Retirement, pros, cons, opinions and advice

[danny]

So my question is what are the pros and cons of retirement.

I think, if you are asking this question, you need to stay at work.

Danny

 

[cavedweller60]

Congratulationson making it to the end of the rat race!

I retired from law enforcement and found it really difficult. I think the things that were the hardest were losing the bond that first responders have and, the loss of my identity and a purpose in life.

I'm sure there are other retired cops here that have experienced the same thing. You go from constant interaction with people that would give their life to help you to....radio silence. The battle on the job goes on but you are not part of it and, you are just a distant memory to people you were once so close to.

5 years into retirement and I am finally getting the hang of it. I find that I really have to work to stay busy. If I sit down too long, it's sometimes hard to get moving again. There were times in the first couple years where I felt myself becoming part of the couch but, that seems to be over now.

Try and find sime activities that keep you moving and keep your mind excercised. Good luck in the future.

 

[LuvDog]

I'm mid 50s and my plan has been to retire when I hit 60. So about 5 years left.

It would have been fairly easy to do, but my parents are still alive and it was time for them to not live alone. So my wife and I took out a mortgage to build on to our house so they could move in.

If it weren't for our new loan, then we'd be debt free, but with the high interest rates, the new loan is even more than our previous mortgage was.

That's the one thing right now that is holding me back from pulling my timeline even more forward.

 

[hogpatrol]

Hi Boss, Heads Up when you do file for SS benefits at age 70 be ready for them to try to buy you down. That is they will offer you an attractive lump sum payment equal to the foregone payments if you accept a monthly payment as if you were starting benefits at "normal or full" retirement age. This was on a phone call from a very business-like SS agent in my case. I wasn't expecting it and had to quickly calculate the breakeven point.

That sounds like a scam to get your SS number.

 

[Steve Donlon]

Congratulationson making it to the end of the rat race!

I retired from law enforcement and found it really difficult. I think the things that were the hardest were losing the bond that first responders have and, the loss of my identity and a purpose in life.

I'm sure there are other retired cops here that have experienced the same thing. You go from constant interaction with people that would give their life to help you to....radio silence. The battle on the job goes on but you are not part of it and, you are just a distant memory to people you were once so close to.

5 years into retirement and I am finally getting the hang of it. I find that I really have to work to stay busy. If I sit down too long, it's sometimes hard to get moving again. There were times in the first couple years where I felt myself becoming part of the couch but, that seems to be over now.

Try and find sime activities that keep you moving and keep your mind excercised. Good luck in the future.

Sounds like you would be a good range officer. I tried it once and only lasted a few days. You have had to deal with it all, and still keep a smile on your face. Or training for concealed carry. Best of luck finding a passion to keep you excited.

 

[cavedweller60]

Sounds like you would be a good range officer. I tried it once and only lasted a few days. You have had to deal with it all, and still keep a smile on your face. Or training for concealed carry. Best of luck finding a passion to keep you excited.

Thanks for the encouraging words...I appreciate it.

I am waiting for our club to host another round of RSO classes and I will likely do that when they do. I am also a NRA instructor but, shortly after getting certified, our club changed affiliations for CCW training so, I have to get certified under that organization to teach there.

Since starting to get my mojo back, I have started tackling some semi-major home maintenance that has been ignored for too long and that, along with a few different kinds of competitive shooting, I am staying busy.

 

[DLT]

I'm impressed with all the people who retired mid 50's or earlier. That seems like a tough financial decision - especially with health care.

How did you make that happen?

Me too I’ll have to work till I’m 70

 

[cavedweller60]

Don’t care for it one single bit.
However I was forced to retire which is a whole different ballgame especially when you had enjoyed your job.

I had a similar experience....received a TBI in a bad crash and was disqualified from emergency vehicle operation...a requirement of my job. I would likely still be working if that hadn't happened.

To make it worse, do to a shortage of personnel, they have greatly increased the pay from where I retired. Brand new people are making more per hour than I made after 22 years.

It could have been worse, I still got a moderate pension, something most people don't have the luxury of, but, I have to provide my own insurance. What was free when I was working costs me $24k a year now (wife and me). At least it is great insurance with low copay and 100% no deductible after that.

