi says:
I find it hard to imagine someone who has worked for someone else these many years not looking forward to retirement. In my job, it was something that was looked forward to, not that the job was bad, most of us looked forward to working for this company, but when retirement age came along there wasn't anyone who decided on working instead of retirement. Many of the employees never made it to retirement, and sickness set in and who knows when this will happen. I loved my job, looked forward to going to work but I have been retired for 19 years now and if someone asked me where would I be if I could be anywhere I wanted, I would answer that I would be right where I am. To each his own.
Posted: June 17, 2008 4:03PM EDT
jimvick says:
Hello Karean,
Thank you for your thoughts about the whole matter of "retirement". I once heard the recomendation that we retire the word "retirement". I'm not so sure that there is anything wrong with the word. But I do believe that the expectation we should stop working when we reach 65 or 66 years is no longer applicable. Most of us are just as capable at 65 as we were our preceeding 45 years in the workplace. Some are likely more capable than at any previous time in their life.
Capability is only part of the change that is making retirement at 65 obsolete in this day and age. Many do not want to step out of the mainstream at 65. Additionally, I'm sure there are many who look at rising healthcare costs and inflation and realize their Social Security and other retirement income sources are not going to be sufficient to cover these rising costs. They simply need to continue working for the income. So "retirement" may not be dead, but it certainly is obsolete at 65, 66 or even 70! Thanks again for your contribution here, Karean.
Jim
Thank you for your thoughts about the whole matter of "retirement". I once heard the recomendation that we retire the word "retirement". I'm not so sure that there is anything wrong with the word. But I do believe that the expectation we should stop working when we reach 65 or 66 years is no longer applicable. Most of us are just as capable at 65 as we were our preceeding 45 years in the workplace. Some are likely more capable than at any previous time in their life.
Capability is only part of the change that is making retirement at 65 obsolete in this day and age. Many do not want to step out of the mainstream at 65. Additionally, I'm sure there are many who look at rising healthcare costs and inflation and realize their Social Security and other retirement income sources are not going to be sufficient to cover these rising costs. They simply need to continue working for the income. So "retirement" may not be dead, but it certainly is obsolete at 65, 66 or even 70! Thanks again for your contribution here, Karean.
Jim
Posted: June 17, 2008 1:51PM EDT
Karean says:
Personally, I think retirement is a state of mind. I would like to see the word changed to some thing more interesting than the images it conjures.
Although I have not given it enough thought to come up with a word that evokes an image that gives every one the same idea other than leisure or "rocking chair" or doing nothing or on a forever vacation, but maybe a word that conjures images of re-new-ment or re-created or re-fresh-ment or new thought or to just be able to "think outside of the box" to coin a term.
Once I saw a documentary of a 93 year old woman, who used a walker, had built a new home from scratch in a new housing development. She was the first to move in, so the other homes were in the midst of this construction. I really admired her for taking on such a challenge. The house suited her, and she had the freedom to move about her house without assisted care.
Another time I heard of an 85 yo woman who allowed some folks to help her to thin out her library of hundreds of cook books that she had collected over the years. A few weeks after they had thinned out her books, she just started all over again collecting even more cookbooks. Her reply, "I am not dead, yet"
I really don't want to think that retirement is an end to life, but perhaps a beginning to whatever makes the heart sing. As Joseph Campbell would say "to find your bliss." Enjoy your new journey...all the best. Karean
Although I have not given it enough thought to come up with a word that evokes an image that gives every one the same idea other than leisure or "rocking chair" or doing nothing or on a forever vacation, but maybe a word that conjures images of re-new-ment or re-created or re-fresh-ment or new thought or to just be able to "think outside of the box" to coin a term.
Once I saw a documentary of a 93 year old woman, who used a walker, had built a new home from scratch in a new housing development. She was the first to move in, so the other homes were in the midst of this construction. I really admired her for taking on such a challenge. The house suited her, and she had the freedom to move about her house without assisted care.
