What is retirement?

Hello Bricktop

Retirement!

I find myself busier than ever, helping others.

Now I've just helped you, with a first reply to your Topic.

Kind Regards....

Bricktop, You must have too much free time on your hands (: Actual retirement requires you to be free of the entanglements of earning a living to the extent you could continue your state of living without income for a minimum of ten years. Most people retire then about eighteen months later are ready to go back to work for free if necessary (: In fact many do contributing their experience and knowledge in fields which the compensation if any is meager but with a huge smile on their faces; when you are capable of giving more the rewards are priceless. I'll never actually retire and not because of he fore mentioned requirement but due there is waaaay tooo much to do!

Hello Guest,

Look at Bricktop's picture, and you can see he is trying to plan some 54 years ahead, for his own retirement.

Kind Regards....

Ahah! The cat is out of the bag, though, for elsewhere Bricktop has suggested that is an image of a grandchild.

Bricktop,

Years ago, I concluded that, as retirement approaches, one cannot retire from something. You have to retire to something. I arrived at that conclusion after observing the lives of several retired co-workers. Those who retired to something typically thrived while several of those who simply stopped working didn't last too long.

I "retired" after many years in industry (all with one employer) and followed that "to something" path. I cannot imagine ever actually retiring from engineering; unless it is forced by illness or other mental or physical infirmity. Working is simply too much fun!

exactly social services are diminished every year, so in 20 years retirement is a thing of the past.

I'm not sure I completely understand retirement, or at least my view of it is wrong or bad. Maybe some of you can help me out.

My wife often asks me, 'where do you want to live when WE retire', but she has been retired (not working) for about 15 years. I sometimes joke (but a little truth here as well) by saying, 'I know my wife is happy, because I have no money left'.

I think my first problem is that, for me, retirement was / is what folks do when they (1) leave the job they really didn't like, (2) sell the 'family farm', (3) move to Florida and live in a mobile home part with other retirees, (4) fish all day, (5) play cards all evening … and (sorry) get much older very quickly. That's not my idea of a good time.

Frankly, I love to work. My whole persona is about creating, inventing, discovery, problem solving, being a part of something 'bigger', and trying to 'make a difference'. Sure, we all have our 'days', but generally this has been my work experience for about the past 20 years. I DO miss 'tinkering' in my shop (not much opportunity to do that here), but I can 'scratch those itches' in other ways.

Someday, when the body and brain no longer functions, I will be forced to give in. But, until then, I just can't imagine it.

Maybe my whole idea and misgivings about retirement are all wrong. Give me some of your ideas.

Thanks ….

I am encouraged by your submission.

Thank you very much.

cheers,

ethobil

Hello LAUGHING JAGUAR!

Personally, and nothing against your paragraph of the middle of your note, I disagree totally and would like to have explanation about the definition of nonsense and don't concern yourself with it. First, what is the nonsense? Second, you cannot refuse to depend on the 600 American elected representatives. They are there to take care about the country where you are. If they decide to go to war and they call you to be their soldier, you GO my friend or you GO where you don't want to go. Still explain us what is your "nonsense". Friendly from "North of the border", Gil.

"I disagree totally and would like to have explanation about the definition of nonsense."

Most of what governments do is nonsense. That much is axiomatic and requires no further proof.

I=======================

"Second, you cannot refuse to depend on the 600 American elected representatives."

Wanna bet!? Many here do it all the time!

Some people in this Country are in a panic because they surrendered their independence and well being and have become dependent on government. They are learning the hard way that their confidence has been misplaced and they are anxious about that.

It is an absolute absurdity that a Country as affluent as the USA, should be in a state of collective psychological depression. OK so gasoline is now at $4.25 a gallon. Deal with it! Concern yourself with things you can do something about and stop showing up as a complaint!

Those who depend on any government for anything, their survival or something else, have surrendered their destiny to others. They are victims of their own choices. Stop asking for more of what didn't work in the first place!

===================

"They (elected officials) are there to take care about the country where you are."

Really?!

