# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/141 "2023-04-22T12:10:29Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > But somewhere around the six-month mark I started to feel uneasy. Then anxious. (…) When there were just a few weeks to go the uneasiness actually interfered with what should have been the happiest days of my work life. > > Here is the good news. During my last week of work that all went away. I was totally at peace with the change. I’m glad to hear the uneasiness went away. It’s surprisingly different for different folks. I’ve never enjoyed, nor wanted to work – from my first job in 1974 to my last day in 2019. I don’t like being on anyone’s schedule and would have retired after my first day in fast food, if it were possible. My retirement was (is) the biggest gift I’ve ever given myself and I sailed out of my career with zero regrets. I’ve had no contact with my former workplace save one lunch with a former co-worker, I haven’t driven past\*, or even thought about it much – in 4 years. My Dad is the exact opposite. He loved the social aspect and has kept in close contact with every co-worker he could. He’s been retired for 28 years and recently showed me the list of 41 co-workers who’ve died. He could recount their wives, kids, hobbies, and every aspect of their lives. I tried and couldn’t name a dozen of my former co-workers. I’ve already forgotten most of them – they were the real-life NPCs for me. I’d say those who actually miss their work are to be envied. They probably enjoyed it more during the 10,000 or so hours of drudgery. I wonder if our differing attitudes are correlated with intro/extro-version? Or maybe with being in management instead of just a drone? Anyway, congratulations on retirement! Hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I’ve never regretted an instant of it, and have declined two informal offers to return to the grind. On the last one I quoted Decker (from Blade Runner) “I was quit when I come in here – I’m twice as quit now.” \*Due to security levels, you can’t drop by and visit. Driving past the building would be the closest approximation. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/142 "2023-04-22T13:45:58Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > If I lost a job, I was pounding the pavement until I got a new one. I’ve never just let go of the rope and let the boat drift I too, used the wingwalkers philosophy: Don’t let go of what you’ve got until you have a good grip on what you’re getting. Fortunately, I have such a myriad of interests I wonder how I got _anything_ done when I spent 50 hours a week at work or going to/from it. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/143 "2023-04-22T15:27:24Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Now they’re planning to transfer my work to a new team, who doesn’t know me, doesn’t know my data, doesn’t know the users I support. And this is totally NOT YOUR PROBLEM. It _is_ hard to let go of what had been your problem. It was your value add, your mission. You nursed it and tended it and pruned it and all the rest. Skillfully too. There is a lot to admire there. You have much to be proud of. Next Saturday that won’t matter _to you_. Not the team, not the data, not the users. None of that will matter _to you_. Looked at the correct way, it’s good that your employer demonstrated their indifference to both you and your mission by screwing with you over the last 6 months. If they, who do have an ongoing interest in these things, are willing to leave that data unprocessed and those users unsupported, you can have no _rational_ reason to care more than HQ does. You certainly do have an _emotional_ / _professional_ interest in that this week. As you’ve shared with us. And rightly so. Next week you get to throw off that emotional interest too. And with a clear conscience. Yes, a part of you is coming to an irretrievable end. But something just as big, and potentially far bigger is about to begin. And likely something far, far _better_. Good luck. I’m counting my months. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/144 "2023-04-22T15:57:41Z")
> [@Ssounder](#): > > I retired at 60 (FIRE) in 2020 and haven’t felt this free since I was on summer vacation in my early teens. > Financial independence and no obligation to someone else’s agenda takes a big load off of my mind. > No regrets. Other than I don’t know what FIRE refers to, this is me. Every day is like a summer day when I was about 13 or 14. Old enough to go off with friends with no ties, but not so old that I had responsibilities hovering overhead. I still have some responsibilites now, but pretty much everything is on my time and at my choice. It’s nice. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/145 "2023-04-22T16:01:25Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I don’t know what FIRE refers to Guessing that it’s Forced Into Early Retirement? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/146 "2023-04-22T16:07:22Z")
No. It’s Financial Independence/Retire Early. This is a movement that’s big on Reddit and elsewhere to teach younger people the lifestyle and investing and spending techniques to achieve it. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/147 "2023-04-22T16:08:00Z")
Ha, I’d accept either! But @hajario 's makes more sense in context. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/148 "2023-04-22T16:12:45Z")
Most of us do the standard FIRE but there are a few categories. Fat FIRE is having huge wealth at retirement Lean FIRE is not working but still living small like a starving student. Barista FIRE is you need a job to keep up your lifestyle but it’s an easy, low stress job. ---
**Author:** ![Ssounder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@Ssounder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ssounder)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/149 "2023-04-22T16:38:25Z")
You nailed it. There’s a decent [early retirement](https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/) forum where people discuss it in detail. There’s even a free FIRE calculator to track your progress. There are many good people on there willing to share their experience. FTR I fall in the standard Fire category. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/150 "2023-04-22T16:52:13Z")
