RETIREMENT - At what age did you or will you throw in the towel?

[tcesni]

Retired at 68, will start drawing Social Security in 14 months at 70.

[Blazers93]

Hoping to hang it up at 60.

[Dennis S.]

I retired this past December 20. I turned 65 on December 23. I'm so glad I did!!

[Doorman1]

Went and sold my business at 64 1/2 couldn’t keep running the business and take care of the wife also. Only thing that smarts a little was the funds I gave up in Social Security, By drawing it earlier than I originally planned. I have no regrets going early . Don’t think I will need to touch my IRA as have have plenty of money leftover every month. I like the independence of doing whatever I want when I want. Going to visit an old friend in California leaving Thursday morning. No schedule will drive as far as I feel like it each day and stay in California til my friend says I’ve over stayed my welcome.

[brianf.]

Just retired 21 days ago at age 63. Looking forward to the next chapter of my life!

[Gamblerman65]

Retired at 55. Now 77.

[Tone357]

I left at 62 years of age. I put in 45 years at the same company, never once hated going to work until a month or two before my 45th year anniversary. It got to the point where I just didn't want to be there any longer. I crunched the numbers and it looked good, so I put in my notice and never looked back. I had a coworker who was so focused on getting every dime he could that he sold several of his vacations back to the company, and worked every single holiday to fill his bank account. When he finally retired, he died in his sleep the first day. Don't be that guy.

[jcruse64]

I left at 62 years of age. I put in 45 years at the same company, never once hated going to work until a month or two before my 45th year anniversary. It got to the point where I just didn't want to be there any longer. I crunched the numbers and it looked good, so I put in my notice and never looked back. I had a coworker who was so focused on getting every dime he could that he sold several of his vacations back to the company, and worked every single holiday to fill his bank account. When he finally retired, he died in his sleep the first day. Don't be that guy.

I think about this scenario a LOT, to be honest, and it's this kind of thing that is getting me to plan to go out at 62, which is less than 1 1/2 years from now. I'll be 62 next September, and I may retire at the end of next year, instead of on my BD, but it will be soon. My wife retired last year and she and her 2 partners closed down their CPA firm after selling off a big part of it. She had nearly 36 in, and wanted to sell out 5 years before, and her health has suffered for it. This is really the only reason I've thought about going to 65 or 66, to maintain a decent work-provided insurance plan, but she REALLY wants me out of it with her, so I probably will go at 62 and try to make sure we get some good years in together while we can.

I've been at this one place for over 31 years, having hired in here in my late 20's. Seems to be several of us with +30 year commitments to one employer, and some of you with the 20 or more in the Armed Forces (my hat is off to you, that is a bigger thing than 30+ in non-military, to me).

We've done very well for ourselves and have been good money managers for all our time together, so finances aren't troubling me, except for getting us medically insured until we both hit 65; she is one year younger than me. We're just starting to investigate the options out there in KY for us.

[MYRX]

Retired at 68 during the Covid crap. Glad I did. Wife is 15 years younger than me and loves her current position. Found out I don't need the things I thought I had to have. I enjoy deer hunting four days a week in the Fall, maintaining my old TR21 and fishing in the Spring, my new Collie puppy, UGA football, my veg garden, grandkids, and my new hobby learning how to smoke Butts, Turkeys, Brisket. You get the point. I am not wealthy, but have a rich life in other ways.

[Cape Fear]

I retired in September 2021 at the age of 63 just a few weeks before my 64th birthday. Didn't plan on that time, but the stars, moon and sun lined up just right. It took some time(a lot ) of adjusting, but it was the right thing to do. Have enjoyed it ever since.

[1stindoor]

Retired from the Army in 2013. Set myself up to be able to completely retire by 60; hit that last September. Wife isn't in a hurry so I'm working while she's working. But I'm ready. Probably at 62.

[Jbass123]

My job offered a tempting early retirement package for everyone aged 60 with at least 15 years in house. Many succumbed, as did I. The job I did was mission critical to our very large [2500 employees] business, I was the only one trained to do that job, and on the day I turned in my keys I had not been asked to do any replacement training—nor was there a replacement on deck. 2 months after I retired, I got a call from someone wanting information that only I had, but my files had all been wiped; sorry about your luck.

My wife on the other hand is still working at 74, again is the only person in her corporation who does what she does, and if she has any plans to retire, I haven’t heard about it.

Word to the wise: I had the best fishing of my life from 60 to 70 y.o. And at exactly 70 major health issues arose. I’d been possibly the healthiest 60 year-old in the Midwest prior to that surprise. It’s a cliche because it’s true: you can’t take it with you, and there are no guarantees. Moreover, *everyone* can be replaced. I have no idea what they did going forward with my job responsibilities that I’d taken 15 years to consolidate. Knowing my company, they probably made the cheapest hire possible and wondered why things didn’t go smoothly. Not my problem, nor is it yours. Good luck with your decision. My best fishing buddy and I both said, a couple years ago, that for sure we’d both be fishing till age 85. That’s not a good bet for either of us now.

[rangered]

Had myself setup to retire at 60 and then bought a business from a customer of mine
at 55. 10 years later and I work 1 day a week for the last 4 years. Can’t draw SS until
I sell the company. That should be in the next couple years. Will be able to retire and
not have to worry about money at all and still leave the girls some coin when I’m gone.

[barbarian]

Hopefully quiet quitting at end of this year. I’ll be 58 knocking on 59

[bfric]

Retired in March of 22 at 64...I miss my coworkers but the job no.

[sll]

Retired a year ago at 56yo.

[JoshKeller]

The day I'm eligible to collect my pension.

[pavi69]

73 but I had 150 days a year off when I was working

[Bleed Blue]

I went at 62, with 40 years of service. That was in 2018. I really wish I would have waited a few more years due to boredom. My only hobby is fishing, and I can't get motivated to go more than twice a week. I do some deer hunting but only a week or two. My health is/was fine, so I feel I went a little too early.
Good Luck

[Missedone]

I am retiring at the end of this year, my choice, when I turn 65. My company is offering me a consulting contract after that and I am considering it.