How to survive retirement?

[davemclaren]

Ok, thought I would seek the views of the Shed on this.

 

I've counted up my pennies and decided to stop work from the end of September. My Mrs retired a year ago and has been pressurising me to do it so I've finally succumbed. I've told her it's for a six month trial, which a bit of a joke, but I do reserve the right to find another job ( not full time or in the he same line I am in at present ) if it doesn't work out for me.

 

Any tips on survival?

[Alwayssunnyingorgie]

Get a dog and enjoy the feeling of not going to work.

[davemclaren]

Get a dog and enjoy the feeling of not going to work.

We have our daughter's dog during the week so that is sorted.

[2205ian]

Look forward, not back......you will soon fill in your time, albeit probably lose track of the date!! Having hobbies or other interests are important.

 

Enjoy your retirement Dave, it does not hurt.

 

You will quickly forget about work, but not all your colleagues.

 

Hopefully The Jambos' fortunes will take a turn for the better, in my 1st 6 months of early retirement we won the Scottish Cup. 5 - 1 in the final if I recall correctly

[Dagger Is Back]

Ok, thought I would seek the views of the Shed on this.

 

I've counted up my pennies and decided to stop work from the end of September. My Mrs retired a year ago and has been pressurising me to do it so I've finally succumbed. I've told her it's for a six month trial, which a bit of a joke, but I do reserve the right to find another job ( not full time or in the he same line I am in at present ) if it doesn't work out for me.

 

Any tips on survival?

Good for you. I guess what happens next all depends on what floats your boat and what kind of person you are.

 

My plan is to 'retire' in 4 years. Hopefully I'll still have a business to run but I'll be employing someone to do the day to day work. That would make sure that financially I'm good to go.

 

Voluntary work then beckons. I don't know what or to what degree but working with Big Hearts, befriending elderly folks, who knows?

 

I worked in a soup kitchen whilst between jobs and it felt brilliant to be able to do something to help others. I guess that's why I've got myself involved with Hearts tickets and football tops for schools!

 

My father in law retired from banking when he was 50. He then proceeded to sit on his arse for 25 years watching TV and reading newspapers.

 

He had loads of knowledge and experience to pass on and he could have made such a difference to so many people but chose not to.

 

He basically just wasted away physically and mentally and I've vowed that will never ever happen with me. He died last year and was just a shadow of the man he was. I'm convinced he lost at least 10 years.

 

Advice? Enjoy your family, follow your hobbies and interests for as long as you can. What knowledge, skills and experience can you pass on to others? How can you help others with a simple but much forgotten asset of time?

 

Sorry for the lengthy script but having seen someone work for 35 years and then just waste away, it's something that I feel pretty close to

[Morgan]

Good for you. I guess what happens next all depends on what floats your boat and what kind of person you are.

My plan is to 'retire' in 4 years. Hopefully I'll still have a business to run but I'll be employing someone to do the day to day work. That would make sure that financially I'm good to go.

Voluntary work then beckons. I don't know what or to what degree but working with Big Hearts, befriending elderly folks, who knows?

I worked in a soup kitchen whilst between jobs and it felt brilliant to be able to do something to help others. I guess that's why I've got myself involved with Hearts tickets and football tops for schools!

My father in law retired from banking when he was 50. He then proceeded to sit on his arse for 25 years watching TV and reading newspapers.

He had loads of knowledge and experience to pass on and he could have made such a difference to so many people but chose not to.

He basically just wasted away physically and mentally and I've vowed that will never ever happen with me. He died last year and was just a shadow of the man he was. I'm convinced he lost at least 10 years.

Advice? Enjoy your family, follow your hobbies and interests for as long as you can. What knowledge, skills and experience can you pass on to others? How can you help others with a simple but much forgotten asset of time?

Sorry for the lengthy script but having seen someone work for 35 years and then just waste away, it's something that I feel pretty close to

That's a really nice post Dagger.

[Gorgiewave]

It was while at a Rangers club in Glasgow on the way to Celtic Park to see Hearts that the idea of retirement being a problem occurred to me. The man behind me in the queue was cursing retirement.

 

See more of your friends and family?

[Peebo]

I can't ****ing wait to retire. Unfortunately about 20-odd years away from even being able to think about it.

[Don Dan]

I retired four and a half years ago at the age of 59 and to date haven't missed work. I do voluntary work with my Church and I am Trustee on a Board which provides services to those who need help or need friendship in Wester Hailes. It actually takes as much effort as working ever did but gives more satisfaction seeing the results and difference its making in people's lives.

