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Originally posted by JMalmsteen

There's a chance I could get disability retirement and would then collect a pension earlier than 55, but the NY standards are high, you need to not be able to work at all. I have an MBA in Finance and a law degree .I just can't stand and teach a class or run physics labs. I haven't practiced law in a long time. NYS could say "go be a lawyer again."

Teaching was my second career. Today was the first time in over 20 years I did not have a first day of school. It's surreal.  I loved the kids and starting new every year.  The days went fast and it was fun and a lot of work, but rewarding. 

It's my husband's last year teaching. He is counting down the days.  I did not choose this as my end date. He can't wait until he retires. 

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A Social Security hearing might put a definative decision on your work status.

It's NYS teacher retirement. We'll see what happens

Received my 4-year B.A. degree in 1974 and graduated into an economy where it was tough to get a job with a future. Ended up going back to tech school for an associates degree in digital electronics. Also looked into buying a franchise in different businesses, but did not have enough saved up to do so.

Starting in 1984 I worked almost 40 years for a small company in a niche industry making custom moisture sensors and weight measurement systems for pulp & paper, textile, food, and chemical applications. Only got hired due to the good words of a friend and neighbor who worked for the company. For 20 years before that (with four years overlap) I worked as a full-part timer for a large supermarket chain taking all the hours they would give me at different store locations. I only left that job when I started to travel doing service and system installations world-wide.

Being in a cyclical business with under 20 employees at the most whose customer base was mostly located outside the USA meant getting involved in every part of the company except payroll and accounting. CAD drawings. Writing system manuals. Sourcing, ordering, and receiving parts. Building, testing, and shipping the systems. Fax, phone, and customer support. Repairing sub-assemblies. Always something different to do and I liked the people in the company and our customers. We also had both profit sharing and a 401K pension plans. Received a Masters degree in Quality Systems engineering in 1999.

I'd still be working part time there if I could. Had to fully retire at 72 because I could no longer travel long distances due to DVTs and everyone in that company has to be able to travel. They sometimes call me for information about old systems, but that has fallen off over the last year.

Haven't dedicated as much time to music as I intended in retirement. Essential tremors in the hands has put a damper on that, but I still mess around with the banjo and guitar and take care of my instruments.

Spend a lot of time reading, doing maintenance on two houses, and providing some care giving over the last couple of years for a cousin in a tough spot health-wise. Walk 4 to 10 miles through my old college grounds, a conservation area, and the industrial park next to it when the weather is good. That is the time I listen to downloaded music on my phone.

Always have been someone who stays up late. Usually mid-night or after and then up at 6am. It is nice to be able to go back to sleep in the morning now if I feel like it. One of the best perks of being retired as far as I'm concerned. No real desire to travel anymore, although I have a much younger nomadic brother who is always bugging me to join him.

It is amazing how fast time goes by !

I'm way past retirement age and am still designing golf courses, mostly renovation work, but the majority of my work has always been renovation work, which I love. Fortunately I will only take projects that I think I will enjoy and know that I have time for. I have no plans to retire as long as I still love my work.

Here are some photos of one of my latest renovation projects on the Platte River in Nebraska. I originally designed the course (Quarry Oaks) in 1996 and several years ago was asked to come back out and do some renovation work.

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Originally posted by BanjoLink

I'm way past retirement age and am still designing golf courses, mostly renovation work, but the majority of my work has always been renovation work, which I love. Fortunately I will only take projects that I think I will enjoy and know that I have time for. I have no plans to retire as long as I still love my work.

Here are some photos of one of my latest renovation projects on the Platte River in Nebraska. I originally designed the course (Quarry Oaks) in 1996 and several years ago was asked to come back out and do some renovation work.

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I think if that were my living, I would not retire either.  Enjoyed the pics.  Brad

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Originally posted by rinemb

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Originally posted by BanjoLink

I'm way past retirement age and am still designing golf courses, mostly renovation work, but the majority of my work has always been renovation work, which I love. Fortunately I will only take projects that I think I will enjoy and know that I have time for. I have no plans to retire as long as I still love my work.

Here are some photos of one of my latest renovation projects on the Platte River in Nebraska. I originally designed the course (Quarry Oaks) in 1996 and several years ago was asked to come back out and do some renovation work.

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I think if that were my living, I would not retire either.  Enjoyed the pics.  Brad

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Well, in all honestly Brad, it's not like a real job!

Your job is also interesting ...... just in a different way.

I was a programmer for 25 years. I got in during the e-commerce scramble, got out before AI ate my job. Timing is everything.

I was competing to be the oldest programmer in the Pacific Northwest anyway. My wife is disabled so I guess I do still have a job. These days, just trying to stay healthy and do those things I didn't have time for. My bucket list includes a walking tour of England (next year). I've been retired for almost a year and I'm just now getting a feel for what retirement looks like. Still playing and writing music, but not as much as I thought I would.
Enjoy every day. Don't numb out. Mostly, I am incredibly grateful for everything I have, I have been extremely fortunate in life.

Some have no choice but to retire.