Here’s the quick intro & bibliography: > **[FIRE movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRE_movement)** > > The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement is a lifestyle movement with the goal of gaining financial independence and retiring early. The model became particularly popular among millennials in the 2010s, gaining traction through online communities via information shared in blogs, podcasts, and online discussion forums. > Those seeking to attain FIRE intentionally maximize their savings rate by finding ways to increase income and/or decrease expenses, along with aggressive investment... ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/151 "2023-04-22T17:33:40Z")
Is there an opposite of FIRE? Perhaps FURL (Financially Uncertain, Retire Late)? If so, that kindasorta describes me — I retired at 70½, about the same time I had to start taking distributions from my IRAs — except that my finances are pretty well set: delaying retirement boosted my Social Security and pension payments enough that 99% of the time they get me through the month without touching said IRAs. Actually, I felt no particular drive to retire and had/have no grand plans what to do. But the letters from Social Security were getting more strident (and I’d reached the point where the monthly payment stopped increasing with age), and my temporary position was due to expire in a couple of months. The state agency I was working for was willing to extend it for another two years, but I figured it was simply time to pull the plug. I let them know in March 2018 and left at the end of June. No regrets. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/152 "2023-04-22T18:34:09Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > And this is totally NOT YOUR PROBLEM… > > Next week you get to throw off that emotional interest too. And with a clear conscience. Yes, a part of you is coming to an irretrievable end. But something just as big, and potentially far bigger is about to begin. And likely something far, far _better_. Thank you, this was a very healthy way to look at it. StG ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/153 "2023-04-22T18:57:13Z")
We just got back from paying off our mortgage. We now own this home free and clear. That’s a fat chunk of change every month NOT going to Wells Fargo. We’ll be able to buy our next (retirement) home outright, and not only have no mortgage, but a good bit left over to add into our IRA. Also just rolled over Mr. brown’s 401(k) from a previous employer to a Schwab IRA, there to be parked in a money market fund until such time as we move our investments over to income instruments. Don’t I wish that money market funds would continue to pay the same amount as they pay right now. We’d just put everything we have in one and 4.7% would provide a nice income. This is helping to alleviate anxiety bit by bit. Next up: figure out all the Medicare details. We already applied back when we were 65, so we’re in, but it’s all the rest of the stuff that’s flummoxing. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/154 "2023-04-22T19:35:42Z")
I am so excited for you! Sounds like you have the process well laid-out… ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/155 "2023-04-22T20:05:34Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > Next up: figure out all the Medicare details. We already applied back when we were 65, so we’re in, but it’s all the rest of the stuff that’s flummoxing. I talked to a person who specializes in heathcare insurance. She’s taken my basic information and said that a month before my insurance will end to get back with her, but she sees plenty of options for me, plus recommendations for when I hit Medicare age. I’d recommend finding someone on your area who’s a specialist. StG ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/156 "2023-04-22T20:22:31Z")
I found the Medicare aspect the most confusing. Once I’d figured it out, then, it was easier understanding what I’d read before. Duh. But I had post-retirement medical from my company, and I was terrified I’d do something wrong or sign up for the wrong option and mess that up. I wish I’d gone to a specialist. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/157 "2023-04-22T23:37:19Z")
I found _Medicare for Dummies_ to cover all the bases. It was very helpful when it was time for me to go on Medicare. It has worked out fine for the past 6 years. The Medicare site is pretty good, but does not have all the background and comparisons. And you should search for the Medicare threads. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/158 "2023-04-22T23:42:02Z")
Oh, I’ve been retired for ten years now, so I don’t think it’ll help much now, but thanks! ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/159 "2023-04-23T00:38:53Z")
I have _Medicare For Dummies_, and I read and understood a lot, but it has been two or three years since I did that and I have to read it again. And I also have bookmarked an insurance specialist website when we’re ready to tackle that this issue. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/160 "2023-04-23T05:03:01Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Looked at the correct way, it’s good that your employer demonstrated their indifference to both you and your mission by screwing with you over the last 6 months. One job I had with the UPS help desk ended when they moved the job from Tempe to Las Vegas. They offered to move anyone who wanted but only a couple people, not including me, took them up on it. The job involved a lot of data integration with the larger shippers’ various order-taking systems and our rate calculating / label printing software. The LV desk had been active for some months before the switch over but had not really picked up on that aspect yet. The bosses decided it would be a good idea if they got some training in that and picked four of us who were really good to go up there for four weeks and teach them. They would fly us up Monday morning then back Thursday evening so we could have a Friday back home for interviews and such. Hotel, meals, and one car rental were also paid for. When we got there the first Monday the site manager in his infinite wisdom put us on the phones instead. We smiled, nodded, and did help desk calls all week. With the concurrence of the four of us, the senior-most guy called the boss when we were back and said, "We’ll keep going if you like but honestly, it’s a waste of our time and your money. The boss said, “Stand by,” then called us on Saturday afternoon to say we would be doing the training as expected for the last three weeks. We never did see the site manager during that period. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653.md?page=9)