Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 One year into my retirement and I'm still alive. I stepped across an admittedly paranoid threshold: I've heard of too many men who died in their first year of retirement. My cousin warned me most sternly of this phenomenon -- my cousin is a man of uncommon good sense -- I took his warning seriously. It gets worse. My wife retired as well, she is nine years my junior and won't be Medicare eligible for a couple years short of a decade. I nearly cried two mornings ago. She's been retired just short of two weeks. Her work as a CT technologist (not technician, professional terminology here) is physically demanding -- I didn't realize how bad it was -- until she came padding barefoot from the bedroom, she looked at me with surprise on her face and wonder in her voice and said, "I woke up and realized ... my back doesn't hurt now!" Good Lord. I can reasonably infer that she woke with back pain all these years, she got ready for work with back pain, knowing it would get worse, and she went in to work anyway. I rejoice my wife is now retired: her health is visibly improving, the stress isn't tearing her up. In a previous discussion of the subject, I was wisely counseled that I've gone from ALL AHEAD FLANK! to "Ahead dead slow." I'm learning it and she's doing it! (Proof yet again she is younger, smarter and better looking than me ... not to mention left handed!) (The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, which means of the two of us, she's in her right mind and I'm not!) (That didn't come out right!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOLFY Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 good going! in my previous profession it was retirees not making it to 5 years… so for me that’s next july Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 Posted August 4, 2023 Author Share Posted August 4, 2023 Here's hopin' you make it in fine shape! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 I’m approaching eight years of retirement! When I say retirement, I’m talking about not working for a paycheck or for someone else. I sold the last of the hat making gear and inventory two years ago. We’re waiting on Mark Watson, my guitar playin’ partner, to get back into playing shape for, probably, one last big show before we break up the band. I’ve pretty much turned over any customer work in the hotrod shop to Hatfield. I turned 70 the first part of this year and tomorrow, I’m heading down to Wartrace. It’ll be the twentieth anniversary of my first SASS match and I aim to shoot at least a couple of stages. Despite the nagging minor health issues, retirement is looking pretty good so far!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choctaw Jack Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 Mr. Keller, If there is any credibility to the theory that the first five years of retirement are the most dangerous, it just makes sense to me to do those "When I retire, I'm gonna....." things done first. But do the things you WANT TO DO first. Those are the most important. You've waited to do the rest for this long, they can wait a little longer. Hang in there, you'll make it! Choctaw ( I retired eight years ago. I'll get to that"other" list soon! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 I never retired, I’m semi retired or semi employed however you want to say it. I’m also self employed so I work when I want! I turned 76 in March and hangin in there! Thank God! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 I retired from my "career" job at 51, felt much better with the stress gone! Spent 4 years moving to VT and building our log home. Went back to work for 6 years and when I got an idiot for a boss and the stress started mounting, sent him the Johnny Paycheck song " Take this job and shove it", I ain't workin here no more. A year later is when I started to fall apart! First my right rotator cuff failed and the Hospital made that a permanent thing with 1K of Penicillin every day. Then the bout with cancer a little over 5 years ago. I'm now past the predicted croaking date. All is good, I have a wonderful wife and still on the green side of the turf and mostly vertical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largo casey #19191 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 I've been retired 2.5 years.Had my ups & downs.Hangin in there. Largo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 My wife retired before I did. I'm 10 years out of work and don't miss it at all. We live frugally, quietly, and we are still compatible after 53 years of marriage. We're lucky and gonna enjoy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tell Sackett SASS 18436 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 I’ve been retired just over a year now, and I’m having the time of my life! The only time I don’t sleep in late is when I’m at a match! I can live with that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jailhouse Jim, SASS #13104 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 I'm coming up on 7 years retired. I do something positive every single day and have my honey do list mostly caught up. I drive a water tender as a contractor on fires out west for disposable income and can't see myself working full-time ever again because I simply don't have time to have a real job any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Kris Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 Uno is at the point where he's got the right numbers (age, years in the industry etc.) to retire. He's afraid of taking the final step. If the stress level continues, he'll do it. I've got a few years to go, as long as my health holds out. Enjoy it!!! You've earned it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 I retired in 2005 and never regretted it for a second. I do pretty much what I want, when I want, with whom I want......and if I don't want I don't it at all. I'm learning to get by without my wife, secure in the knowledge that I was smarter than she was.. After all, look who she married and who I married. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sloe Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 I first retired in 1994, again in 2007, and for the final time in 2018. Three different jobs. First thing I learned in retirement was that I can't buy every gun that I see and like. The biggest thing in retirement is don't stop and become a couch potato. Take care, BS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 I can retire in 498 days if I want. I will be eligible at that point for an early retirement. Retire from that job and of course go do something else but leaving that job I will also leave the constant BS of incompetent management and I will certainly enjoy lower blood pressure daily. It's certainly on my radar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 20 minutes ago, Dantankerous said: I can retire in 498 days if I want. I will be eligible at that point for an early retirement. Retire from that job and of course go do something else but leaving that job I will also leave the constant BS of incompetent management and I will certainly enjoy lower blood pressure daily. It's certainly on my radar. Once you achieve "retirement age", a strange thing happens... you realize you can pull the plug anytime and it gives you some solace, comfort, a feeling of control that you didn't have before. I retired at age 69, and it was a relaxed decision, knowing that I could have flipped them off at any time I wanted to in the previous 4 years. Enjoy being in the driver's seat for a while!