LTL Monday, August 8th

gadgetgirlIL

Everyone says it, but just how do you do it? How do you take the guidelines of the WW program and turn them into a lifestyle you can live every day...from now on? That is what we are here to explore. Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Newbie? Join in! Veteran? Join in! Your thoughts may be just what someone else needs to hear.

Monday -- GadgetGirlIL (Regina)
Tuesday -- goldenfrisbee (Chris)
Wednesday -- Rachel0778 (Rachel)
Thursday -- misterhub (Greg)
Friday -- Jbrack381us (Joe)

Today's topic: Retirement!

I know we have a variety of ages in this group.

For those of you who are retired, how did you pick when you were going to retire? What factors came into play?

For those of you who are still working, do you plan to retire early? Plan to work as long as possible? What considerations affect your plans?

gadgetgirlIL

I recently turned 55 and realized that I did not want to face another 10 years of working full-time. I really want to be able to do more outdoor activities while I still am physically independent. My mother died at age 75. She became increasing disabled from the toll that years of obesity took on her joints and heart. Even though I have finally gotten myself back to a healthy weight after years of obesity, I am still concerned that some of the damage I did to my body during those decades isn't fully reversible. I feel that the clock is ticking the older I get.

I am now planning an exit strategy from working full-time when I reach age 60. The big consideration for me is how to cover the health insurance costs until I am able to go onto Medicare (assuming it still exists in its current format). It appears that the money I have been putting away from my paycheck over the past 10 years (part is employer matched) will be able to cover those gap years.

Jimb376mfp

Not quite sure how the Topic relates to weight loss BUT it definitely is a change in Lifestyles.
I worked Federal Civil Service and had maxed out my retirement benefits with 42 years service and age 62, but DW was not sure my retirement income would be enough. I knew it would be at 80% but I told her I would go to work for a contractor after I retired. That didn't work out so I have been fully retired since 2010.
First two years I did nothing but when I joined WW in Jan 2013 my Lifestyle really changed for the better. Now I'm active and get out and do things with friends.
I had no plan when I retired I just wanted to quit working. Definitely you NOT do that! Develop a plan of activities and get out and do them.

countcurt

I can think of one connection to weight loss. Many of us find weekends more challenging with respect to weight management. And my parents used to tell me that "when you're retired everyday is Saturday."

Having said that, I know the following-
1. I do NOT want to be doing what I'm doing now forever. Fortunately I have been able to cut back fairly significant over the past few years.
2. I find myself challenged to come up with a concept of how I will fill *all* of the hours I currently spend working.
3. I don't think I'm 'done' with working. By which I mean there are still some things I'd like to explore, but I can't just yet. Primarily because I committed to my partners that I would continue with them until we find a replacement.
4. I do acknowledge that I am a boredom eater and that I worry about this issue as it relates to retirement (see #2).

One thing I have been able to do, in addition to cutting back work hours is turn down jobs that don't appeal to me for whatever reason. This also helps.

So, mark my plans "up in the air."

Al_Howard

I retired when TOL turned 65, so she could go on Medicare. I was 66, and hating my job. Have been able to volunteer more, and am now the "dinner cook" at home.
With both of us on WW (she's back to goal), my skills come in handy to vary our menus, especially the meats.
My weight is bouncing (mainly up) but I sure know why.

MurpleCat

Hmm, I'm not sure. I really love what I do and its hard for me to imagine not wanting to do it. Sure, there are specific tasks dislike, and some that I'm agnostic but do because they have to get done, but 85% of the job is awesome. Luckily, there's an actual title for that state where I just do the things I love and don't have to do the parts I dislike: emeritus professor. So I could see myself transitioning to that status in retirement.

That's still a ways off for me, ballpark 20 years. Probably triggered by the size of the nest egg. Haven't really figured out what that target should be -- just putting away as much as I can. If the stock market does well, I suppose I could retire early and spend more time on hobbies.

Murple

gadgetgirlIL

countcurt wrote: »

I can think of one connection to weight loss. Many of us find weekends more challenging with respect to weight management. And my parents used to tell me that "when you're retired everyday is Saturday."

