I'm 52, DH almost 60. Our 2nd (of 2) kids just started college. DH retired about 6 mos ago while I expect to work another 7-10 years. So, we're figuring out the new balance in our relationship and life with an empty nest. I'm happy with where I am now. DH is doing some house projects and experimenting with different volunteer things. I see friends regularly, sing in a choir, volunteer, and plan to spend more time on other hobbies I set aside a long time ago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

Only the ones who define themselves and their self worth by their job.

How do I make friends in my late 50s? The ones I've had have either moved away physically or drifted away emotionally. I have no clue how to make the next 25 years rewarding without a happy marriage or close friends.

Anonymous wrote:Really? I'm 58 and I'm exhausted! Got three kids through high school and college and successfully launched and I wish I had the energy to travel the world, etc. but instead I've got crotchety aged parents and an elderly cat and a job that doesn't even resemble the one I was doing five years ago (education -- with all its politics, etc. ) and I feel like I am barely hanging on. I'm ready to retire now! Wish i could afford to!

I'm 58, parents deceased but still working 50+ hours a week. Don't want to retire because my husband already has, and he's lost all sense of purpose. Exercises and naps, that's it. I miss having my kids at home (one out of school, one just one more year of college).

Mid 50s and new empty nester. Beyond thrilled. My house is not littered with hoodies, shoes, balls and books. My spouse and I can be spontaneous, from afternoon delight to "let's go to Boston for the weekend." Kids at school are I would say appropriately communicative. Our parents are a bit of a challenge, but we're working on that with siblings, and so far so good.

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

I see exact opposite. Folks that come back and visit after retiring look healthier and happier-and younger!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

Don't know how true this is. Quite a bit of anecdotal evidence to the contrary.

Trust me, I was “aging” a lot quicker in my job in Biglaw than I am now that I’m retired from it.

+1. Stress is aging.

+2.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

I quit working 4 years ago and my health has never been better.

+1 I quite working for like 18months when I was 42. I was never in better shape. I can't wait to retire at 56 and have the time to focus on my health again, and travel, lots and lots of traveling. So many places to go.. so many people to visit.

Me, too. Retiring at 58.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

Don't know how true this is. Quite a bit of anecdotal evidence to the contrary.

Trust me, I was “aging” a lot quicker in my job in Biglaw than I am now that I’m retired from it.

+1. Stress is aging.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

I quit working 4 years ago and my health has never been better.

+1 I quite working for like 18months when I was 42. I was never in better shape. I can't wait to retire at 56 and have the time to focus on my health again, and travel, lots and lots of traveling. So many places to go.. so many people to visit.

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

I quit working 4 years ago and my health has never been better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

Only the ones who define themselves and their self worth by their job.

Otherwise every SAHM would fall apart after their kids move out. I also don’t think that this is true for everyone. Isn’t that why there is a myriad of articles about social connectivity, healthy habits etc?

Not just SAHM or SAHD,lots of out of home working couples also fall apart after becoming empty nesters.

I don't know anyone who "fell apart"'after stopping work. After losing a spouse or child, health or their employment, yes, but not from retiring or becoming a SAHP. There's so much to do as long as you have your health and enough money to live on.

We had an RN come to the house to visit Mom for a home visit. RN was easily early 80's. She was petite, cute as a button and just an amazing person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

Don't know how true this is. Quite a bit of anecdotal evidence to the contrary.

Trust me, I was “aging” a lot quicker in my job in Biglaw than I am now that I’m retired from it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

Only the ones who define themselves and their self worth by their job.

And those who can't redefine themselves as something else. I can't relate to anyone who says they don't want to retire because what would they do? There is so much more to do than work, even if you are self employed. I can only see this if the "work" is a true passion, such as a writer who wants to keep writing or a humanitarian who wants to continue helping others.

+ 1. People who don't know what they would do if they stopped working lack imagination. Working prevents me from doing lots of things I would like to do.

Anonymous wrote:I am also wary of long retirement. People tend to age quickly once out of the workforce

Don't know how true this is. Quite a bit of anecdotal evidence to the contrary.