Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2025!

[Hoi Polloi]

I suppose I technically should have been in the Class of 2024, but since my last pay stub was dated this Jan 3 of this year, I'll happily join the class of 2025 if granted admission Will turn 60 in February, and my first W-2 wages recorded were in 1981, although I had been mowing lawns in the neighborhood for cash since age 12 or so.

2025 marks an even 30 years for me in medical practice. Our group was aquired by a large (read impersonal) health care system six years ago, which has gradually made work less enjoyable than private practice for a number of reasons, so I gave them the required six month notice last June.
Have always had a number of hobbies to keep busy, and now have an annual National Parks pass and ski pass and plan on getting my money's worth until I'm too old to hike and ski. Looking forward to be able to go to the gym whenever I want as well. My wife will continue to WFH drawing a small salary in the non-profit sector in a role that she still greatly enjoys.
We plan to travel to see our three adult children and their families who are now scattered around the U.S without having to worry about my work schedule interfering with travel anymore

The plan is for COBRA to cover health insurance for the next 12-18 months, after which we will explore ACA options. Also planning, as of now anyway, to delay Social Security until age 70 for me. I have been reading up on tax-efficient drawdown stategies, Roth conversions and the like, and the forum has been very helpful in that regard. There is still much to learn!

It is a bit surreal adding my name to the list. I've tremendously enjoyed reading this thread over the past many years, so thanks to Miriam2 for providing such cheerful inspiration by keeping it going! Here's to the next chapter for eveyone in the Class of 2025

[Sandi_k]

I told my boss today of my intent to retire on June 26th, 2025.

Eek!

[Miriam2]

Counting down the days literally as I have it in a Google Sheet, retiring on 2/3/25 at age 56. Will be almost 27 years at a tech company. My original plan was to stay till 60 when I hit my 30th year milestone but work is not fun and fulfilling anymore.

Well for sure, time to punch out and move on into a more pleasurable life And now for those most wonderful words: "Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call!" You're in the Class of 2025!

Thanks to this community who has helped me assess that I can retire comfortably, it gave me the nudge to do so.

Oh for sure, this forum has helped so many people for so many years have a better financial life. And we owe it to these two fellows right here -




Jack Bogle and Taylor Larimore
Photo from 2016

The world will be my oyster. I’ll travel without feeling tethered to my phone. Take classes, volunteer, exercise a lot more, maybe do a part time job that allows me to not bring work home, take hikes with my dog and truly just enjoy life.

Sounds like a wonderful retirement. We hope you enjoy every day of your retirement, don't forget to check in with the Bogleheads and let us know what you're up to

[Sandi_k]

It's time already!

The Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2025 is now open!

Are you planning to RETIRE in 2025?

Add your name to this Wonderful Bogleheads Retirement Roll Call, post your R-date and age, if you choose, and yes, tentative retirement plans and estimated dates are okay - we just reboot you when they change

What is being retired??

Me, me, me, me, ME! I've been patiently waiting for this thread.

Sandi_k
Last day of work: Thursday, June 26th, 2025
Age: 59
Retiring after 36+ years of service

OK, it's getting REAL!

I gave my notice to the boss on Monday; shared it with the leadership team yesterday. I am meeting with my team at 3:30 today to let them know.

With service credit for the unused 1200 hours of Sick Leave? 37 years of service.

[Miriam2]

My boss just informed me I will be in the Class of 2025!

What a great boss! Welcome to this great class and to the Bogleheads Retirement Roll Call!

(I had previously stumbled into retirement and then took this job 3 years ago, so any money I made was "extra". I only took this job because it was low stress and interesting work. I will miss it, but losing it will have little impact on our lives financially. My boss is a nice guy, so I hope his business survives the current downturn.)

Always nice to have extra money What are your plans for your retirement? We hope everything is great and works out as you want. Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!

[Boglenaut]

My boss just informed me I will be in the Class of 2025!

What a great boss! Welcome to this great class and to the Bogleheads Retirement Roll Call!

(I had previously stumbled into retirement and then took this job 3 years ago, so any money I made was "extra". I only took this job because it was low stress and interesting work. I will miss it, but losing it will have little impact on our lives financially. My boss is a nice guy, so I hope his business survives the current downturn.)

Always nice to have extra money What are your plans for your retirement? We hope everything is great and works out as you want. Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!

Assuming I can navigate the bureaucracy, unemployment benefits. The law requires that I do a good faith search, which I intend to do. It is less than 20% of my old pay, so I figure they are paying me to send my resumes and I will treat it like it is my part time job and take it seriously.

Realistically, so close to retirement, I don't expect to find anything. So in 6 months I will officially retire for real and for good. I have a gap in my resume from my previous early retirement, so I will not hide that to be fair to prospective employers. That will likely scare them off but I don't plan to lie. Who knows, I may get lucky again and find that dream job for a year or two. If not, I enjoy retirement.

