OnTheGreenInPar 36 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Golf and retirement go together like biscuits and gravy so I’m looking for your input I’m reaching a work situation where I have a choice to either dive into a new job or tap out and work on my chipping - the trade offs are obvious - less money vs more time Lots weighing on my mind; including watching some of my older friends having to give up the game but also watching my older siblings get nervous about pinching pennies in retirement So, I ask the Get Off My Lawn crowd - what say you? 8 Quote 410 Plus 10.5 2Deep 15* Apex CF16 56* Wishon 4 wood, Nickent 4 hybrid, and a rogue’s gallery of assorted wedges Link to post Share on other sites
CarlH 4,760 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Only you know your financial status. We have lots of seniors well into their 80s playing golf every day. 9 Quote Driver: G400 Max 9 degree Alta CB55 Stiff shaft Hybrids: M6 --- 3 (19 degrees), 4 (22 degrees), and 5 (25 degrees) Atmos shaft R Irons: Apex CF19 6-9, PW, AW KBS Tour Graphite 70g shafts R Wedges: CBX-2 52*, 56*, 60* wedges. Stock shafts. Putter: Stroke Lab 7S Ball: MTB-X My Photography can be seen at Smugmug Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post MadMex 331 Posted January 22 Popular Post Share Posted January 22 About 5 years ago I “knew” I was going to wait until I was 62 to retire (was 55 then) then my wife heard about a co-worker who passed away , he was still working because he said he could not afford to retire and wanted more in the way of retirement pay, he was 63. Two years ago my best friend and co-worker was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, then he went into remission and then no cancer, he was stoked, 7 months later he passed away. Several other officers who waited until 65 and 67 to retire, you guessed it, both passed within a couple of years Those incidents made the wife and I think, so I am retiring this September 26, age 60, that’s as soon as I can retire, financially we will be OK, I could wait two years and make about $300 more a month, but that’s two years I could spend enjoying life. 16 Quote DRIVER: Cobra F-8 set at 10.5, Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 60 (R) 44 1/2 " 3 & 5 WOOD: Callaway XR-16, Fujikura Speeder Evolution 565 Red (R) IRONS 5-SW: PING G-700, 2 upright, std loft Alta CB (R) + 1/2" HYBRID 3-4: PING G-410, 1 upright, Alta CB 70 Red (R) + 1/2" PUTTER: Byron Experimental GSS Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Kenny B 24,066 Posted January 22 Popular Post Share Posted January 22 It depends on your financial situation, and everyone and every job is different, so it's hard to say. I stayed on at my company until I was 68. Years earlier, I told my wife that I was now "semi-retired". What that meant was I liked my job, but I wanted to spend more time playing golf. I used to travel a lot, 2 weeks at a time, mostly to Russia but also all over the US. I was weary, and it didn't help my golf game coming off a long trip. I managed to quit most travel in 2004 and only had to make a few trips a year to DC or Albuquerque, so I stayed on. I got 4 weeks of vacation a year and I could carry over 6 weeks into the next year. I also got a lot of comp time for travel and working weekends, so I had a lot of golf time when I was home. My wife and I also went on golf vacations. In 2015 my projects changed, and I didn't care for where the work was headed, so I said goodbye. We joined our current club (a muni) and have been members ever since. It's certainly not fancy and it has typical muni problems, but I know all the people that work there and many other members. Now at 73 I play as much as I want/can, and use the practice facility on days I don't play. I know I can't afford a private club, but I'm fine with the quality of golf where I'm at. We still travel for golf but COVID-19 cut that short this past year; hoping for better this year. 11 Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to post Share on other sites
fixyurdivot 9,461 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 31 minutes ago, OnTheGreenInPar said: Golf and retirement go together like biscuits and gravy so I’m looking for your input I’m reaching a work situation where I have a choice to either dive into a new job or tap out and work on my chipping - the trade offs are obvious - less money vs more time Lots weighing on my mind; including watching some of my older friends having to give up the game but also watching my older siblings get nervous about pinching pennies in retirement So, I ask the Get Off My Lawn crowd - what say you? Only you can decide whether your financial situation and retirement plan works. But just keep in mind that you don't get (and cannot buy) the years back. 7 Quote G410 Plus, 9 Degree Driver | Official 2019 MGS Tester G400 SFT, 16 Degree 3w G400 SFT, 19 Degree 5w G410 Irons 4-UW Glide 2.0 56 Degree SW (removed from double secret probation ) B61 Putter Link to post Share on other sites
SlowNLow 363 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 22 minutes ago, OnTheGreenInPar said: Golf and retirement go together like biscuits and gravy so I’m looking for your input I’m reaching a work situation where I have a choice to either dive into a new job or tap out and work on my chipping - the trade offs are obvious - less money vs more time Lots weighing on my mind; including watching some of my older friends having to give up the game but also watching my older siblings get nervous about pinching pennies in retirement So, I ask the Get Off My Lawn crowd - what say you? Sounds like you got options, which is a good thing, Depends on money, medical, what does work mean to you. Some people thrive on work, they don't realize it until its gone, then they go crazy. I don't think that's me, I would be happy chipping. Other people work longer than they want, and have no time after work is done. This is sad for these people. I'd just like to end my working days on my own terms, with a little dignity and respect. 9 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