And almost by unanimous agreement, here and everywhere else, they are doing a lousy job! At the risk of offending drunks, they mismanage everything and spend like drunken teenagers.

I am of the opinion that the time when Congress or State legislatures are at their very best is when they are on vacation and when the electorate cuts off their finances.

Responding to your post is not possible without generating an off-topic rant; a controlled one but a rant nevertheless.

The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; withdrawal; seclusion; as, the retirement of an officer; the portion of one's life after retiring from one's career; : A place of seclusion or privacy; a place to which one withdraws or retreats; a private abode

en.wiktionary.org/wiki/retirement

I plan on retiring tonight...again.

Retirement! Thats gonna happen in 9 months! Then what? Maybe go to work at a machine shop. James

Hi James!

There is no maybes, there is retirement from some place to another, and like me, I receive from the government the pension, every month. During my life, I made money to many people, I learned by working for around 21 different companies in four (4) countries and three (3) continents. At the end, I discover that most of people don't want to change habits, operations, processes, or simply want to do the same things. This refusal of changing and most of the time doing everything at place of doing only one or two things well, I realized that these people waste their time to do what they do. These opportunities, refused opportunities for many, I discover, I can use for my-self. So, I started a small company with a partner, long-time friend, and after 2 and half years, I discover the same opposition to every innovation or just changes than before. Again, I was alone to accept changes. I talking changes about how to sell and what to sell. People want to satisfy every desire of anybody but that way you become nobody. Also, I want to do a few things well at place loose control on many things. Now, I will be alone in business with my knowledge, my know-how, and most importantly with my energy and desire to accept and many times provoke changes. I really enjoy my retirement and continue to do so. I am compensated by happy customers who pay an extra money for excellent and rapid service, and consistent products. Imagine, during this period, I made over 1,600 5-gallon pails waterborne stain, the same colour to a very picky person but never get a single complaint about the colour. I made every single pail individually! No big batches and fill. Many friends and business owners told me that I am crazy to produce the way I produce. Some of them already disappeared from the business they were in, and others are struggling every single day.

In my life, I sold around sixty (60) coating formulations. I guarrantee no one was reproduced as written on the original paper I sold. It's incredible but try and you will find the same. People pay for something they don't have but they want to modify. It's the same like when I told people to do something such way. They told me that I was not correct without trying to prove that I was wrong. The world is creazy but thanks for it!

I love what I do because I know what I do. There is an important point when you reach the age of decisions. You have and you exploit. I don't need money to do what I do. However, I am surprisingly well compensated.

I suggest to everyone, when you have knowledge, sit down with yourself and establish what way to exploit and enjoy the rest of the life.

This is my retirement and I want to pursuit until I can walk or think, Gil.

Hi Bric,

For me retiring means re-tiring, changing skin of tires. Actually changing old job and lifestyle. I retired ten years back at age of 58 that is retirement age here in India.I now have ample time to go for morning walk on the sea shore.

Do Yoga for one hour, read daily news paper.Visit my friends. I also do liasioning for my friends and help them in solving their industrial problems.I take afternoon siesta for which I was longing for during my working life.

In evening we retirees meet in the garden and have some laughter.That is my retirement life.

Suresh Sharma.

I like the saying (or better writing) that it shouldn't be retiring 'from' but retiring 'to' something.

But we could also retire FROM working as an engineer and go over to do something completely different.

BTW, I begin to consider something like that. Why shouldn't I stop working as EE and become e.g. teacher or do anything which has a lot more to do with persons and e.g. languages. That would be retirement from engineering. Why not?!

Retirement is a state of mind. Your senses are 'stupid' meaning your touch, smell, sight, etc does not know if you have money or not, only your brain knows. Your brain does know if you have pleasure.

Retirement can be defined as doing precisely what your senses process into pleasure, when you want to do it, and for how long you want to do it, without being invaded by mandatory tasks such as working for money to purchase the things that cause processing of those senses.

