Don't know if I'll ever "truly" make it to full timing ...

[DutchmenSport]

... not so sure I really want to.

It was our dream to go full timing when I hit retirement. Well, I'm one step closer. I applied for Social Security yesterday. I passed that golden age of 66 and 2 months, so I'm eligible for full benefits and can still continue working and earn as much as I want without penalty against the SS payments.

But, now that I'm there, I'm not so sure I really want to give up my full time job yet. With Covid, we've been out of the office, working from home for a year and 4 months now. Although the "rumblins" are to return to the office, "the powers to be" are getting such a back-lash, they are not making any decisions very quick yet. It's caused just enough "confusion" to be confusing.

Meanwhile, my wife and I (who also works from home), have taken advantage and done the "work from home" .... from camper! Even when we are "home", we're still in the camper in the drive way.

We deeded our house over to our son about a year ago. He and his little boy have been living with us for 8 years now, and he's petty much learned how to take care of everything on the house. That frees us up to hit the road, have camper will travel! you know!

So, basically, we still have a very solid "home port" to return to at any time, so we have the best of all worlds right now. I'm enjoying my current life-style. I'm still enjoying working full time. My health is still good, and I still have a good paying job. And I can take all this on the road on a whim, whenever we feel like it.

My wife says if I quit working, I'll go nuts with nothing to do. I think that's why the house is so good for us. I love to piddle in my wood shop, I still enjoy my John Deere mower, and I still love running the corn fields behind the house when the corn is up. I enjoy the benefit of having somewhere to return home to for stable Doctor visits, an address, insurance, and family. But I sure do enjoy the time we are on the road too.

Nothing says I have to quit and give up the job yet? Nothing says I have to surrender the house completely either. For now, I'm just enjoying the good life!

And I guess I'll just pocket that Social Security check, or use it for camping fees! It's really nice having options! Real options! and to be in the position, if I want, to tell the boss: "Take this job and shove it! I ain't working here no more!"

 

[Mikendebbie]

Dutchmensport - I feel your pain! I passed 66 in March. I'm planning to retire at age 70.5...the I enjoy what I do, I like the people I work with, the pay, benefits, health insurance is all just too good to leave behind. In fact - life without this health insurance is bit scary. The only birthday I ever worried about was turning 18, and by the time I turned 18 Nixon had stopped the draft. Now #70 is my new focus.

 

[Salineriverman]

Retirement

Sounds like you have it figured out! Do what makes you and the wife happy!!
Congratulations on making it to this milestone in life!
I worked for a SYP mill as a production Supt. The last 5 yrs of my 42 years of service. My wife was worried I’d go crazy when I retired missing my past life! I can truly say I’ve not missed the headaches or calls in the middle of the night. We live in the country and I stay busy on the farm. I cut hay today. We enjoy our camping trips and each day we are blessed with here on earth in South Arkansas.

We had 3 close family members passed in a 5 month period helping me decide to hang it up at work.
Life is what we make of it! Again congrats on making it to that age and continue to enjoy your RV and work set up! You’ve earned that!!

 

[loveless@att.net]

sounds like things are working out great for you,
I was a "traveling salesman" (every week on a plane going some where) we bought our truck and trailer to winter in AZ. first time I had spent 3 weeks with my wife in forever. called the boss and quit. never looked back.
I was 61. my wife thought Id go crazy in retirement, now I cant figure out how I had any time at all to work.
do what makes you happy and ENJOY.

 

[BB_TX]

Congratulations on making it to the point you can retire, and having the option of doing it or not. I liked my job and planned on working until 66. But my 30 mile each way commute was getting worse by the year. And travel for work was increasing beyond the point I enjoyed. But when the company moved all manufacturing to Mexico requiring engineers to travel to Monterey regularly I made my decision at 62. My wife and I owned a small business that she managed and provided adequate income that I could delay taking social security until 66. She continued to run the business another 9 years simply because she had built it from the ground up and hated to sell. And, she had reliable people so that we could take 3-4 week vacations without worrying about it. Between being Mr. Fixit for the business, dabbling in woodworking at home, and traveling I never got bored.
Don’t know your wife’s status. Mine is 2 yrs younger than me. At 66 she started drawing off my SSA for a lesser amount than if she had taken hers. But hers continued to grow. When she turned 70 she changed over to drawing from hers (required by law) at a significantly higher rate than if she had drawn from hers initially due to that growth. She made up the difference rapidly and the rest is gravy from now on. Had never heard of that, and amazingly a helpful lady in the SSA office recommended it. Something to consider.

 

[Montana Man]

It sounds as though you are enjoying many blessings and have the freedom of making decisions of your choosing. Funny how there are different strokes for different folks. I never could work from the trailer or from home. Those places for me are a needed separation from the workplace. We won't fulltime but do long term. A mix of camper time, resort time, and home time works for us. I quit working at 54 and never looked back. Resisting the calls to come back was easy. I do appreciate those that work long years. Especially for the taxes they pay into the system that feeds retirement funds.

