10 Reasons You Shouldn't Retire

Reader Comments
Back to article

I retired last year at age 62. It was both fortunate and unfortunate. I love the job and the challenges, but I dislike the management style. Retirement needs preparation. It is difficult to enjoy retirement if there is not enough money to defray your needs and simple wants. Needless to say, money is not everything, but it is never immaterial.
Deciding on whether to go on retirement or not depends on a lot of things, such as:
1. current age,
2. financial preparedness, (savings, investment, governemtn social security benefits, etc.)
3. present job condition (this has a lot to do on the environment in the workplace. is one happy with one's job? Is one needed in the organization?)
4. post retirement activities (does the activities keep one occupied without "compulsion"?)
5. as important as anything else, is one's personality. (if one enjoys going around with buddies, it requires some adjustments as retirement does not usually have the old group for the happy-hour at the pub next block from the office. if one enjoys activities with the family or alone, like fishing, woodcutting, taking trips with family (this needs money), it is easier to retire.)
6. health (medical insurance is an added benefit while employed and a necessary expense account when retired.)

benjamin 5:48PM May 28, 2010

I am so looking forward to retirement for two reasons, one I can/will spend more quality time with the grandchildren, and two I can volunteer in an organization that involves working with kids.
Unlike my husband who was/is bored out of his mind when he retired, I have lots of things I look forward to doing to keep me from being bored and the savings and retirement plan I have already established will help me live and do the things I want without having to pinch pennies to do so.
In less than 15 months I get to join the ranks of the "Retired". Young people prepare yourselves, 401K's are the end all their made out to be.

M Brown of KS 5:06PM May 24, 2010

I retired at 60 from a toxic work situation in nursing. I've never felt better, have lost 35 pounds. We downsized our house, have our two vehicles paid for . Retirement is all about planning and having simpler wants. MDH and I are traveling in our truck camper about 5 months of the year, seeing the USA. Since we have a small camper, we are able to go into the more inexpensive camp sites etc. We have had two trips of a lifetime to Alaska. One of them for four months. We lived on our "retirement " income for six months before we retired and mapped out where our money would go. I'm not rich, I'm comfortable though and enjoy the garden and yard I planned and planted. MDH and I are great DIY's, have the pride of building a mantle in our little house out of scraps from the local Habitat for Humanity store. Laid tile and flooring by getting a How to book from the library. We now have the time to do the things we want. I didn't need new furniture for the "little" house, slipcovers made my old do fine. I don't need a kindle to read a book, the local library or rummage sales have cheap paperbacks. Both of us don't miss our old jobs and I don't want to volunteer anywhere. I don't have a Grandparent gene (I raised my kids, now they can raise theirs, they are the ones who spoiled them by never disciplining them) I'm not worrying about passing on money to our kids as when I harped about save before this recession, they said "You spend your money, we'll spend ours". The funny part as time went by we realized that since our pensions are automatically deposited we actually were "saving" in retirement.

DGM of OR 2:26PM May 18, 2010

Retirement is great if you planned for it and have enough to live off comfortablely. Most of us did not really start planning for retirement until it was really to late to get enough in. So, we still have to work. Yes, it's time for a lot of Sr's to sit down and let the younger ones have it. But then 75 % can't spell, can't do math, and don't want to work. So, if we Sr's don't stay on the jobs, nothing will ever get done. No one will teach them how to dress, or learn how to talk to people. While I was working I was doing rings around the younger ones and got everything done while they were still working on the first two projects. So, I still would rather work and get things done right and keep my mind active.

Sarah of MO 12:38PM May 17, 2010

Look, oldsters, stop it chasing the almighty dollar. Give up the job. Don't you have other interests? Give the youngsters a shot at working at having a job. Dang! How selfish can anybody be? Get a life outside of working. It is time to explore what else life has to offer you.
Derrr! And to those with their own home business who are still sort of young (40 something), I would advise you to get under Social Security. Get a job where you will pay into SS. It will be your benefit for having done so, and your life would be more secure.

Fay of TX 11:02AM May 16, 2010

You know, everything depends on how you look at it, I guess. Work was meaningful and purpose WHEN I WAS WORKING. Now, at retirement, it is time to relax and just be. Working is not the only thing that can add meaning to one's life. For God's sake, author of this article, let the workers retire in peace! Give the kids the jobs, give them a shot at working, let us step aside and wish them well in their endeavors. Our time has come and gone. Time for something else now. Whatever!

Fay of TX 10:42AM May 16, 2010

Working improves your health? That's a blast. Work is what made me ill. Retired now, I am more healthy than I was working. I spend more time taking care of myself and doing things that keeps me health. Taking life easier, now!

Fay of TX 10:36AM May 16, 2010

Be sure to check into the Aid & Attendance Benefit available for Veterans (over 65) and / or their Surviving Spouses;
If the Vet / spouse are in need of extra tax free income, they should check to see if they qualify: over 65, have a documented medical need i.e. Assisted Daily Living skill that they need help with, and can show that they are upside down financially - they might qualify.
Google the Aid & Attendance benefit.
Income is: Surviving Spouse =$1,056; Veteran = $1,644; Vet/Spouse= $1,949;
www.va.gov.

Mr. Bucky of CA 12:32PM May 11, 2010

Alex Sapien of CA;
God bless you sweetheart... you not only served our country, in a needless, unnecessary war, but you served to protect and defend it's citizens in law enforcement. And after all the years of hard work and patriotism, what did it get you? nada... where's the govt when YOU need them? you were there when they needed you... yours is a truely sad story and so similar to so many senior citizens. My mom for example is 62 and wants to retire early- she has 0 savings and after 25 years of mortgage payments STILL owes $147k...so I'm trying to convince her to just hang on a l;ittle longer so her retirment checks will be full...but she also has serious health conditions - so it's hard to decide whether she should retire and take it easy or keep on working.. money and power are evil! I hope God blesses your life in the most signifigant ways possible. Your story should be told... Americans need to know... for God sake- you are a war hero in my eyes and you DESERVE better treatment than this!!!
God bless you;
may God take you in his hands and hold you tightly to him to protect and defend you the way you protected and defended our country!

Tamra of PA 9:48AM May 11, 2010

I am 66 and have worked since selling newpappers on street cornners at 8yrs.old.picking strawberries,artichokes,carwash and busboy through high school. Being a Viet Nam vet.wonded in action but yet to this day healthy. I have all my teeth and hair still have bounce in my walk.Worked Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. (Salinas Plant) 14.5 yrs.Lawenforcement 27.5 years. the only thing keeping me from retirement is this tore-up govenor, the econoumy and hireability.I just dont think im ready for full time retirement.....maybe a part time gig somewhere within walking distance.

Alex Sapien of CA 5:13PM May 10, 2010