# Countdown to retirement **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 25, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653 "2023-03-25T17:37:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [March 25, 2023, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/21 "2023-03-25T22:55:07Z")
ISTM that waking up when you want and going to bed when you want are two of the most valuable features of retirement. Along with napping when you want. If one finds oneself wanting an alarm in the morning to avoid wasting that precious part of the day, ISTM the best fix is going to bed earlier the night before. The idea of cramming too much stuff into each day and “paying” for it with perpetual sleep deprivation is for workers, not retirees. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/22 "2023-03-25T23:05:44Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > ISTM that waking up when you want and going to bed when you want are two of the most valuable features of retirement. Along with napping when you want. I can heartily attest to that! Thus you will often see posts from me timestamped 3:00 or 4:00 AM ET! I can no longer even imagine the thought of having to get out of bed because a stupid alarm clock says so. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/23 "2023-03-25T23:21:58Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > If one finds oneself wanting an alarm in the morning to avoid wasting that precious part of the day, ISTM the best fix is going to bed earlier the night before. The idea of cramming too much stuff into each day and “paying” for it with perpetual sleep deprivation is for workers, not retirees. I guess different people are different. None of those things applies to me, for example, I’m not cramming things into my day, rather the opposite. Going to bed early is a bad idea for me if it means I’m not going to fall asleep in a reasonable time. I don’t have sleep deprivation, far from it, but I’m just one of those people who feels lazy in the morning and needs a bit of a nudge to get out of bed. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/24 "2023-03-25T23:40:00Z")
Oh for retirement. Contgratulions to you. I am a bit envious. I think I may finally have a job that will be much less stressful than working in a corporate orifice. We’ll see how it goes. I’ve got at least 4 years to go. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/25 "2023-03-26T00:04:26Z")
My fingers didn’t obey my mind I see. That keeps happening. 🤔 😇 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/26 "2023-03-26T00:10:46Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > I think I may finally have a job that will be much less stressful than working in a corporate orifice. Congrats, that’s almost as good as retiring. I quit a high-stress 50-70 hr/wk toxic business job and became a teacher. Was surprised that we were covered under the state employees’ pension plan, but that meant I could retire while I could still get around. Now, I’m making half of what I did when I was getting a paycheck, but time’s more important than money. Also, I realized that half my expenses were for battling stress. Now I don’t need to drink as much, or go out for lunch to bitch with coworkers. Sitting on a porch with a stack of books, I certainly don’t even need half as much income. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/27 "2023-03-26T00:53:47Z")
My (ex) employer provides it as part of my pension benefits until I become eligible for Medicare. Needless to say that is a huge benefit and if I didn’t have it I’d still be working. Congrats, **mmm**. Being the captain of your own destiny is wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/28 "2023-03-26T00:59:04Z")
Congratulations! It’s great! I’m4 years into it and still feel kind giddy. Hope you feel the same.🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/29 "2023-03-26T01:00:59Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > ISTM that waking up when you want and going to bed when you want are two of the most valuable features of retirement. Along with napping when you want. I retire in 13 days. In addition to the benefit of no sleep schedule, I have already discovered that not having to think about vacation time is wonderful. I have a huge amount of unused vacation time, so I had no problem accepting an invitation for a fishing trip that I just came back from. But my wife and I had planned for post retirement a 12 day vacation to Croatia for this August, and now that has expanded to a 24 day trip. Can we stay longer? Sure, not a problem. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/30 "2023-03-26T01:05:47Z")
This is something I needed to get used to also. Vacations are no longer limited to a week. Want to stay two weeks, three, a month? With proper planning it can be done! ---
**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:** [March 26, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/31 "2023-03-26T01:09:41Z")
My job is really weird in that I typically get lots of vacation and have no time off. Planning transcontinental jaunts for 3 days total is more the norm. _That_ will be a huge change for us. Want to go to Switzerland for awhile, say 1 or 2 months? Ok. I’ll make reservations for this afternoon. It’ll be weird and wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/32 "2023-03-26T01:13:17Z")
