Just to be clear, I retired at age 63. My comment about health factored not into my decision to retire, but into whether I woukd take my SS pension right away. If I only expected to live another 10 years, I would have taken my pension then.

Bob

OK, now I understand. May you live long and prosper!

Ron

 

I have never regretted it and enjoy lunch every now and then with some of the guys and an annual clam bake one of the girls has been hosting over 20 years now. I don'y miss the 25 mile morning commutes in winter snow up I-271.

I get called in 2-3 times a year to do some little design job or other, usually just for a few days or a week or so. I don't mind it too much ever since the aforementioned dumber-than-a-box-of-wet-hair boss was given the boot on account of being caught boffing one of the assembly workers by his wife, who was the actual company owner.

I also get together with a few of the fellows for lunch now and then; easy enough, as the plant is only 4 miles from home.

 

I get called in 2-3 times a year to do some little design job or other, usually just for a few days or a week or so. I don't mind it too much ever since the aforementioned dumber-than-a-box-of-wet-hair boss was given the boot on account of being caught boffing one of the assembly workers by his wife, who was the actual company owner.

I also get together with a few of the fellows for lunch now and then; easy enough, as the plant is only 4 miles from home.

I did a little of that my first year, mostly on systems I designed which my replacement was learning. I gave my intent to retire around 05 Jan and they didn't get someone till actually after I left effective 01 May. I really didn't want 1099 forms. I could help a friend who was an electrician install new breaker panels replacing old fuse boxes on the side. He charged $1,500 on most jobs which we split and a job was a day. I liked that. Eventually I backed out of everything which I like.

Ron

 

The Social Security Administration uses the term, I didn't make it up.

If you had read the rest of my post, you would know that I know that.

Perhaps meaningless is too strong a word, arbitrary would be better. Compare the following two descrriptions with that of SS admin:

1. Retirement age is 62, but you may delay your pension and there will be an increase in your pension for each month you delay up to age 70.

2. Full retirement age is 70, but you may take your pension as early as 62. For each month you move up the start of your pension the amount will be reduced from the full amount you would get at 70.

Each of these is equally true, they are just different ways of looking at it.

The actual calculation is more complicated. The amount of increase or decrease for each month is largest if you take the pension more than 3 years before your “full retirement age”, at 11.67% per year.

From that time until your “full retirement age”, the annualized decrease is 6.67%.

And after that it is 8%.

Bob

 

Perhaps meaningless is too strong a word, arbitrary would be better. Compare the following two descrriptions with that of SS admin:

1. Retirement age is 62, but you may delay your pension and there will be an increase in your pension for each month you delay up to age 70.

2. Full retirement age is 70, but you may take your pension as early as 62. For each month you move up the start of your pension the amount will be reduced from the full amount you would get at 70.

Each of these is equally true, they are just different ways of looking at it.

If it causes you grief, you should take it up with them. Debating it here will do no good.

 

If you had read the rest of my post, you would know that I know that.

Perhaps meaningless is too strong a word, arbitrary would be better. Compare the following two descrriptions with that of SS admin:

1. Retirement age is 62, but you may delay your pension and there will be an increase in your pension for each month you delay up to age 70.

2. Full retirement age is 70, but you may take your pension as early as 62. For each month you move up the start of your pension the amount will be reduced from the full amount you would get at 70.

Each of these is equally true, they are just different ways of looking at it.

The actual calculation is more complicated. The amount of increase or decrease for each month is largest if you take the pension more than 3 years before your “full retirement age”, at 11.67% per year.

From that time until your “full retirement age”, the annualized decrease is 6.67%.

And after that it is 8%.

Bob

I see no grief about this in the thread. I also think that the definition at 2. is the correct one (or most correct one). Don't know their motivation, but I suspect it is toward "dumbing it down". There is no reason to do that in my view. It just takes some time and study.

On the other hand, if one simply wants to go to the SS site and get an estimate and go by that only, that's fine. I prefer learning a little more about it and hence the "breakeven" graphs and so on.

In the end, retirement planning requires one to estimate their clock-out date, and I don't know anyone (other than Al Bundy) who finds that particularly enjoyable.

 

Since retiring I noticed several profound changes.

I have never been a real big/good sleeper. I measured my sleep (actigraph/fit-bit style, which are actually pretty decent) for at least a year before retiring. It was about 5-6h/night. After retiring, it rose to 6-7/night. Actually confirmed by data.

