I accepted an "early retirement package" today. I've been drinking since 11am!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow (Saturday). And the day after that (Saturday), and then another Saturday, and so on, and so on, and so on!

I'll go back to work eventually but on my terms, my pay and my projects. I'll be a consultant.

I already had my first client request my services by 3pm and I didn't even tell anyone I was available. A coworker spilled the beans and a former customer contacted me. I probably shouldn't have answered the phone when I was in the bag.

 

Congratulations! I've been in that same situation-- my terms, my pay and my projects-- for the last three years and I love it. I go back in to work a couple of times a year for a few weeks each time; gives me travel money.

Enjoy.

 

I accepted an "early retirement package" today.

Couldn't wait to get rid of you?

But seriously, staying busy is vitally important. Consulting is great. I did that for 35 years. Never a dull day.

 

Congratulations. Wish I was offered an early retirement. But I suspect that is coming sometime next year when all of our projects are done. The Indians can then come in for support at $1.25 an hour.

 

Congrats on the early retirement.

 

I got out 'early' and have not regretted it. It takes some effort at first. I hated meetings but when they all stopped, it caused a bit of withdrawal. Feeling part of the hive filled some sort of hole and I noticed when it was gone. But then I'd go run, swim, bike, golf, travel, drink, read, sleep, and on and on, and any bad feelings melted away.

Enjoy!

 

Congratulations Gopher and just enjoy. Yeah, everyday a holiday and every meal a feast. I think what I enjoyed the most was no longer being responsible for anything. I went out in May of 2013 after some thought and looking at finances. My wife and I decided over the Christmas Holidays of 2012 and following the holidays I talked with our benefits administrator and informed my department in January of 2013 I would be retiring effective 01 May of 2013 shortly after I turned 63 in February. My wife retired in September of 2013 about 6 months after I did. We did plan it and think about it, especially with consideration to medical. I have never regretted going out and we have enjoyed life since we both retired. No more counting and metering vacation days as everyday is vacation.

Wishing you all the very best as you slow down and smell the roses.

Ron

 

Congratulations. As simebody said "No man on his deathbed wished he'd spent more time at work."

You did the right thing.

 

I've been retired (from being an electronic shop supervisor for San Francisco's transit agency) for 3 years now. However, I've spent a lot of time brushing up on the math and physics theory and I'm hoping to eventually become an instructor.

"A rolling stone gathers no moss" and I'm still rolling right along.

 

I'm looking forward to tomorrow (Saturday). And the day after that (Saturday), and then another Saturday, and so on, and so on, and so on!

I just remembered the sign I put in my front room after my last divorce: VACATION IS AN ATTITUDE

 

Congrats @GopherT relax and smell the roses. I'm 60 this year yet have some time to go and looking forward to it. Glad to hear someone else is enjoying more freedom.

Pick and choose your time wisely.

kv

 

Congratulations. As simebody said "No man on his deathbed wished he'd spent more time at work."

You did the right thing.

Guess I'll have lots of regrets on my deathbed. I'm way past my retirement years and still working. But then I think I must have the best job in the world!

 

Guess I'll have lots of regrets on my deathbed. I'm way past my retirement years and still working. But then I think I must have the best job in the world!

Not at all unusual. I know people well into their 70s who still enjoy going to work and love their jobs.

I really enjoyed going to work everyday, I always enjoyed my job. I was also well liked and well respected in the workplace. I will share what motivated my retirement when I decided it was time. My company which was ESOP (Employee Owned) went up for sale. BWXT (Babcock Wilcox Extended Technologies) bought us at about 3X the value of my stock holdings in the company. This indeed was great. The winds of change began. I was vested in the old company pension plan which was great. Even under my old companies, new hires (over the past 20 years) were not afforded a pension plan. Shortly after we were acquired came the cooperate memo. Those of us vested in the plan would no longer benefit from additional years of service as of December 31st of that year. So remaining longer would not be to my advantage other than regular pay and allowances. My pension would not reflect any additional years of service. Within my engineering department annual increases (raises) would be pretty severely cut and our work increased with me seeing more and more projects as part of annual goals to achieve. Many goals were likely not achievable but failure to meet goals supported a low to no pay increase.

Going to work was no longer the enjoyable experience it formerly was. Rather than get angry and lose my temper I was fortunate in that I could retire. Thankfully Kathy and I had good investments and we managed to put away quite a bit of money. I felt the time was right and left happily on very good terms. Originally I had planned to work till 66 or so but I felt it was in my best interest to bail out when I did in view of the changes. The buyout was sweet and we saw much more on that deal than we ever dreamed. I also was not alone. There were several in my age group with the same time in and we all simply retired.

I figure just like being motivated to go to work everyday there are also forces which motivate us to retire or as I put it years ago, "pull the plug".

Ron

 

Yes, I can appreciate that with a private company, ESOP, change in ownership, and the fallout that follows.
With the added financial security built up over the years, it's the right time to pull the plug.

My situation is somewhat different. Basically, I get paid for doing something that I would still be doing if retired. So what the heck, I might as well keep doing it and take a salary.

 

Yes, I can appreciate that with a private company, ESOP, change in ownership, and the fallout that follows.
With the added financial security built up over the years, it's the right time to pull the plug.

My situation is somewhat different. Basically, I get paid for doing something that I would still be doing if retired. So what the heck, I might as well keep doing it and take a salary.

I believe that covers it nicely.
On another small note my daily commute was 50 US miles round trip. Not bad and all Interstate Highway. Gopher lives not far from me and our winters can get ugly. I do not miss that commute in snow storms. Nice to sit at the kitchen table and enjoy morning coffee as we watch it snow and thank God we are no longer out there driving in the stuff.

Ron

 

I believe that covers it nicely.
On another small note my daily commute was 50 US miles round trip. Not bad and all Interstate Highway. Gopher lives not far from me and our winters can get ugly. I do not miss that commute in snow storms. Nice to sit at the kitchen table and enjoy morning coffee as we watch it snow and thank God we are no longer out there driving in the stuff.

Ron

Of course. That is another perk.
My commute to work daily is a 15-minute bicycle ride via a bike trail for 2km of the 6km ride.
The beautiful weather we are having for the past two weeks means that my work attire is shorts and t-shirt.

 

Also had early retirement, but was a forced retirement, not ready to do it. Caused a pretty deep depression for several years. But then saw the bright side of things, and got over it. Have fun and keep doing what you like Gopher.

 

Congratulations Gopher and just enjoy it ... I took early retirement 18 years ago , never looked back , my 2 cents worth ... just keep mind and body active....

 

Congratulations Gopher!

I've known you since you were just a / And now you're already a "unofficial mascot for Fox's NASCAR coverage" doing what he pleases *tears of joy.

May you use your time to kick some ass for a long time.

 

Speaking of Gopher... Did he retire from AAC? Extended partying and joy? Gopher? Gopher? Gopher? (Ferris Bueller's Day Off").

Ron