Retired voluntarily at 58

by Doug
(Birmingham, AL)

I decided to retire when I was 58 and one-half years old with almost 35 years of service. All the numbers looked good.

I chose the time because my pension was at a higher rate, and a younger person was promoted around me without my knowledge of the higher opportunity disclosed to me. It was then that the realization set in that older managers were not valued. I had given them my whole career, on-call times, night call outs, holidays, off days constantly lost, and this was it?

I retired and even though I was relieved, I now had no goals or anything to work toward. It was something I had always dreamed of but I spent so much time at the beckoning call of my work that there was no personal things that I had developed as a sideline interest.

My pension is nice but I am limited on additional income so it is hard to find something else when you ask them to limit you to such a low income. They really don't want to deal with that and I totally understand.

Be careful in wishing so hard that when you arrive you don't ask yourself, "Now what?"

Remain active and learn new hobbies. I am enjoying working on my cars and home now that I have time to "fix" things without my phone ringing. You have to adjust and know that others are going through it also.

I am now trying pickleball.

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