 

[rames14]

Echoing what several have said, do what makes you BOTH happy. We just left Glacier NP and are enjoying the camaraderie of the MOC at the CPRR. Next trip will be to 10,000 feet dry camping in Wyoming. No internet at most of these places. Next, the MOC rally in Goshen, followed early next year to Quartzsite and Western Blast, then summer in Alaska. My point is, working and our travel schedule don’t mix. Everyone has a different situation. As you look toward full or partial retirement, figure out what brings you both joy. Then work toward that. We like our S&B. It gives us a home base, a chance to decompress from travels and a place to work on mods and repairs that are just easier to do at home. It doesn’t hurt that we look out at snow capped peaks year round. Enjoy this exciting part of your life. It’s the reward for what you’ve done to get here.

 

[Rod Spohn]

Congratulations on your meeting this milestone , enjoy what you have been blessed with. I to am at that junction in life. Being able to retire with full SSI in mid December. But even after years of planning toward this time it is still nerve racking. We have always planned a slow trip up to Alaska as our first long journey going back to where we meet and got married. Now after having just spent a week up there it has made the decision to retire as planned easier. After 44 years together working I can say I'm ready for the change. With all the discourse in the world , getting away from it all for a while seems like heaven.

 

[Derby6]

Old thread, but I'll revive with my .02/story.
After 20 years in the Army and 11 in the corporate world, I was lucky enough to be able to retire @ 50. I knew I needed to keep busy and started my own little business piloting/escorting oversize loads all over AK. I love it; I see things/go places I'd never go to and it pays pretty well too LOL. Told all my clients I was snowbirding/leaving for the winter. They get it and are all anxious for my return.
We have planned/wanted to travel the lower 48 for winter, snowbirding. Now its a reality. So far so good; will only be gone 4-5 months this year.
I have no intentions and don't think I could ever full time. I like "home" and enjoy the yard, building demo derby cars in my shop, etc..
Will see what the future holds......

 

[DutchmenSport]

@ Derby6....

I finally did retire. My last day of "work" was January 14, 2022. SS, insurance, everything worked out ok.

I did spend the entire month of August 2022 serving as a campground host at Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina. That was an awesome experience. No pay of course, but no charge for full hook-up campsite. They want me back in August 2023.

I've not worked for any $$$ since January 14. But dang! Have I been busy. Between traveling, camping, and dropping in on the house ever now and then, it's been a terrific year.

 

[Derby6]

Congrats!!!

 

[432bartman]

Congrats Dutchmen....you've certainly put in your time. Very generous of you to give the house to your son and grandson, and you still have a home port to use. It sounds like you have plenty to keep busy with and that is great. Being idle is not healthy. I retired two years ago and am going back to work part time.....Should be fun as I will be a driving instructor for new sheriff recruits and for officers who have to refresh their skills every couple of years. Who wouldn't enjoy teaching pursuit driving, P.I.T. maneuvers, and defensive driving. A year ago my elderly mother moved into our home and I am looking forward to the new job, so I don't go nuts

 

[Derby6]

C.Should be fun as I will be a driving instructor for new sheriff recruits and for officers who have to refresh their skills every couple of years. Who wouldn't enjoy teaching pursuit driving, P.I.T. maneuvers, and defensive driving.

Sounds like a perfect part time gig!!

 

[foldbak]

Congrats Dutch. I can't wait for the day!

 

[Todd & Mary]

Dutchmensport - I feel your pain! I passed 66 in March. I'm planning to retire at age 70.5...the I enjoy what I do, I like the people I work with, the pay, benefits, health insurance is all just too good to leave behind. In fact - life without this health insurance is bit scary. The only birthday I ever worried about was turning 18, and by the time I turned 18 Nixon had stopped the draft. Now #70 is my new focus.

I had the same situation until the entire upper management team changed! The political situation turned on a dime and it got bad, so I packed it in at 62 and haven't looked back. The wife wasn't working o we sold it all and went full time. Currently in AZ for the winter and will not miss the snow removal at all!
Life is way too short!

 

[mlh]

I remember the instant I decided to quit working. While I was eating breakfast if someone would have ask when are you going to quit working I would have said never. I enjoy working and especially my customers. Then I got up and was walking the 75 feet to the shop and thought I would like to go walking in the woods this morning. It was a beautiful warm spring morning and then I thought you can’t you have too much to do. Then I thought I’m going to quit working. In all it took less than 5 seconds. I still go out in the shop every day but I have 2 guys that do all the work and get all the money. I still go to the post office every day and do stuff I like to do.
Lynwood

 

[432bartman]

Yes......As my wife said, "It's not about the money, but more about keeping your sanity." Lollll.