7 Misconceptions About Retired Life

Reader Comments
Back to article

I retired 3 years ago...my wife has been working at home for the past few years. It is obvious I have invaded her space and am now in her world. I do errands and groceries and fold laundry along with any other assignments in addition to the cars, lawn, on-line accounts, technology, and home maintenance. It appears I am not filling her expctations. I also play golf 3 days a week and fish occassionally in the evenings after dinner. She loves to cook and exercise. She goes to the gym 4-5 days a week and cooks most our meals along with doing the laundry. She has a house keeper who comes every over week for 4 hours. Our health is better than when we retired because we are active, but we can tell a difference. Simple things like opening a bottle of wine or a pickle jar become a challenge. I was able to retire with a comfortable income, so money is not an issue. If you hate your job and are unhappy, I say retire or find another job. If you like what you do and don't dread going to work, just keep working til they eventually lay you off.

jim cornelison of NC 12:04AM April 28, 2013

Over the recent few weeks, I've seen only negative aspects of retirement online. I am due to retire from a lifetime of teaching in two years. Is there anything positive about retirement? Anyone? Please. Anyone?

Sherry of LA 9:02AM April 24, 2013

I will be totally screwed at retirement. I have no savings, barely make it month to month with a job. Been paying taxes since I was 15 year old and my SSC statement says I'd get about 600 bucks at retirement. I do not know where I'll live or what I'll do to survive. I guess just work until I croak.

S christ of TX 5:46PM March 14, 2013

I had to retire at 57 due to health reasons. I was looking forward to retiring because my job specifically my boss was differcult to work with. I had 26 years on the job and had only 4 years to go to retiring with 30 years at 62 for full pension. Unfortunatley, retirement has not been what I had envisioned. On going health issues and having trouble accepting the hand I was dealt are two of the issues that plague me. My wife keeps reminding me that I am alive and to be greatful for that and I try to hold on to that thought but the nagging thoughts seep in again and again. I am looking to teach a class based on my experiences from my job and this gives me some solace but I don't know if this endeavor will come to fruition.
I do appreciate that I planned for retirement and have landed on my feet so to speak financially. I don't have an extragravant lifestyle so this makes retirement easier. I have always been able to live within my means to me a golden rule for being financially fit.
I am fortunate to have a pension even with a penalty for retiring early and medical insurance to go with it. Honestly, I don't know how anyone is going to survive w/o a pension and medical coverage.
Corporations have done a good job of getting out of this part of employee support. In fact they have people fighting againist each other about who has and who hasn't got a pension when the question should be why don't we all (workers) don't have a pension with medical benefits. It'ske a magician who uses misdirection perfroming their tricks. Corporations have people looking at each other rather than looking at the companies and politicians that have endorsed syaing the hell to the worker who gve their blood sweat and ters for years for that company.
The theme is unions have ruined this country but remeber why they came about in the first place. Yes there have been problems because of unions but workers today are defenseless and in states where there a Republican govenors, they are trying to take away bargaining rights. where will it end. It is to unsetteling to think about.
Anyway back to me, I watch my daily,weekly and montly behaviors regarding my health and spending and ao far I am doing ok. Thanks in large part to having a union where I worked. I'll admit there are things they do I don't approve of but on the whole, I am glad to have them in my corner.

Bill of NY 2:38PM October 21, 2012

I am financially ok, but I don't have any desire to do anything, to buy anything, to go anywhere, to see anything, to own anything, to do any hobby, etc.
But I am healthy and active, meaning I can do things I have always done but there is no need to do anything because everything is all right.
I retired in 2002, I took care of my wife during her many health problems, I said to her that I still had a full time job, taking care of her; she passed away quietly a little over two years ago. -- now I am jobless but not money-less.
She was the partner who brought in the money I am now using in retirement, and compared to most people it is quite sufficient, but I can't figure out what to do with it.
I don't enjoy spending money at all, I don't ever look forward to buying a new car, etc.
My home has everything though not of luxurious quality, just that every comfort is available and working -- I see to that, I am a DIY guy.
I go to church on Sundays and go to one fellowship meet in the week, faithfully: never miss Sunday worship or this one fellowship during the week.
But I don't think I will do anything in the way of church service or saving souls, so I tell God that is how bad I am.
No, no gambling, no drinking, no foolishness with women or men, nothing of any vice at all.
Friends? I can't imagine what to talk with them about.
How do I use my time? Keeping healthy by taking long long walks and at the same time hope not to be hit by crazy drivers.
If you are like me, contact me, perhaps we can use each other's company.
Susmariosep

Susmariosep de los Angeles 1:23AM September 27, 2012

Ha ha ha
HappyRetiree..I quite agree with you on living happily ever after..take the money and run ...
of course after lots of counseling , planning, .& timing...before taking the plunge of happily ever retiring.
No such thing as an ideal job and having to make my own schedule is awesome!
We are not made as scheduled; " 9 to 5 jobs "or, made equally or, the nocturnal hours. Hence, retiring will be an individual decision which may take planning and budgeting..
At last, living and loving a happy, healthy life full of wealth of time, it is pricele$$

EnjoyLife of AL 1:25AM July 13, 2012

Retire early,sell everything you have,and move to a foreign country.Volunteer your time as well as your money for others and most of all be obediant to the Lord.Your days will be full,your health will be great and no matter what happens you will have a joy that can't be taken from you.I retired at 53 and my Wife at 49 on a very small pension(900 dollars per month)and we seem very rich here as we own our home and 2 cars.We will never come back to the States to live,just to visit our Family.

Charles Baker 9:32PM May 08, 2012

Gee Emily could you have written a more depressing article? Nothing more rotten to read than articles by "kids" who know nothing of which they speak.
Do all of us retiree's a favor and go write about something you know about.
Retired and very happy

Bigslamntee of SC 12:17PM April 24, 2012

I retired 3 1/2 years ago at age 53 and have no regrets. I worked 4 years longer than required for pension benefits to increase my salary enough to provide 5 - 7 years of inflation protection for my pension, since my pension is not ever inflation adjusted. No regrets at the decision, as you never know when health issues will impair your ability to do things you can't pursue while working. I love setting my own schedule!

HappyRetiree of TX 12:21AM April 24, 2012

best way to prepare for retirement is to cheerfully give God 10% while you work and save ten percent. Invest that 10% using market timing. Learning about NAET and EFT will do wonders for your health and grow your faith and relationship with God through His son Jesus.

Lon of GA 2:28AM January 24, 2012