It's so wonderful to be awake and not at work.

[Aristus]

And I'm even sober. (For the moment...)

Take advantage while you can...

[GP6971]

1. Then you'll love retirement!! n/t

[Aristus]

3. Still have a ways to go there.

I'm fifty, and I feel like I could reasonably expect to work until I'm over seventy or so. Certainly I want to wait until my retirement account can produce a self-sustaining income.

Right now, I'm living for the weekends and vacations.

All this sounds like my work is not fulfilling, and it is. But it has its stresses...

[Dagstead Bumwood]

5. I appreciate worrying about finances.

I'm doing that as well. It's a reason that I'll probably stay at a job I don't like just a little longer to make sure retirement is feasible. But, I worked in my company's benefits department for a few years, and in that time I worked with our retirees. I saw quite a few that postponed their retirement years beyond what I thought would be the ideal stopping point, only to die soon after they retired. And I could only wonder what it was all for. They never got to enjoy the fruits of all those years of labor. So, I'm trying to balance that concern with my financial concerns.

[mnhtnbb]

10. That does happen.

My husband had a colleague and friend who was in social work. He retired at 60 to enjoy his farm and avocation as a musician. Four months after he retired he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and four years later he was dead.

He was the nicest man. Always doing good things for people.

Life doesn't always turn out the way you expect it will.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Aristus!

It's easier to take advantage of someone when they're not sober........

[Aristus]

4. HA!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. ...

[3catwoman3]

7. I am 68, have been at my current...

...job for 23 years, and have been a nurse practitioner for 43 years. I’m planning to retire by the time I’m 70. Not much fun anymore.

My employers want 18 months notice of my intent, which seems like a hell of a lot. On very frustrating days, I feel like they’d lucky if I give them 18 minutes.

I am away for a week, and plan to do a whole lot of nothing. Finger Lakes area of upstate NY.

Lots of wineries here, Aristus. You’d probably have a blast getting blasted here.

[Skittles]

9. are there penalties if you gave less notice?

18 months seems ridiculously long

[3catwoman3]

11. I'd have to look back at my contract...

...to see if this is carved in stone, or a preference. Can’t remember. My yearly performance review is every November, and I plan on giving notice then.

I am fortunate enough to only work 2 days a week, or I would probably have quit already. Electronic medical records have taken all the fun out of things. I take 2-3 hours of charting home with me each time I work, done on unpaid time, and I am tired, as I have come to describe it, ”of not being done with work when I am done with patients.”

I will miss examining new babies and helping first time parents learn all they need to know as I get to watch them fall in love with their babies, but that’s it. More, and more, and more is expected, and I cannot be everything to everyone. One of the latest additions being considered to the already very long list of things we do is applying fluoride to toddler’s teeth. I am not a dentist!

[Skittles]

12. I too have been working full time over 40 years

work has changed a lot, and not for the better.....I too am seeing retirement on the horizon, and I get annoyed at Boomers who claim the younger folk aren't as loyal.....who would be? I cannot imagine being young now and wondering what is ahead for THEM at work. I see a time when not one minute of their time is not logged or on camera or measured in some way.....not just automation taking over, but they themselves being treated like robots.

Yes, for sure examine your contract so you know the score. Be prepared!

[real Cannabis calm]

8. I already did with beer and weed!

Now get ready for (what I hope) will be a fun O.P.