 

[cavedweller60]

I have retired after 28 years of dealing with some of the lowest humans know to man. After seeing how the times has changed in LEO, I would not do it again, only if it was only possibly a federal position. No extensively serious injuries reached on my end, Thank God for sure, Amen! My specialty was hands on contact, sometimes non lethal when needed, but mostly hands on. I am proud to say over the 28 years, every case was justified, and never a abuse of the positions or holds, take downs, etc. My thought was if I could not talk you down and I was wearing polyester and had a tin badge that very easily could be seen, my game plan was to hurt you so you would not forget.

I don't miss it, but do miss all of the contacts. The job opened a lot of doors for me in the shooting industry. Have had the opportunity to meet and shoot with some of the US World's Elite Soldiers, and that experience will be cherished for my lifetime. Great friends in the shooting industry that I have roomed and traveled with around the country. Good times for sure.

I have slowed down and don't go to range like I used too. Getting some rifles put together hopefully to change that, may get lucky and get out to go and meet a few of the forum members as well as shoot a ground hog, coyote, or just getting out to see some of the rest of the country. I am lucky because my wife (Best Side Kick) is retired now as well. She is not much of a hunter but loves the outdoors. We try to get things done in a manly order around the house, it is paid for. We don't drink, smoke but do enjoy food.

I still teach some Concealed Carry Classes from time time, not a lot. Would like to find a local to learn some building skills in the precision rifle and the 1911 end of it, Could turn into some fun hobby.

Enjoy your retirement and there will be a day that you are not sure what day it is or what month.

"I am lucky because my wife (Best Side Kick) is retired now as well. She is not much of a hunter but loves the outdoors.....". I think that was part of my problem. I was forced into retirement early and my wife was still and IS still working. The days are awful long when you spend them more or less, alone.

 

[LAH]

I loved the work I did. So it wasn't the work that caused me to retire, it was the time I spent working. You cannot get that time back. I love retirement and the time it affords. So for me there is absolutely no downside to retirement.

 

[ogre1911]

My experience and perspective is retire AS SOON AS YOU CAN AFFORD IT.

I retired in Feb 2024 at 60. Diagnosed with tongue and neck lymph node squamous cell carcinoma 5 months later in July. Never smoked btw. First surgery was aug 22nd. Then whac a mole twice more in September and December. Rad & chemo from Jan 15 thru Feb 28 2025. First post chemo scan is next week.

I don't share this to garner sympathy but simply to say YOU NEVER KNOW.

Enjoy life and your grandkids AS MUCH and AS SOON as you can.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I loved the work I did. So it wasn't the work that caused me to retire, it was the time I spent working. You cannot get that time back. I love retirement and the time it affords. So for me there is absolutely no downside to retirement.

Time , priceless. Chasing dollars, your not taking them with you.I worked until I was 70 because I enjoyed my work but after retiring close 8 years ago realized I like my time ALL being MY time more. Wife and I enjoy doing things together day by day. The Lord has allowed me to live in the best of times and given me salvation. I feel blessed.

 

[bsekf]

Wife and I retired at 55, thirty years ago. We have lived a dream and not regretted a minute. There are all kinds of things you can volunteer for. Run for the school board and try to make a difference. Help your kids. We still have more irons in the fire than time.

We have always lived beneath our means, so had no debt and some savings, the toys were all paid for and I have a civil service annuity. The first 6 years, till we got SS, I had several fun part time jobs. Don't worry about the money, your health is what kills you!

 

[gdbleb]

That sounds like a scam to get your SS number.

Was an IT guy for 47 years so I'm pretty paranoid about security. I forget all the details about how she authenticated herself to me but it was rather extensive how we proved to each other that we were who we said we were over the phone. I think she sent me a text/email for me to reply to while on the phone. Suffice it to say I didn't have to provide PI information. She had it already. A formal letter from SS Administration arrived soon after with confirmation.

Now that I'm an old fart, its unbelievable the volume of scams that come in the mail, phone, email, text.