Thankfully I'm sorted finacially so that makes a huge difference. My wife intends to retire next year as she's entiled to at 55. We are looking at buying an apartment in Tenerife (Brexit permitting) and spending 6 months of our year there.

Do it Dave you won't regret it.

[Ulysses]

I retired four and a half years ago at the age of 59 and to date haven't missed work. I do voluntary work with my Church and I am Trustee on a Board which provides services to those who need help or need friendship in Wester Hailes. It actually takes as much effort as working ever did but gives more satisfaction seeing the results and difference its making in people's lives.

 

 

 

That's the thing - having something valuable or useful to do seems to make all the difference, and what you're describing there seems to be a pretty powerful way to go about it.

 

A colleague of mine who retired a couple of years ago went back to university full time to get a degree in something he never considered studying when he was younger, and he may even go on afterwards and do a Master's.  He's surrounded by people aged 20 or 21, and he really is the "old geezer" in the place, but he loves what he's doing.

 

[Tazio]

If you've got a good pension and a nest egg I'd recommend cocaine and hookers.

 

Not sure how long your heart will hold out but at least it will be fun while it lasts.

[hughesie27]

Finally some sensible advice above.

[Sharpie]

I retired effective Oc tober 1991,at aage 56, a while ago. I had thought about it 36 years police service was enough had satisfied career objectives and was financially ready.

 

We sold at a good profit our home on the Lower Mainland and moved to the desert community of Osoyoos population 3500.  We built the house we had always wanted, settled in and started to enjoy life.

 

I had a three year old German Shepherd dog, we went out at 5'30am headed up the mountain trail, he ran free and I walked about 4/5 miles with him just about every morning. Came home had breakfast, then out for eighteen holes of golf, walked that also.  A few beers with the guys, off home, and out to the back porch sat with the wife and had a couple of light drinks, dinner and ,tv and off to bed.  We both golfed so had developed a good group of friends with whom to socialise. That was basically our life for about thirteen years.  The big 3800squ ft. house, became too big, age was creeping up, and the availability of medical aid if needed was not good, so we decided to move. We moved to a larger City Kelowna, everything readily available, a stroke of luck with location, five minutes from the hospital and cancer clinic, both of which I put to good use a year later, that was a relief.

 

I have never in these years had a day where I wished I was at work, done a favor for a neighbour who offered to pay me for driving a vehicle for him, on arrival with three other guys he told me to do something, lets not repeat what I said but he never told me to do anything again, I knew then for sure I would never, and never have worked again.

 

My long winded post is to state what I feel are components of a good retirement. First of course is health, second for sure financial stability, third be sure you are finished with work and career,lots of sources for exercise, hobbies, and if a move is involved create new friendships. If you are fortunate enough to get as long as I have remember that age goes with that time, so medical facilities are important, as are convenience of stores etc. Do I have any regrets, only one I wish I had done retirement when I was eighteen.

 

 

Edited June 26, 2017 by bobsharp

[Bungalow Bill]

Don't do your shopping at the same time us workers are trying to buy our lunch .

[The Internet]

I'll probably need a lottery win to experience it.

[inspector]

Like a couple of others on this thread, both my wife and I will be retiring in September and for one, it can't come soon enough. Really enjoyed my job but for the last 3-4 years , all I seem to have been doing is ticking boxes on other peoples agendas. Sick of it. Thankfully we both have good pensions, so as both our main hobbies have a lot in common, we will do a bit more of them, when we want. And to me that is the most important thing, doing what you want when you have your health and the time to enjoy it.

[Harry Potter]

Ok, thought I would seek the views of the Shed on this.

 

I've counted up my pennies and decided to stop work from the end of September. My Mrs retired a year ago and has been pressurising me to do it so I've finally succumbed. I've told her it's for a six month trial, which a bit of a joke, but I do reserve the right to find another job ( not full time or in the he same line I am in at present ) if it doesn't work out for me.

 

Any tips on survival?

Golf Dave, just remain calm if the 4 foot putts dont go in.

Bowls as well, bit more relaxing than golf..

[269miles]

I quit my job last year (compulsory early retirement ) and I spent my last month in work and the following few months actively looking for a similar role elsewhere. For various reasons it didn't happen and I decided to call it a day. 

 

I spent 6 months doing bucket list stuff - travel , went into the gym and worked my bollocks off for 6 months and did two half marathons at the end of 2016. For nearly 30 years I had toyed with the idea of doing a marathon but simply never had the time due to work pressures so just getting a half marathon in made me feel like an Olympic champion.

 

Due to illness and an injury caused by falling downstairs I haven't been able to do much this year but I'm back in the gym and loving it. 

