early retirement, have you, would you?

My job is offering early retirement for those of us close. I will be 66 in 4 years. Anyhoo, aside from money, which I think will be ok, I am wondering if I will be come depressed, or feel useless, which is what some retirees I spoke with have/are experiencing.
I do like my job, but it does have it's hassles, and stupidity built in as all jobs do. I think, if I wanted to, I could get a partime in the same field.

I like to garden, I love my cats, my house has a million things that must be done , I love art...but...being single, I am afraid I might fall into a funk, instead of feeling liberated.

Any single retirees out there? Can you weigh in here, let me know or your experience or advice?

thanks

I retired at 62, though I could have gone on if I had wanted to. I am divorced and used to being on my own. I think it is fine if you have enough money to live on and enough to occupy your time. Friends and family help, but it doesn't matter as long as you are comfortable within yourself that you have enough to do and enough contact, human or otherwies, to satisfy you, and that varies from person to person. If you are used to the bustle of a city and need access to shops and bright lights all the time, then don't move to the depths of the country!

I solved the problem by buying a house to renovate and a rental cottage that is occupied around half of the year and gives me extra income and some people around. And I have the animals of course. I did take a risk in moving to a different country, but I already spoke tout he language and had friends here. But if you are prepared to go out and meet people, to make your own life and find things to do, then being out of the rat race is wonderful.

I stopped "working" 10 years ago when our daughter was almost 2 years old. Now that she's a tween and doesn't need constant care, I'm busier than ever! I don't plan to ever go back to the job grind. My days are as full or as restful as I want!

I'm now writing 2 novels in addition to the usual gardening; cleaning; sewing (making 2 Halloween costumes this year); house, kitty, and car maintenance; cooking all our meals from scratch, and there are always more doctor appointments as you get older. I volunteered at our daughter's school for 5 years, but now it's too far away and she gets herself to school. Instead I now sometimes I drink tea all morning and play video games. We have dinner parties pretty often to see our friends, and that takes work and preparation. I also have my girlfriends over once a week for brunch and conversation while the kids are at school.

You can stay really busy when there's lots of stuff you want to do! I'm never bored but have to admit I was never bored before retiring, either. I say go for it!

jennyranson, since you're in France I heard recently there was a protest in France because they tried to raise retirement age from 60 to 62???
I thought it was funny, and here in the US it's 67
I think 67 is wayyy too high of a retirement age. I'd want to retire at around 60, and I'd probably start planning on doing that once I get to where I want to be career wise. I know it's such a long way to come for me as I'm 22
But my grandparents retired in their late 50s due to disabilities and they've probably had the most fulfilling lives since they retired, they never seem bored.

My husband just recently asked for a separation (December, 2009) after 32 years of marriage. I am 63 (64 in December) so I decided to take early retirement and move to his hometown to be with his family who have been so supportive to me. I had to take a reduced pension but my needs are less than when working, i.e., office clothes, transportation costs such as higher insurance, more fuel and wear and tear on a car, eating out less because I finally have the time to cook and make larger batches for freezing so that I don't have to cook every day.

I like to knit, crochet, embroider and this year I actually joined a golf club which was my dream, met some wonderful people, several of whom have become friends which I believe will become close friends in the future.

I also met a lovely man that lives in my building and have started up a special relationship with and with whom I spend a lot of time. We like many of the same things, music, etc. and find that we just enjoy being together for simple things like going for a drive to see fall colours, or farmers' markets, etc.

I've joined the senior's centre here in town and there is always something happening, euchre, bingo, bridge, etc. I could be busy every day if I chose to be.

My advice is go for it. If you find you need a little extra money, look for an easy part-time job as a receptionist or something similar. I can't imagine having to go to work full-time again.

In France and hte UK at hte moment retirement is 60 for women and 65 for men, though many jobs let you retire earlier or later. There has been terrific protest in France mainly beacuse of the transport workers who have in the past negotiated retirement on full pensions at 55 and now the President is trying to change this as the country simply cannot afford it. In the UK the retirement age for both men and women is also going up over the next few years.

If I could afford to retire today, I would in a heart beat!

I would retire, take some time off to do just me stuff. Taking time off when you are well is so much different than when you are needing that time off because you are sick.

After taking 6 months or so off, I would go back to work casually and work the hours I wanted to work....just 2 days a week.

Hubby and I's original plan was to retire around 45. Well, retire from working full time. As long as our house is paid off, we figure we should be okay. He'd end up working on cars at the house, because he cant stand to be still very long (hence why he went to work today as well ), and I determined I'd work part time somewhere if I got bored or we needed some extra cash.

Though that may change, because I want a house in New England also, and he said we won't be retiring at 45 with two houses Plus I dont believe my 401k can be touched until I'm 60-something, whatever the age is here.

Currently, the job I work will let me go off call when I'm 55....and I'm practically counting down the minutes...(May 26, 2014....3 years, 8 months...today!) I was planning to retire at 60, and have been saving in my 401K and Roth IRA accordingly. My savings have been decimated by the economic crash for the last couple of years. I'm pretty worried about my back lasting in the workplace until I'm 60. Now, with the economy so iffy, I have no idea if I'll really be able to retire at 60.

I know a single retiree who keeps very busy as a volunteer. He also tends to do a lot of work around the house and yard, so he is well occupied most of the time.

I'm a long way off from retirement myself, but if I were to do so tomorrow (and had the necessary funds), I'd travel.

I had to retire at 62 because of illness. I have been retired now for a little over 3 years and I love it. I never liked getting up in the mornings to get to work but I did everyday and never was I late, now tho I just love getting up whenever I feel like it and it's great especially in the winter mornings.

I have become an avid reader and joined the local library so I never get bored. Cleaning the house doesn't take me all day, by the way I am a divorced woman and live alone. I have become very independent over the years and don't want to live with anyone except of course Autumn.

I spend time with my sister who lives nearby, we go out to lunch or dinner at least once a week, I also met a man just about a year ago and we get together quite often. My weekends are full because of him. I still enjoy my alone time and I always will, I just can't see me living with a man right now and that may never change. I like my alone time way too much without needing to cater to a man.

I wish you the best of luck in your retirement. We are old enough when we are able to retire, don't wait till you're too old to enjoy it.

Three months ago I "retired" rather than move with my job to the next state over.

Staying with the job meant a short but unpleasant commute and a reduction in take home pay because I would have to pay tax to that state.

I am not old enough to collect social security (8 years at least before I can collect) but do qualify for a pension from the company. But because the job is being phased out (they call it a surplus) we were offered an incentive to leave. This was a cash settlement based on years of service to be paid out over four years. Plus a cash bonus up front.

It was a scary decision to make but the way I see it is this. My job was only guaranteed for another year at the most. I could stay with it but end up spending on taxes and wear and tear on my truck. Not to mention wear and tear on me. I have arthritis and this would not be easy.

Or I could take the money. The monthly settlement plus my pension is about half of what I was making but enough to cover the bills. And it's guaranteed for four years.

A lot can happen in four years. So I took the money. I would like to get a part time job but so far have not found one. In the mean time the bonus is collecting interest.

I am single and just have Chester to worry about. So far I have not been bored but do have to think of reasons to go out every day. Being partially disabled does play a part in it.

But I would say if the money is OK and you are healthy (so far I get to keep my health insurance) go for it. More than likely you already have things that will keep you busy.

When my brother retired he found that the biggest thing was not having a daily routine. I agree with that. Going to work every day is routine. I do miss that but hopefully I will find a new one to take it's place.

I´ll do without look behind!....