Well, it's time to go home. I retire next month

[Down South]

It's been a long ride, 35 yrs with this company. I had planned on retiring next June. The company is cutting the G&A budget so they offered a voluntary severance package and I accepted it. They offered three weeks of pay for every yr of service but they capped it at 52 wks, shucks...
It looks like I will be able to escape Houston around the first week of September. I'll be able to go back to a simpler life in the farm community I live in, in the middle of nowhere.
I still plan to work some as a consultant but from home. I've got a couple of companies wanting my services now.

[JimB..]

Congrats, sounds like a win!

[Geezer in NH]

Welcome to gezzerdom!!

Find something to do trust me being home every day blows.

[Tom W.]

This^^^^^^^^^

That's why I load, cast or otherwise putter in my shed short periods at a time.....

[Tom W.]

This^^^^^^^^^

That's why I load, cast or otherwise putter in my shed short periods at a time.....

[Hick]

Congratulations!-- I got a similar deal for retirement and never looked back-- Its like becoming a free agent in sports-- you can always take on anything interesting that comes your way, but you don't have to.

[JSnover]

Congrats! Anyone who can complete one career and start a second - part time, on their own terms - has made some pretty good choices along the way.
:drinks:

[Shopdog]

I've tried retirement........ think it's 4 times now?Haha.Get bored go back to work,and it's not about the lack of money.Money yes,but that's just to support my rifle addiction.

My best advice is try to get on a schedule of part time $$gigs with plenty of time to develop your retirement interests.Best of luck.Naps are the best part,haha.

[Down South]

I've tried retirement........ think it's 4 times now?Haha.Get bored go back to work,and it's not about the lack of money.Money yes,but that's just to support my rifle addiction.

My best advice is try to get on a schedule of part time $$gigs with plenty of time to develop your retirement interests.Best of luck.Naps are the best part,haha.

I have a lot of experience in rotating equipment, the big stuff you find offshore. I have a couple companies that want me to go oversee overhauls, inspections, etc on land in my area. I believe that I'll have the opportunity to work as much as I want making more money and work when I want to. I can ease into full retirement when I choose. The best part is "I'LL BE HOME."
I talked to a company that I've been doing business with for around 25 yrs about adding me to their insurance. Yes, I could get insurance on my own but I have to go through a company that has master service agreements with these offshore operators.
I'm thinking about doing this for maybe three yrs, I'm not sure. It doesn't matter any more. I'll be free to do as I please.
It's really not about money. I can retire comfortably now. I'm just one of those guys who needs something to do from time to time. I may not make even a yr working as a consultant but I'll shut it down when the time is right for me.
LOL, it will be a big title change from Maintenance Mgr of North America to Rotating Equipment Specialist.
I will have a load off my shoulders with a lot less responsibility and stress.

[Maineboy]

I've been retired for 4 years and didn't realize how stressful my job was until I actually left. I miss the folks I worked with but leaving when I did was the right thing for me.

[gpidaho]

DownSouth: I love retirement. I'm busy from the time I wake up until I'm too tired to go anymore. How people have time to work I just don't know. It's just that now I do what I want to do not what someone else wants done. I hope you enjoy retirement as much as I do. Good luck. Gp

[Finster101]

Gosh, i'm 10 years away and wish I could retire now. Just don't like the direction my vocation has taken. Best of luck to you and I am jealous.

[375supermag]

Hi...
My retirement became official the first of July.
I don't miss the workplace one bit.
I am already at the point that I am wondering how I ever had time for a job.
Not really interested in any part time jobs, either.
My responsibilities at home are raising two Labrador Retrievers and acting as job site supervisor for about half a dozen remodelling projects my wife and I have contracted to be done here at the estate.

[fast ronnie]

I've got a couple of companies that still depend on me to do some work for them but not as much as I used to. I still stay pretty busy catching up on some projects that have waited too long

[RKJ]

I'm looking at rolling out next August at 62. I'm really tired of the place I work, I like most of the people but working for Walmart is getting old. I don't like the direction they seem to be heading. I substitute teach at the local vocational school and they keep me plenty busy and I intend to continue doing that. I'll probably find something part time just so I don't get bored out of my mind. Down South, good luck in your retirement.