Yes, this! I heard about a study that showed many of us who work experience a rise in anxiety levels starting Sunday afternoon as we anticipate the workweek that lies ahead. That certainly is true for me. More anxiety makes it harder for me to stay on plan.

I also have way more interests than time so I have no doubt that I will fill the hours. Perhaps volunteer work and/or a part time job where I'm truly off the clock when I leave for the day. I've really had to work hard to put boundaries on my weekend time as students and certain colleagues don't seem to understand that my position does not involve life or death decisions. It really can wait until Monday to be dealt with.

crewahl

First observation - I see this as a clear connection to weight loss because it's really a question about "How are you going to live the rest of your life? How will you adapt when your routine changes?"

For me, I plan to retire at age 58. That was two years ago, so as you can see, the 2008 recession intervened. It also highlights my approach, which was/is "when I'm confident I can live as well in retirement as I live now, I'll retire."

To that end, about four years ago we engaged a financial planner (on a fee-for-service basis) to make sure we were on track. We got a positive message for retiring at 60, but elected to keep working because we can see we'll need to commit some funds to elderly parents and their care.

I don't have a plan for how I'll spend my days. I think we'll get back to more traveling. I expect I'll do some limited volunteering to stay engaged. I also plan to join a gym so that I can invest in maintaining my body to be productive and active.

myallforjcbill

I have never loved what I do. I left seminary to return to corporate accounting 31 years ago to provide for my new family and pay off medical bills from the pregnancy issues. My niece asked me about retirement last December and that started me thinking. I just told my boss last week that I was looking at retirement, especially since my back is such a mess. I will be 63 soon. I am tired of fighting the back issues at work. We will be OK if I retire, but we decided earlier this year that another year or so would significantly improve our retirement, but physically I am no longer up to the grind. And I have found, when you don't really enjoy what you do once you let the retirement genie out of the bottle it is hard to put it back in. When I retire I hope to spend more time getting healthy (new routine), run the house and spend more time on meal planning, finances, my garden etc. After 6 mos or so I hope to begin to volunteer, take some cooking lessons and once again try to learn to play the hammered dulcimer.

spospo1

I have always loved what I do however I plan to retire within the next year. I will get another less demanding/stressful job because we are not past the college years yet. Until recently, I could not imagine leaving my present job. I recently went to a retirement seminar and the question "How do you know when you are ready to retire" was asked. The advisor quickly replied "When you know, you know" No event or epiphany caused it but I know it is time to go. Like myallforjcbill, I will spend more time getting healthy ETC. "When you know, you know" is great advice & I hope to pass it forward......

GavinFlynn1

I love what I do, and plan to continue as long as my body and mind are up to the task. That being said, I also love traveling and want to take DW many of the places I have been when I was younger. I have a plan so I can retire at 67, even though I want to continue to work after. I imagine that I will cut back on my hours when I get there.

savignr

I turn 64 next month, and would love to retire, but it's just not in the cards. With an 11 and 9 year old, and college bills on the horizon, I just don't see myself retiring any time soon. Fortunately, DW is quite a bit younger than I am, so maybe she will support me.

60in2017

AH RETIREMENT! When I was younger, I thought about how nice it would be to not work and just lay around all day. Now that retirement is on the horizon, it's more like, well, if I'm not working I sure don't want to just lay around all day. What the heck am I going to do with myself? My spouse is getting within 3 to 4 years of retiring from civil service and wants to move out of the "stinking desert". If this happens, it will force me to also retire, at least from where I've worked for 32 years. Since we haven't picked a retirement location, I'm not sure what I'll do. I know I want to stay busy and I would like to explore some hobbies, maybe as money making opportunities. Kind of depends on where we land. I do know I want to continue to eat properly, exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Wouldn't mind living some place where I could have a large vegetable garden - not an option where we are now.

klmackey893

I keep telling my boss that she has about 5 yrs (I'm 61 next month). I definitely want to be retired before the last kid applies for college (we have been diligent saving for him) and I want my retirement income on the FAFSA. The issue is health care for DW and DS. May have to put DW to work to cover her and DS till she is elgible for medicare.