Bricktop:

My interest in teaching and tutoring began long before retirement. In fact, during my first engineering job, while employed by Pratt and Whitney, in the 60s, on electronic design of instrumentation and controls for jet and rocket engine test, I was certified by Palm Beach County and taught an evening adult Electronic Technology class.

After retirement:

In Ct. (1994-98), I worked with Junior Achievement, speaking on business and finance subjects to economics classes in high schools while substitute teaching in middle and high schools. Knowledge of math and science was always in demand. During that period, Forbes magazine celebrated their 80th anniversary by inviting 80 outstanding students from around the country to New York. I recommended one of my students and she was accepted. I was then asked to accompany the 3 students from CT on the trip. A wonderful experience.

I also worked with Literacy Volunteers, tutoring reading and ESL, and served on the LVA board.

In North Grafton, Massachusetts (1998-2002), I continued substitute teaching while working with Junior Achievement at the Worcester Youth Center. I also tutored reading and math at Seven Hills School in Worcester and wrote a very successful script for a "MATHMAGICIANS" show for first grade classrooms, to help children become comfortable with math. That show has been presented dozens of times by several teams and the children (and teachers) love it. I also joined a group of retired engineers and scientists at Northeastern Univ. (RE-SEED), presenting science shows to Middle School classes.

In Southampton, NY (2002-05), I taught an ESL class for adults and a RE-SEED presentation in an East Hampton 5th grade class. I was also employed by the Long Island Science Center in Riverhead speaking to visiting kids and families about science.

Again in 2006, I did classroom work with Junior Achievement in Rochester and Williamson, NY.

Teaching has always seemed to me to be the most enjoyable and worthwhile activity that I could engage in.

DickL

Hi, Bricktop

Here in Spain, the labor laws allows you to retire at 65. If you and the company agree, you can continue indefinitely.

I am 7 years to reach retirement age (that means.. hmmm.. I'm 37, isn't it?)

Myself as most Spanish people (it's our culture ) when see the retirement age near, we desire to get it. What makes difference is how to spend your time then.

I'm thinking just in that because this morning a company make me some sort of offer to work for that company in a way I've always desired, part time as consultant which may leave me free time enough to make my own jobs at home without this ball and chain that's the 6:00 morning buzzer. ¡No rigid time tables!

And.. I could take a 2,5 hours train to see my 14 days old grand daughter

Kind regards

Retirement is another phase of a person's life. In Hindu Mythology , it is called Banprastha. You hand over everything you have to your next generation and take recluse to forest and enjoy nature!

Basically as I find ,from my aged friends , that post retirement one should continue to work , but at lighter space, so that you dont get old faster. Retire and have an idle life which our parents had ,made them old much faster. The situation has changed now and opportunities of work ( not necesserily for money) are high.

Basically if you are still not working in the same field , then think of this period as an opportunity for doing things which we could not do earlier. Travelling/Internet surfing/daily excercise/socialising/Reading/watching movies/TV/talking to children and grand children/ giving more attention to spouse/companion/cooking/writing are some of the general activities one can persue ,other than some voluntery work or occasional work for money. Having few good friends to socialise is also great.

The best phase of life is retirement and we should try to take full advantage of this period.

Hi my Friend!

After my opinion, I don't follow any mythologic idea. First, they are said or written centuries ago and are not very valuable to today's life style and human environment. Second, it's extremely hard to hand over something you know or your life experience. The receiver most of the time don't accept ideas coming from someone else, and many times, the education and volonty to learn are not present. We, elderlies, we can told to everyone what we want to tell as senders but the receivers will get the messages their way, with their understanding and interpretation. The principle is good and looks easy but today's realities are different. You confirm all I am saying by telling us that our parents acted the way they acted because that was their knowledge about retirement and do things. Today, we acting differently, and will be the same, they will act and do thing differently from us.

You think people want to learn new things, or more importantly learn new things when they are limited by age? Please, let me know how many people want to change their life-style, young or old? Your list tells us that you missed some of important human missions during your life and you want to repair your errors or luck of actions. Today, watching movies or TV don't give me anything. Today' I want to be the actor on the TV selling or distributing products or services. If you take care of grand-children is good but you become a second-time parent, so you repeat what was already done. Go ahaid and do it, people around you will appreciate your change. Bravo, just do it!

