# Anti retirement support **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 19, 2025, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978 "2025-11-19T04:48:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/81 "2025-12-15T22:59:01Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > By definition you cannot know what you have just forgotten. Sure you can! I’m only 57, but at least once a day, I’m struggling to find a word which is just at the tip of my tongue, but I fail. Same with faces of people (prominent or acquainted), I see them and know them, but the name eludes me. And I know darn well what I have forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/82 "2025-12-15T23:21:06Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Sure you can! I’m only 57, but at least once a day, I’m struggling to find a word which is just at the tip of my tongue, but I fail. Same age and I was just recently wrestling with the word placebo in a conversation with somebody - ‘you know like that thing when you’re taking sugar pills but you think they’re drugs?’. Only I didn’t even really mean placebo, more like confirmation bias 😉. Getting old succkkkssss 😀. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/83 "2025-12-15T23:26:22Z")
Just you wait, Sonny! 😉 Lotta different kinds of forgetting. I’ve been trying them all out recently. Short term stuff that simply evaporates forever. Sometimes I remember that I used to remember [whatever]. Sometimes the fact itself and the fact of knowing the fact are both gone. Long term stuff that’s inaccessible but is suddenly remembered out of context a few hours later. Or isn’t. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/84 "2025-12-15T23:48:38Z")
To those folks who enjoy their jobs and want to keep at it after “regular” retirement age: that’s awesome. I wish I felt that way, but for obvious reasons, my job (U.S. immigration paralegal) isn’t super fun at the moment and gets less fun by the day. However, there are a million things I would love to have the time and energy to do, many of which would likely provide great physical and cognitive benefits, but I don’t because work is sucking the life out of me these days. My dad lost 30 lbs. after he retired because he managed to sustain a daily gym habit. He also took online courses in Constitutional law (he was an engineer by profession before his retirement) and generally did lots of things to keep his mind and body active. I aspire to do the same once I am able. In the meantime, anyone know what else I might manage to do for the next decade-ish (I’m 57) until “normal” retirement age, assuming I don’t decide to throw in the towel and expatriate myself somewhere where I can actually afford to live on my savings? Preferably something that someone else will pay me enough to do that I can live on it. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/85 "2025-12-16T00:23:44Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Getting old succkkkssss 😀. Having the same issues. I am still blaming them on the aftereffects of a very nasty concussion a few years ago, and I’m not at all sure I’m wrong. This is yet another reason it would be nice to be able to do something with the bulk of my waking hours that doesn’t require quite so much detail-oriented prolonged concentration while staring at multiple computer screens… If only I could figure out what that actually was! And even better if I could afford to do it. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/86 "2025-12-16T02:06:27Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > I wish I felt that way, but for obvious reasons, my job (U.S. immigration paralegal) isn’t super fun at the moment and gets less fun by the day. Ugh. I’d want to get away from that job, too. I wish you all the best. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/87 "2025-12-16T02:14:08Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > my job (U.S. immigration paralegal) isn’t super fun at the moment I’d love to see an AMA on that… But that might be dicey for you ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/88 "2025-12-16T02:15:08Z")
I’ve answered a lot of immigration questions over the years on this board, but right now I am SO TIRED. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/89 "2025-12-16T02:16:40Z")
BTW… And cool to see so many 57ers here… your stories make me feel better ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/90 "2025-12-16T02:22:24Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Sure you can! I’m only 57, but at least once a day, I’m struggling to find a word which is just at the tip of my tongue, but I fail. Same with faces of people (prominent or acquainted), I see them and know them, but the name eludes me. And I know darn well what I have forgotten I think forgetting is one of those things like the ” known unknowns “ and the “unknown unknowns”… There is stuff you reckon you have forgotten and then there is stuff you have no idea that you have forgotten it. My point is there is a net effect of things you learn during the day and things you forget during the day and that gets into an ever poorer ratio. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/91 "2025-12-16T11:19:35Z")
Officially retired last Friday 12/12/25. I’ve got lot’s to do. Put together a fireplace over the weekend (It’s just an electric ‘fireplace’) but it looks nice and puts out 4000btu (not a huge amount). Basically a big ass space heater for our basement where we play darts. We are going solar, so electricity costs shouldn’t be an issue. We sized it so it can handle electric cars too. And I told the guy to “Add two more panels”. Just to be sure. Next up, a landing for the stairs in my garage. The 3 steps just go straight into the house. It needs a landing outside of the door. It’s a safety/conveinece issue. So I have to move/rebuild the stairs. I’m going with inch thick red oak. My retirement will be quite busy. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/92 "2025-12-16T11:59:15Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > My retirement will be quite busy. Congrats on the retirement! Now, you need to get your place in shape to host the keg party! > [@How has the disgraced, CONVICTED FELON, former but once again President Trump pissed you off today? (Part 2)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-2/1013964/3126): > > Trying to figure out what type of celebration to have. Gonna probably involve American flags. Perhaps I’ll have a kegger. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/93 "2025-12-16T16:13:18Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > he really thinks he wakes up every day smarter than the day before because he learned something new today and completely fails to account for the things he has forgotten. are you referring to Neil DeG T ??! because you have no idea if he is “forgetting” things. Are you aware someone can be aging and actually getting wiser? That’s the way it works, in a healthy person. It helps if you live in a healthy society, one that respects age. But we don’t. So everyone makes a lot of assumptions that aren’t necessarily true. Not sure if that’s what you are doing, but you didn’t make clear what you were referring to. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/94 "2025-12-16T16:14:56Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > didn’t make clear what you were referring to. Maybe he forgot to? 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/95 "2025-12-16T16:16:08Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Getting old succkkkssss can you think of any other reason - besides “getting old” - that might lead to something like increased problems with word finding? How about decreased focus. Brought about by a society where everyone is on their phone or other device constantly, which have been designed to STEAL their focus from them. I read the book Stolen Focus, can you tell? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/96 "2025-12-16T16:17:17Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Maybe he forgot to? possible! I might have forgot to come back to this thread, but I didn’t. I am actually trying to decrease the time I spend some places online (Facebook is the main one) and post here more mindfully. 😇 ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/97 "2025-12-16T16:30:45Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > I am still blaming them on the aftereffects of a very nasty concussion a few years ago, I’m so sorry! even a mild concussion can have significant impact on all Executive Function. Have you done therapy? here are some places to check out for support with brain injury [https://bestconnections.org/](https://bestconnections.org/) [https://biausa.org/public-affairs/media?category%5B%5D=Butch%20Alterman%20Memorial%20Webinars](https://biausa.org/public-affairs/media?category%5B%5D=Butch%20Alterman%20Memorial%20Webinars) I apologize if this is something you already know about, but - per my goal of only coming to this forum once a day - I thought I’d share rather than waiting to find out more about you. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/98 "2025-12-16T16:40:23Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > How about decreased focus. Perhaps, but aging is still aging. There are a number of things that on average get better with age. Perspective being a big one - better judgement than when we were young (on average, mind you), better impulse control, better emotional regulation (i.e. the glorious state of ‘not giving a shit’). Apparently better inductive reasoning, better skill application, just better accumulated knowledge generally, more efficient studying. I struggled a bit with math as a teenager, but I feel that if you presented me with the same material now I’d breeze through it. Generally better vocabularies, the occasional stumble over a word excepted. As I’ve often said, my mind is like a steel bear-trap - that unfortunately has gone a little stiff and rusty around the hinges. It’s all in there, but retrieval is occasionally an issue 🙂. All that said, short-term memory is unquestionably not one of those areas of advantage. I’ve watched my parents steadily slide on that front and I can see it creeping up on me as well. It’s not a crippling thing (yet), but it IS a thing that one has to plan around a little. If say my father asks if I can chauffeur him to an appointment next week, I now always ask him to please remind me again the night before. Because stuff does slip. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/99 "2025-12-16T16:54:51Z")
Yep, I did therapy at a top rehab facility shortly after my injury (although slightly delayed by COVID shutdowns). I was pronounced back to normal, but I am definitely not at what used to be normal function for me. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978/100 "2025-12-16T17:38:26Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > are you referring to Neil DeG T ??! because you have no idea if he is “forgetting” things. yes, I was referring to that vid of him - and I DO have an idea if he is forgetting … **everybody IS forgetting, there is no way around it**. It’s an established cognitive process to remove “irrelevant” knowledge to make space for new, “relevant” knowledge. Just an every-day example, most will be able to relate to: Did you ever learn a foreign language in school and were pretty fluent at it? …. and haven’t used it in 20+ years … well - suddenly you are not as fluent anymore (b/c you **FORGOT** about 80% of the vocuabulary you once **KNEW** and the thought-processes to meaningfully join them). I was fluent in russian as a 3rd language at age 18 … 40 years later I could not safe my life if I had to speak russian (as I never really used it after school). **I ACTIVELY noticed my now relevant spanish replacing my irrelevant russian** when I had to learn spanish in my 20ies (moved to a spanish-speaking country) … so learning spanish accelerated me forgetting my russian, as it evidently occupies the same mental space (fun exercise that made me notice that: started out counting in russian: odin, dwa, tri, chetire … and before I noticed I was already counting in spanish). So, yes Neil DOES forget things, b/c everybody does. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-retirement-support/1024978.md?page=6)