At what age do most nurses retire?

lpnflorida, LPN · Mar 18, 2009

I think the question would be, would most of us like to retire early versus inability to afford to retire. It is affected by of course ones own retirement funds set up at a young age. Whether a person is single or married. Whether or not ones home is paid off or are you still paying on a mortgage. Easier for married people to retire early versus single people.

My age group is not able to retire until 66 1/2 with full social security benefits.

reisling · Mar 18, 2009

I echo lpnflorida, Just hopeI can last that long. Nursing is a very physical job.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 18, 2009

LOL! Retirement is getting pushed back by my continually declining 401K. I just hope they come up with innovative walkers so that we can all continue to work as long as we need to... maybe segways?

nurturing_angel · Mar 18, 2009

There is no way I am ever gonna be physically able to work til I am 66 years old. I am retiring at 62 ! Even if it means Medicaid!

Trauma Columnist · Mar 18, 2009

I'm 50 now (ugh I even hate to type that). I went back to school at 42 for my BSN, then MSN, then post-MSN APN certificate and I'm heading back to school in August for another post-MSN certificate. All in the name of working until I die!

Seriously, I don't truly think retirement is not working - I think that I will probably work in some capacity till I'm literally too old to do it. My father retired at 62 with full pension, had two homes, plenty of money to do what he wanted to do.

When my husband and I look to retire, I don't see that rosy of a future - I think we will be helping our son and his family out (he is currently laid off and his wife is pregnant) and/or not have enough saved to retire.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 18, 2009

I plan to work till I am 67 andmaybe part-time after that. But I got off the floor 7 years ago as it was too physical. Now I am an Educator pushing chairs and tables and ice chests around - no such thing as an easy nursing job I guess. Since I lost most of 401K I plan to work---------------

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 18, 2009

Many nurses "ease into" retirement. For example ... they may transfer into jobs away from the bedside that are less physically demanding ... they may switch to part-time employment ... etc. rather than go suddenly from "full time staff nurse" to "retired" all at once.

Many nurses "semi-retire" while their children are young and never go back to full time employment. Others "officially retire," but continue to do volunteer work or a little part time work to keep involved in their communities and maybe earn a little money.

To paraphrase the late General Douglas McArthur, "Old nurses never retire. We just fade away...."

LovesGreyhounds · Mar 18, 2009

I love the segway idea! I can just picture it now!

lpnflorida, LPN · Mar 18, 2009

I love the segway idea! I can just picture it now!

oh sure the picture will be of me on my butt in the hallway

lpnflorida, LPN · Mar 18, 2009

Wait, I fall on my behind, workmens comp, maybe disability,, hey I could then retire early,,,lol,, yup bring on the segway

suni, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2009

I think I will probably be working till I die, my 401 K has declined rapidly but I chose to let the money there and hope the market turns around, I am 54 and hanging on.

Lay offs continue and I worry about that, home is paid for but up keep, taxes, insurance etc will just continue to escalate not to measure energy cost and fuel.

One of my children also is not working and trying to keep his one loan up to date for him since a bad credit rating can affect your employment.

I pray every day that things improve soon , until then I just hang on.