[HenryG]

I did not expect to be in the roll call this year, but I abruptly had enough of the corporate environment, and I think I have enough to step away.
Submitted resignation this week with March 14, 2025 exit date.
46 years old.

[Miriam2]

I did not expect to be in the roll call this year, but I abruptly had enough of the corporate environment, and I think I have enough to step away.
Submitted resignation this week with March 14, 2025 exit date.
46 years old.

Enough of the corporate environment Onto the Retirement Roll Call and out into the big wide world! Welcome to this Class of 2025

46 years old is a young retirement, what are you going to do with all that empty space ahead of you? We hope everything works out perfectly and you enjoy all your adventures and excitement as well as all your relaxing and peaceful times

[Miriam2]

Throwing my hat in the ring, will be leaving my company end of December and joining the ranks of retired or maybe it is a sabbatical. Looking forward to getting off the road for work travel, watching kids sporting games, getting back into shape, getting the house in order, and letting go of the stress. Last kiddo will be in college in 2 years so more exotic plans after that.

Hi Hillview and thanks for checking into the Retirement Class of 2025. Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call!
Whether you're joining the ranks of retired or taking a sabbatical, you're off the treadmill and letting go of the stress Your retirement plans look great - but please advise how to get the house in order, LOL. We wish you a wonderful, long, enjoyable retirement.

[watchnerd]

February 7 is my retirement date, a few months shy of my 55th birthday.

30 years in the tech industry.

[Wannaretireearly]

February 7 is my retirement date, a few months shy of my 55th birthday.

30 years in the tech industry.

Congrats!! Curious, what do you have planned for the rest of this year?

[watchnerd]

February 7 is my retirement date, a few months shy of my 55th birthday.

30 years in the tech industry.

Congrats!! Curious, what do you have planned for the rest of this year?

They honey-do list is very long!

But also: landscaping, gardening, home remodeling, travel, more outdoor activity time, maybe get a new dog.

[Wannaretireearly]

Congrats!! Curious, what do you have planned for the rest of this year?

They honey-do list is very long!

But also: landscaping, gardening, home remodeling, travel, more outdoor activity time, maybe get a new dog.

Excellent! Enjoy this new phase of life.

[watchnerd]

They honey-do list is very long!

But also: landscaping, gardening, home remodeling, travel, more outdoor activity time, maybe get a new dog.

Excellent! Enjoy this new phase of life.

Debating between sea kayak or paddle board.

Need to start fully using the beach we own.

[Wannaretireearly]

Excellent! Enjoy this new phase of life.

Debating between sea kayak or paddle board.

Need to start fully using the beach we own.

Get one and then the other!

[Miriam2]

I'm in this class! Retiring in April 2025 at age 65. I've been working pretty much continuously since I was about 13 or 14, so I would say it's about time!

You can find me somewhere on the road in my RV, blissfully ignoring my Boglehead portfolio until it's time to rebalance at the end of the year.

Another new classmate for this Awesome Class of 2025! Thanks for posting your timely decision and Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call That's about 55 years of work under your belt - for sure it's time to retire and enjoy relaxing and renewing.

We also enjoy "blissfully ignoring our Boglehead portfolio!" The end of last year was recently. How did you rebalance?
Wishing you a long, healthy and exciting retirement out on the open road enjoying all the wonders of this great, beautiful country

[Miriam2]

First time poster here. I wish I had discovered this site years ago, as I would have made some wiser long-term $$ decisions. Jan 1, 2025 is first day of retirement after 44+ years in academia. I will be consulting the forum frequently as I move my 403B to a tIRA.

+1
Same here. Long time reader, first post. Wish I had found this site earlier although I have been mostly a buy and hold investor over the years. Currently about 30X expenses. Retiring Jan15th, 2025 after 23 years in academics (my second career). I have some IRA rollovers to get done in the first quarter. Thanks to the forum, I have my AA set and a good investment policy statement for the long term. I know I have more to learn and will be a frequent visitor to the forum.

Welcome to the Bogleheads, TexNewMex! And a second big welcome to the Retirement Roll Call! Thank goodness you made it to retirement without us Retiring from academia is a good retirement and we wish you a long happy next phase of life Looking forward to reading your posts and what you have to say about your journey to retirement.

[TexNewMex]

+1
Same here. Long time reader, first post. Wish I had found this site earlier although I have been mostly a buy and hold investor over the years. Currently about 30X expenses. Retiring Jan15th, 2025 after 23 years in academics (my second career). I have some IRA rollovers to get done in the first quarter. Thanks to the forum, I have my AA set and a good investment policy statement for the long term. I know I have more to learn and will be a frequent visitor to the forum.

