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The Retirement Paradox

Unretire

Karl
Nervous Hospital
Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:40 AM

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I reckon I see myself in that article. I retired from the nervous hospital after many, many years and found myself in a world where french fried taters (the bigguns) were new to me. Umm Humm. But I'm lucky; I retained my lawnmower fixin skills and used em in my new life. From time to time I made sure I remembered to sharpen those blades. And I took my books with me. I didn't understand all of em but I reckon I understood a good deal of em. Umm Humm. I knew how to deal with the Doyle's of the new world. I also remembered that coffee made me nervous when I drink it. I discovered that little things matter; like helpin a young boy carry his warsh home. I reckon I went back to where I growd up as a boy and revisited the hole I dug fer myself in my shed out back of the house. Umm Humm. Bein in the nervous hospital I talked kinda funny but that boy-I loved that boy-liked the way I talked. Umm Humm. In the end I had to go back to the nervous hopital I miss my taters. Umm Humm.

Re: Unretire

Cecil B. Demille
Movie Mogul
Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:17 AM
What a beautiful metaphor for retirement. That sounds like big screen material to me.

Retirement

Supreme Mongo
Bureau of Mongo
Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:35 AM

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Do What?? Anyone who doesn't plan ahead for retirement the same way they should be planning for other things in their future is a sammich shy of a picnic. I started planning for my military retirement 3 years out; where to settle, new career to start, educational needs of the kids and so on. I've already begun planning for the next one in 4 years. Expenses to cut on a fixed income, daily chores for upkeep and maintenance of the home, vacation itinerary, exercise routine and even a part time job for fish bait and beer money. I think I'll take to retirement like a duck to water.

Re: Retirement

Semi-retired
None
Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:08 AM
I suppose this kind of in-depth psychoanalyis is therapeutic for some. I retired in 2005 (w/32 yrs of service) to sail my boat across the Atlantic while I was still young enough to do so. Spent the summer sailing around the Med with my wife and kids. Upon return, crossed the US three times in an RV, once with the family. Now working termporarily for a contractor providing labor relations support to a Fed agency. I run a charter boat business on the Chesapeake during the summer. Leaving in 3 weeks on a solo cross-country motorcycle trip. Haven't had time to analyze why I'm doing what I'm doing, but I appreciate the CSRS retirement checks every month!

Re: Retirement

EE
DOD
Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:34 AM
I think that is a key to a successful retirement. It is not just important to retire FROM, but it is important that you have something to retire TO.

Re: Retirement

Analyst
DOD
Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:24 AM
Supreme Mongo Bureau of Mongo well goodie for you. I too was planning on a nice comfortable retirement than the country went into a large hole and I lost most of my nice comfortable retirement money. My point is some times it makes no difference how much you plan and save and invest. It doesn't work out as well as Karl
Nervous Hospital.

Retirement Paradox

Retired
IRS
Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:47 AM

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I too retired last year after 35 years working in a professional civil service job. There were co-workers who were like family because we had spent our working hours together and shared our life's experiences over so many years. However, I have never felt the "phases" mentioned in this article. I loved my job but I was ready to let go. Because my co-workers & I had worked together so long, many of them are also retiring. We get together for lunch every few months to catch up. The office is now changing in that there are "new" people who I do not even know. I went back for the annual Christmas lunch and except for other retirees, there were few people that I worked with. My only real problem with retirement is that after over a year I haven't dented my "to do" list. I find that it is too easy to procrastinate when you know that there is always another day off the next day. I love retirement and have never regretted that I retired at the first opportunity.

Re: Retirement Paradox

Retired HR SES
USAF
Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:19 AM
This has been closer to my experience too. I've been retired since Oct 2007, after a career of over 35 years, at multiple locations in the US and abroad. I had wonderful experiences, accomplishments, and memories, but I was ready to let it go. I haven't physically relocated yet so much of my routine remains. And DC is a great place to live if you can avoid commuter traffic and long workdays! Now there is time for pleasure reading, exercise, and fun intellectual pursuits. And everyday I thank God for having had a CSRS covered career, good health insurance, and personal planning to save rather than spend everything I made. Retirement can be great!

Great Article

Specialist
Federal Agency
Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:53 AM

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As I count down the days to my upcoming retirement, this article will and the authors experience will remain in my mind. While I have been "planning" for my retirement, I know now that for a short period of time there will be transition. Someone asked me the other day what I am going to do when I retire and the first thing that comes to mind is taking a breather and try to release the years of information in my brain that has built up. Once that is done, I have a solid plan on what my next chapter will be and I plan to get to it slowly.

Thanks for sharing this article!

retirement

retired letter carrier
USPS
Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:05 AM

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I retired after nearly 25 years with Postal Service. I carried the mail, and I really and truly liked to work hard. My decision was based on the need to help with my grandchildren. It was not an easy adjustment. It does take time to get used to virtually no routine at all, unless you devise one. Also, in my position as a letter carrier, one might as well forget about finding a part-time job easily. I basically acquired zero skills for all those years. Prior to that I was a private secretary. But that was before computers. I knew how to type fast and use shorthand. Now, my only skill was that of basically a newspaper delivery person. I had a safe driving record. Period. At my age, I can either re-train for a new career or settle for something less fulfilling for a check to help with medical insurance. People need to think hard and heavy about their insurance needs. It cuts a big hole in your monthly check.

Retirement

Compliance Specialist
Veterans Affairs
Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:09 AM

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I will be retiring in less than 3 three years and I have been planning for it since 2 years ago. I called it my "Five Year Plan" and made plans to cut expenses, pay off debt, relocate to a lower cost of living area and focus on a part-time small business that I could run myself. I have pretty much completed my FYP except for the relocation. Everything else is set. I will be retiring on a Friday and I will be working the next day doing what I want to do and enjoying my retirement. Retirement planning means so much more than what your pension will be every month. I can't wait to start my "retirement phase".

Retirement

HR Spec
GSA
Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:15 AM

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I wonder what kind of personal life Ms. Vierneisel had prior to retirement that upon retirement she felt such loss and disconnect. My personal life is so rich and full with family, service to my church and other engagements, having to work gets in the way. My real life begins at 4:00 p.m.

Re: Retirement

Program Analyst
OPM
Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:55 AM
I believe you hit the nail right on the head. If you let your career be your main focus with no rewards in your personal life then leaving it would be most traumatic. Also, if you have a plan you are looking forward to then the transition is also less painful.

Re: Retirement

usda
worker
Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:20 PM
probably the most sense anyone here has posted? Work to live NOT Live to Work

Re: Retirement

Civil Engineer
VHA
Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:58 AM
Great perspective. If your work is your life, then what does that mean when your work is finished? Your life is over? That appears to be what happened to the author.
Total Comments: 50
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