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I retired at 52. At the time, I was just burned out and had had it with my very high stress job. We bought a 42 foot sailboat and headed to the Bahamas the day after I retired. At the time half my friends and family thought we had lost our minds, and half wished they could go with us. And, I knew that decision was going to come with a pretty heft financial penalty. But, we had a wonderful two years of cruising on the boat and living our fantasy vacation. And, then a neurological conditioner my wife that had been a chronic problem, turned into an acute one and we weren't going anywhere again. Whatever reservations I had about retiring early are gone now. It was the right thing to do. At least for us. I've gone back to work part time, now, mainly out of boredom, but I learned the lesson that you better live life while you can. No one is promised anything tomorrow.

The #1 reason I'm retiring early at 49 is to get out of the corporate machine. There is more to life than being stressed and depressed on a constant basis.

I don’t like being around people. So I should be all set for retirement 👍

I retired at 50 a little over a year ago. I’m a single dad and my son will finish high school next year. I love being able to provide for him making sure he eats well and get to spend more time with him before he’s off to college. I always have things to do. Maintenance on the house or vehicles. Run errands, chores and cook. I’m never bored.

Early retiree here. I love the fact that I have less of a social life now. It's fantastic.

My spouse and I retired in 2009 and it has been the most enjoyable sightseeing in the world. I was a janitor so just not working is a blast.

FORCED TO RETIRE DENTIST. Made it to 63. So busy I forgot to tend to my own health care. Working so hard to save money for retirement, so stressed so preoccupied with my professional carree .,always worring about my patients. I became a dentist who could not see the forrest for the trees. Un aware that diabetes was destroying my eyesight . The back of your eyes swell = macular edema, the front of your eyes gets covered over by cataracts . All happens slowly over time with out even noticing the changes until... Oh gee I can't see well, I must need new glasses I'm older my eyes must have changed as they have done since childhood The eye doctor said, "No, you can't get new glasses because you must first go to a specialist to fix the diabetic problems , Now my retirement became going to all my different doctors just to stay alive. Happy ending to the story , I'm now 72 and enjoying life fishing with stable health and 20/20 vision.

The first 18 months after retirement I cried off and on. I really struggled with letting go of who I was. Once I moved to an over 55 community it solved many of the struggles regarding the social aspect. There are so many activities and amenities here that I’m never bored. Now, I love my life.

The key to being thrilled in retirement is having been miserable at work for 40 years. Retirement hold’s little appeal if you love your life, enjoy your work already.

I’m in my 40’s and retired in 2021. I have a small and fun social circle. I’m learning to play the harp, volunteering at a youth detention and travel every other month. I am ENJOYING being retired. Out of habit I still get up by 6am. I’m not bored at all. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I retired 7 years ago at age 62. I chose 62 because that was the earliest I could get Social Security. Don't be fooled into thinking that if you take the money at 62 you will get less money total. The reason you get less per month is because you will draw the money for more months. It's not magic, it's math. Since I retired I have never had one day, not even one minute of one day have I missed working. The truth of the matter is the only reason I went to work in the first place was because I needed money to live. Once I no longer needed the money, I stopped going to work. It's just that simple. Now I live a life where everyday is a vacation day. Everyday is a holiday. Everyday is a weekend. So if you like vacations, weekends and holidays better than working then retirement is for you. For those who fear they won't have enough money to retire, consider this. In the 7 years that I have been retired (and the 5 years that my wife has been retired) we have not touched a dime of our retirement savings. Being debt free before retiring is the key. It's not magic, it's just math.

I can not wait to retire. The money will be difficult because of an expensive divorce and loss of my 401k and home but I’m trying to build it all back. I’m 52 and hope to retire in 10 years. Thanks for your stories.

I’ve been practicing my upcoming retirement @55 by taking 4 of my 6 weeks off all together and I’m darn good at it. You can’t replace time with others. It can’t be bought.

I retired at 47, and in a jiffy, I am 75 now. I remember initially after 3 months of retirement, like the man says, I did miss my secretary, my office, and my “power”. Without my secretary, I have to type my letters and find stamps for the envelopes ! That’s kind of irritating 😅 However, when I started developing new hobbies like golfing and dancing, time really flies…….

I retired early about a year ago. I miss the friendships and seeing people at the office. I love early retirement and have no plans to return to work again.

I am not missing being dismissed by my coworkers for my age and gender. Not one bit. My creativity has returned and I'm learning things now I had no time for before. I do not miss asting hours in communting. I do not miss being expected to work extra hours for free. I have never solely identified with my work, so these items you speak on don't apply for me. My work was not how I felt fulfilled. I now have the time to do those things and I'm grateful for that.