Welcome to the Bogleheads, TexNewMex! And a second big welcome to the Retirement Roll Call! Thank goodness you made it to retirement without us Retiring from academia is a good retirement and we wish you a long happy next phase of life Looking forward to reading your posts and what you have to say about your journey to retirement.

Thanks so much. Rollovers are in progress and I'm hoping they settle before the end of February.

[Miriam2]

My intention is Q1 2025. 50 Y/O. I was always a saver but unfortunately didn’t discover Bogleheads until my early 40’s. Oh if I had only found you few years earlier…

Haha! At least you found us when you did! Retiring at age 50 means you did a pretty good job before us And now for those most glorious words: "Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call" !! Don't forget to sign all your necessary retirement papers on time so you don't get held back.

What are your plans for this new phase of life? How are you bridging the financial gap between February 2025 and age 62 or 65-66? We wish you all the best and hope for a super wonderful retirement

[watchnerd]

Tomorrow I'll be talking to HR about COBRA (Feb 7 is my last day).

I imagine I'll stay on it for a while until I figure out ACA options.

Any recommended websites or reading?

Does anyone have pointers about whether one should or shouldn't enroll in ACA outside the usual open enrollment windows?

[Miriam2]

February 7 is my retirement date, a few months shy of my 55th birthday.
30 years in the tech industry.

Congratulations, watchnerd! Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and this Mahvelous Class of 2025

And most importantly, since you have been a Boglehead since March 3, 2007, you are in the running for one of the Greatest Honors of this Retirement Roll Call Class - and trust me, there are many Great Honors being on the Retirement Roll Call - and for you that is The Most Senior Boglehead! The Bogleheads dot org began on Feb. 19, 2007, so you were just a babe in the woods when you joined - and look where you are now!

They honey-do list is very long!
But also: landscaping, gardening, home remodeling, travel, more outdoor activity time, maybe get a new dog.

Lots of good plans!

Debating between sea kayak or paddle board.
Need to start fully using the beach we own.

We agree with Wannaretireearly - "Get one and then the other!"
This is an exciting time of life and we wish you the very best in the many years to come

[Sandi_k]

It's time already!

The Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2025 is now open!

Are you planning to RETIRE in 2025?

Add your name to this Wonderful Bogleheads Retirement Roll Call, post your R-date and age, if you choose, and yes, tentative retirement plans and estimated dates are okay - we just reboot you when they change

What is being retired??

Me, me, me, me, ME! I've been patiently waiting for this thread.

Sandi_k
Last day of work: Thursday, June 26th, 2025
Age: 59
Retiring after 36 years of service

I have officially given notice, and the boss sent out the announcement.

EEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEE! It's happening!

[angelescrest]

First time poster here. I wish I had discovered this site years ago, as I would have made some wiser long-term $$ decisions. Jan 1, 2025 is first day of retirement after 44+ years in academia. I will be consulting the forum frequently as I move my 403B to a tIRA.

Congrats! What kind of a portfolio does a 44 year career in academia get you? It’s been a long, long time since 1980.

[Wannaretireearly]

Me, me, me, me, ME! I've been patiently waiting for this thread.

Sandi_k
Last day of work: Thursday, June 26th, 2025
Age: 59
Retiring after 36 years of service

I have officially given notice, and the boss sent out the announcement.

EEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEE! It's happening!

36 years is an amazing stretch. Enjoy every day from now on out!

[Miriam2]

Retirement in Q1 2025, age 65 for me. The federal government gave me a huge bonus with the repeal of Social Security's WEP and GPO, I was going to subject to close to the max offset.

Hi BowBog and a nice huge welcome to the Retirement Roll Call, made all the better with your nice huge bonus! A bonus in the money pot makes pulling the working plug a little easier

In a sentence or two, could you please explain what the repeal of Social Security's WEP and GPO means, and how does it provide a bonus? Your classmates are always interested in learning about personal finance

We wish you all the best as you start this new phase of life, stay on-board on the forum, eat your veggies, enjoy the great outdoors and the pleasant indoors, fun with family and friends, and don't lose your money

[Miriam2]

I’m calling it quits in May 2025. I’ll be 59.5 at that time.

I negotiated to keep my health coverage through the end of 2025, but then I’ll be on my own which is scary. (My employer is exempt from COBRA.) Working longer would be even scarier since the stress has been terrible the last few years.

Congratulations DukeBlue on calling it quits - scary times, but very important to unload that stress and enjoy your retirement life We hope everything works out perfectly and that your glidepath into retirement is hassle free. A wonderful big Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and we enjoy having you in this Class of 2025

Let us know what your retirement plans are! Make time for relaxing and some new adventures. We wish you a very enjoyable and long and healthy retirement!

[DukeBlue]

I’m calling it quits in May 2025. I’ll be 59.5 at that time.