I suggest to exploit at the late period of life what we missed, and enjoy what we know. Do simple things! Wish you good and peaceful retirement, Gil.

Hi, Gil Becker,

Don't take this as a critic, but your reasoning way isn't too correct: First, they are said or written centuries ago and are not very valuable to today's life style and human environment.

You may disregard mythological idea because is just "myth", not for the time it was written. Math, physics and even ethics and politics ideas written 2500 years ago by ancient Greeks are still (and it will continue being) valid. The truth does not depend on the time has been said.

Hello KWETZ!

I appreciate your comments, however during human history all authorities repressed individuals and populations when someone or a group did something different. Inquisition, invasions, and other repressive operation maintained staus quo for a certain period of time but finally everuthing is changed. We don't have a unique religion. We get variations of them and we created another. Chinese more than 5,000 years ago, they counted differently than they do today. Evolution is there and we keep it alive for ever. Talking about Greeks, and I don't diminish there fantastic contribution to all human population but they learned lots from Assirians and others.

I don't refuse all mythological and religious ideas but we have to accept the facts that today, many religions fight back, sometimes very hardly to get back to the old fashion way. 9/11 is mainly a response to refusal of the new, and many other around. When you are dominating people around you, and hidenly you loose the control on those people, you fight back harshly.

Same age or around it, don't be upset when someone disagree with your ideas. These are my opinions and are so valuable for me than yours for yourself. You and I, we will find people to share ideas we promote. I maintain my view as is and I hope you do the same. Chew a gum and laugh, Gil.

Thank you Gil Becker,

I agree with you. I'm just chewing a gum but it's difficult to laugh when I look around and see the precise way in which we, Spanish, are being repressed at this very moment.

Anyway I still have confidence in human kind. I recall some verse of a Spanish poet which more or less say:

"There's no evil which last 100 years

Nor perpetual government

And after these times, other times will come

And other and other and other

And just like us, other people will bug"

Kind regards

Here.here. Agreed.

Hence such phrases as; "timeless truth", "test of time" et al.

I visited this helpful man

I could retire tomorrow because I have been working for 42 years but I fell enough energy for at least five additional years. Then I will do the same, but for extra money or only for my pleasure...

In addition, I am a HAM (HA5YAR)

Hi QGBERCI!

I ask to you, and this is between us: are you at the right place to work for the last 42 years? Tell us really! Could you? I am very curious to see only your energy which satisfy your happiness for the next few years. Are you all muscles? let us know, Gil.

I have been retired for several years, doing consulting within my industry. Recently I hooked up with YourEncore which is a group of 4,000 retired engineers, scientists, academic teachers, managers etc. The key is seeking to use innovation and come up with solutions to challenges that are presented. The pace is whatever you want it to be and you can turn down any and all jobs to fit your lifestyle. I have found it very enriching. Thirty companies + are using these resources including Boeing, P & G, General Mills, Coca Cola, J & J, Eli Lily and many others. Mostly CPG companies but others as well. All disciplines of talent seem to be needed. You are placed in a data base and searches match your capabilities with a clients needs. Teams are assembled of two to five individuals but one recent phone consultation had 24 people on line! Retirement is great as long as you do what you love and have a passion for. Keep that in mind. (Site is www.yourencore.com) Good luck

Bricktop: Here's my summery for retirement...

Do whatever you love to do, when you want to do it, and with no one breathing at your neck...Very unfortunately you are bound to find that you haven't got enough time left to do it all...

Ahh, I forgot, all that if you can afford it...Cause if not, it's gonna be borerrrrring, and that you have toooooo much time left.

Wangito

Thanks everybody for the great response. I'll be 55 soon, and I retire at 62. Oh, boy, time fly's! We're all time travelers, but why does the universe speed up the older I get?

The answers I got where pretty much what I expected. You have to have something to look forward to doing.

