I left a HSSJ at 52 and spent the next four years trying to grow a photography business. I closed that last year, not having achieved what I wanted to, but I did not sense the market would change enough near-term to make that happen. Two years ago, one of my previous employers offered to buy out a pension I had just vested in. In a sense, it was "found money" because I took away a much larger 401(k). But it was more than I reasonably would make from residential photography, so I took it. I'm not sure if accepting that pension means I'm retired, but I don't have another source of income and don't really plan to look for one unless I need to. So I guess I'm retired. It would be quite difficult, I think, to step back into IT after 5+ years away. I might go for a McJob but, as discussed in another thread, the value gained from that job would not equal the value of my being the househusband and being on call for whoever needs me.
DW plans to retire at the end of next year, when she's 59. Both of us want to enjoy some free time while we're still healthy enough to travel and before the grandkids start school. Neither one of us ever was workworkwork; we have plenty of interests with which to fill our days.
The big question mark for us will be health care until we qualify for Medicare. DW will be able to COBRA her health coverage, but we don't know if that will make economic sense. We do have an HSA we'd be able to use, but, again, who knows how that will work in the uncertain environment of ACA? So DW may choose to work longer. Or I can try for a job which will provide medical insurance. Or DW will go for that job. There's no script, no rule book. We'll play it by ear. Life can change pretty darn quick. Unretirement may be in one or both of our futures. *shrug*
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Originally Posted by Alan
