This is my first day that I can say I'm retired. Even though the first day that I did not go into work was... what do ya know?: The First Day of Spring!
So, I saw a couple of my good friends here- TriciaJ and Daisy4RN- and thought I'd come hang out in this forum a bit, relate, stir things up, cause some trouble, and whatnot.
So: When did you really feel like you were retired? Nursing has been a very big part of our lives for decades and now we have to kind of let it go; a transition, a grieving process, if you will.
I haven't received my first SS check yet and I've still got a paycheck coming from Wrongway of time worked, accrued vacation, and PTO. I'm thinking when I receive my first SS check, I'll feel retired.
Probably an oft asked question on this forum, but: When did you finally feel truly retired from the nursing profession?
Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.
And I retired Friday! This is my first retired weekend, and Monday I will wake up and just roll over and go back to sleep (if I can). Dh has been retired X2 years.
It will take some getting used to, as I am basically lazy. I will be able to read more (I limited myself to reading at lunch, at work -- to help the book "last longer"). I need to schedule regular exercise, and dh and I have things in the area we want to visit -- to play tourist, so to speak. We have kayaks we haven't used for a long time, that hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe we can get them out??? There are lots of household projects that have been put off through the years, that need attention too.
Retired 2 weeks ago. Feeling a little list right now. I have worked full time for the past 36 years. Right now spending way too much time on junk TV and surfing the Internet. Very easy to get lost in some websites.
the cat however is loving sleeping on my lap all day. Which gives me the perfect excuse to not get up and do things because you know, we can’t disturb the cat!
Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.
13 hours ago, Pepper The Cat said:
Retired 2 weeks ago. Feeling a little list right now. I have worked full time for the past 36 years. Right now spending way too much time on junk TV and surfing the Internet. Very easy to get lost in some websites.
Retired folks (who have been retired for awhile) tell me this will get better, that "you will find things to do." The cat, on the other hand -- well, that is a winsome thing!
Specializes in Case management, rehabilitation, newborn nursery.
True. I retired last Oct. Initially, I would wake up with this weird feeling that I was supposed to be doing something, but not sure what. One of my retired friends is so busy! Every day is scheduled with tennis, lunches out, volunteer work, but she was always very social. Thats not me. For me, I get up when the dog does (early), read several online newspapers with coffee, then work out doing something for 45- 60 min. After that, it’s whatever I feel like doing. Sometimes gardening (love to be outside), sometimes household tasks, sometimes a little project that I’d put off, sometimes reading or nothing. I am lucky to have my kids and grandkids very close, so I often see them. So, my advice would be just relax and enjoy being retired! Don’t rush into any commitments. Congratulations!
Plenty of wives who said after six months their spouses were driving them crazy.
The ones who aren't have spouses who retired TO something, not just AWAY from something.
I met my husband when I was selling antiques, he was too. We got too busy together so we withdrew from the brick and mortar store and went on eBay in 1997.
I retired after 25 years of marriage with him. One day I went to an antique mall where I knew the owner from way back. I started selling, husband decided to also sell again. We sell books for the most part. Getting through the Covid closing was difficult in terms of $$ returned but we have survived. We were not conscientious in going out there during the first months but I said "let's make a point of going out Monday". We added Thursday or Friday to make sure things look good for the weekend. These days get us ready for pricing and getting out there at least 2 days a week. We are doing well with selling, see all our old friends (when did they get old?) and really enjoy our invested time and $$ realized.
Specializes in taking a break from inpatient psychiatric nursing.
About a year has passed since the last comment on this thread, but it feels very much alive to me today. I wonder how you and your friends and fans (fanatics, perhaps?) are doing this Spring in 2023?
I'm 61, physically well but emotionally burned out. I keep thinking, "I'll get a nursing job online. No, relax. I'll apply at a local outpatient clinic. Not yet, just chill and feel proud of what you've done. After all, you worked full-time inpatient and risked exposure to COVID for 2.5 years."
It was draining. It was hard. I am not alone, and admire nurses who have the resilience to carry on. But now I am wondering about what to do next, because this Summer I could take the plunge and register with Social Security to start claiming at 62. Should I?
I quit my RN inpatient psych job in the city last Thanksgiving and moved to a house with some land around it in a rural county. I tried out a local job at half the pay and the same challenging working conditions. Quit. Will I every be a full-time nurse again?
Just reading about your steps to embrace retirement, Davey, and laugh at your cartoons just to read them again and feel them resonate, has been so good for me. Thanks.
Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.
If there is any possible way you can delay taking Social Security, do that. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit will be. Your local SS office will be very happy to help you figure this out. You can (must) go open your SS account at MySocialSecurity.gov, where you can see your contributions over the years and calculate your benefits at 62, 65, and beyond. If you are 62 now you can't start taking it at 62 anyway (unless you have a qualifying disability) because the ages have been gradually increasing. My sister born 1955 can't get hers until 66 1/2, if memory serves— she's putting it off too.
Although it was pretty tight I put off taking mine until I was 70 (born 1951, qualified at 65). My age 65 monthly benefit would have been around $2200 (before taxes [yep] and mandatory Medicare deductions at 65) Waiting until until I was 70 increased it by better than 30%, now with COLAs more than $3800/month. Yes, it really makes a big difference.
I was able to keep working from home with reduced hours as a legal nurse consultant and life care planner, which was helpful. If you can think of any side gigs, go for it. There are also no deduction penalties for making outside income so no worries there.
Go see the SS folks for your own specifics to make a definitive plan. They really are helpful. Good luck!
. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit will be.
The quicker you die the less months you will receive. I am married to a CPA that showed me the benefits of taking Social Security at 62. I was born in 1955. Any how we are enjoying are retirement years as long as we can.....Finding new ways to pleasantly enjoy life, working on our antiques business, traveling to England.
Hannahbanana said:
My sister born 1955 can't get hers until 66 1/2, if memory serves— she's putting it off too.
It depends on the month she was born. She needs to check that out. . But I am sad there are people who have to keep paying into the system to ensure benefits are there for younger enrollees.
I am truly enjoying retirement, please look up the benefits and what counts in retirement years to earn SS. I started working at 15 but there is a threshold of money earned to have those jobs count.
Hannahbanana said:
There are also no deduction penalties for making outside income so no worries there.
The inequity in the system never stops for you earning income above a certain level after achieving SS benefits. This is a good question though, to ask.
Specializes in taking a break from inpatient psychiatric nursing.
Wow, the thread is alive again! Thank you hannahbanana and londonflo for good points about Social Security benefits. I love exchanging info in real $ figures from real people. I will hit up the local SocSec office and also see how other CPAs look at the options. It's one decision that I want to become fully informed about, especially when considering where my salary range could be if I work in the next 6 years.
I like MySocialSecurity.gov! Cool diagrams to scrutinize options for claiming at different ages. This is one decision that will not be impulsive. No way. Taking it day-by-day. You know, one day I'll wake up and have no energy to even THINK about continue nursing in any form. Burn-out blues. But then, the next day I'll wake up and say to myself, "Yeah! Go get 'em and get creative and find that fantastic remote RN gig." On that day, I'll search and get an application out or learn about different options, and the time feels well-spent.
Not sure if this cycle of exhaustion/optimism is normal following years of short-staffing and unsafe working conditions, but I am keeping track and am starting to see improvements in my sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Taking a break was a good decision, but I have a ways to go before I reach that elusive state of homeostasis.
Specializes in taking a break from inpatient psychiatric nursing.
I'm researching Social Security and found this in a few articles in early April:
"Recently, the Social Security Administration announced that its cash reserves will run out in 2034, a year earlier than earlier projected. When this happens, the agency will continue to pay benefits based on its ongoing tax revenue. This will require cutting benefits to about three-quarters of their current levels."
Specializes in taking a break from inpatient psychiatric nursing.
I'm looking at the numbers, and I'm leaning toward claiming at 62 (at the lower benefit). It could work for me, and I can pick up part-time work and keep that income below the annual earnings limit of $21,240.
I have a union pension that will kick in $10K/year at 65 and I can start 403b distributions any time at a conservative 4% (if needed).
My full retirement age is 67 (born in 1961). Playing with these options lightens my spirits a bit, and I feel a door open when I think of working only part-time.
dianah, ASN
8 Articles; 4,729 Posts
And I retired Friday! This is my first retired weekend, and Monday I will wake up and just roll over and go back to sleep (if I can). Dh has been retired X2 years.
It will take some getting used to, as I am basically lazy. I will be able to read more (I limited myself to reading at lunch, at work -- to help the book "last longer"). I need to schedule regular exercise, and dh and I have things in the area we want to visit -- to play tourist, so to speak. We have kayaks we haven't used for a long time, that hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe we can get them out??? There are lots of household projects that have been put off through the years, that need attention too.
Anyway, greetings to you all!