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Thread: Why is retirement so stressful?

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    Why is retirement so stressful?

    Mrs. U is pushing me to slow down massively. I've always been a workhorse. One of the top 2 or 3 in the firm hours and income-in-the-door wise. She wants me to drop back to a point where I am at about 60 - 70% of what I've traditionally done by the end of 2019, and then even more thereafter. I have to tell you, the idea of not working (as much) is bringing me massive stress. Is it the idea of not being the 'big dog'? Not being 'important'? Not going to work every day? It's not a money thing, it's more intangible. So..., naturally, I've turned to the internet for information....

    From the article: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but retirement doesn’t always turn out the way people think. Primarily because this stage of life can intersect with an avalanche of activity that causes a massive amount of stress, worry and anxiety. As a result, people can often suffer in silence as they try to figure out what’s going on. Therefore, I want to share some scientific evidence to help you make better sense of it. This research is a major reason why traditional retirement planning needs to be revamped to include more non -financial training and knowledge.

    Attachment 23598

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertl.../#231fcccf2579
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    Retirement isn't the way it is pictured. I am bored a good bit more. I have more time to be bored.I also have more time to do other things. I consider it a slight advantage to be able to do other thins but only a little bit.

    The real advantage I found was not having the responsibility for work and more free time. Being bored still beats working. I say that as someone who didn't particularly care about what I did. If a job is very enjoyable the attitude might be different.

    I did find going into retirement cold turkey didn't work for me. I had to go get some time and gradually cut back.

    This isn't advice since I'm not you. It's just what happened to me. It's some things to consider.
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    Quote Originally Posted by DGUtley View Post
    Mrs. U is pushing me to slow down massively. I've always been a workhorse. One of the top 2 or 3 in the firm hours and income-in-the-door wise. She wants me to drop back to a point where I am at about 60 - 70% of what I've traditionally done by the end of 2019, and then even more thereafter. I have to tell you, the idea of not working (as much) is bringing me massive stress. Is it the idea of not being the 'big dog'? Not being 'important'? Not going to work every day? It's not a money thing, it's more intangible. So..., naturally, I've turned to the internet for information....

    From the article: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but retirement doesn’t always turn out the way people think. Primarily because this stage of life can intersect with an avalanche of activity that causes a massive amount of stress, worry and anxiety. As a result, people can often suffer in silence as they try to figure out what’s going on. Therefore, I want to share some scientific evidence to help you make better sense of it. This research is a major reason why traditional retirement planning needs to be revamped to include more non -financial training and knowledge.

    Attachment 23598

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertl.../#231fcccf2579
    I can see some people being stressed out; for some retirement is the unknown in some cases and that alone can be stressful. The article is very informative and brings to light many situations which can cause stress in the lives of retirees or those approaching retirement age. And it's how we deal with these issues is what determines how stressful retirement will be for us.

    Speaking for myself, I've been retired for almost 3 years and for me it was the best decision I ever made; no more 5 hour commute to NYC and back everyday, no more working different hours around the clock and deciding my own schedule as opposed to having some scheduling clerk decide my life during working hours.

    I'm not one to sit around in a rocking chair waiting to die like some people do; instead I keep very busy doing mostly volunteer work and get to finally spend time with my wife who, for years, put up with my lousy schedule and travel.

    We live according to our means which for us is satisfactory and thus keeps things at a low stress level.

    Finally I can tell you that based on my experience, when you retire, everyday is Saturday for the rest of your life! I highly recommend retirement, I think you'll enjoy it.

    P.S. You can sleep in when you feel like it!
    God Bless America, God Bless our Military and God Bless the Police who defended the country against the insurgents on January 6, 2021

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    I look forward to it...someday, keep putting it off.

    One reason it might be stressful for some is The Red-Flag Warning on Your Social Security Statement:

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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris View Post
    I look forward to it...someday, keep putting it off.

    One reason it might be stressful for some is The Red-Flag Warning on Your Social Security Statement:

    That's one reason I'm glad I have a defined pension from my employer and a 401.k; sort of like a security net for me in case SS goes belly up on us.
    God Bless America, God Bless our Military and God Bless the Police who defended the country against the insurgents on January 6, 2021

    Think 3rd party for 2024 folks. Clean up America.

    Once I tell you that we agree to disagree there will be no more discussion between us in the thread so please don't waste your time continuing to argue your points because I will not respond.

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    I probably have unrealistic expectations of retirement, but I'm looking forward to it.

    We'll likely move out of the city and travel as much as we can in the winter.

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    Retirement has not been stressful.
    Call your state legislators and insist they approve the Article V convention of States to propose amendments.


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    If you like to stay mentally active you still can when you retire. You can do completely different things than you did when you worked. I made pharmaceutical drugs. I suppose I could still make them but I'd end up like Walter White. Hobbies can be just as rewarding as the work you did assuming you liked what you did. You get to do things you never had time for when you worked. My neighbor has a friend who does custom remodeling. She wanted him to come over and check out my master bathroom and see if he could build her something similar.

    He's retired but that's what he likes to do and he's very good at it. He saw my "office" computer room and all my electronics with big screen tv's throughout the house plus high end sound systems and surround sound systems and 115 inch projector screen and asked if I was in the electronics field before I retired. Nope, I made drugs. He said that he was in electronics, specifically hard drive technology and had worked in California and Texas and all over Asia but now he likes to remodel home interiors.


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    You have to have something to replace work with. Just sitting around won't cut it.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Peter1469 View Post
    You have to have something to replace work with. Just sitting around won't cut it.
    That's so true......unless you never did anything at work but sat around. When they retire the only thing that changes is that they can't $#@! about work or their coworkers or their supervisors or not getting enough time off......


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