Congrats. Past 2 generations of males in my family have died at 57 and 50. I'll be 51 when I send my son off to college in 4 years. I'm thinking of selling all my worldly possessions, buying a conversion van and traveling the country for the rest of my days. Enjoy your retirement
They already get plenty spoiled. The live about 2 hours from us and we have a lake house about 6 miles from them, so I'll be spending more time there.
You were only in your forties when you joined CF.... For some reason that was the first thought that hit me. But congrats. Stay young.
Most people do not have enough to retire really comfortable. I made my kids and grandchildren put at least $150. a month into a retirement account starting when they get their first real job, usually when they are 20 to 23 years old. It takes some persuading for some of them put I make them put it on paper so they can understand that they will be able to retire by the time they turn 50ish I HAVE BEEN RETIRED SINCE 1992 AND AM RUNNING OUT OF STUFF TO DO.
Good for you! My plan is to retire from my full-time rat race career between 45-50. Then maybe work another 5-10 years doing something I really enjoy that is less about the money. Definitely want to fully retire by 55.
Good job. I had someone sit me down and explain to me the importance of contributing to your 401k. It has just been over a year and I am SOOOO glad I did. It has performed well so far and I have way more money in there than I was expecting. If I didn't have that manager push me I don't know that I would have started contributing the amount I did.
I'm currently putting away about 18% of my income between my 401K (13%) and my company pension (free money - 5%). I also put about $100-$150 into a Roth IRA that I have, and then contribute more to that when I can. All the calculators tell me I need to put more away (just a couple more percent). But I'm hoping to just keep some money set aside to invest in some real property and maybe have a rental or two paid off when I retire, that can produce good cash flow to supplement the other retirement streams.
My long term plan too. Hoping to have my (1) rental paid off in the next 5 years, then use that cash flow to save and pay cash for another rental, and so on, and so on, and so on.... My folks did this and now have 9 paid-for rental properties. Then we can both retire when the kids go to college and live off our retirement savings and rental income.
My June 30th retirement day was moved to today, so this is it. I was fortunate to only work for 2 companies over the past 40 years (started when I was 18). Survived a number of layoffs. Never really had to look for a job. It is over. No more ClutchFans on company time.
Congrats, man! Hope you're not retiring from CF though. 2 companies in 40 years. In this day and age, that's pretty rare. I'm celebrating my 15-year anniversary at this company a week from today. Never thought I'd be here that long when I started back in 2002 (coincidentally the same year I started posting on CF.........). I always had my eye out for another opportunity somewhere else, but since they started letting me work from home twice a week a few months ago, I'm a pretty happy camper and I'm most likely not going anywhere. Wouldn't be surprised if I ended up staying here until retirement in 20 years. My parents and in-laws are all retired and so happy. All they do is play golf and spoil their grand-kids. I envy them and envy you. Some day........
Congrats Bobrek! A good poster getting a much deserved rest from the rat race. I've got some years left in an industry with a not so bight future.
After the summer of 1975 working at Astroworld, I got a real job in August of 1976 after graduating high school. Stayed there 8.5 years and then 32+ at my current company. I was fortunate to never have to face the uncertainty of having to look for a job. When I did switch a handful of folks I knew had already made the same move and were able to put in a good word for me.
Have you figured out what you are going to do in retirement? Clutch fans is not enough to keep you busy, if you don't keep busy you will drive the wife crazy after about 3 months I know I did! Hope you really get to enjoy it You just have to find something new to occupy your mind.
Spend more time at the lake house near where the grand kids are. Maybe actually take a golf lesson or two. Run in the morning instead of the evening. My wife stays busy enough with golf and tennis that we seldom cross paths.