 

 

I don't miss work one bit, I don't miss the stress, the lazy unmotivated barstewards  I used to work with. I don't have a problem filling the day and I enjoy just having "me time". 

 

I've got involved in the running of my local team and I enjoy that every bit as much as I have watching Hearts on their best days. 

 

Think the about the things you have missed out on due to time pressures, the things that you are passionate about or are just very interested in.  Start doing them. 

 

Best of luck.

 

 

 

 

[John Gentleman]

I'll probably need a lottery win to experience it.

You're not wrong. I'm 64 and still working full-time. I still enjoy work but would like to 'phase-in' retirement, maybe by working 15 hours a week or thereabouts if my employer is amenable to the idea (haven't approached them yet).

 

Full retirement, for me, is a bit of a moving target. I'm not in the privileged position of accessing a 'defined benefit' pension income stream at 65, so pretty much all of my retirement savings are in an 'accumulating' lump sum (called 'superannuation' here), which for better or worse goes up and down with the sharemarket. Even when I turn 65 I wouldn't qualify for the aged pension ? or even part thereof ? because my combined assets are above the cutoff threshold. And no, I'm not wealthy, not by any stretch.

 

With a fluctuating sharemarket and a government that continually changes the retirement rules, a planned retirement ? for me ? is always just outside touching distance.

 

The other problem, which I guess all of us share, is that we don't know when we'll kick the bucket!!

Edited June 26, 2017 by John Gentleman

[susanjambo]

Dave

If you are fit and good with a paint brush come and join me and other fellow jambos who volunteer thru Big Hearts for Fresh Start. It's a great experience and I get so much back from giving up some free time to help others. Details on the Big Hearts website. That and do all the things you wanted to do but couldn't coz you were working. Time will fly in.

[Auld Reekin']

I think those that have the hardest time with retirement are those whose job or career defined them to a large extent as a person. If you are or were what you do or did, rather than mainly working to keep a roof over your head, provide for you and your family, and fund whatever it is you enjoy doing in your leisure time, retirement is likely to be more problematic. On the other hand, those who have had a very involving career or vocation may well have had a more satisfying working life.

 

A fair amount is likely to depend on your temperament and attitude to work and leisure: if you've always felt the need to be busy doing something then suddenly stopping this at retirement is not going to be a good plan. If, however, you've worked your ass off for the past 40-odd years with the goal of no longer having to in mind, you'll probably have a ball when you pack it all in! Hobbies, interests, activities, and projects are likely to be important in any case and retirement should be seen - ideally - as the opportunity to do more of the things you most enjoy, whenever you want to do them.

[Escobar PHM]

An old boss of mine gave me some very good advice on retirement. 'Don't retire FROM something, retire TO something'

 

I took early retirement once, about 15 years ago. A pretty big 'severance' package meant I was financially able to afford it and I was single with no mortgage. I went travelling for 6 months, bought a Porsche when I came home, drank a bottle of JD most evenings, ended up nocturnal with no discipline, no routine, no focus and virtually no life outside my four walls.

 

I lasted just over a year and got myself back to work. I'd very probably be dead by now if I hadn't.

 

I'm not that far off government pension age but I'll be planning a full schedule of activities and targets and plans before I retire again.

Edited June 26, 2017 by Escobar PHM

[AlimOzturk]

Granny one told me never to retire as it is admitting that your old.

 

Great advice if you like what your doing however if I was in a job I hated I would certainly retire and pursue something k loved doing.

[Maple Leaf]

I retired 10 years ago, and have never regretted it.  What you do to fill your time depends on your personality and interests..

 

I got more involved in our community, becoming a bit of an activist in local affairs.  I also started to write, and have written several short stories, plus a 380-page autobiography.  I figured my family would be interested in that, and they were.

 

Plus, I spend 'way too much time on JKB.

[John Findlay]

That's the thing - having something valuable or useful to do seems to make all the difference, and what you're describing there seems to be a pretty powerful way to go about it.

 

A colleague of mine who retired a couple of years ago went back to university full time to get a degree in something he never considered studying when he was younger, and he may even go on afterwards and do a Master's. He's surrounded by people aged 20 or 21, and he really is the "old geezer" in the place, but he loves what he's doing.

 

Dirty old man:-0)

[davemclaren]

Thanks for the replies. A lot of interesting responses.

[Ricardo Shillyshally]

You'll be dead a long time. Do stuff that makes you happy whilst you are here.

