[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by obxgal

You stated that it's 3 years until #2 graduates HS. That would mean that one of your children is under the age of 19, so unfortunately you would not be able to move to TV, being that no one under the age of 19 can live in the villages. That to me would be your biggest conundrum.

That's what I was thinking also when I read the post. Even if it was allowed, I would do everything I could as a parent to keep the life of a 14 or 15 year old stable. It's tough enough at that age without pulling them out of their neighborhood high school.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by RayinPenn

A funny thing happened on January 21, I turned 59 and 1/2. To the financially savvy set that number has significance as in penalty free withdrawals from 401ks and IRAs.
For me it is just another reminder that my working career is nearing its end. I field the occasional "so Ray when are you going to retire?" More than anything the stiffness in my knees when I try to get up after sitting in my cube for a while also reminds me I am old.

My conundrum
3. 3 years until #2 graduates HS
...

I think that should alone should answer your question. It probably sucks but it's the price we pay when we have kids later in life.

[Cedwards38]

Answer these questions for yourself......
1. Do I have enough?
2. Have I done enough?

If the answer to both is yes, then you know what you should do. You can always accumulate more or do more, but is what you have now enough for you?

[Steve9930]

Originally Posted by RayinPenn

A funny thing happened on January 21, I turned 59 and 1/2. To the financially savvy set that number has significance as in penalty free withdrawals from 401ks and IRAs.
For me it is just another reminder that my working career is nearing its end. I field the occasional "so Ray when are you going to retire?" More than anything the stiffness in my knees when I try to get up after sitting in my cube for a while also reminds me I am old.

My conundrum
1. The golden handcuffs - The 'pile' grows at a very healthy rate. So much so that staying another year could fund a 2 year graduate degree at a pricey university or help the kids get off to a better start. (yeah I know I am fortunate)
2. I often enjoy my work any my contribution is recognized. (As I walked out the door the other night a colleague said We found more problems using your algorithm.) Old man true but also highly technical.
3. 3 years until #2 graduates HS
4. my brother retired at 51 and passed not 2 years later. I would like some time in the sun.
5. It is official I detest winter and the cold.

There is no bell that gongs when it is time...

Never an easy choice and always scary. I retired at 55. It was the best thing for me. Before you make that decision you need a plan. Not only a financial plan but a "What will I do with my Time Plan. Remember 24 hours in a day: Eight of those you sleep, 10 of those you worked, so only 6 hours were your alone. When you retire, 8 hours you sleep and 16 hours are your own.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Steve9930

When you retire, 8 hours you sleep and 16 hours are your own.

And ain't it grand!

[PTY Sparky]

I stopped working at age 60 and moved to another country for 5 years. I would do it all over again and possibly sooner. My mental state of mind is worth a lot more to me than what corporate America offers. Then again everyone is different as well as their circumstances. Retirement is what you make of it and it can have some great health benefits.......Count your blessings and enjoy it while you can as life is too short as it is.

[graciegirl]

Husband retired officially many years ago but continues to consult. We are the new 40, which is the seventies.

Here is my view. You are still raising children, do that first and then think about it.

People are living to be quite old. Two active friends here are 91 and 101. You will want to be funded so as not to have to live off that young person who is about to be launched. Or off of us other tax payers.


This is the place to aim for. We'll leave the light on fer ya.

[JourneyOfLife]

Other people know nothing about you and will provide answer that are biased by their situation, circumstances and the decisions they made. IOW, their personal context.

If you do not understand the financial issues or retirement planning, you might consider having some sort of review with a qualified and experienced certified financial planner.

Does your employer provide you with access to a retirement planner for a review? Believe it or not, some companies have that as an employment benefit for no cost or a very low cost.

[RayinPenn]

My conundrum isn't about having sufficient funds to retire, (even with 1 and 3/4 college educations to fund) We have always lived simply and been savers.

This is about going beyond providing a 4 year degree, a new suit and a hearty "go forth and prosper"... (Which is by the way pretty wonderful). This is about:

- 1 years work facilitating starting off adult life with a paid for masters from a private university or a huge downpayment on that first home. I guess this is really about building the estate...

With an MBA in finance and an MS in Taxation I do not need a financial planner. Many offer just plain awful advise or are looking to sell you a high commission product. Its sad.

[scroll]

i retired at age 55 as an executive with a great retirement and medical plan. my wife was 52, not working and we had three children ages 16 to 25. money has or never will be an issue. it was great for the first 3 years because it was like an extended vacation. i mean traveling abroad to countless countries, multiple cruises, motor home visits to national parks, basically every thing i wanted to do while i was still young and healthy by myself, with friends, with children and of course with my wife. but after the honeymoon was over i truly missed the power, teamwork efforts, ability to affect results, and realize a part of my identity was missing. i have tried to replace it by starting a non profit foundation, volunteer work, and continued vacations. to date i have not been able to replication the joy i had from working. so at age 61 i provide you a word of caution to be careful for what you might wish for because when you get it, it might note be all you thought to be. as humans the grass is always greener on the other side but make sure if you have the ability to walk the talk do it first to ensure it is really what you want.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by scroll

i retired at age 55 as an executive with a great retirement and medical plan. my wife was 52, not working and we had three children ages 16 to 25. money has or never will be an issue. it was great for the first 3 years because it was like an extended vacation. i mean traveling abroad to countless countries, multiple cruises, motor home visits to national parks, basically every thing i wanted to do while i was still young and healthy by myself, with friends, with children and of course with my wife. but after the honeymoon was over i truly missed the power, teamwork efforts, ability to affect results, and realize a part of my identity was missing. i have tried to replace it by starting a non profit foundation, volunteer work, and continued vacations. to date i have not been able to replication the joy i had from working. so at age 61 i provide you a word of caution to be careful for what you might wish for because when you get it, it might note be all you thought to be. as humans the grass is always greener on the other side but make sure if you have the ability to walk the talk do it first to ensure it is really what you want.

Your views are very interesting and I think that the feelings you have are shared by many. We know that more than financial security is gained from our employment and many do find rewards in the ability to control and change and to better situations of all kinds by their life's work.


I think that a behaviorist would find that living here in The Villages would not be best for those so inclined, because the opportunity to affect change in civic government is missing precisely because the CDD form or government is in place


Something to think about.

[Golfingnut]

I have been retired for 26 years with no regrets. It cannot be too early to retire, but it certainly can be too late. Don't let the greed of wanting a bigger pile stop you from retiring soon.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

With all this advice I am sure you know exactly what to do... LOL

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

I have been retired for 26 years with no regrets. It cannot be too early to retire, but it certainly can be too late. Don't let the greed of wanting a bigger pile stop you from retiring soon.

"greed of wanting a bigger pile"

I take issue with these words. Many of us had jobs which were totally enjoyable and fulfilling and had no wish to retire early. We both had careers we loved, traveled extensively in our respective jobs, met people during our working life that we would never have met had we been retired and made some wonderful work related friendships.

Now, we are happily retired, but it did not happen over night, we both had a very difficult time going from being very productive to basically doing nothing.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

"greed of wanting a bigger pile"

I take issue with these words. Many of us had jobs which were totally enjoyable and fulfilling and had no wish to retire early. We both had careers we loved, traveled extensively in our respective jobs, met people during our working life that we would never have met had we been retired and made some wonderful work related friendships.

Now, we are happily retired, but it did not happen over night, we both had a very difficult time going from being very productive to basically doing nothing.

Then you did not work for reasons of greed. Many do and that is sad. You should not take offense for something that has nothing to do with you.