Thanks for sharing these words of wisdom. Experience is the best teacher. As someone who is looking forward to retirement, I remind myself not to wish my life away. It's not all about the destination but rather enjoying the journey.

I just retired at 62.5 after a 37 year career. My background includes being trained as a therapist and I have always known that ultimately happiness revolves around finding meaning in life- people and pets to love; enjoyable activities; projects to challenge us; dwelling on how blessed we are if we are blessed to share it with people we love; being conscious of our legacy and consciously building it; enjoying our time to relax, but working hard on all that we are into and enjoying our accomplishments, etc. Enjoyed your video and good thoughts!

For me, I wanted to retire because ot stress. I would have loved to cut back and work half time 40hrs a week instead of 60-80hrs but my company could not wrap their mind around that. As far a being bored, I was reminded how pre-retirement someone else is directing your life and how hard it is to learn to be your own boss. The best part of retirement is concentrating on my health - eating and excersicing - which were an after thought before.

I love your sincere delivery and enjoyed your take on these topics.

Thanks for this retirement "Preview" - much appreciated.

Thank you I needed those words. I am considering doing something different because I’m not feeling useful or productive and still with so much energy, missing the interaction with others in the daily grind.

The why wait for retirement is my favorite part of planning for retirement. I am motivated to work towards things I enjoy now that I can do in retirement (side hustle).

Retirement goal was 0 stress. Work, family, financial and relationship. Achieved. 💯 ✅ ☮️ 😊

I think those who leave a leadership position have the hardest time in retirement. Going from a big fish in a little pond to a little fish is hard. They are no longer seen as the one to take orders from and they don’t get the respect they had when working behind the desk.

I appreciate the wisdom and insight here. Thanks for taking the time to make this video!

What a thought provoking, well-made video. Made me reconsider life in general.

Surely the biggest benefit of retirement is that you can 100% choose the people,you spend time around: no staff, no work colleagues, no 💩bags.

This is why people need activities outside of work!! Makes no sense to me when people get out of work and have nothing to do!

Such a thoughtful narrative thank you

This video was VERY helpful and I appreciate the honesty and forward thinking. Being a 50 year old I have thought about these things a great deal !!

I spent most of my 20's being unemployed (my country has decent welfare system, which anyone can use), but even though I had all that time I didn't really know what to do with it. I jogged and lifted weights here and there, maybe played some video games, but as more time passed I just didn't do anything anymore, just laid on couch waiting to die basically. I work now and everything feels so much better, like free time, that friday wine and ordering Indian food just feels so good

Thanks for a thought provoking video, I do believe focusing on health will make it much better. Doing things you love now is so wise! I am working toward retirement but have just taken a job that is much less stressful so I will do a gradual slow down

Thank you so much. Very helpful and insightful

Just discovered your channel, great content 👍

I’m 54 and financially easily able to retire. I just can’t take the leap. I’m afraid of being bored and having no reason for getting out of bed.

I worked shift work for 28yrs, it was rotating 12 hr shifts, socialising was very difficult as we had 3 children, I needed sleep and so socialising was a very low priority. Management tried different tactics to increase productivity, but I didn’t notice them working any harder. When I finally retired I didn’t miss work at all, I didn’t miss other workers, I’m just focused on family and still do, I’m 68 and enjoy doing nothing basically as I feel worn out. 8:18 😊

Great video. Excellent points.

More of these type of contents please, thanks! 🙏🏾

Move to The Villages Florida and guaranteed you won’t be bored! There are like 225 clubs, counties recreational opportunities all for reasonable cost of living. Never get bored here!

Don't have problem #1. Have only 2 "friends" from work that we already do things with outside of work on a regular basis and that won't change. Work was never my identity. I enjoy my job but do not need it to fill my day. We love travel and have always taken our vacations to travel the world. We are the same in that we go off the beaten path. Stopped in a little pub on some outskirts of town in Scotland and they had live music. Once they heard us order, we had a hard time buying another drink, we did make sure we bought the last round as we were leaving since there is some tradition to "going round the table" Made some new friends that night. Also on a trip to Australia and New Zealand we ended up always running into the same couples at some of the local events and pubs. We now have a standing invitation to stay with them when we go there again and they with us if they ever get to the states. Send emails every now and then to keep in touch. It's a blast. So we are going to retire early to spend 3 to 4 months away from home. In between that we have aging parents we want to be with as they enter the no-go years. Have all our ducks in a row ( or at least in the same pond- lol ) with wills, trusts, estate planning. So we are ready to ride off into the sunset.

Great advices thanks for the effort much appreciated

Thanks for the tips!😉👍

Good information. Our retirement plans have been upended since our daughter has aggressive breast cancer and my 85yo mom is now living with us. We couldn’t have known how these issues would impact our future.

