Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Retirement Advice
View Single Post
 
Old 03-01-2011, 09:32 AM
Ohiogirl Ohiogirl is offline
Platinum member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Seasonal Villager - summer in Columbus, OH
Posts: 1,500
Thanks: 0
Thanked 12 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I guess if you love your job (and I think those that do are very lucky) that it would be ok to "work as long as you can." For those of us that didn't love our jobs, or maybe used to love our jobs but no longer do, I would say to do the math, but retire as soon as you can! Does the author of this advice think we will all live into our 80s and 90s?

Maybe my tune will be different if in 10 or 20 years (assuming I live that long) if I am struggling financially, but having had one parent pass away at age 42, I say go for retirement as soon as the math makes sense. Reduce debt to 0, have some savings, try to project your income and expenses as best you can, and go for it.

So far, it is amazing to me how inexpensively you can live when retired, at least in TV - there are a LOT of work-related expenses that you will be cutting out. Also, you can spend all day doing free things (OK, not really free, since you are paying an amenity fee). I know lots of people who keep putting off the decision to retire - we are glad we decided to hang up the work shoes and put on the golf shoes (or the swim goggles, or the dance shoes, or the gardening gloves - you get the picture).

And, if you feel you need to keep contributing to society in a tangible or intangible way, having more time and energy for volunteering is another nice factor to consider.