[Stuart Lyon]

I took early retirement almost 10 hears ago and I haven't regretted it one bit. I had no hobbies other than watching Hearts and as I like a drink or two many thought that's all I would do with my time. Well I didn't go to the pub any more than I did when working and read many books about Edinburgh and all the books by James Boswell; a fascinating character. I got involved in pub debates/arguments about the names past and present of Edinburgh pubs and their location. As I had time on my hands I spent many hours in libraries finding information and photographs of a lot of Edinburgh pubs. I then went further back in my research activities and used the British Newspaper Archive to gather information about Edinburgh pubs between 1724 and 1865! It was amazing to read about a week long draughts tournament in the Cafe Royal, a balloonist who flew from Edinburgh to Ceres in Fife the French royalty that sheltered in Holyrood, how a huge fire started - all of these were linked to pubs in one way or another.

 

Another poster on here (sorry I've forgotten his KB name) shared some of his extensive information about Edinburgh pubs and I am grateful to him for his generosity.

 

I still  do a bit of research now and again but nothing like I did for probably nearly 7 years after I retired. Here's a teaser for you; what was the name of the Oxford Bar in 1838?

[John Findlay]

I intend to retire at 60. Only if my pension advisor says it's a goer.

My present to myself after 44 years as a working man is a round the world cruise on my own. Selfish? Probably. I have will have earned it.

Edited June 26, 2017 by John Findlay

[Francis Albert]

I retired 9 years ago and have enjoyed those years immensely. I think how to "survive" (an odd word and not the best attitude to start with, though I suspect used tongue in cheek in the OP) retirement is very much a case of individual taste and personality. Like Stuart Lyon it has allowed me to develop and explore interests that I had never before had the time or in some cases the inclination  to pursue. I have certainly read more and far more widely than at any time before.

 

If you are one of those people (and I knew many) who after a couple of weeks or even a few days off work, begin to yearn to get back to work, then I think some fairly structured use of your time is probably necessary, though for me replacing paid work with unpaid work is not my idea of retirement.

 

That DM's wife is eager for him to retire is a plus - again I have known many spouses of both sexes who dread spending more or at least too much  time with their partner. Even in relationships where the partners enjoy a lot of each others company I think it probably a good idea for each to have some time to themselves - a day at golf or at the football or whatever their individual interests may be

.

And on the issue of individual preference, I can't go along with the common view that you must have a reason to get up in the morning to the extent of setting an alarm. After 50 years of being woken (often very early)  by an alarm every day, one of the great boons of retirement is to wake and get up when your body and mind has rested as much as it wants.

 

(Of course money and health make a huge difference ... but that is true whether you are working or retired)

Edited June 26, 2017 by Francis Albert

[J.T.F.Robertson]

I jacked it in a year ago past March after being offered a severence package, then was asked back on a 3 month contract, beginning in January. Don't have a private pension income and get by on the government one. I do have some savings along with RRSP and investment stuff, so although far from loaded, neither am I skint. (hoose is also paid for)

 

Anyway, quite honestly, I am mainly bored sh!tless. No hobbies to speak of other than Hearts / Steelers, having a wee bet on the donkeys at the weekend and going for a couple of pints most days.

 

Still, if it wasn't for this place I'd be even more lost.

 

BTW, Dave, no-one "survives" retirement. (or anything else)

Edited June 26, 2017 by J.T.F.Robertson

[AlimOzturk]

I jacked it in a year ago past March after being offered a severence package, then was asked back on a 3 month contract, beginning in January. Don't have a private pension income and get by on the government one. I do have some savings along with RRSP and investment stuff, so although far from loaded, neither am I skint. (hoose is also paid for)

 

Anyway, quite honestly, I am mainly bored sh!tless. No hobbies to speak of other than Hearts / Steelers, having a wee bet on the donkeys at the weekend and going for a couple of pints most days.

 

Still, if it wasn't for this place I'd be even more lost.

 

BTW, Dave, no-one "survives" retirement. (or anything else)

Sounds like you could so with picking up a part time job?

 

Heard some good things from mates who do the security for G4S on a ad hoc basis at football games and such.

 

Top up your pension, give you something to do and get to see gigs and other sorts for nothing.

 

Considering it myself as a winter top up.

Edited June 26, 2017 by AlimOzturk

[J.T.F.Robertson]

Sounds like you could so with picking up a part time job?

Heard some good things from mates who do the security for G4S on a ad hoc basis at football games and such.

Top up your pension, give you something to do and get to see gigs and other sorts for nothing.

Considering it myself as a winter top up.

Haha! Anyone encountering me as a security guard would immediately be rendered helpless with laughter, so you could be on to something there.

 

You are right though.

 

I hope to get back home soon for a visit so can then inflict my "miserableness" in person.