I negotiated to keep my health coverage through the end of 2025, but then I’ll be on my own which is scary. (My employer is exempt from COBRA.) Working longer would be even scarier since the stress has been terrible the last few years.

Congratulations DukeBlue on calling it quits - scary times, but very important to unload that stress and enjoy your retirement life We hope everything works out perfectly and that your glidepath into retirement is hassle free. A wonderful big Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and we enjoy having you in this Class of 2025

Let us know what your retirement plans are! Make time for relaxing and some new adventures. We wish you a very enjoyable and long and healthy retirement!

Thanks, Miriam2! Since my post in late December, a dear friend was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and my brother died unexpectedly at the age of 62. To me, these are both reminders that we should make good use of the time given to us. So glad I’m calling it quits in May! Hoping to travel a bit and volunteer.

[Miriam2]

. . . . . Since my post in late December, a dear friend was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and my brother died expectedly at the age of 62. To me, these are both reminders that we should make good use of the time given to us. So glad I’m calling it quits in May! Hoping to travel a bit and volunteer.

Oh, I'm so sorry. Your comments are very poignant.

"To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle."
-- Walt Whitman

[BananaSlug22]

Received the RIF.... officially off the payroll entirely March 31, 2025.
Age: 63

Have worked 45-60+ hours a week since my early 20s.

Lots of choices of things to do, priority is health and taking care of my mom, who gave me the crazy work ethic...
A little bit nervous, but I am assured by others that it is going to be ok!

[Miriam2]

I am retiring from education effective end of August 2025. 24 years working in education plus 6 years working for the state of Texas gives me a combined retirement pension based upon 30 years. Age 60 as of yesterday.

Sounds like a great time to retire! Congratulations and Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and this Class of 2025

I plan to start writing my book during spring break about my years in education, and dedicate it to my mom, who still tutors community college students to this day, after retiring from public education many years ago. She turns 84 in about 27 days. After I finish the book, I plan to focus on my health with exercise and eating better than now, coordinate a move for my wife and I from our current apartment to a better apartment, and after moving in early 2026, continue the ultimate to-do list, finish traveling to all 50 states, and see what I can do volunteering to help others.

Happy Birthday to your mom! Nice present for her by dedicating your book to her.

Great plans for retirement, AlaskaTeach. What states haven't you visited yet? I just pulled out a map of the US and I have been to and spent time in every state except Arkansas and Oklahoma - and also to every Canadian province except Nunavut, Yukon and Northwest Territory, and the old Labrador (I did spend time in Newfoundland). These are all big, beautiful lands. We wish you lots of fun and enjoyment in your retirement

[Miriam2]

Received the RIF.... officially off the payroll entirely March 31, 2025.
Age: 63

Have worked 45-60+ hours a week since my early 20s.

A big welcome to the Retirement Roll Call, and we'll double that - a Big Welcome to the Bogleheads! You've done enough work for sure and it's time to have time for yourself

Lots of choices of things to do, priority is health and taking care of my mom, who gave me the crazy work ethic...
A little bit nervous, but I am assured by others that it is going to be ok!

Good decisions, good plans and enough of that crazy work ethic Many of us are nervous about retiring, but once retired you'll be on the sunny side of the street! We wish you a long, enjoyable, crazy retirement ethic with good health and lots of relaxation. Let us know how everything turns out!

[Miriam2]

I’m still not comfortable saying the R word (since I still plan to work a bit, but only to stay busy and doing things I want to do!)

Oh that's ok - sounds retired to me!

The Retirement Roll Call uses the protocols set forth by Lady Victoria, our founding mother

On the Q of whether one is retired or not, she decreed that the Roll Call is self-reporting - that is, if you feel that you have punched out of the rat race as retired - then by golly, you are retired even though you may be engaged in other activities or hobbies or working part-time, pay or no pay.

So, your life sounds like a retirement adventure to me!

55 years old
Sometime after March, and definitely before August. March will be the end of my “one more year”, and I’m not doing that again!

Correct - NOMOYOMO

In August I plan to enroll in a “Fundamentals of Construction” at my local community college. Will likely do “handyman” type stuff (which is what I like doing, but I’d like to do it better!). Anyone have a non-gendered alternative to “handyman”? “A guy” (as in “I’ve got a guy that I call do stuff like that”) is equally descriptive but suffers the same issue DW will keep working part time and with DS #2 graduating we’ll be traveling more and NOT during peak Christmas / Spring Break times!

Great plans!
Yes I agree - difficult to find alternatives to "handyman" and I'm not sure I'd call a female handyman a "handywoman" or "handygirl" I'm a woman and I've always been a fix-it myself type and everyone would just call me a handyman, or incompetent and it's still all ok by me.