I'm now at the family beach house on Cape Cod. I leave for my annual European vacation on Monday.

So, I keep pretty busy.

I also have some land in Western Massachusetts, where, perhaps, I will retire.

In the last few years, I've taken up glass blowing, and flame working. I am fortunate that there is an excellent glass studio near my home. I've worked with instrumentation and furnaces forever, so, I've traded my services for studio time. I also volunteer to work with some excellent gaffers, as the #2 guy, ( a very impotent job ).

In Western Massachusetts and Vermont there's a few commercial glass operations and I know a few people, so I hope to work there.

My big fear these days is that growing energy crises may shut down the whole artform.

To many live to work... I work to live.

Fishing, hunting, boating, all equal living. When the time comes, this working to live will have to come to an abrupt stop! I will stop to smell the rose's, or the fish. I'll find a good strong limb to wrap my tail around and take a good nap...

Hi POSSUM!

Don't misunderstand me. I am not working for a living. I work because during my life I have very little chances to to change my bosses wants and needs. I remember one of them, In the coating industry he was in war with low price, low quality products. He hired me to change his company from a few % to 10 to 20% profits. I prepared everything, formulations, samples were supplied to professional painters for quality approval, and the production was ready to start. Everything was fine, products were accepted as good to excellent, pricing was good, and I teached by doing the first batch for give away as sampling. Two days later, I was out of the company, my job was finished and was well paid, and in plus the company get over 2,000 gallon orders. A few days later, the boss of the company come to me and said, Gil, the sample batch you made and teached to people how to do was excellent, loved by the pro painters. When we made the second and third batches, the product was rejected by all users. So, we went to the factory and I asked what was made. First, my batch card was modified enough to get a much lower viscosity and a non-sealing product. I was introduced a few new products to the existing chemist and workers, which cannot accept my know-how. This is the difficulties we have with people. We cannot change their minds, but I can change mine. The result? The boss fired everybody and put me in charge for the next 9 years as chemist and production manager, and the company went from 900,000 gallon/year to over 1.6 million gallon/year, and profits went from a few up to 17% after tax, which is exceptional in this compatitive and archaic industry. The father sold the company to his son, and he, the son, bankrupted within 16 months. The son has one good point comparing to his father. The father did not know nothing about paint but was able and intelligent to hire capabilities. The son don't have the knowledge at all but he was using his power to do everything his way. I quite when I have from him the third objection and I realized that was a good relief for the son.

Today, I do what was not possible to do 5, 10 or 20 years ago but now, it is a good business. Again, I am not working for a living! I enjoy what I do and I will do until I will enjoy it! This is what I want to tell in my note, Gil.

I've only been out of school for 5 years but I can already picture my retirement. Except it won't truly be retirement, I see it as either an opportunity to work solely for myself or be in the position to work more on my terms, i.e. 3-4 day week, 6-8 hours a day, maybe jsut a consultant. The additional time would give me the opportunity to read even more.

I've seen it with my grandparents but if you retire entirely you aren't just retiring from your job/career you end up retiring from life and end up just counting down the days until you are no longer alive.

And with all the endless social program spending of our debt ridden welfare nation and the mockery that is social security, few in my generation will even be able to retire whether they want to or not.

Good morning SKEPTICAL GUY!

Today, you see what you can see. You cannot see today what you want to see in fifty years. Let me slow down. You or me, we are not prophetes or other gurus to tell what will be. When I quite school, I want to live following my principles at that time. I lived following a natural evolution, whitout big control of my-self. The world direct us without knowing. We just do thinks, the best of our and at that time best knowledge, and follow others without hearting too much ourselves. So, live another 40 to 50 years and send to the world your successful prediction dated or July 7, 2008. Changes occur in your personal life, in your close environment, and also and most importantly by others who have power but we cannot do nothing against, except vote for them or for their opposition, which is coming to the same results. Good luck in your dreamings, Gil.

I like your answer. Just, if you will permit me, a word or two of advice ...