silver & black 5,627 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 I'm 61. I will probably never be able to retire. This shutdown has pretty much killed any chance of that. I had planned to work until I was 70, but retirement seems unlikely now...... even if I ever get to go back to work. 1 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tony@CIC 17,370 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Lots of great thoughts from Forum member here and as many have said a lot depends on your financial position. In my case, because I had to travel extensively, I retired at 62 - I always feared dying in a motel room in some far off country. When I retired, I went from 100 miles an hour to 0, given my personality, it drove my wife and myself crazy. After two years I went back to work, commuting every week from Cleveland to Long Island - not an easy gig, however I was happier. This was not a financial issue but one of engagement. If you're healthy and can afford retirement do so but figure out a way to keep mentally and physically engaged. 9 Quote Left Hand orientation G410 SFT driver Cobra King F-9 5 wood 410 Hybrids 22*, 26* Cobra Speed Zone 6-GP/Recoil ESX 460 F3 Shafts SM7 54* Wedge Glide 3.0 60* Wedge O Works putter NX9-HD - 4 Wheel - too many shoes to list and so many to buy And BAG Boy Golf Balls: Snell MTB-X 2020 Official Tester Beginning Driver Speed - 78 2019 Official Tester 410 Driver 2018 Official Tester C300 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Middler 2,176 Posted January 22 Popular Post Share Posted January 22 If you’re completely comfortable with your financial picture, retirement is an option, but it’s not a reason to retire. But be sure, most of us can’t resume a career if we decide we pulled the plug too early financially. Make sure you know what you’ll realistically spend in retirement, every day expenses including medical/health care and taxes, and don’t forget to plan for large infrequent expenses, e.g. roof replacement and other major home maintenance expenses, new cars periodically, etc. Ideally anyone considering retiring should try to live on their projected retirement budget for a year or two before pulling the plug to make sure it’s realistic. Someone always comes along to cite an example of someone who died young and didn’t get to enjoy retirement. It happens, but it’s the exception - you must plan to live a long life, that’s what’s most likely. Don’t overweight so and so died young as a factor in your decision to retire - unless you know otherwise, it probably won’t happen to you. If you don’t hate your job, I wouldn’t retire. No matter if you retire now or 5 years from now, odds are you will be retired for a very long time. In the long run it’s not urgent you start as soon as possible. If you’re young, under 65, remember most of your friends will be working still. They won’t be around to hang out or play golf. Out an about during the day Mon thru Fri it’s mostly really old folks and young Moms with kids in tow. Have you thought about what you’ll do all day? Some people easily fill their time with satisfying activities, others get lost without the structure of work - even succumb to boredom and depression. Not everyone but some people retire and watch TV/surf the internet all day - that’s not healthy, easy to lose touch with reality. They’ve devoted so much to a career they haven’t built much of a life outside work... ...Most people will get tired of one activity, e.g. I’m going to play golf every day, or fish every day. I love golf but I’d get bored with it eventually if I didn’t have other interests. And if God forbid some physical ailment curtails your golf, you’ll want to have other fulfilling activities to turn to. 10 Quote Callaway Rogue 10.5° & 3W Mizuno CLK 3H 19°, JPX900 Forged 4-GW, S18 56.10, S18 60.06 Evnroll ER5B (replaced ER2) Snell MTB-Black Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post dlow206 5,672 Posted January 22 Popular Post Share Posted January 22 I can't wait until retirement (i'm only 36 ). 11 Quote Follow my golf journey to break into the 80s Current tester for the Titleist TSi Driver Spring 2020 MGS Tester for the Fujikura Motore X Shaft Updated 12/27/2020 Driver: TSi 2 - Graphite Design AD-XC 6S Hybrids: SIM Max 3H, 4H - Matrix Ozik 85S Irons: ZX5 5 - PW - Nippon Modus 120 S Wedges: CBX 2 54, CBX Full Face 58 - KBS Hi-Rev S Putter: ER2 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Siamese Moose 363 Posted January 22 Popular Post Share Posted January 22 I was forced to retire at 42, but I was very lucky. I lost my job when the company had an accounting scandal, and figure this, a high tech company laid off all of the R&D, and hired more accountants. (They've since been sold multiple times, and have gone from dominant world leader to bit player.) My skills were highly valued, but also highly specialized. My only practical opportunities involved a major relocation. My wife's job paid better than mine, she loved it, and it covered my medical, so relocation was not happening. I looked for some local, lesser jobs in my field, but despite interviewers