It takes all kinds of people, I can tell a relaxing chilled out existence is not your cup of tea and people like you need challenges. However people like me love the idea of the freedom to do as I please after the stress of having to be accountable to the company I used to work for. I am in your honeymoon phase but am loving it so far.

Your channel is timely for my age, turning 65 next year. At the age of 60 I stopped working full time job. I’m still working 3 hours every day and do many things on my fee time . . . Life is beautiful 👍

Thank you for the great information. I never thought about this. I was thinking justb was going to relax now. I picture myself, and it seems like it is not going to work the way I want to thank you again

It’s important to retire to something, not from something. And volunteering or part-time work is great in retirement.

I am retiring next month at 54. We've got some travel lined up over the next few months so that will be my honeymoon phase. I can't see the future but I know that I can adjust to the changes along the way.

Thank you for the good information

Good honest video, ty.

Retired at 56 years after many years as an account manager. I worked all the time to hit my sales targets and bonuses. I was an overachiever business (buthead) all of the sales team members on the same treadmill I'm just not that guy anymore. I will never go back to the rat race. I'm golfing 2 or 3 days a week, walking my dog two long walks a day, shopping for the groceries and cooking nice meals. My wife has lots of holiday time in the bank (she is still working for now) we had 3 nice holidays last year and are planning more. I guess because I worked from my car and home office and only went in for meetings I did not have the attachment to staff friendships like some do? But I'm never going back as I say and hope I stay healthy for the next 20 years of freedom! My father worked till 65 and cancer made his retirement short, so I understand you can't buy more time.

I tried retiring back in 2017. It was fun for a year or so, but I found that I was too young to stop working. I felt like I could still contribute to a team, and I missed the grind. We shouldn’t look at work as a bad thing. It is a journey that can be fulfilling. I started a brand new career at 51 with a company that allows people to work well into their 70’s. That’s exciting to me.

Than you so much for all these insights. I've never been able to understand the way many people conceive of retirement as a long little death.

Brilliant advice beyond the ovious (financial) thanks 👏

It honestly depends on what work you were doing before retirement. If it was stressful and exhausting and took over most of your thinking time, in work and outside, it’s a no brainier when you can afford to give it up. Staying at work longer than you need to, doesn’t guarantee an extension of your retirement in good health. You reach a balance where you will want a retired existence even if that means a much lower income fir a simpler life. Those who try to amass large wealth to live a long rockstar lifestyle in retirement are deluding themselves.

Ive been fed up all my life 😂,being fed up in retirement is no problem ❤,

Thank you a lot of useful insides here

Excellent advice sir

I retired in January, at 56, in the honeymoon period at the moment, keeping active and the days are so busy lol. Looking at hobbies (KZfaq) to bring in a little extra. Agree it is not retirement, it is financial independence. Great video and thanks.

I look forward to gardening

It was good to get your advice a decade ago.

I tried to retire at 39. I realize there was no one else to share that with except older people at the bar 😅. My friends were all still working. I went back to part time work and love it along with having free time for gardening and traveling when I want

I'm looking forward to regaining my identity... I feel like the corporate world beats the identity out of you over time. I'm working toward my retirement project so that I'm not going cold turkey, will just work part time for myself for a bit.

My best friend retired with 40m (yeah, million). He’s obese with smokin hot mail-order bride and bored so, he got busy making more money. He’s my example of what not to do. Enjoy your work, stay healthy, and never retire💪🏽

The first time I retired I was 27 years old. I’m in my 50’s now, and am back to work after a 23 month retirement/ break from the workforce. When I take my final retirement, it’ll be because I’ve become so disabled that I can’t work. I’ll spend the last months/ years of my life writing my memoirs (if my mind is functioning well enough), and shuffle off this mortal coil having done what I wanted, when I wanted, how I wanted.

Nice video +1 subscriber from San Diego, CA

This is a great vid with wonderful advice. I am 57 and I have been working from home for 8 years and i love it. What i learned from the pandemic is how to save and how precious life truly is! I am lookkng to retire, but the only thing that gives me pause is money and health insurance. I do not have any serious health issues, however I like being prepared. Of course as you age it is very important. Also having money to me means security and being able to do what i want. My hubby has been retired and he keeps telling me that I need a plan!! We are debt free so I want to go for it at the end of this year. Just need to plan how I will fill me days!

The transition to remote work and my role in a regional capacity, has lessened social interaction so I think i’d be good when i retire in 3 months, at 51 😊. The only concern now is the financial market situation and bleak economic outlook. Thanks for your content !