We hope you successfully put together your retirement adventures and that you continue to enjoy your new life in fixing, repairing, and construction for many wonderful years

[ER2023]

For a long time, we had planned to retire in 2023 (see username), but kept delaying the plans (Covid, inflation, increased caregiving for multiple family members). While the goalposts keep moving, we decided we just aren’t delaying it anymore, mostly due to health. At this point, whatever we have saved is it. We will figure it out.

Ages: 61 and 55

Retirement date: May 2025

Retirement plan is to make health a priority, care for multiple family members, and make time for new hobbies and volunteering.

While this is surreal to me as well, I am very much aware that if healthcare costs skyrocket, I may need to pick up part-time work. But hoping that will not be the case. We will see.

[AlaskaTeach]

I am retiring from education effective end of August 2025. 24 years working in education plus 6 years working for the state of Texas gives me a combined retirement pension based upon 30 years. Age 60 as of yesterday.

Sounds like a great time to retire! Congratulations and Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and this Class of 2025

I plan to start writing my book during spring break about my years in education, and dedicate it to my mom, who still tutors community college students to this day, after retiring from public education many years ago. She turns 84 in about 27 days. After I finish the book, I plan to focus on my health with exercise and eating better than now, coordinate a move for my wife and I from our current apartment to a better apartment, and after moving in early 2026, continue the ultimate to-do list, finish traveling to all 50 states, and see what I can do volunteering to help others.

Happy Birthday to your mom! Nice present for her by dedicating your book to her.

Great plans for retirement, AlaskaTeach. What states haven't you visited yet? I just pulled out a map of the US and I have been to and spent time in every state except Arkansas and Oklahoma - and also to every Canadian province except Nunavut, Yukon and Northwest Territory, and the old Labrador (I did spend time in Newfoundland). These are all big, beautiful lands. We wish you lots of fun and enjoyment in your retirement

Thanks for asking! don't have a list at my fingertips, but a quick remembrance. On one of my last trips from Alaska, on the plane, I typed an email to myself naming the states. Most of what I am missing is the remainder of the northeast that I didn't see when I visited my Navy son in the summer, when we saw Vermont, NJ, NY, Conn, RI, Maine, NH. I think that is all we saw.

After the remaining northeastern states, I need to head west from there, starting with Penn, go to Ohio, Michigan. That would be one trip.

Another trip would be to fly into a fairly large city in the great west and go to some larger states such as Oregon, Idaho, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and finish with the Dakotas. I will follow the crowd and finish with North Dakota, becoming the newest member of the "Save the best for last" club. Anybody who makes North Dakota their last state is evidently rewarded with a t-shirt and name on the wall. Fun stuff!

So, it looks like I have at least three trips coming. I would like to finish in the 3 years following the retirement.

Arkansas and Oklahoma? Interesting. Arkansas has a wonderful reputation for natural beauty and one year my family had a large reunion at one of their parks.

Oklahoma has a smaller amount of beauty, but once again I have a fond memory, spending a long weekend with some friends in a park.

[Miriam2]

So, it looks like I have at least three trips coming. I would like to finish in the 3 years following the retirement. . . . .

^^^ Enjoyed reading your travel plans! We wish you wonderful times on the open road ahead

[Miriam2]

After over 38 years with my employer, I've made the decision to retire in 2025, either April 30th or May 31st. I will be 63 and have been following the Bogleheads tenets for the past three decades.

Good decision, ronhh! After 38 years of work with your employer, it's a good time to say: "Thanks for the pay and the 401k, but I'm outta here!" Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and this exciting Class of 2025 and yes it's true - you're adding your name to this great list

Although I'm extremely excited about this next chapter of life; I also am a little anxious. Going from full-time work to zero is a little daunting to me. Luckily there has been some genuine interest by my current employer and clients regarding the possibility of continued contract work. Anyway, I always enjoy reading the roll call, and I cannot believe I'm adding my name to the list. Best of luck to you all, and thanks for all of the expertise, perspectives and support that I've garnered from this forum.

Don't panic! Remember you're not really going from full-time work to zero - getting up in a retirement morning is a lot of work and taking care of that long To Do List is even more work! But we understand the anxiety about entering this new phase of life and for sure it may take a while to get used to the new schedule of lack of schedule and this new concept called "free time." We hope everything works out nicely for you and whatever you choose to do. Best wishes for a long healthy retirement

[Miriam2]

It's official.

Submitted my resignation effective 1/1/25.

Age 46

20ish years in medicine with a large chunk of that on night shift. I certainly paid the piper but mixed feelings about leaving the profession.

Oh for sure, hard to leave one's profession, especially when it has been such a big part of our life. But time moves on and you did good and now it's time for a new beginning Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and this wonderful Class of 2025!

Moved out west last year, buying a raft and looking forward to whitewater rafting, camping, fishing, backpacking, and may step into the hunting world soon.

