Pulled the trigger, last day at work will be 4/11/25!

Congratulations. I knew several people who delayed their retirements, only to drop dead before they ever actually retired. Sad.

One thing you will notice, some expenses you had while working will disappear or drop significantly. No more commuting, no more business related clothes or other expenses such as tools.
 
Congrats. Keep us posted with any helpful experiences. I am beginning to get the itch also, but under different circumstances. Many are telling me I should continue working (not monetary reasons).

What do you mean by collecting "some Social Security". Can one elect to receive partial payments?
 
I did an early retirement. Not great financially....... but will get by. Called it in Sept 2023. My daughter had open heart surgery in July 2024. I have been helping her out Mon, Wed, Fri since then. She is getting better. She had a heart defect that was found not too long before the surgery. I think it is the same as what Amy Grant had heart surgery for. She has a commercial on TV touting the condition. One can be taken out at anytime.

She had a 3 1/2 year old, and 6 month old at the time of surgery. Call me Grandpa Daddio daycare.......... 🤣

I wish you the best on retirement. You will not regret it.
 
fdcg27 said:
After a few years of toying with the idea, something hit me and made me think the time has come.
Two months ago I began the process of leaving paid employment and drawing my pension.
I first reviewed our finances, of course, and along with my already retired wife determined that we'd be well funded to do whatever we pleased.
I am both happy and a little sad. I've been in my present position for twenty five years and it has become mostly really easy for me, having done it for so long. I will both miss and not miss having my three direct reports. Anyone who has had to supervise staff will understand this.
Anyway, as of mid-April, I'll be drawing a pension and some Social Security and along with my wife's retirement earnings and what we've accumulated over the decades we'll be able to live quite well and enjoy the time to travel wherever we wish for as long as we wish on any trip.
I do have some separation anxiety, but I know that will fade quickly.
I also know that when we've vacationed in the past, all of the stress and concern melted away as soon as we boarded the airliner to wherever.
We are now planning a European journey for June.
So much to see.
Click to expand...
Congratulations. You sound like you have it all under control. Some of your story sounds very similar to mine. I loved the last job I was doing and had actually been employed at that same company (my last of many jobs) for over 28 years. I enjoyed going there and it really became a 2nd home to me. I was forced to retire due to health issues. If one has all their business straight as you seem to , retirement will be as easy as riding a bike. Enjoy and dont look back except to remember the good times.
 
fdcg27 said:
After a few years of toying with the idea, something hit me and made me think the time has come.
Two months ago I began the process of leaving paid employment and drawing my pension.
I first reviewed our finances, of course, and along with my already retired wife determined that we'd be well funded to do whatever we pleased.
I am both happy and a little sad. I've been in my present position for twenty five years and it has become mostly really easy for me, having done it for so long. I will both miss and not miss having my three direct reports. Anyone who has had to supervise staff will understand this.
Anyway, as of mid-April, I'll be drawing a pension and some Social Security and along with my wife's retirement earnings and what we've accumulated over the decades we'll be able to live quite well and enjoy the time to travel wherever we wish for as long as we wish on any trip.
I do have some separation anxiety, but I know that will fade quickly.
I also know that when we've vacationed in the past, all of the stress and concern melted away as soon as we boarded the airliner to wherever.
We are now planning a European journey for June.
So much to see.
Click to expand...
Congratulations. I will be about a month behind you. Retire with a purpose. Plan your next chapter before you retire.
 
I retired in 2017 . I ran into a Serviceman from my old company . He was telling me about some of the recent changes that have taken place . There's no way I would have been happy staying on later . You know when it's time and you get used to it very quickly .
 
nomas said:
I retired in 2017 . I ran into a Serviceman from my old company . He was telling me about some of the recent changes that have taken place . There's no way I would have been happy staying on later . You know when it's time and you get used to it very quickly .
Click to expand...

Yep.

More and more silly changes to the point where quality staff start leaving.

I’ve seen it many times.
 
Followed through and this was my final day.
Cleaned out my office, boxed up documents to be archived, made last bank deposits and bid the place goodbye at around 2:30 PM.
I was touched by the personal expressions of some of those I interacted with, who in a few cases even gave me personal gifts.
I did get a nice fete earlier in the week.
Senior on site met me personally in my office this morning, wished me the best and told me that if I wished to I was welcome to come back in any capacity.
Who knows?
If they really screw the books up I may return briefly on a contract basis if asked.
If there's one thing I really do well it's reconciling accounts.
Excel and the documentation of transactions is all you need.
 
I retired a year ago. It's been glorious, despite a few major setbacks. A terrible accident less than 3 weeks after retirement disabled my wife, and my health was not good. Making for tough times. I've been able to address the health issues, and my wife is slowly recovering.

As much as I hate to say it, I may go back to work. I don't miss the work, and I really don't need the money. However, after nearly 40 years of travel being in the aviation world, and her being used to being at home queen of her domain (my house), the dynamic at home changes when I am around all the time. The other day I was told to go away.... So, I just might.

If my health had been better and she did not need so much help, maybe I could have spend more time doing my 'thing'. But clearly it did not work out that way.


This is a common retirement issue, and I was not unaware of it. From my end, no issues being home all the time, it is a welcome relief from the job related stress.


fdcg27 said:
After a few years of toying with the idea, something hit me and made me think the time has come.

We are now planning a European journey for June.
So much to see.
Click to expand...
 
fdcg27 said:
After a few years of toying with the idea, something hit me and made me think the time has come.
Two months ago I began the process of leaving paid employment and drawing my pension.
I first reviewed our finances, of course, and along with my already retired wife determined that we'd be well funded to do whatever we pleased.
I am both happy and a little sad. I've been in my present position for twenty five years and it has become mostly really easy for me, having done it for so long. I will both miss and not miss having my three direct reports. Anyone who has had to supervise staff will understand this.
Anyway, as of mid-April, I'll be drawing a pension and some Social Security and along with my wife's retirement earnings and what we've accumulated over the decades we'll be able to live quite well and enjoy the time to travel wherever we wish for as long as we wish on any trip.
I do have some separation anxiety, but I know that will fade quickly.
I also know that when we've vacationed in the past, all of the stress and concern melted away as soon as we boarded the airliner to wherever.
We are now planning a European journey for June.
So much to see.
Click to expand...
Life is unpredictable.... enjoy your retirement !
 
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