I drink about 30-40% of the coffee that I had been drinking and I enjoy those cups much more.

I take about 10-15% of the ibuprophen that I used to take.

One other thing that I have noticed, but strictly as a function of age rather than retirement. Approximately 75-80% of the women who are half my age appear attractive. When I was at that age, however, 20-25% were that attractive. Not sure what that function is called, but somebody must have named it somewhere.

 

Dirty or horny old man syndrome.

 

Dirty or horny old man syndrome.

A syndrome is a collections of symptoms. A function is not. Additionally, attraction is a normal behavior. Finally, I'm old, not dead.

 

For the last 10 years of my working life I was on antacids and Zantac for severe pain from excess stomach acids. About three weeks after retirement from my high stress at a company known for its stressful work pace I realize that I had not remembered to take the Zantac for over a week and didn't remember the last time I needed antacids. Its been that way in the 18 years since then.

 

One other thing that I have noticed, but strictly as a function of age rather than retirement. Approximately 75-80% of the women who are half my age appear attractive. When I was at that age, however, 20-25% were that attractive. Not sure what that function is called, but somebody must have named it somewhere.

Better understanding (or it is resignation?) of you current limitations? Someone versed in marketing could give a nice, professional name to that.

 

Better understanding (or it is resignation?) of you current limitations? Someone versed in marketing could give a nice, professional name to that.

lol, I regret putting that comment in...while I do feel that way, it was more of a joke than anything else and more applicable to celebrities that invade my space through the media.

 

For the last 10 years of my working life I was on antacids and Zantac for sever pain from excess stomach acids. About three weeks after retirement from my high stress at a company known for its stressful work pace I realize that I had not remembered to take the Zantac for over a week and didn't remember the last time I needed antacids. Its been that way in the 18 years since then.

I know, isn't it amazing? You don't even realize the full extent until its absence.

 

For the last 10 years of my working life I was on antacids and Zantac for sever pain from excess stomach acids. About three weeks after retirement from my high stress at a company known for its stressful work pace I realize that I had not remembered to take the Zantac for over a week and didn't remember the last time I needed antacids. Its been that way in the 18 years since then.

Once I retired it took me about a week to shake the nagging feeling of "shouldn't I be at work right now?" and fully come to terms with the notion that from now on, my time was entirely my own. I started eating better and sleeping better.

Life is good.

 

For the last 10 years of my working life I was on antacids and Zantac for sever pain from excess stomach acids. About three weeks after retirement from my high stress at a company known for its stressful work pace I realize that I had not remembered to take the Zantac for over a week and didn't remember the last time I needed antacids. Its been that way in the 18 years since then.

Never thought I was under that much stress when working. Suffered from IBS though. Shortly after retirement it disappeared. Have not had an attack in years. Working is hazardous to your health.

Bob

 

I just told my Grandchildren, people on generational Welfare are Royalty because they don't work for their money, we as a society pay them to be who they are. We however on the other hand are Monetary Slaves, working for our money driven like slaves to purchase our life style. Granted I like my choice to choose pricey stuff, but my father always said you get what you pay for, why not purchase something that will last longer in some cases. Shoes, Jeans, shirts, Suits. He was a well dressed man even till his death.

But that is a choice, now looking to my retirement. I will watch my spending vigorously, my wife will have to stop just purchasing to purchase, she's a "Micro Shopper" if it's a buck or two or %90 off, then she's all in. She will have to learn a dollar is a dollar, she can either spend it on travel which she loves or put it into "Micro Shopping"

I will on the other hand not think of myself as Royalty even though I will collect from the Gov, I paid my share into SS and will be taxed, the above Royalty do not unless someone can correct me.

kv

 

Turning in my early retirement paper work with the Uni, then turning in the paper work for my pension with URS (Utah Retirement System) I will have my Dads house on the Market, fixed a fence Sunday and took professional pictures to list it. Minor putty and paint. Jan 1st 2020 retirement date.

kv

 

You will enjoy it.

Ron

 

Turning in my early retirement paper work with the Uni, then turning in the paper work for my pension with URS (Utah Retirement System) I will have my Dads house on the Market, fixed a fence Sunday and took professional pictures to list it. Minor putty and paint. Jan 1st 2020 retirement date.

kv

Oh no, you will be working on December 31st?!!!

 

Oh no, you will be working on December 31st?!!!

Actually plan on using up my sick leave in Dec.

kv