[bob208]

I got out of the rat race 6 years ago. don't miss it one bit.

[lightman]

Congratulations on a well earned retirement!

[rl69]

Congrats

[woodbutcher]

:-D Outstanding Sir.Enjoy.Just remember the words of my dear ol dad."Beware the golden years,they might just be brass plated pot metal".
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[Bzcraig]

Congratulations and enjoy the slow down!! So is LA going to be home?

[snowwolfe]

Congrats on retiring!
Now, as far as being bored. If some of you retire and get bored then you are a really lazy person. The wife and I are pretty busy non stop.

[MT Gianni]

If you took a package
1st Congratulations!
2nd see a good tax accountant especially for work in the first year.

[flyer1]

Congrats on retirement. I retired 2 years ago. It lasted for a whole year. My wife had me working harder than at my old job. Found a job they call full time but it is really only part time. Im enjoying it very much.

[bstone5]

Retired at the age of 70 two years ago. Worked in the offshore drilling industry for a very long time. Over the years drilled offshore all over the world. Spent time in the North Sea, South America, the Far East, Africa and some other not so delightful places. Enjoyed the work and especially the people of different nationalities.
With my automated master caster machine spend time casting bullets and powder coating the bullets.
Still do a small amount of work as a consultant from time to time in the office, too old to go offshore.
Was a good career and enjoyed the work and the travel.

[Catshooter]

I retired ten years ago. I'll give you two tips:

1. If you're married, don't rearrange the kitchen. She probably has it together and doesn't need your help.

2. Learn to clearly & quickly say "No." People will pop outa the woodwork with projects for you.

:)


Cat

[Echo]

My uncle had good advice - Don't retire FROM something, retire TO something. He retired from owning an injection molding company (started in his garage, ending with 25 tool & die makers) to a ranch outside Houston.

[smokeywolf]

I was (thanks to the rotten SOBs that proposed, negotiated, signed NAFTA) forced into retirement from the motion picture industry at the age of 55. Got called back for a couple of weeks at 56, called back for several months at 57 and called back for a year at 58. Officially retired at 62. Retirement is pretty good. So much to do, not sure what to work on next. It'll get a lot better when we can make our escape from Mexifornia.

[Hootmix]

" Retired" ,,I was tired yesterday ,, i'm tired today , that makes me " Retired " . When I retired last Nov ( 2017 ) i'v been to busy working to make " money " .

coffee's ready ,, Hootmix .

[Down South]

Congratulations and enjoy the slow down!! So is LA going to be home?
Central east Louisiana in a large rural farm community.

[Down South]

If you took a package
1st Congratulations!
2nd see a good tax accountant especially for work in the first year.
Great advice on the tax accountant.

[winelover]

Retired ten years ago, last month. Thirty six years with one company. Took a package, also. Still get up before 5 AM, most days. Never considered going back to work. I like every day............being a Saturday.

Winelover

[MrWolf]

Got hurt at work and forced into a disability retirement last year when I was 57. Tail end of divorce so no wife. Got my Great Pyreneese puppy Ruger, who is 14 months old now. He wakes me up everyday between 5-6am. I go back to sleep until he wants back in. What I do depends on my neck/back and headaches. Very lucky in that between what was left in divorce and pension, I am ok and really no worries about having enough to live comfortably. I am learning to enjoy what I have and to hire people to do work I can't do any more. Love where I moved to. Best advice is take some time before jumping back into the rat race. Look around, take a walk, and just enjoy. Good luck.

[jmort]

Great thread, good to read this morning. 2 1/2 years to go. Being self-employed, I am steering the ship towards 2 1/2 years. Not sure about the fuel supply, but I believe I will coast into the dock. Regardless, a well deserved congratulations. Good for you.

[waksupi]

congratulations!

[blackthorn]

Good for you!!! Best of luck in the coming years. I have been officially retired for 14 years but actual retirement equals only 12 (RTW part time on contract). Occasionally, I think it might be good to go back to work part time but after a (very) few moments-----nah!

