Retirement Happiness Levels High – And Great Advice for Next Generation
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
January 13, 2020 — Many thanks to the over 400 members who took the time to contribute their valuable insights to last week’s “Retirement Happiness” survey, We appreciate your spirit of giving back to this community!
As promised, here is a detailed report on the survey. We’ve included links to hundreds of interesting Member responses to various questions – they are definitely worth reading to get a better understand happiness and retirement. At the end of the article you will find a list of reports to all our previous surveys.
Background
This is the first time we have surveyed on your retirement happiness. Here are the highlights from the 18 question poll. Detailed findings the questions are listed below that.
Comments on "Retirement Happiness Levels High – And Great Advice for Next Generation"
Maimi says:
Interesting survey. The only surprises to me are that people retired in their 50’s, which were my highest earning years.
Mary11 says:
M aimi, I as many others had to retire in their 50s mostly because it was a forced retirement. I was laid off and then needed to become a full time caregiver for my parent.
Jean says:
Maimi, When I retired I walked away from an amazing career and even questioned my own sanity in doing so LOL. As in all major decisions it came down to thoughtfully evaluating goals, weighing the pros and cons, lots of introspection, etc. I've been able to do things that I woud have missed had I kept working and maintaining social contact with former colleagues (some retired long before me) keeps one of the best aspects of work going.
Bubbajog says:
Acronym FIRE, { Financial Independence Retire Early } is very popular today. Basically, the FIRE movement is on fire. Many people are retiring as early as possible. There are a lot of very young tech titans all over the country with massive stock options, who have decided to cash out and leave the corporate life for travel and adventure. The FIRE movement is real and has a very large following of people with the goal of retiring as early as possible.
Louise says:
Admin. can you post a link to what activities and what advice to young people was given? I think many of us would like to see that information.
I am in the same boat as Mary11. I 'retired' in my late 50's because of a corporate lay off. I never found another job that appealed to me and in the end my family member became sick.
Some people are able to retire when they are in their 50's because they were financially able to do so. Some also make foolish mistakes. It is human nature.
From Jane at Topretirements: Thanks for asking Louise. The replies to this question are there, and you will find the link at the very bottom of #10 “See All 300 Advice to Young People”. Full of great advice!
Shauna says:
Miami and Bubbajog, I am one of those who followed the FIRE movement and retired at the age of 52. By far the BEST decision I have ever made and I have never looked back. My job was very stressful and my work was not appreciated, so it was simply a means of paying the bills and saving for a retirement that couldn't come soon enough. Longevity is not in my family and I wanted to have some years where I called the shots for a change and be young enough to enjoy them. As it turned out, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness just before my retirement, which, although manageable, is exacerbated by stress. Just after my retirement, I was diagnosed with another condition that required a massive surgery and with some complications, took the better part of my first year of retirement in recovery. I wouldn't have been able to have kept my job through all of that and felt grateful that I had prepared so well. That issue behind me and the chronic one under control, I have found a great sense of purpose and satisfaction in volunteering, am able to take better care of myself, travel when I want to (not when it was convenient for my boss), and spend my time doing things that I want to do (I have a lot of hobbies and make a point to be social and active). I love my life and I am happy. Following the frugality and simple living movements of past decades made the FIRE movement an attainable goal. Yes, you make choices, but for me the motivation was always FREEDOM!!
Louise says:
My husband and I would have liked to retire at about age 55 together. We probably could have done it if we had not been extravagant in some areas of our life. I don't really regret some of the things we did. We did take some wonderful vacations and enjoyed them tremendously. However, we did manage to save a lot too. My advice to younger people is don't get sucked into the mentality that you have to have the biggest house on the block, the newest car off the lot. All the tv commercials that entice you to buy things. Every single holiday the tv is screaming to us to buy, buy, buy! Mattress sales that shout that this is the last mattress sale on earth. Just back away from all the nonsense! All the experts tell us to work till we are 66-67 to collect full Social Security. Well, young people now can't imagine at their tender age of 35 that in about 15 years, they will be considered as 'old' and the first ones to be given a package to leave. My advice is to save like your life depended on it. Your current job might be the last job you work at that pays well so save now! Everyone thinks that they will leave a job when 'they' want to leave it. A lot of times that is true, but a lot of times the company has other ideas.
Dr. Martha Mathis says:
While my "age" says that I can retire(68)and I have already begun to consider being one of those "snowbirds" to FL from VT-my question is around not what to "volunteer" wise-I am hoping to continue to work part-time in some compacity in a college/university or high school. What links are out there that might help those of us who prolong retirement BECAUSE they love their current position. Thank you for replying!