Still have to get the kids through school so I'm hoping all my numbers pencil out correctly.

Nice plans! We wish you all the best as you explore and enjoy this beautiful country Hope your retirement is everything you planned for and more.

[Miriam2]

Retiring 9/1/2025 at the latest. Long career in engineering with computer chips/systems.
Retiring at 60, Sept seems so far off but want to get one last RSU vest which is August 9th.

I can't wait. Originally was looking at retiring when 55 but covid hit and the WFH was nice so stayed longer and then my team moved as a group to a new company so that was fun too. But it is time to go.

Congratulations on making your good decision and joining the Class of 2025! Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and to all the great benefits that come with it

I wish I had found this group before. Plan on checking out the local chapter here in Austin.

Been fixing my asset allocation to match bogglehead [Boglehead] prinicipals. In the past, I was primarily in index funds so I was sorta boggle [Bogle] but now I am all in with stocks only in VT and VOO and fixing the tax allocation part.

-- Jack Bogle

As Mel Lindauer says, "If you're gonna be one, get it right!"

I am excited. After our last dog died, my wife said I need to wait until retirement, so another reason.

We love small dogs, so a mutt from the shelter in the tiny section that no one else wants. A misfit since us engineers are naturally misfits too.

Ohhh better not let LadyGeek see this

Can take him/her on runs (in doggie stroller) and to breweries. Our previous dogs were also shelter mutts or dogs that people needed to rehome because of a death.

Sounds like nice retirement plans! Love your little mutt story We wish you all the best with your new retirement life and hope you have a very long, happy, fun-loving and healthy retirement, keep on running, enjoy the breweries, eat your veggies and lots of cookies, lunches with friends, vacations with family, and above all, relax and enjoy life

[retirewithjoy]

thank you, I am 165 days away

[Miriam2]

Hello forum. Found this place via the FIRE (er.org) website and am glad to be here. Attended a local chapter meeting last night and it feels good to be around like minded people experiencing the same thing.

My date isn't submitted yet, but expected to be mid to end of June, or sooner depending on an IPO. I picked June because that will put a pin in a 40 year career, started at age 18 2 weeks out of high school. I'll just have turned 58 by then.

Hi Kings over Queens and welcome to the Bogleheads! We're happy you're here to share your personal finance tips and travails And for sure, after 40 years in the salt mines, it's time to punch out and enjoy a wonderful retirement. Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and this Class of 2025!

No more Working for the Man

What's next is a hotly debated topic. We've seen about a dozen mlb stadiums and plan to finish those and much more new travel and I'll spend more time on my health but at the very least, trying to stay out of my wife's hair.

Ahhh, that's where this good advice from the old days comes in: When you retire, make sure you put your shoes on and take your keys with you when you go outside to get the mail or the morning paper

Best wishes for a wonderful time on the open road, enjoy new adventures, stay healthy, and remember to relax along the way

[SFAtty]

Happy (and a little bit anxious) to join this club. Age 60, spouse age 55, retirement date is 10/1/2025, although it's possible that could be extended slightly to complete some matters. As I've noted elsewhere, this site has been truly invaluable in putting my mind at ease with all the resources and insights. One motivating factor is I've seen too many of my law partners work until age 70 or 75 and then retire - with plenty of money - into medical problems and physical disabilities or worse. One caveat: I do plan to keep my law license active to work with some pro bono groups that I've long assisted. But no more 7-day-a-week law firm workload.

[Miriam2]

Happy (and a little bit anxious) to join this club. Age 60, spouse age 55, retirement date is 10/1/2025, although it's possible that could be extended slightly to complete some matters. As I've noted elsewhere, this site has been truly invaluable in putting my mind at ease with all the resources and insights. One motivating factor is I've seen too many of my law partners work until age 70 or 75 and then retire - with plenty of money - into medical problems and physical disabilities or worse. One caveat: I do plan to keep my law license active to work with some pro bono groups that I've long assisted. But no more 7-day-a-week law firm workload.

Hi SFAtty and a big welcome to the Retirement Roll Call! It's gonna be great being in this Class of 2025 Your reasons for retiring now make perfect sense. Long career and now time to enjoy what we all hope is a nice long new time of life without that heavy caseload. You're not alone in this regard - you might appreciate this law survivor thread.

We wish you a good wind-down to retirement day and a fun retirement party; remember it won't be easy actually saying good-bye and turning in your work items - the emotions take over. But once you're out and on new turf, you'll enjoy your new freedom. Please let us know what you plan to do with all your new free time!

[ronhh]

After over 38 years with my employer, I've made the decision to retire in 2025, either April 30th or May 31st. I will be 63 and have been following the Bogleheads tenets for the past three decades.