telling me how much they wanted my expertise, and would load all this responsibility on me, the offers were insulting. I ended up working some hobby jobs (homebrew store, a couple breweries where I set up QC labs, even a country club for a couple years) for almost as much money, and found the change totally enjoyable. My wife has since retired (at 53), and we're both busy with unpaid work we do for non-profits. However, I'll freely admit that I have too much downtime, and the pandemic has made life quite boring. I don't play near as much golf as I expected, as my normal partners are still not retired. My league has folded, and those players have drifted away. Most of the other retirees I meet at courses are older (I'm now 61), and they don't want to play with somebody who doesn't play the forward tees. I subbed for a couple of morning leagues, but didn't find a fit I liked (yet). Besides not playing as much, I don't practice as much as I thought I would. My body doesn't hold up to it. Long story short, the previous posters have given you all of the practical advice I would have offered. I've told my story as more data for you to have in your decision. Either way, I wish you the best of luck whatever you decide! 10 Quote Moose, my cat, is Siamese Link to post Share on other sites
OnTheGreenInPar 36 Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Thanks for the replies. addressing a couple things - I’m fully vested for lifetime medical coverage (and so is my wife through her job) - so that double stacked coverage removes a big “what if” that a lot of retirees need to worry about Regarding money - suffice it to say that I would have more if I worked than if I retire. I’m a frequent poster of FIRE forums (financial independence) FWIW I’ve lost 6 friends and colleagues aged 54-56 in the last 3 years Just replaced the roof and floors and did a ton of maintenance - that’s a great point Given my field if I leave I likely won’t be able to get back in. My best financial move is to hang on to my current job if I can. If I retire and have to go back to work it will be at a much much lower salary and position i will be retiring both from something and to something - I’m confident in my ability to fill my days. I won’t miss work and I won’t miss 90% of the people or 100% of the issues My current contract ends at age 59; the only question is whether I work until 62 or 59; ain’t no way I will make it to 65 keep those thoughts coming ! 8 Quote 410 Plus 10.5 2Deep 15* Apex CF16 56* Wishon 4 wood, Nickent 4 hybrid, and a rogue’s gallery of assorted wedges Link to post Share on other sites
OnTheGreenInPar 36 Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 11 minutes ago, Siamese Moose said: I was forced to retire at 42, but I was very lucky. I lost my job when the company had an accounting scandal, and figure this, a high tech company laid off all of the R&D, and hired more accountants. (They've since been sold multiple times, and have gone from dominant world leader to bit player.) My skills were highly valued, but also highly specialized. My only practical opportunities involved a major relocation. My wife's job paid better than mine, she loved it, and it covered my medical, so relocation was not happening. I looked for some local, lesser jobs in my field, but despite interviewers telling me how much they wanted my expertise, and would load all this responsibility on me, the offers were insulting. I ended up working some hobby jobs (homebrew store, a couple breweries where I set up QC labs, even a country club for a couple years) for almost as much money, and found the change totally enjoyable. My wife has since retired (at 53), and we're both busy with unpaid work we do for non-profits. However, I'll freely admit that I have too much downtime, and the pandemic has made life quite boring. I don't play near as much golf as I expected, as my normal partners are still not retired. My league has folded, and those players have drifted away. Most of the other retirees I meet at courses are older (I'm now 61), and they don't want to play with somebody who doesn't play the forward tees. I subbed for a couple of morning leagues, but didn't find a fit I liked (yet). Besides not playing as much, I don't practice as much as I thought I would. My body doesn't hold up to it. Long story short, the previous posters have given you all of the practical advice I would have offered. I've told my story as more data for you to have in your decision. Either way, I wish you the best of luck whatever you decide! somewhat similar situation - my skills are deep but narrow I’m lucky in that one of my playing partners just retired and so did my brother, and I’ve also become a regular with a good group of guys at a local cigar lounge many of whom are retired or work flex schedules. I’m also very happy to fish or golf or do solo activities thank you for sharing that 5 Quote 410 Plus 10.5 2Deep 15* Apex CF16 56* Wishon 4 wood, Nickent 4 hybrid, and a rogue’s gallery of assorted wedges Link to post Share on other sites
Kenny B 24,066 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 My wife worked for my company starting in 1979 for 8 years then moved to another company for 8 years. She was a photo "lab rat" and when the digital photo age came along, the company closed the wet lab and she bought all of the equipment and started her own business. Eventually, she closed the wet part and went totally digital. She sold her business in September 2019 before COVID-19... very fortunately!!! The reason was that she turned 65 last month and decided to draw social security, because her family history says "there is no long life". The average "sell by date" of both sides of her family is 66 years old. Fortunately, she is the youngest of her siblings and saw all the things not to do! Now she can spend her non-golf time working on her non-profit; however, that's on hold since COVID -19 has shut down those activities with high school students. 9 Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to post Share on other sites