Good advice....As I get closer to retirement some of this a tad concerning but better to know from someone who has been there to help me plan!

great video. I'm 44 and working to be prepared for retirement by 60. I really like how you rephrased "retirement" to be "financially independent"

Everyone that I have known that has retired early has regretted it. I'm going to learn from their mistakes and work until I am 67. I'm using that as my target age, so I may work less or more depending on health and finances. I think the most important thing is finding a career that you enjoy. I enjoy what I do and can see myself still doing it into my 60s and even beyond if necessary. I have a client who could have retired long ago (from a financial perspective), however, he's in his 70s doesn't want to stop working.

I know two groups of retirees; those who really do nothing, and the those who keep busy. I noticed the first group ages quickly, and the second continue to thrive. In fact, members of that second group find themselves busier than ever - usually on endeavors they find rewarding.

Very important tips 🙏

After 15 years in DOC i missed the comradery most amongst other officers after i retired. Went from 100 with my head on swivel to nothing. very hard transition!

The moment you leave a corporate workplace you're forgotten. You're just another drone, a number, that's all. Fully expendable and replaceable. For instance when I retire I know that a few days after I'm gone the question will arise...."sorry, Bob who?!

I retired last year at 53 luckily as i was self employed i picked the times i worked. Therefore i haven't struggled to much as i went to the gym in the mornings and have a good social group i go walking or biking afternoons. You need structure definitely otherwise you may slip into bad habits. Its difficult in the winter, plus plans can change definitely financially dividends can stop mortgage rates increase. So be careful thinking its all planned out it can soon change

Thank you!!!

Omg. I randomly stumbled across this video as we are also preparing to retire early. And lo and behold I see a familiar face. We went to grad school together and had a brief business engagement. Kudos to you T. So cool to see you again. 😊

You look really young 😂😂😂 I'm 40, and I was so done with my toxic micromanager and i decided to go for early retirement for good!

i am 70 in great shape. I still work for the fed gov and work from home. Don't plan on giving that up. I started a tech company 3 years ago. have 20 employees. Why retire just have fun.

Thankyou!!!

Wise advices 👍

You're the only person to mention the existence of a honeymoon phase. Thanks! I can retire but I work for a think tank. We are having an open house and expect 18K visitors. I think I will work a while longer. And now I work from home. Work also gets real easy after it becomes optional.

I am 45 and seriously considering quitting from my job because it takes majority of my time. I really want to explore the world and don't want to sit at home at 60 with a large amount of money

Thank you🎉

Thanks this is best Retired video what I seen ! Retired 4 You.

So many people, especially men, have very limited lives. They get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, watch TV, go to bed, and do it all over again. If your life revolves around your job you may struggle in retirement.32

You look like Tony Hawk 🛹 🤙😎great video 🎩

Thank you.

I See the great thing about financial independence is practicing getting self esteem from other things than always being around people. There’s a world inside you.

I retired at 62 from a middle management position with around 40 direct reports. The key point throughout my career is that I had a social circle outside the organization. Too many people consider co-workers their social circle and they are brutally hit with the truth once they retire; those friends disappear without the context of a work environment. Too many of my friends fear retirement, not because they don’t have money but because they have made their work their life and have never thought about what they want their life to look like once they leave the workforce. Having a financial plan is not enough. Develop a life plan for retirement before you leave the workforce---or you may not live a long life.

Your first job should be to water those plants.

We retired aged 60 that was 6 years ago since then we’ve learnt to play Saxophone he plays Tenor andI play Alto and Bari. We joined a band of 29 Sax players-it’s just one of our new hobbies….

This has given me a lot to think about. I’m 58 and have just started thinking about when I should retire. So far my focus has primarily been on the financial side of things, but your video has me thinking more about other considerations. Though I’m single with no dependents I’ve still never been bored, and I generally prefer solitude, but do wonder whether that would change in retirement.

Thank you for posting a really thoughtful and interesting video. Many of the issues you raise apply to retirees all over the world and resonates with my own recent retirement experience. Apparently the human body has evolved to give us a maximum of 50 years of good, healthy life, and after that you're on your own! Best wish from Scotland!

I took and early retirement 4 years ago at 60, after a long, stressful career ending with executive management. The plan was to go back work doing something I actually enjoy (no matter the pay) after a "gap year" , and then the pandemic hit hard in my area; it really upset my extensive plans and I'm still making a mental adjustment. Money is not an issue, but Trajan is so right about having something to do. I let my gardener go (a "mandatory" luxury in my area) so I do my own exterior lawn and garden work. It's good exercise, which is important for me since I now avoid my public gym, but I miss the daily socialization of that. Looking for other alternative forms developing a social network.

Congratulations.. regards from Athens Greece...

excellent video