That being said I am sure there are projects around the house that keep being put off that can be done and I can certainly help volunteer around town.

podkey

I had no intentions of retiring when I took my early retirement due to injuries (broken back with 2 crushed vertebrae in 2001). As far as activities I generally fall into the camp that one should do what you want to do NOW and not wait until retirement. I did caving, rock climbing, travel, biking, bike camping, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering and more long before retiring.
Sure you are limited by vacation time and week-ends but well worth it to do what you like.

Sure, I did take up flamenco guitar and enjoyed playing for dance students and some infrequent public events while recovering from my injuries. True, but I had played some classic and flamenco wannabe pieces before that time.
I was fortunate that I could retire early as I was unable to sit long enough to return to work for well over a year.

Rachel0778

I am extremely lucky that my job offers a pension program and a 403B plan so I can doubly save for retirement. I recognize that by the time I retire social security will likely be very different than what it is now and I'm trying to plan accordingly. My fear is that even with all of this planning and saving I may not be able to retire at 65.

Ideally I'll have enough saved up in retirement so that I can travel as I age. At least one trip a year would be great, especially if I can travel internationally and see the world. Especially since children aren't in the cards for me, I'm hoping for an adventurous retirement since I won't be tied to one geographic location. That's the dream at least.

88olds

I retired 1/1/16. I thought I might stay another year. The pay was good, it would increase my pension. But then I thought, another winter hunched over my desk in Chicago? I'd probably be better off retired in Key West. I was right.

I lost 8 lbs over the winer without trying. As I explained on our meeting FB page, I was in a WW dream loop. I would spend the day fishing. Fishing on the ocean can be a bit of a workout. Fishing would yield a point friendly meal. Then I could do it again tomorrow. Well, actually I had to fit the fishing in with Pilates, paddle boarding, and Pickleball.

People think of KW as a party town. But I've met a bunch of retirees here who go on & on about the weight they've lost and meds they've ditched. It's been great.

minimyzeme

I've had a few friends die early and it has definitely influenced my outlook. I used to work with a great guy who insisted it was important to 'take vacation every week'. Now retired, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple years ago. Can't remember all the details but doctors in Seattle thought surgery was too risky. He knew some hospital administrators in NYC and had surgery there. He did chemo for a while but it looked like the cancer was coming back. They changed the mix; he did better. Now he's doing well on immunotherapy. Who knows for how long? But who knows how long (or short) I've got? Or anyone?

I've got some years before I do full retirement but for the most part I like what I do, which ironically enough is not quite what I thought I'd be doing 10-15 years ago. No kids (by choice) so I feel a little less pressure than I might if that weren't the case. I do what I can to live within my means and have worked to minimize my debts; hate that feeling of being overspent. So I try to remember my friend's advice and 'take a little retirement' every week. It doesn't always work out that way but it's a lesson I really take to heart, especially these days.

imastar2

Not retired and really haven't given it much thought even at the age of 69. I have loved working with people and have been in some type of sales for over 50 years. Most of that has been self employed in three different types of entrepreneurship businesses. Soon to embark upon a 4th but this time one with a high residual income. Status quo is just not my lifestyle but that being said the recession stripped me out pretty bad as I have been in Real Estate for the last 16 years. I really don't want to retire but there are things that I had rather do than what I do now that are less time consuming. So how does that relate to weight loss for me? Staying active as much as possible by keeping on the go.

I heard a saying a long long time ago about retirement. It takes money to retire not age. I remember my father-in-law retired with over 42 years with one of the biggest corporations in the world. Within six months of retiring he had a massive heart attack and the doctor said to him stay in bed for a year and if he did that he would give him 5 years. He did make it the five years but it has stuck with me ever since how he worked for that gold watch only to not enjoy any travels or trips ever again. He was 67 when he died. He was very young when he started with the international company.

podkey

Yeah I have known some folks who were into their 80s and still saving for their retirement. At some point ya need to figure it out.

I like the idea of "take a little retirement every week". Makes sense.