How Many Still Work Full Time
 

Hi. I just moved back to The Villages six weeks ago. I thought I was ready to retire, but I was just offered a full professorship at College of Central Florida. Last time I lived in TV I taught there part time. I am really on the fence. My wife is already retired. I love teaching, but I was also ready to kick back. A full professorship offers really good pay and great benefits. We can get by financially without me working. I am 55.

I know a number of Villagers who started working again after moving here. This getting back to work was for a variety of reasons.

I know many villagers that work. Some do for financial reasons (money or health care ), others for more social life and for interaction with younger people.

I know a couple villagers that never worked. Seems the ones that work are very well rounded, interesting and energetic. Those that never worked, undeveloped in every way.

If you like your work it is truly a wonderful gift.

You seem to be having second thoughts on retiring. And you say you love teaching. As they say, if you love your work, it's not really work. Best of luck on your decision, and it is up to you. If I had to bet, I'd bet you are going to continue being an outstanding professor.

Money is ALWAYS nice to have put back. Ya never know.

Cappy, you may have 45 more years (or more) to fund.

Do you mean never worked in their entire lives? Can't imagine that.

Looks like a personal shot at another TOTV on the regular forum.

Comment
 

If it is something you will enjoy - GO FOR IT!

Whatever you decide, it will be the right decision for you. Tough one. I think if it were me I would try it for a year and see how I feel at 56...

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At 55 I would do it. I assume you have flexibility in your hours and days at work.


If you fine out you would rather sit at home you could arrange a departure at the end of the term.

Just Enjoy
 

I will be in TV(I am trying to get the lingo down) in 2 weeks to look around. I am planning on renting and then buying. I work and will continue working. Right now I am in Texas and working as a Case Manager. My other time is spent finishing my Master Degree in Religious Education and will graduate shy of my 60th birthday. I hope to teach On- Line Seminary at Liberty University. Maybe on-line teaching would be an option for you. It sounds as if teaching is your passion. I also plan on going on short missions and teach. That might be a possibility if you want to volunteer. There is such a plethora of things you can do with your skills. Good luck in your endeavors and one day I may get to meet you and your wife in TV. :wave:

Call me crazy but ... I soooo miss working. If I could work in my previous occupation at more than minimum wage and do it part time, I would go back to work. While there are many things to do in the Villages, I find filling up the days each and every week a bit of a challenge.

If you love what you do, then keep doing it. Some people enjoy working and one can ease into retirement when the time is right. Your body will tell you when you have had enough.

HI are you still sailing? We love it. Will you consider some expenses from us to share some sailing time???? Do you still have the boat? We have bareboated Belize, BVI, and the Grenadines.
Paul & Becki PM bbbbbb or call 352 775 9228

Repy
 

Flip a coin to decide whether you want to retire or not. The second it is up in the air, you will know the answer.

So true. :thumbup: I use the coin flip a lot to get in touch with my "real" feelings.

Seems there is a second person who is involved in making your decision... What does your spouse want? Your post hints that she/he would like you to be retired. How strongly does SHE/HE feel about your going back to work. I would think full time means moving out of TV except maybe on weekends and school breaks.

If you are 60/40 want to work, and spouse is 80/20 don't work, how do you work that out and will one of you resent giving in to the other. Talk about it with the most important person involved, and that's not us.

Thanks For All Your Replies
 

Thanks for all of your input. After reading all of your suggestions and discussing it with my wife over the weekend, I am going back to teaching. While full time, it is only three days a week (teach four classes on Tuesday and Thursday, office hours on Wednesday) so I have long, four day weekends all semester. Coupled with summers off, two weeks at Christmas, spring break and all the other holidays, I owe it to myself to give it a try.

I moved here with a FT career and love what I do. Does limit activities though

I think you have made the right decision, especially as it is only three days a week ..... ride that gravy train until you KNOW you don't want to work any more, and you will know when the time is right.

I LOVED working, but hated the commute to get to work, so when my other half was offered the golden handshake we jumped at the chance. He has never regretted it, I have.

I retired at 56 and spent several years touring the country in a motorhome and spending winters down here. Two years ago I got bored and decided to open up a retail store, ended up working 70 hours a week for 2 years, it was a good store, had a lot of fun but waited too long to open it, I cannot work like that any more at 71. As noted go with your heart and you can't go wrong.

I am 66 and moved to The Village of Dunedin 1 year ago. Still working from a home office and loving it. Yes, I see everyone heading to activities every day, but my professional life is more stimulating than hitting various types of balls around everyone day. But that is just me . . .

I retired at 58 and never regretted a day. I absolutely knew it was time after working over 40 years and the last 20 basically doing the same thing---sometimes with a "different twist" but overall basically the same. I did enjoy my work and, not to brag, I was good at it. My wife retired at the same time and that was important. I could have retired a couple years earlier but she was in education and needed the time to receive a decent pension. We have so enjoyed our retirement years together. We have done "things" that we only dreamed of doing prior to retirement.

OP, I see you have already made your decision. It's a very personal thing and only you and your wife can decide what is best. It's not permanent----keep that in mind. I have observed a number of Villagers who still work. As others mentioned, some because they want to and others for the money or insurance. Good luck to you and your wife and I hope you enjoy your lifestyle while you work and when you retire.

Great to have a job that is still stimulating. Best of all worlds.

I am here, 62, & working full-time at UF - yes, I drive there every day. I love it! I have great insurance, make a decent salary, & love the work.

OP you've made a decision just give it a go, and see if it works for you.
You can always re-assess and change course if necessary!

I liked working myself, but I recall hearing somewhere,
that no one was ever heard saying on their death bed,
that they wished they put in more hours working!

I work full time. Requested a relocation here 7 years ago. Been here 3 years now and love it.