Jim, you and I are very close in age, and really, perspective is everything. But the difference from 50 to 55 is eye watering, and the difference from 55 to 60 even more so. Every year that passes after about 49 or 50 is a degraded you. Stuff you can't exercise your way out of. I am a believer, now that I have watched guys I have flown with for years retiring, that you can't put off until tomorrow what you could have done today. That said, some of them have been miserable not going to work. But the biggest issue is money. You say you have enough to live on in retirement...well, your money has to not only support you but pay for all the unexpected medical costs until you reach medicare age, so consider that one carefully. And supplemental policies are very tricky, we are all really just depending on luck at the age where your not medicare eligible yet...and my fear is that by that point, I will be "elderly". Ugh. We were looking at motorhomes yesterday and the RV show is this coming weekend. What will you do without having to go to work? Past the occasional trips, you have to consider everyday life. I have a neighbor that was able to retire from TI and assume a consultant role to maintain some health benefits but not have daily responsibilities or the commute. That let him have a little something to do and keep on trucking...until just a few months into it, his health issues caused him great concern. Jim, if I could afford to gain another 5 years of life by retiring at 55 I would jump all over it. Now that is to say that in retirement, not only do you have enough to pay the daily bills, medical costs, but also enjoy continuing your enjoyment of whatever it is you want to do, such as boating, traveling, etc. If you have to hang up your life because of cost...keep working. But the idea of working until you can't is just tragic IMO. Your wife deserves to enjoy your heart and mind away from the distraction and let you and ya'll be your focus for a few years. Perspective. Life looks very different from one side of 50-55 than it does from the other side. But I hear you, the closer you get to it, and knowing you will be ok, is a very secure feeling! Congratulations on 29 years with the company! I will be required to retire 6 years from tomorrow, and just reached 25 years with the company earlier this month...but I have been flying airplanes for a living for 38 years. It isn't manual labor, but it takes a toll on you, just like working for 3M! Since your still virtually a young guy, start practicing being retired and take some trips, get a new hobby or two, go back to school, get a good visual image of what you want to be doing. If that brings you this way, you and the mrs. plan to stop by and open a bottle of vino with us...we will discuss the possibilities! Congratulations again!
