I'll Never Retire...

the professor said:
Sounds like you had a great boss who had tons of love for his employees.
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Jock and Rob - yes. he ended up working for so long because he cannot find the right buyer for his main business. he groomed his oldest child to be his successor but things did not work out. he had offers from big multi national companies but refused to sell because he knows many long term employees will lose their jobs because functions like payroll and accounting etc will probably be done in the buyer's head office.

he is aware that it cost him more money to keep employees for too long, but many of his staff are lifers.

there was a year that we lost money, but we declared bonuses anyway.
 
..retired 11yrs ago at age 57. Very blessed knowing that not many are fortunate enough to pull it off that early. Highly recommended..
 
over 42 years of railroading under my belt and still going strong. I'm blessed with a great amount of flexibility so why bother to retire and besides I really love what I do ................
 
At 66 I just applied for SS, and should get the first check this month. Between buying my stereo gear over the last few years, buying a house on the MD Eastern Shore, and just dropping $100K into renovating my CA house, I most definitely will be working longer. I have found that money is better than no money, and writing software isn't the most difficult task. Besides, I need to save up for the upcoming Magico S7 mk2. :)
 
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Mikado463 said:
over 42 years of railroading under my belt and still going strong. I'm blessed with a great amount of flexibility so why bother to retire and besides I really love what I do ................
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That's what Mark (MDP) did (Railroad Engineer).
 
Financially I could retire at the age of 39, 18 years ago when I sold my shares in a very successful first business established with friends in 1988.
Mentally I was not prepared to do so, I decided to develop a new business but for the smaller scale.
Which was not an easy task , moreover with less stress and activity , I suffered from various illnesses during 10 years. And from my own mistakes.
I think I found now a new equilibirum , more adapted to my state of mind and health.
I want to be activ in business as long as I can but with limited hours daily.
The rest of time I want to live according to "carpe diem" principle- sports, family ( 4 grand children) , books and audio hobby are my occupations apart from job.
And yes es 347- work is overrated;)

PS btw - very interesting thread. I found the story of the boss of Dimfer very sad, but inspiring in a certain way.
 
If I sold my companies I could retire now or 25 years ago but I like the job. I have good people and a good time. I plan on working to 71 after that not sure the mind is sharp enough some days it is not sharp enough now. My main problem is it is heavy work so I may not be able some day.
 
dimfer said:
my boss did not really retire, he was forced to retire. He was working 10 hour days up until a couple of years ago. I remember having a meeting and a private conversation with him at 5pm and he was complaining that now he feels tired.. I said "you should. you're 85 and had been working since 7am, I am 50 and started working 8:30, now I feel tired too"

I think he just loved the challenge and working.. there are a few people like him.

some people accuse him of being greedy but I think otherwise because he sold us (long term employees) the business and a 30,000 sq. ft. building for half it's value and financed the sale, we just pay him whatever we want from our bonuses. he sold a few other smaller ventures to his partners, one company with over a million in assets, he sold his 50% share to his employees for $1.

his dementia started last year, when he was 87 and progressed quickly. his children who will inherit at least a hundred millions (probably more) were so quick to put him in a publicly funded nursing home and kept him away from the outside world - his position changed from a position of respect and power to the opposite so quickly. he is well loved and a lot of people care for him, but I am one of only five people outside his family who is allowed to see him and know where he is (I hope none of his kids will ever see this post, pls don't quote this post as I intend to edit and remove it later. I am just venting here) now he is living with some people who have not contributed a single cent to the society...such a pity, I think he deserve better.. I think God gave him dementia so that he won't be aware anymore of what's going on with him.

Having seen that, I want to retire while I am still healthy. I love my job and won't mind working till I am 65..but I want to have the freedom and control of my time. I have a friend who is retired and a golf nut, he spend so much time in the golf course and sometimes does not see his wife (also retired) nor know where she is for a week.. that's freedom

My biggest worry is how will I live my life past 85 and vulnerable.
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Inspirational yet sad. Not the first time that i have heard of such treatment.
 
I'm 62 don't mind what I do. Been doing it for 34 years. I have my daughter working with me for last couple years. I will stay until she's ready to takeover. I would think work less than not at all. Time will tell.
 
This post is great timing. I was told last week that I'm getting restructured at 61 and now I'm wondering what to do next. Everyone in my family tells me I'll be dead in two years after quitting my job. I've too much fire and passion and it shows. I've been working in many cities over the years and is very thankful to the companies that was prepared to invest in me. My children are all grown up and doing well but probably will be working outside of the country where I reside in a year or two.

It's not the physical things I worry about; I am blessed with a large house, a fine car, a good system and tons of music and many kilos of pu erh tea to last me a lifetime.

I just hate staying idle, I think another 4-5 years of work may just lengthen my lifespan. I'm do not feel emotionally drained yet from working.

If I choose retirement, it will be a new learning for me. I do not think it's automatic, like there's a switch in the brain that can reset you to that mode.
 
hifidelitea said:
This post is great timing. I was told last week that I'm getting restructured at 61 and now I'm wondering what to do next. Everyone in my family tells me I'll be dead in two years after quitting my job. I've too much fire and passion and it shows. I've been working in many cities over the years and is very thankful to the companies that was prepared to invest in me. My children are all grown up and doing well but probably will be working outside of the country where I reside in a year or two.

It's not the physical things I worry about; I am blessed with a large house, a fine car, a good system and tons of music and many kilos of pu erh tea to last me a lifetime.

I just hate staying idle, I think another 4-5 years of work may just lengthen my lifespan. I'm do not feel emotionally drained yet from working.

If I choose retirement, it will be a new learning for me. I do not think it's automatic, like there's a switch in the brain that can reset you to that mode.
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Its really a mind set if you chose retirement. I felt that after I exhausted all possible forms of vacation, sick time etc.. the reality of being retired started to set in, it took about 5 months after 37 1/2 years to realize that I'm not on vacation anymore. The key is you need something that you like to do. I happen to have a load of honey do's to get done, actually its been 6 years a I still have 2 left to complete, Your hobbies keep you motivated. I just don't find setting in your home behind a bunch of walls listening to music healthy every single day, you need to be outside if possible. I happen to enjoy all forms of fishing, hacking away at golf with friends, kayaking, riding my bike, working on old cars to walking on the beach with the wife. Staying idle will in my opinion , kill ya both mentally and physically. Find a new hobby or even a part time job to enjoy. Travel, see the world or even get to know your surrounding area. Make a realistic bucket list of things you want to do ( and a few far fetched) and go do them. You would be surprised how busy you can be after you retire.
 
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