At what age did you, or do you plan to retire?

[surfafrica]

There's no good reason to retire if your work doesn't beat the shit out of you. I have some acquaintances in Hood River who do physically taxing labor, but they are making 2 to 3X more money than they ever did before and can't find anyone to take over their business. Retirement was a useful concept when people died at 60. Not so much when you will probably see 90.

My thoughts on that.... if you have enough money to maintain your lifestyle (with a cushion for the unexpected), I'd only consider working if I'd be willing to do it for free. That was the ultimate test I used in my decision. Reasons to retire even if work doesn't beat the shit out of you are time and health.  If work doesn't bring you joy (ie, would do it happily for free), there are probably some other things you could be doing instead that do bring you joy (volunteering, family, surfing, learning, etc). I truly believe in the cliche--time is the most valuable currency of all.  And tied with time is health....you never know what lurks around the corner. Work didn't beat the shit out of me. But I've found that having extra time has opened new doors that I didn't even know existed (not work or money related). But I know some people who truly love their work and couldn't imagine life without it. They are lucky.

[spindrift]

I wound the calendar back to 2017 and read the initial responses to this post and wonder what happened to their plan (or no plan) 7 years later. Interesting that some were in a place of financial ease and others were living on $100 above their breakeven. Thinking back to my 2017 I was 3 years into my second career having just finished grad school and working for a non-profit; way different from the work I retired from at age 59. Now, post Covid, I'm sort of retired again but thinking about going back to part-time. Believe it or not I miss the feeling of having something I have to do. I've had a summer gig teaching kayaking for the last 14 years that I keep doing because I love teaching. I'm a total kook at winging, but love foiling and hope I can continue to foil a while longer. The classic form of retirement wasn't a  fit for me. I can't emphasize the advice PonoBill and others have offered in regards to health and fitness. Don't get behind the curve on staying fit. Life rewards movement.

[eastbound]

jumping on my erg ski now -- check this machine -- best out there for paddle endurance -- and my cardio reco'ed too -- said upper body cardio mixed in is key

[SlatchJim]

I'm a bit surprised anyone remembers that I was working on a book called the retirement trap. I barely did.

I guess we can look forward to your next book on selective memory 

Thanks a bunch for the link.  There is a wealth of life experience here in the zone.  You and Supthecreek are two of the vanguard I get to keep an eye on, to see what works well and to learn from any mistakes.

My wonky corporate appreciation sign-off has been deleted for fear of vomit-inducement flashbacks,
Jim.

[surfinJ]

Update at five years in I can say that this is now the prime of my life. Winning the lottery to be free from just about all restraints and never miss a surf. Any clean or offshore conditions and even still the big stuff and I'm going. The freedom is priceless.