Any one here delayed retirement? Why?
My last work day is (tentatively) 5/13. I’m FI w/ (very) LCOL. Instead of being excited I’m having major cold feet. I’ve done tech for 22 years. Multiple side gigs. Multiple ventures. I’m beyond burned out. So, you’d think I’d be more excited. I don’t love my job. I don’t detest it either. My co-workers are (totally) awesome. I’m curious to hear from people who delayed FIRE for non-financial reasons. I’m 1 month away from 44.
Retirement doesn't have to be permanent. If you leave your job and end up bored you can find another one, freelance, etc.
Certainly. I expect to do this.
Since you don't love your job it seems like it wouldn't be a huge loss to quit and decide you want to go back to work, as opposed to quitting a job you really enjoy.
Take a break and come back. High tech is ultra intensive and your 22 years speak for themselves. But, 44 is too young to walk away unless you're leaving to pursue another venture. You'll be bored to tears at the end of 90 days and, re-entry into tech can be challenging. You know that. One can become obsolete rather quickly. The good news is, you're in the driver's seat! 😊 Good luck, Mate!!
My fear is this. If I stop, I can’t return to the level of what I do now. The landscape is changing way too fast. I’m in the big-data search space and in the last 3 years shit has gotten turnt in that area. But high pressure and crazy deadlines is all I’ve known my adult life. To be away from this is just plain weird.
Lol... I hope I’m as cool as you when I’m 44! Bro you gettin’ turnt wit da boyz, ‘rona seazon, suns out gunz out?
Congratulations on your FI! What you’re experiencing is probably just Stockholm syndrome - been on the hamster wheel so long it became a part of how you define yourself. Nothin’ wrong with that - but you are obviously scrappy & resourceful so you’ll be just fine in whatever you choose to do next in your retirement. Take the leap and enjoy your success in achieving the American dream! The right ideas will come to you once you detox from the 9-5.
Its probably that (Stockholm). Also kinda makes you feel old. My mum retired at 65. I guess I can visit with her more often. And talk shop with the ladies of the retirement village...
Those old ladies are the source of wisdom!! Enjoy your life and forget about the high tech sweatshop :)
I’m in almost the exact same situation. Similar age, retirement date a few months further out, love my team, and some more money saved up. I am also feeling nervous. My field is changing incredibly quickly now. But I don’t want to work full time right now. In any case, I figure that at this point I can spend a while figuring out things that matter to me more- and then I can invest time and effort and money into those. Some of that may be personally focused (like fitness) and some are likely to be non-profit oriented. But partly it will be about figuring out my ee about myself and my time.
Curious... both to you and OP... when you say retirement date a few months out - Who set that date? You did right? Or some other reason? And if you set that date then you obviously thought about retirement at that point in time? (Not trying to be a jerk saying you didn’t think this through earlier. I was just curious when I read “retirement date set”.)
5/13 is symbolic. I started working 5/13/96. A bit wierd to quit on a Sunday but I like symmetry.
If you don't mind answering, how much have you saved up for retirement?
$4m-(ish)
Nice! That should net you $160,000 a year pulling out 4% a year. If that's good enough for you to live on, I would totally do it. You can always work on your own projects or get back into the industry if you get bored.