Good decision, ronhh! After 38 years of work with your employer, it's a good time to say: "Thanks for the pay and the 401k, but I'm outta here!" Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and this exciting Class of 2025 and yes it's true - you're adding your name to this great list

Although I'm extremely excited about this next chapter of life; I also am a little anxious. Going from full-time work to zero is a little daunting to me. Luckily there has been some genuine interest by my current employer and clients regarding the possibility of continued contract work. Anyway, I always enjoy reading the roll call, and I cannot believe I'm adding my name to the list. Best of luck to you all, and thanks for all of the expertise, perspectives and support that I've garnered from this forum.

Don't panic! Remember you're not really going from full-time work to zero - getting up in a retirement morning is a lot of work and taking care of that long To Do List is even more work! But we understand the anxiety about entering this new phase of life and for sure it may take a while to get used to the new schedule of lack of schedule and this new concept called "free time." We hope everything works out nicely for you and whatever you choose to do. Best wishes for a long healthy retirement

Thanks so much!

[Miriam2]

I suppose I technically should have been in the Class of 2024, but since my last pay stub was dated this Jan 3 of this year, I'll happily join the class of 2025 if granted admission Will turn 60 in February, and my first W-2 wages recorded were in 1981, although I had been mowing lawns in the neighborhood for cash since age 12 or so.

2025 marks an even 30 years for me in medical practice. Our group was acquired by a large (read impersonal) health care system six years ago, which has gradually made work less enjoyable than private practice for a number of reasons, so I gave them the required six month notice last June.

What a nice introduction for your retirement, Hoi Polloi, and of course the management has granted you permission! Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call and this great Class of 2025 Now you can go back to mowing lawns for exercise and a little extra cash!

Have always had a number of hobbies to keep busy, and now have an annual National Parks pass and ski pass and plan on getting my money's worth until I'm too old to hike and ski. Looking forward to be able to go to the gym whenever I want as well. My wife will continue to WFH drawing a small salary in the non-profit sector in a role that she still greatly enjoys.

We plan to travel to see our three adult children and their families who are now scattered around the U.S without having to worry about my work schedule interfering with travel anymore

Nice plans! And for sure, you'll enjoy these activities and visiting family without the stress of work hanging around your shoulders. We hope everything works out perfectly and that you really have fun planning and doing everything you want to do in this new phase of life.

The plan is for COBRA to cover health insurance for the next 12-18 months, after which we will explore ACA options. Also planning, as of now anyway, to delay Social Security until age 70 for me. I have been reading up on tax-efficient drawdown strategies, Roth conversions and the like, and the forum has been very helpful in that regard. There is still much to learn!

It is a bit surreal adding my name to the list. I've tremendously enjoyed reading this thread over the past many years, so thanks to Miriam2 for providing such cheerful inspiration by keeping it going! Here's to the next chapter for everyone in the Class of 2025.

Retiring is definitely a surreal time of life. It means we're over the hill and our professional education and years of experience are - gulp gone with the wind. We do, however, get over this eventually and settle into our new life. Thank you for sharing your retirement financial plans with us. Agree there is still so much to learn with every phase of our financial life. Thanks to this forum or we'd all be adrift in the endless retirement sea.

Thanks for the thanks! Hope you have many, many years ahead of you before you're too old to hike and ski! Taylor just turned 101 years old and didn't stop sailing until he was about 97 and didn't use a cane or a walker until he was 100

[jjunk]

I guess I can officially be added to the list. I technically lost my job last year but decided I'd keep trying to rejoin the workforce until my unemployment ran out. That happens next week. Turns out no one wants a 50+ year old in tech, even if you have decades of experience. Not surprising but still been quite a realization. Not sure if I'll keep looking or not but I know I need to spend more time focusing on myself as I've developed less than ideal coping mechanisms from my job stress over the last 5-6yrs and don't even want to know the amount of damage I've done to my body because of it. Yesterday was the first time I used the term "retired" when speaking to someone and it was weird and they said I was too young to retire. So...anyways, put me on the list. I'm 51.

[Miriam2]

For a long time, we had planned to retire in 2023 (see username), but kept delaying the plans (Covid, inflation, increased caregiving for multiple family members). While the goalposts keep moving, we decided we just aren’t delaying it anymore, mostly due to health. At this point, whatever we have saved is it. We will figure it out.

Ages: 61 and 55

Retirement date: May 2025

Hi ER2023! Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call! You're a wonderful addition to our Class of 2025

Very nice of you to share your moving goalposts and ultimate decision that it's now time to retire and move forward. It surely is a well-thought decision to take advantage of important circumstances and opportunities today before the chance slips away and the future changes.

"If you wait for the robins, spring will be over."
-- Warren Buffett

Retirement plan is to make health a priority, care for multiple family members, and make time for new hobbies and volunteering.