Another time I heard of an 85 yo woman who allowed some folks to help her to thin out her library of hundreds of cook books that she had collected over the years. A few weeks after they had thinned out her books, she just started all over again collecting even more cookbooks. Her reply, "I am not dead, yet"
I really don't want to think that retirement is an end to life, but perhaps a beginning to whatever makes the heart sing. As Joseph Campbell would say "to find your bliss." Enjoy your new journey...all the best. Karean
Posted: June 17, 2008 11:20AM EDT
jimvick says:
Hi Carol,
Thanks for your thoughts about this time of transition in our lives and careers. You sound like someone who has made your livelyhood doing the things that interest you. That makes for a great life. I always told my son and daughter growing up to go into work that they know they will enjoy and thankfully they both did exactly that. Work is only part, but a big part of a meaningful life or lifestyle. So it seems that work should enhance and not detract from the meaning we are seeking in life. Thanks again for your encouragement.
Jim
Thanks for your thoughts about this time of transition in our lives and careers. You sound like someone who has made your livelyhood doing the things that interest you. That makes for a great life. I always told my son and daughter growing up to go into work that they know they will enjoy and thankfully they both did exactly that. Work is only part, but a big part of a meaningful life or lifestyle. So it seems that work should enhance and not detract from the meaning we are seeking in life. Thanks again for your encouragement.
Jim
Posted: June 17, 2008 1:00AM EDT
jc2gether63 says:
Hi Jim,
My husband of 45 years, has been promoted and we were transferred numerous times. Each time we moved, I would open the classified ads of the new area and consider each and every position. I didn't only pick those jobs that I knew, but I thought about the ones I thought I might like to learn. Consequently, I became a licensed real estate sales person from PA, taught 5th grade, worked as a display ad composer at a tri-weekly newspaper, secretary, receptionist, customer service, auditor, ghost wrote a book and have some articles published in Parents Mag. and newspapers, worked at 2 banks and an investment company for 12 years (holding various positions), worked for the Beneficia Foundation, etc.
But the truth be told, my favorite jobs were always volunteer. The rewards were larger than a paycheck and lasted much longer. I have been a teacher's aid and helped children with learning difficulties, certified Hospice volunteer, started a shelter and a crisis hotline for abused women and children, fund raising and awareness programs for both Hospice and the fight against abuse.
When my hubby and I became fulltime RVers, we volunteered at Bryce Canyon National Park and the Badlands in SD. We met travelers from all over the world. Forty-two percent of the visitors to Bryce are not from the US.
There are tons of opportunities to use your talents and be an asset to society. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can light a new pathway for a troubled soul.
Good Luck on your new journey . . . have FUN and . . . go for it! Carol
My husband of 45 years, has been promoted and we were transferred numerous times. Each time we moved, I would open the classified ads of the new area and consider each and every position. I didn't only pick those jobs that I knew, but I thought about the ones I thought I might like to learn. Consequently, I became a licensed real estate sales person from PA, taught 5th grade, worked as a display ad composer at a tri-weekly newspaper, secretary, receptionist, customer service, auditor, ghost wrote a book and have some articles published in Parents Mag. and newspapers, worked at 2 banks and an investment company for 12 years (holding various positions), worked for the Beneficia Foundation, etc.
But the truth be told, my favorite jobs were always volunteer. The rewards were larger than a paycheck and lasted much longer. I have been a teacher's aid and helped children with learning difficulties, certified Hospice volunteer, started a shelter and a crisis hotline for abused women and children, fund raising and awareness programs for both Hospice and the fight against abuse.
When my hubby and I became fulltime RVers, we volunteered at Bryce Canyon National Park and the Badlands in SD. We met travelers from all over the world. Forty-two percent of the visitors to Bryce are not from the US.
There are tons of opportunities to use your talents and be an asset to society. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can light a new pathway for a troubled soul.
Good Luck on your new journey . . . have FUN and . . . go for it! Carol
Posted: June 17, 2008 12:35AM EDT
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