[Chad5005]

congrats on retirement,i got retired and the ripe old age of 38 from a motorcycle wreck,but retirement is good as long as you find things to do to stay busy and projects seem to get done a lot quicker lol

[facetious]

Retirement: "Not having to get up when you don't want to, to drive some place you don't want to go, to do things you don't want to do."

That is one of the inspirational signs hanging in my locker at work. I am hopeing to be out at the end of next year at 62. I will have been printing newspapers for 40 years. I'm ready for a change. The wife wants to move to Idaho, so we will see how that go's. All I know is that the trade is going south and just hope things hold togather long enough to get out.

As to finding things to do? The wife has said that I don't have to find things to do, things to do find me.

P.S. I have often though there should be a retirement forum on here for the ones retired and the ones with hope of some day retireing but I am starting to think this is a retirement forum.

[DerekP Houston]

Retirement: "Not having to get up when you don't want to, to drive some place you don't want to go, to do things you don't want to do."

That is one of the inspirational signs hanging in my locker at work. I am hopeing to be out at the end of next year at 62. I will have been printing newspapers for 40 years. I'm ready for a change. The wife wants to move to Idaho, so we will see how that go's. All I know is that the trade is going south and just hope things hold togather long enough to get out.

As to finding things to do? The wife has said that I don't have to find things to do, things to do find me.

P.S. I have often though there should be a retirement forum on here for the ones retired and the ones with hope of some day retireing but I am starting to think this is a retirement forum.

I'm fondly looking forward to it in 30 years ;).

[Pumpkin]

Welcome to the club, Down South---hope you enjoy it.
Pumpkin

[Thin Man]

I held the same day job for over 34 years and was wearing a lot of hats all at the same time. My paid hours were 8-5, but I had to arrive about 6 am to get ready for the day. Then came the Golden Parachute offer: full pay for all unused vacation leave, half pay for all unused sick leave, stay on the company's insurance for 7 years (or until eligible for Social Security) without having to pay the monthly "buy-in" and insurance coverage included SWMBO and any dependent children still covered by the company (we have a daughter with a horrible medical history). Liked the work (but not the workload) and people there but I was tired of being overworked. Grabbed the offer and ran. Strange thing - it took me a full 2 years to realize I could breathe again and didn't have to chase after every brush fire (work assignment) in sight.

What I have learned about retirement:
1. I can set my own pace for any activity I undertake.
2. The honey-do assignments get completed quicker. That keeps SWMBO happy, and that keeps me happy.
3. Our lifestyle had to adjust to the change in income but that was not too harsh.
4. We spend more time than before with the activities we enjoy by having the time available to do them.
5. I can spend more time with friends and our activities - casting, shooting, etc.
6. I maintain a part-time job because I enjoy the work, people and environment. This is for personal satisfaction, not income (even though that is nice).
7. If I have a chore to complete, it doesn't have to be done right stinking now!
Final summary - my pace has slowed but I still have a lot of fun and am enjoying every minute of it.
I hope your retirement goes as well for you.

[woodbutcher]

[smilie=1: Dang,think I`m getting that"CRS"disease lately.Forgot to mention in my previous post.My Father was a house painter for almost 60 yrs before he retired completely.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[David2011]

Congrats! I retired last December. Loving every minute. Funny thing is you're running away from Houston; I'm heading there shortly but that's where all of my family lives. Otherwise we would probably go to LA as well.



I've tried retirement........ think it's 4 times now?Haha.Get bored go back to work,and it's not about the lack of money.Money yes,but that's just to support my rifle addiction.

My best advice is try to get on a schedule of part time $$gigs with plenty of time to develop your retirement interests.Best of luck.Naps are the best part,haha.

A friend recently asked me what I'm doing with all of my free time. "WHAT free time?" said I. I've been cultivating my retirement interests since I was 10 years old but didn't know it at the time. I fill my days with boolit casting, reloading, shooting, building radio controlled planes and flying them. I was going to gunsmith but until the stupid manufacturing and ITAR regs are fixed I won't apply for the FFL. I don't want to try to fly under the radar with BATFE involved.