While this is surreal to me as well, I am very much aware that if healthcare costs skyrocket, I may need to pick up part-time work. But hoping that will not be the case. We will see.

Nice plans - and remember to make time for yourself, relaxing, thinking, private time, music, and so on. Best wishes for a long, healthy, meaningful retirement, visit the BH forum and share your experiences, create traditions of weekly or monthly luncheons with friends or colleagues, dinners or movie nights with family, vacations and new experiences and simply enjoying life

[ER2023]

For a long time, we had planned to retire in 2023 (see username), but kept delaying the plans (Covid, inflation, increased caregiving for multiple family members). While the goalposts keep moving, we decided we just aren’t delaying it anymore, mostly due to health. At this point, whatever we have saved is it. We will figure it out.

Ages: 61 and 55

Retirement date: May 2025

Hi ER2023! Welcome to the Retirement Roll Call! You're a wonderful addition to our Class of 2025

Very nice of you to share your moving goalposts and ultimate decision that it's now time to retire and move forward. It surely is a well-thought decision to take advantage of important circumstances and opportunities today before the chance slips away and the future changes.

"If you wait for the robins, spring will be over."
-- Warren Buffett

Retirement plan is to make health a priority, care for multiple family members, and make time for new hobbies and volunteering.

While this is surreal to me as well, I am very much aware that if healthcare costs skyrocket, I may need to pick up part-time work. But hoping that will not be the case. We will see.

Nice plans - and remember to make time for yourself, relaxing, thinking, private time, music, and so on. Best wishes for a long, healthy, meaningful retirement, visit the BH forum and share your experiences, create traditions of weekly or monthly luncheons with friends or colleagues, dinners or movie nights with family, vacations and new experiences and simply enjoying life

Thank you for your positive presence on this forum, Miriam!

[Miriam2]

Thank you for your positive presence on this forum, Miriam!

Thanks! And thank YOU for reading the BH forum and sharing your financial experiences and participating in our efforts to help investors navigate their personal financial world

"It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door . . . You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to."

-- Bilbo Baggins, J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Fellowship of the Ring"

[Miriam2]

I guess I can officially be added to the list. I technically lost my job last year but decided I'd keep trying to rejoin the workforce until my unemployment ran out. That happens next week. Turns out no one wants a 50+ year old in tech, even if you have decades of experience. Not surprising but still been quite a realization. Not sure if I'll keep looking or not but I know I need to spend more time focusing on myself as I've developed less than ideal coping mechanisms from my job stress over the last 5-6yrs and don't even want to know the amount of damage I've done to my body because of it. Yesterday was the first time I used the term "retired" when speaking to someone and it was weird and they said I was too young to retire. So...anyways, put me on the list. I'm 51.

Hi jjunk! And a big comfortable yes, you're on the Retirement Roll Call and welcome to this Class of 2025!

We're sorry you had such a rocky road getting here, but you're here and we can make the best of it and move forward with all the many options available. Never too young or too old to retire. I agree it feels weird to call ourselves "retired." To me, "retired" always meant old people. Thus, I wouldn't retire until I was old, and that meant if I retired, then I was old and over-the-hill. And who wants to get old?

These two Bogleheads YouTube videos from our zoom meetings with retirement researcher Jill Steinberg may be of interest to you

(1) Jill Steinberg - "From Retirement to Rewiring - Finding Purpose in Retirement"
Bogleheads Life Stage zoom meeting - Jan. 10, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIwWHDeMUmY

(2) Jill Steinberg - "Successful Retirement - From Retiring to Rewiring"
Bogleheads Life Stage zoom meeting - Nov. 10, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygW-WkOJCvc

And these other Bogleheads threads may have some useful advice -

"Preparing mentally for retirement" viewtopic.php?t=339992
"Advice on how to ease the anxiety of deciding to retire" viewtopic.php?t=341082
"did/will dealing with difficult people cause you to retire? viewtopic.php?t=420464
"The Psychological Dimension Of The Transition To Retirement" viewtopic.php?t=260645


Please keep us posted on your retirement plans and how things are going. We wish you all the best as you navigate this new adventure and we hope everything works out as you wish

[antares]

I’ve read these Roll Call threads year after year with much delight and a little bit of envy. Now it’s my turn to raise my hand

Age: 57
Retirement Date: March 28, 2025
Near-Term Plans: Hike during the week, take guitar lessons, learn Spanish, collect stamps in my National Parks Passport book, expand my repertoire of vegan/plant-based sauces and meals, volunteer, take some art classes, travel during the shoulder season, maybe fire my property manager and manage the rental myself (maybe), be more present, nurture my personal relationships, and continue reading the thoughtful responses of those who share so generously their time and wisdom on this forum. I owe my early-ish retirement to you!!