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30-something years in the public education system- - - - -I left just as soon as it was possible to do so! I miss working with the kids sometimes. Now for the bosses- - - - Yep, I'd better shut up right now!
Jerry

Tom,

For me the decision was easy.

1. I no longer enjoyed the changing environment at my place of work.
2. I could financially afford to retire.
3. I would rather spend more time with my children and grand-children than go to work everyday.
4. I had plenty of things to occupy my retirement time, including my 51-3100.

I retired at 62, have been retired for 4 years now, and don't regret it one bit!!

But, the situation is different for everyone.

Hope this helps!

I'm in my 2nd year of retirement and I can't think of a term that properly convey's how much I'm enjoying it. I tell the youngun's to put as much as they can into 401K's and other long term investments so they can retire earlier when they're younger so they can enjoy it more.

The last outfit I toiled for, for over 15 yrs, went through 4 ownership changes over the last 10 yrs I was with them and each subsequent new owner would slice and dice manpower while doubling and tripling up responsibilities. The last outfit decided to make us sit in countless PC themed propaganda training sessions that made me start to doubt the education and intelligence of our leadership and what the institutions of higher learning was producing...... It became intolerable... I'll stop there....

I still recall my final walk from the office building to my vehicle that last day. I had dropped my company provided vehicle off the day before. It was an indescribable feeling as I looked back as I drove off. The closest I can compare it too was when I drove my Super Glide HD with my seabag strapped to the sissy bar out the front gates of MCAS Cherry Point the final time. Again feelings so good I can't find the words to exclaim them LOL.

Do the numbers and do them again. IF they work, go for it.....

Good luck
Dave

Tom,
When it's time, you'll just know.
The job I had when I retired was the best job I ever had and I loved it. But I decided I just didn't want to do it anymore and that it was time to be done. Sounds as though you might be about at that point also.
Like you, it would have been financially advantageous if I had stayed a couple more years, but I decided to pull the plug anyway, once I became eligible. No regrets.
Good luck in your decision!

Well now I was a workaholic. 21 yrs. prof. firefighter and EMT, maintenance cord. at hospital and owner operator paint business. Have retired 3 X's. Was hard for me to retire; now enjoying restoration projects, especially the 59 Apache! Always helping the "school teacher" cleaning, cooking, grandbabies! Life has taken it's toll on me especially after motorcycle accident 2016 but, today I walk out the sliding door to the outside and smile while I look over the Ponderosa!

Pops

I worked as a grade 5 to 7 teacher for 35 years. Retired 6 years ago this upcoming June. I enjoyed the kids, playing in the gym with them, giving them problems to solve, reading to them, telling jokes, coaching, running noon hour programs, etc. They told me they had fun learning. But with the influence of video games, cell phones, etc., I noticed a change in attitudes and basic knowledge in the kids. It just felt like the right time. I was able to wean myself from the job as an on-call teacher, working a day and a half every week or week and a half. If I wanted to, I could have worked full time as a substitute teacher (and still could - no report cards or staff meetings, though) I miss some parts of the job but there are many parts I don't miss. For me and many of my colleagues, it was tiring. I was getting older but the kids were the same age every year!

38 years working as a lineman for a utility in the U.P. of Michigan. Loved the job and most of the customers that I helped with power outages but calls all hours of the night, holidays, and yes even called in off of vacation, when I turned 60 that was enough. Miss the comeratery with the guys but not the B.S. 5 years in all ready and hoping to finish my first restore..37 truck. What ever decision you make will be the right one! Good luck!!

13 months, 12 days 3 hours and 41 minutes to go ...

But who's counting?

You won't be receiving an invitation for my retirement party. It will be the same day as my funeral. Y'all can still come though. I won't exactly be the life of the party, so to speak.

Tom and all,
What an incredible coincidence this post is, as I am retiring TOMORROW, my last day after 35 years total as an engineer, the last 7 as a road warrior for big pharma. At 58, some would say I'm early, I say why not.
I've got the last 5% of my 51 build waiting in the shop for the spring warmup. Then I start the search for my next project, and some catchup on family and home deferred maintenance.
Tom, you helped me out with some parts a couple of years ago, and shared your obsession. I'd love to have you come down and see mine. Reach out, I'm about to have plenty of time.
Marc