alfriday101 931 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 My brother in law was in a situation similar to yours. He debated retiring at 62 verses 65. He ended up working to 65. He talked with the owner of the company and changes were made to his job to keep him around the extra 3years. Fewer hours, more vacation time and he got rid of a couple of projects he didn’t like working on. He took a small cut in salary the last three years. It worked well for him. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rbsiedsc 1,477 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 I have a goal to retire at 55 (god, 24 years from now) if I can so I can still enjoy my kids and be more active. Will see how my company’s stock does to see if that will be plausible. as for you, do what makes you happy. Like others said, you don’t get years back and a little less money shouldn’t matter as long as your state of mind is better. Good luck! 5 Quote Driver: Epic Flash SZ with XStiff Pro 2.0 TS7 at 44.5" 2H: Super Hybrid with Tensei Orange Pro Hyb 80 Stiff (shaft may be swapped at some point) 3H: 939X UST proforce V2 black F3 hybrid soft stepped XStiff UPRT setting or 2 DI: 0311X HZRDUS Smoke Black 6.0 2.5* upright 4-AW: 0211 with KBS Tour Stiff 2.5* up 1/4" long Unofficial Review Wedges Zipcore Tour Rack 54/full and 58/mid (review here) (Backup 54*,60*: S Tour KBS Tour Stiff 3* up) Putter: Toulon Las Vegas Stroke Lab 34" Ball: MTB-X Link to post Share on other sites
Tom the Golf Nut 2,664 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 I will be turning 62 in June. Due to starting over in life with wife # 2 and having two more children, retirement is not in the near future. My youngest is a senior in high school, so another to get through college. My Dad is 88 and I think I would still run away from him if he was coming after me. He still works one day a week to stay active. So I think health wise I got a while to go. I think one of the key issues is to have a job you like. I get to play a lot of golf for work. I get to travel and make my own schedule being in a Sales role. Sure it's still a job but it has it's bright side too. Would I like to be retired... I really don't know. I do know that I will be running out to play the Mega Millions today. It's up to a Billion dollars. Hey if I win I'll buy a golf course and you all can come and play on me. Back to reality... What ever you decide you have to be happy. Can you fill the days being retired? Will you miss having a job to go to? Since you are thinking about getting another job then get something you will enjoy. I know a few guys that retired then took a part time job at golf courses. Free golf and additional income to help out. Good luck in your decision. 8 Quote Driver, G400 11* SR Flex 3 Wood, SLDR 17* R Flex 5 Wood, SLDR 19* R Flex 7 Wood, F6 22.5* R Flex Irons, 699 Pro's S Flex (5 - AW) Wedges, CBX 56* & 60* Putter, Marksman Fang 35" Link to post Share on other sites
Rickp 21,286 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 I retired at 65, 9 years ago. We wanted to retire earlier but medical was the problem, a big problem so we hung in there. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy 8 Quote Rick Left Hand, Driver; Titleist TSi2, Kuro Kage 50 gr R2 5 Wood; Cally Steelhead 5 Hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous Vista Pro R2 Irons; Ping G710 6-GW, Recoil 460 R2 Putter; Waaay too many to list Link to post Share on other sites
JDHolmes 144 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 I've worked a year in the last 4 due to being unemployed (ageism). I'm 62 and we're planning to retire in 18 months as my wife will be 65 then. We're moving to Florida then.My "job" is to sell personal stuff in preparation for this. I play 2-4 times a week. I intend to play 5-7 in retirement.We have adequate finances. Retire when you can afford to live the life you want in retirement. Too many wait too long. My wife's co-workers have deemed themselves "slumpers". (I.e. they will die sluped over their desk at work) mainly because they have inadequate retirement savings and/or have no interests beyond work.Sent from my SM-G950U using MyGolfSpy mobile app 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Herts JoaTMoN 74 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 I've been looking at my life during this 3rd lockdown in the UK and wondering what I have achieved and what I want out of life. My partner and I are very opposite. I'm the saver and she is the spender. I took up contracting work last year with a view that I could work shorter periods with extended time off. She sees that as a chance for me to work all the time for more money wants a bigger house and fancier car etc and makes me feel lazy when I talk about taking a month or so out of work. I follow the FIRE movement (Financial Independence Retire Early), but my plans for building up savings and investments are soon scuppered. Its hard to make that big change though when you have been together for 9 years even though you know its not right for you 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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