What do you say when people keep on asking you when you plan on retiring?
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Anonymous
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Moved to the DC area due to a career change after being laid off in midlife--starting over and plan on working until I qualify for social security (or longer) because of financial reasons. Now that I am working for the feds, coworkers and neighbors and people I meet in the DC area constantly ask me when I am planning to retire!
I tell them the truth--not anytime soon because it will be about 15 years or so before I reach retirement age and have 20 years in. They look at me blankly and ask me the same question the next time they see me. I understand that lots of people here have been feds most of their working lives and that many might be able to afford to retire at 55. It's frustrating to me because I don't necessarily want to work for years, but it is what it is. It seems like yet another reminder I don't really fit in here, and also makes me so sad at times. Is there anything I can say or do to convince others not to bring this subject up again, once I've covered it once with them? |
Anonymous
| Wow, that is a rude question to ask of you! Have you tried a glib response - "Tomorrow, I wish!" and then changing the subject? |
Anonymous
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You're only in your 40's and people keep asking you when you are going to retire? How odd of them.
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Anonymous
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Have short easy answers like:
"When I can afford to." "Remember I joined the civil service late so have to stay in longer." "Don't I wish! Doesn't look like anytime soon." etc. People ask questions like that for the same reason that they ask newlyweds when they plan to start a family, when they plan to give little Suzy a sibling, etc. People want to open conversations with "standard topics" and many just don't have the appropriate filter to weed out the questions that are rude. If they are the type of person that doesn't remember having that conversation with you before, then you just need some stock responses to give them and then deflect. |
Anonymous
| Federal employment lawyer here. Your coworkers should not be asking you that. Of course, if it's a collegial conversation and it's coming up naturally, that's one thing. But if they are asking a lot, that's age discrimination. And your division head needs to put the kibosh on that -- not by naming you, but by letting the entire division know that retirement plans are personal. |
Anonymous
| I would live to know how they will retire at 55 and possibly live 30-35 more years on a pension? They'll have to worry about every penny. |
Anonymous
Yeah I don't get this. I understand people in their mid 50s and older are retiring mid 50s but most people I know under 50 are planning on working much longer. I prioritize work life balance because I feel like I will be working into my 70s. People I know in my parents' generation worked and worked with no balance and saved it all for retirement. I'd rather work years longer with more balance now. I also don't have a lit of working woes - telecommuting options and flex schedules help me significantly cut down on my hours commuting and help me manage my schedule. Plus I like my work. |
Anonymous
If I had a pension guaranteed for my lifetime and covering 80% of my salary, I would retire at 55. 
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Anonymous
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One of my coworkers will just stare at you. Won't say a word but will stare you down and walk away.
The same person doesn't ask again after that. |
Anonymous
| Are they trying to give you a hint that you are not pulling your weight? This is usually done to people who retire in place (draw the salary but don't actually work). |
Anonymous
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Workplace - Change brings optimism. They are hoping for movement at the top so others can advance. It's not about you. But they are trying to gauge their long-term opportunities in general.
Social Situations - You aren't that important to them that they would remember your specifics. It's a conversation starter, they are trying to find commonality, or they are looking for a golf partner. |
Anonymous
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I think I would worry that I might only be 45 but I must look a lot older than that for people to be asking me about my retirement plans all the time...haha.
But I remember talking about retirement planning with my coworkers when I was in my 20's. It comes up because you have an employee 401K, pension, savings plan at work. |
Anonymous
You must be loads of fun at a dinner party. |
Anonymous
That's the old fed system that's almost phased out. Longevity didn't enter the equation. New fed system is half that plus a 401k equivalent. Many state & county ones are still full pensions letting people retire early and are scary liabilities for those governments for years to come. |
Anonymous
New system is based on how many years you've worked. You aren't retiring at 55 having worked 80 Years. |