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 I am 358 days from retirement from my current job. I'll probably pick up some work somewhere after that, but it won't be more than a few hours a week, with the understanding I can be off when I want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 With 49 years in my industry, I will retire this month. It's been good work but I don't want to work until I die. I want time to do what I and my wife want to do. No more getting up at 4:30 every day. Horace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie MacNeil, SASS #48580 Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 I retired from my paying job just over 6 years ago. I now spend a lot of my time trying to keep my wife from working me to death on the ranch. Retirement is the best job I’ve ever had. They pay me to stay home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 1 hour ago, Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 said: ...No more getting up at 4:30 every day. Horace I won't mind waking up at 4:30 AM in retirement, it's something I've done for 30 plus years only this time I'll hang out on the couch with my dogs and drink coffee instead of go to work listening to idiots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 For the last two weeks and probably two more weeks, we've been on from 5am to 5pm so I've been getting up at 3am. Pretty soon, no more of that ! Horace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixgun Seamus Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 Officially retired one day after my 65th birthday. Last day of working was 6 weeks before that as I back ended my vacation time. I now have a full time job of watching grandkids, loading ammo and driving Cayenne Kay to cowboy matches and hauling her awards home. It will be 7 years next month that I retired. I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 16 hours ago, LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L said: I am 358 days from retirement from my current job. I'll probably pick up some work somewhere after that, but it won't be more than a few hours a week, with the understanding I can be off when I want. Government job, eh? LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 2 minutes ago, Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 said: Government job, eh? LL That's what I have now. Probably go to work for one of my local gun shops. Pay ain't great, but the side hustle benefits are good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Graybeard Posted August 5, 2023 Share Posted August 5, 2023 I retired about 4 years ago. My wife has about a year to go for social security. We'll see how well we get along when we are together all the time. So far..with her working...we have been getting along well. I drove truck for 47 years and farmed most of my life. I didn't have any problem becoming retired from both...I think it was time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Duncan Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Retirement is horrible! You young folks just keep on working…and paying into my Social Security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Hey Linn, I past my one year retirement anniversary on Independence Day. I like it…….I like it A LOT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dan Dawkins Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 5 years away… that’s the plan. Maybe 10. But I’m only 48, so we’ll see…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dan Dawkins Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 On 8/4/2023 at 10:21 PM, LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L said: I am 358 days from retirement from my current job. I'll probably pick up some work somewhere after that, but it won't be more than a few hours a week, with the understanding I can be off when I want. I am more or less planning on part time work myself. I’ll keep 2-3 customers I’ll personally attend to and make enough for living expenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted August 8, 2023 Share Posted August 8, 2023 WORK is a four letter word! I retired after 40 years with the City, some 21 years ago. Paid up pension at 35 years in, but kept on going 'cause I found it interesting and challenging! I credit the fact that I'm now nearing 80, after surviving Prostate cancer, heart surgery, a calcified aneurysm and bad knees with the fact I quit when I did to look after my beloved wife, when her health started to fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted August 8, 2023 Share Posted August 8, 2023 6 hours ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said: WORK is a four letter word! .......... and it ends with a "K" ... ! ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 i retired twice , the first time for about a year and a half - my wife thought it was good , i decided it wasnt , , she was still working and i had a part time job for fun at the gun range but that just wasnt exciting enough , i took another full time job for six years till covid crap and finally really retired , still have that part time gunclub job to stay a little in it , my wife has retired but as above 10 years younger , wont be on medicare or SS for a couple years yet , im content as of now , i did have a grandfather that died in less than a year of being forced to retire and my father didnt get a long retirement , we shall see .............im three years into it , im busier than i ever was , im happy , i hope you can say the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Semi- retired at 66 for 3 months, Then I took up Pastoring a Church in crisis ... Church is now healthy, starting to think about retiring again, but for longer this time... Will likely still work on Cowboy guns though.... Jabez Cowboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulp, SASS#28319 Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Retired from the paper mill in 2016. Since then I have been a substitute teacher, a Lowe's employee, built my house, began subbing again, which turned into a full time teacher job when the Speech and Drama teached had to quit. Covid shut down the schools at spring break. Took a year off, started subbing again, once again turned into full time teaching job when a coach/ history teacher had to quit. I accepted a Middle School science job beginning tomorrow, that will be an actual teaching job, not just a sub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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