Alarm clock? What’s that? I don’t even wear a watch anymore. I took up woodworking after I retired and enjoyed that for some years. It’s a good hobby for keeping your upper body strength tuned up, especially if you’re using a lot of hand tools instead of power tools. Shopping during the week when the stores are nearly empty is another big perk. Take your vacation in the fall after kids are back in school and have the campground pretty much to yourself during weekdays. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/33 "2023-03-26T02:07:26Z")
That is cool. I am waiting three more years until I receive maximum social security for my wife to inherit. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/34 "2023-03-26T02:12:55Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I am waiting three more years until I receive maximum social security for my wife to inherit. going for age 70, eh? I’d have gone mad if I’d not retired so it’s worth it to take the hit, for me. The Mrs. will be nicely set regardless, after I shuffle off this mortal coil ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/35 "2023-03-26T02:15:28Z")
I imagine that treating prisoners is rather more challenging than repairing computer networks. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/36 "2023-03-26T02:19:52Z")
Actually it’s the bureaucracy (government and private medical corporations both) that was the worst of it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/37 "2023-03-26T05:52:24Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I’ve heard it said that if you wake up to an alarm you are not getting enough sleep. > > Four more alarm awakenings. Congratulations. After 6 years of retirement I have not had one day of wishing I was still at work. Now about that alarm thing. I don’t know about you, but I spent so many years at getting up at 6:40 am it took a few years to stop doing it. But even if I did and couldn’t go back to sleep, I’d get out of bed, get into my pajamas, and drink coffee and read the paper and not worry about traffic. So still a win. The other bad news is that soon enough you’ll be getting up anyhow, since your bladder is more insistent than any alarm. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/38 "2023-03-26T07:59:08Z")
Early congrats to the OP! I’m on day 40 of retirement and loving it! > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > What are you guys doing for health insurance I checked Covered California, and since my retirement income will be about $89k to cover 401k-\>Roth conversions annually but still keep my effective tax rate around 16%, it’s actually much cheaper to do Cobra for the next 18 months than ObamaCare. Cobra was only $800/month, CC would have been \>$1000/mo. > [@hajario](#): > > Health Insurance: I am on Covered California (our version of ObamaCare). It’s not means tested and since I am “low income” the premiums are free. Wait, what? If it’s not means tested, it wouldn’t matter what your income is. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/39 "2023-03-26T11:11:47Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > I’ve heard it said that if you wake up to an alarm you are not getting enough sleep. > > Since my alarm was at 3am to get to work by 5 I needed it. However, as I’ve said before other retirement threads, I kept it on after I retired just for the sheer joy of getting awakened, thinking, “I don’t have to go to work!” \>whap\< and instantly falling asleep again. > > I kept it up for about two months. Oh man, I love this idea. I’m going to do it for just the first day of retirement, which will be Friday. > [@Voyager](#): > > Congratulations. After 6 years of retirement I have not had one day of wishing I was still at work. > Now about that alarm thing. I don’t know about you, but I spent so many years at getting up at 6:40 am it took a few years to stop doing it. But even if I did and couldn’t go back to sleep, I’d get out of bed, get into my pajamas, and drink coffee and read the paper and not worry about traffic. So still a win. > The other bad news is that soon enough you’ll be getting up anyhow, since your bladder is more insistent than any alarm. My work alarm is set for 4:50. I usually sleep in until 6:00 - ish on my days off. I’m sure I will continue waking up pretty early but it won’t be because the alarm is nagging at me. Also, the bladder thing applies to me as well. But there is a difference between getting up, peeing, showering, getting dressed, and hauling my behind through a 35-minute commute to spend ten hours working and getting up, peeing, and then crawling back under the covers. mmm ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/40 "2023-03-26T12:55:21Z")
Congratulations! I’ve been retired for a little over a year and it’s great. Unfortunately , I still wake up at 6:30 am, I’m hoping that will end soon. I do struggle to accomplish anything but it’s not that those things aren’t important to me. I want those projects to have been done- to have a nice looking garden, to have the basement cleared out - but there’s always something better to do and endless time to complete the project. I actually got more done when I had to fit it in around work and kids activities. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > What are you guys doing for health insurance? I still have my employer’s insurance - it costs me about half as much as it did when I was working because a credit for my unused sick leave covers half of my share. And once I am eligible for Medicare, this plan will pay the Part B premium for both my husband and me. If I didn’t have this coverage, I would have had to wait to retire - I could not have afforded the COBRA rate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653.md?page=3)