[Jamhammer]

I can retire next year at 55 but not compulsory until I'm 60. Me Mrs can work till she drops. My daughter is applying for permanent residency in Canada. If she gets it and, especially if she has kids we will have to seriously consider going. There are worse things to worry about.

If I could afford to I'd leave tomorrow. Used to be a great job. Utter horseshit now

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grumpyjambo]

retiring early next year and really looking forward to it, with two young grandchildren, Hearts, a bit of gardening for our daughter, days out walking and some voluntary work I will be fine.

[Father Tiresias]

I retired at 58 last December from a huge US corporation and have not regretted it one little bit.

 

Like someone else mentioned, my financial advisor gave us the green light and my wife has since too retired.

 

My daughter is getting married next month so I have been filling my time decorating the house and making the garden look good.  Been building a desk these last couple of weeks.

 

My golf is slowly improving and my handicap has been cut mainly down to playing 3 rounds a week.

 

I have also volunteered for the charity Care and Repair via the Big Hearts organisation.  I've not started yet but I'm looking forward to helping out with a bit of DIY or computer related issues.

 

I am also learning German at the University of Edinburgh.

 

We are also planning on traveling........dunno where I found time to work.

 

My message is "just do it"

[Bridge of Djoum]

Ok, thought I would seek the views of the Shed on this.

 

I've counted up my pennies and decided to stop work from the end of September. My Mrs retired a year ago and has been pressurising me to do it so I've finally succumbed. I've told her it's for a six month trial, which a bit of a joke, but I do reserve the right to find another job ( not full time or in the he same line I am in at present ) if it doesn't work out for me.

 

Any tips on survival?

You could volunteer to scout for the Hearts. 

[davemclaren]

You could volunteer to scout for the Hearts.

 

I do have a laptop AND ipad.

[269miles]

I do have a laptop AND ipad.

Have you thought about coaching ? 

[Bridge of Djoum]

I do have a laptop AND ipad.

Overqualified.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Shanks said no]

Really interesting thread, thanks gents.

 

I have 87 more months until I can retire (plus or minus 12), and I am counting but not wishing my life away. Hate my job now, can't remember the last time I had a good day where I felt I had made a positive contribution. I used to be one of those odd people who really liked his work but promotion, having staff and relying on the money has put a stop to that. Actually found myself looking at the job I wanted to do 35 years ago for vacancies the other day.

 

My biggest problem is going to be the wife! she probably won't retire until 7 years after me so that will scupper my travel / moving to Greece plans. I really need to do some serious financial planning to work out how I am going to afford what I want to do! 

[davemclaren]

Ok, just over a week to go before I retire and my thoughts go from 'this will be brilliant' to 'will I reaaly have enough money and what if I get bored'. I've always tended to overthink things though so I do think thimgs will be fine.

[Morgan]

Nearly two months into it for me, Dave.

Never been busier with things like golf, and planning our US trip next month although my wife and daughter are deserting me next week to go to Barcelona.

Plenty things to do in the house later on and I have discovered a large pile of books to read during the cold winter months.

Oh and I also have someone's retirement doo to attend......

I am loving every minute of it, Dave, and you will too.

Nothing to say but

[Morgan]

Back to you mate.

[Sharpie]

Ok, just over a week to go before I retire and my thoughts go from 'this will be brilliant' to 'will I reaaly have enough money and what if I get bored'. I've always tended to overthink things though so I do think thimgs will be fine.

 

I have just over a month  to go  and I will celebrate 26 years of retirement. I have never for one moment thought Oh it would be nice to go to work just for a day, I was ready, never thought twice about retiring, one of my best lifetime decisions

[davemclaren]

I have just over a month to go and I will celebrate 26 years of retirement. I have never for one moment thought Oh it would be nice to go to work just for a day, I was ready, never thought twice about retiring, one of my best lifetime decisions

Nice one Bob.

[Dagger Is Back]

Ok, just over a week to go before I retire and my thoughts go from 'this will be brilliant' to 'will I reaaly have enough money and what if I get bored'. I've always tended to overthink things though so I do think thimgs will be fine.

 

So Dave, how are you going to spend your time? Have you decided yet?

[davemclaren]

Maybe Dave could spend some if his time and retirement money purchasing some new servers to support JKB. I could have got him a decent price in my previous life, isn't that so, Dave ?

 

You and decent price don't quite go together.

[davemclaren]

So Dave, how are you going to spend your time? Have you decided yet?

Grandkid on the way, guitar, gym, walking, holidays should getme started.

[Nookie Bear]

Grandkid on the way, guitar, gym, walking, holidays should getme started.

 

I think this answers your original question.