1) When I was younger (just by saying that I sound OLD ) I was in a 'I can always do it later' mentality, and my work / career / lifestyle was always 99% of my thinking, and 1% (if that much) was given to future planning. Without a doubt, my current position is a result of hard work and some skill (and I am very fortunate to have what I have), but for the most part, I didn't plan too much, just let life 'happen'. My advice is, set some life goals in education, location, career choices and such. I promise you have much more flexibility now than you will later in life, and if you 'fail' at something, you still have time to 'climb back'.

2) For all I consider that I have a talent for, money was never one of them. I can gladly say, I never chased the 'get rich quick' schemes, but unfortunately, I never chased any schemes. Generally, I have found that technical, creative, artistic people are not good financial people. Find a good financial planner and listen to what they have to say about the future value of your small investments now. While none of us can really tell the future, one thing we are guaranteed to lose day by day is TIME. Make your plans now for your retirement later. AND, don't count on pension plans necessarily, because they can dry up in a moment. Have a good financial planner help you get where you want to be when you want to be there.

3) Enjoy your career. If you're not, find a way to change it. Work, generally, should and can be rewarding, not just financially (a good job / career is never just about the bucks), but rewarding in a way that you enjoy going to work and making your contribution. If you beat yourself up in what you believe is a waste of time or other forms of torture just to gain your retirement, you'll retire a bitter person. Do the best you can to retire with the mentality that you 'made a difference'.

Thanks for letting me 'counsel'. For me, at least some of these things, while I truly have no strong regrets, IF there were a way to go back, to 'know then what I know now', I would definitely do some things differently.

Take care, and thanks for your post.

Hi DCaD!

Thanks for the reply. It could be mixed with mine and used for many young as a vision for the future with what and how to do receipies. I still young but sometimes my body tells me the real time. One thing, I was all the time: Do now or never do it. I need to make a choice to be responsible for my actions. I never worked for money, and it's not because I am technical. I lost many friends whom worked exclusively for money. One of my best died at 42. He told me every day: Gil, you are smart, you can make lots of money with your knowledge. Do it! I am here, and I sincerely wish he must be here to and enjoy life. After 65 years, now I plan only my business and I plan very well. However, I don't reproach that I never did before. This is life. Thanks to my character or my personal convictions, not religious, I never was bitter or depressed.

I wanted to be happy and worked around to create the athmospher around me to others, wifes, childrens, friends, and many others. I still happy by saying that it could be better but it will cost more. However, the others, all others are not so happy. Some of them committed suicide, lost fortunes, and lost health.

I watched a TV program on the 20th anniversary of PROSAC. I cannot understand that people who have some problems, financial, marital, or other, get packed with pills and get side-effects, and get sicker for eternity, and most of the time very short. I am lucky to pass through two divorces, losing everything financially, and stay here to tell happiness is the only motivator for longer life. Take your daly vitamins, drink lots of boiled water, eat reasonably, and do things you want in the limits of your capabilities.

It was nice to send you a note to you, and wish you a happy day, Gil.

I admire your retirement. That studip department dont allow me retire at present. I have to continue my heavy work for several years. I look foward to retiring as soon as possible now.

by the time I can have a trevel everywhere as I like. I can read novel, review the old lessions. hehe. learn painting. set up an electronic artfine asociaty and studio. teach young guys how to make a colorful led screen.

buy an oled color tv set to see all day long.

Hi CNPOWER!

What's your age? After me, you looks young because you want ot do so many things that I have to open the dictionary to understand what it means each of your mentionned dreams. Do only one thing but do it well. When one is finished , start over again and do the same. After a certain period you will produce good things. I please to my target customers and forget the rest of the world. I am not perfect but I do things well for those people who want to pay for them. Being appreciated, need to serve or supply something to someone. This someone will appreciates what you did. So, do one thing and you will be better than you are today. Friendly, Gil.

Good Question Bricktop,

I'm on the second phase (53 yo) of what do I want to be when I grow up, 45 hrs/wk and I sneak in a nap before dinner. Think about Keene, NH for small hour employment, we can use good quality "old fahts". Thanks for the post.