[akajun]

It's been a long ride, 35 yrs with this company. I had planned on retiring next June. The company is cutting the G&A budget so they offered a voluntary severance package and I accepted it. They offered three weeks of pay for every yr of service but they capped it at 52 wks, shucks...
It looks like I will be able to escape Houston around the first week of September. I'll be able to go back to a simpler life in the farm community I live in, in the middle of nowhere.
I still plan to work some as a consultant but from home. I've got a couple of companies wanting my services now.
Congrats, Enjoy your retirement, if you ever make it around Baton Rouge let me know, we can sling some lead.

[Down South]

Congrats, Enjoy your retirement, if you ever make it around Baton Rouge let me know, we can sling some lead. Thanks for the offer. I just may take you up on it.

[trys357]

Congrats! Enjoy yourself!

[Down South]

Well, I had a sit down with HR yesterday. I was accepted for my voluntary severance package. They would allow me to leave on the first day of September but requested that I stay until possibly the end of September. I have an important position and they requested that I stay and interview the candidates that want to fill my position.
It works for me. I have several more loads of stuff to haul from Houston and I can't get done by September the 1st. I might as well be drawing a pay chek as long as I'm having to move stuff back.

[pworley1]

Congratulations! I have done it twice. It gets better every time.

[Murphy]

Down South,

Congratulations on your retirement. I can say without a doubt I'm looking forward to mine in 14 months (Age 66). I've still got most of my health and hope to stay that way.

I'm fairly sure after the first month or so of not having to set an alarm, I'll start getting busy with the wifes plans for me. After that, I'm going back to what I did full time prior to getting a steady job (and a wife).

Ahhhh, it was a great life I had going. Girls, guitars and guns. Okay, so I'm down to only 2 of those as an option to fill my time. All I need is to find a decent gun range. As for the picking and grinning part, I can do that in my reloading/casting shop out back any ole' time of the day or night.

I'll have 35 years in on the same job when I leave there.

On a final note, a versus from a song I may very well carry a guitar into work that day and sing as my farewell speech.

Everybody, looks good...at the starting line,
Get on your mark, get ready, but you better keep this in mind,
Well you can hit the ground running like your shot from a gun,
Going the distance is the hard part son,
And everybody...looks good, at the starting line.

Murphy

[Down South]

If you took a package
1st Congratulations!
2nd see a good tax accountant especially for work in the first year.

Well, here I still am. They requested that I stay until the end of September. They will fill my position internally and they wanted me to stay and interview candidates for the job. I finished the last interview today. Next Friday is my last day.
It worked out though. I've been hauling stuff back to Louisiana every weekend with one load left to go.

On the tax accountant. It doesn't appear that I will need one. They are going to pay me lump sum a full yr salary.
I checked my federal income tax bracket and I'll fall a few grand below the next higher tax bracket.
My state tax bracket will remain the same too.
What it will save me is the max Social Security tax for 2019 since all the income will show up as 2018 income and I will have paid out the max on SS for 2018.

[smokeywolf]

Down South, not sure about this, but I think I heard or read that lump sum payouts are taxed at a different rate than standard income.

Mine was 'pretty generous' and had to be rolled into an annuity account or it would be taxed at 40%.

[MrWolf]

Well, here I still am. They requested that I stay until the end of September. They will fill my position internally and they wanted me to stay and interview candidates for the job. I finished the last interview today. Next Friday is my last day.
It worked out though. I've been hauling stuff back to Louisiana every weekend with one load left to go.

On the tax accountant. It doesn't appear that I will need one. They are going to pay me lump sum a full yr salary.
I checked my federal income tax bracket and I'll fall a few grand below the next higher tax bracket.
My state tax bracket will remain the same too.
What it will save me is the max Social Security tax for 2019 since all the income will show up as 2018 income and I will have paid out the max on SS for 2018.

Check with a good tax accountant/CPA. Find one in your state as each state can vary considerably. Also look into catch up contributions to retirement accounts if applicable. Good luck. Retirement is great. With cold rain and such my back/neck and arthritis are killing me today. Started a small fire this morning to knock down wet chill some. Lucky me don't have to worry about working today.