Sunday 6 January 2008

When To Retire?

The hard-working late retirees probably put too much stress on their aging body-and-mind such that they are so stressed out to develop various serious health problems that forced them to quit and retire. With such long-term stress-induced serious health problems, they die within two years after they quit and retire.

The late retirees are small in number, tend to die quickly after retirement and disappear from the population of old people beyond the age of 70.

On the other hand, people who take early retirements at the age of 55 tend to live long and well into their 80s and beyond. These earlier retirees probably are either wealthier or more able to plan and manage their various aspects of their life, health and career well such that they can afford to retire early and comfortably.

These early retirees are not really idling after their early retirements to get old. They still continue doing some work. But they do the work on the part-time basis at a more leisure pace so that they do not get too stressed out. Furthermore, they have the luxury to pick and chose the types of part-time work of real interest to them so that they can enjoy and love doing that “fun” work at a more leisure pace.

However, when you get older, you should plan your career path and financial matter so that you can retire comfortably at the age of 55 or earlier to enjoy your long, happy and leisure retirement life into your golden age of 80s and beyond. In retirement, you can still enjoy some fun work of great interest to you and of great values to the society and the community, but at a part-time leisure pace on your own term.

On the other hand, if you are not able to get out of the pressure-cooker or the high-speed battleground at the age of 55 and “have” to keep on working very hard until the age of 65 or older before your retirement, then you probably will die within 18 months of
retirement.

By working very hard in the pressure cooker for 10 more years beyond the age of 55, you give up at least 20 years of your life span on average.

Something to share…..

My colleague, FN, used to tell me, “Before 55, it’s working time. After 55, it’s overtime. After 60, it’s extra time. After 65, it’s anytime.”

I am thankful to God for his constant blessing on me for staying healthy and able to work extra years and walk extra miles (as a planter) well passed my age of retirement at 55. Like many other cheerful retirees, I would like to spend quality time with my dear wife so that we have our free time to travel and visit our children whenever we feel like to.

I did plan to retire in December 2007 as I have just passed 60 and it’s extra time for me. However, in obligation to my boss’ request, I will stay on for a while till my youngest son’s graduation in June 2008. I look forward to get out of the high pressure cooker on the day my boss agrees to release me.

Retirees of my age will certainly like to enjoy long, happy and leisure retirement life. God goes to these people who have past retirement and He recharges them so that they will age gracefully and live like Bob Hope who passed away at the age of 100. Continue giving and sharing......

2 comments:

jmtan2007.blogspot.com said...

Retirement is a state of mind. You're only retired from working for money. So when one is retired from his money earning occupation, it time to do something less stressful. It's time to do s'thing u enjoy doing. It's time to relax after all the years of hard work trying to earn a living and sopporting our family. It's time for our children to do their part, work and earn money and take care of their parents. Of course we mustn't be too dependent on them, we must try to be as far as possible to be financially independent. That's I always say we must plan for our retirement. Don't overspend on unnecessary things when we are still earning an income. Always put aside 30% for the rainy weather.
We can also travel and have hobbies to make life more meaningful. Of course, we must also go out and meet old and new friends. No man is an island.
So Pak Loh, old friend, are u ready to join the ranks of YBs (yang bersara) in two years' time?
Happy talking to the trees and continue giving u the golden fruits. God Bless U my friend.
Happy New Year! JMing

Anonymous said...

You are what u think about. If u say u can't, u can't. If u think u can, u can. When an optimist fell into a river, he took th opportunity to wash himself up. The pestimist would curse god. The positive minded shoe salesman sees great opportunities when he sees many people in Africa don't wear shoes.