Badmovies.org Forum

In September, I turn 55 and according to our laws here, I can take early retirement.

I am really tired and feel both used up and worn out, partly because of what is happening in my personal life and partly because I feel like my colleagues only know me when there is a crisis and they need a "Mr Fixit".

I am largely ignored at work: no one needs my expertise in archiving unless it is a client but if issues arise - like the "lost film crisis" of 2021, then yes, leave it to the guy with the worn out face and diminished spirit.

Yes, I can do my job and I can do it well: but seriously, I am too old, too tired and feel too sick to carry on.  :bluesad:

I am retiring in 18 months mate. Go for it and enjoy life.

I got on disability back in 2005, & it was okay for a while, but that was after looking for work for two years & coming up nil....
I found that volunteer crap on that low power radio station, & it was fun at first, but I found myself having the same problems with people....
I backed away from everything in 2019, & the boredom, the lack of purpose is killing me....

I took twenty-five year retirement last year and it's mostly been (strange) great having time and no work-related burdens, especially since I'm young enough to potentially have many good years ahead and can begin something else if I want.

There's a lot to consider, including losing not only some of your income but also the self-identity a long-term job brings but if you are burntout and wanting something else and if you see a better life ahead in retirement, it may be a positive, well-earned step, though mild depression can also arise even amid the happiness of the freedom you get.

Whatever you decide, mate, good luck!

I can't give any advice on such a personal matter, but if you do retire, and decide to move to Kentucky, and start drinking beer, then I will buy you a beer.  :cheers:

I'm retired. It's boring, but I am so less stressed.

I made the decision to leave my job of 20 years last summer and gave them a 6 month notice.  I am working through the end of March or early April.  I thought giving myself such a long runway might make me start to regret it, but the closer I get to the end, the more excited and optimistic I am about it.  I might end up doing the same thing for another company next, but I am eager to do something different and more fulfilling, like handing out bowling shoes.  Seriously, I just want to be more accessible to my family and not chained to Chicago anymore working/commuting 12+ hours a day.  I am hoping to do something remote while working towards a small family business like an antique shop or storyteller tavern in some idyllic woodland setting somewhere.

Are you able to propose retirement to your employers to let them know you are seriously considering it, but haven’t made a decision yet?  If you get it out there, you might be able to see how you really feel about it in a week or a month. If you feel sick about it, you know it’s probably not the right time.

I will let you know if I end up on the stripper hobo train in a couple months, and then you'll know how good my advice is  :smile:.

 

Thanks  :smile:

Even if I don't retire, I will take you up on the beer offer.  :drink: :teddyr:

Start mentoring college kids, get in on the local film maker scene...

Actually forget what I said earlier, Trevor my good man, and lemme letcha in on a secret, so lean close. (Most of the major decisions of my life, including marriage, children, what to wear each day, AND retirement, have been made by consulting my trusty Magic 8 Ball.)

Hint-hint?  :wink:

And Trevor's retirement plans come to a screeching halt.  :buggedout: :buggedout:

The reason: I was told today that my career mentor at work - who I see as a big sister - is also planning to retire this year.

If Brenda goes, I have to stay.

There has to be someone there who knows the work, knows the holdings and someone who can deal with the public, none of which are easy to do.

So, plans on hold but thank you all for the advice.  :thumbup:

You could always threaten to retire and parley it into a pay rise?

 :teddyr: :teddyr:

I wish I could do that but if I did, the only rise I would get is from someone's foot connecting with my backside  :buggedout: :wink:

 :bouncegiggle: 
This sounds like good news.  Perhaps you undervalue your worth because you are taken for granted. 
I was going to ask you about writing a book...   you may not now have time.

I am taken for granted that I can do miracles sometimes, like rescuing the career of the person who was given promotion over me, amongst other things.

About the book: I have written one. PM me your email address and I'll send you a few chapters.  :teddyr:

What 'Cerb and 'Hallows said.   :smile:

Is there any way you can, perhaps, ask for a pay increase while "taking someone under your wing" and teach them for a year or two, so you can maybe retire by 57?

 :teddyr: :thumbup:

You should be my Director as that is a good idea: however, it's a bit difficult in the public service as "pale males" such as myself are seen as anachronistic and a remnant of the past (yes, true) and are shunted to the background until their knowledge is needed so that they can make the bosses look good or there is a crisis and that person is needed to fix the issue.  :bluesad:

Marginalizing the demographic that invented virtually every aspect of the modern world and global civilization itself, like that's going to improve things.

Good luck amid that open discrimination, Trevor. Sorry for you.

Thanks: when things changed after 1994 (for the most part, a very good thing) those "pale males" in my department were called in to the office of "THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRANSFORMATION" and told that we were not wanted there due to our skin color and the only thing keeping us from getting fired were our skills.

Everyone was offended by this whitewashing and quite a few of those people left the job shortly thereafter. Me? I stayed and I gave the person in charge an earful, in short telling them to go F themselves as I was raised in a non racial household and found this attitude of hers damaging. The person left the post about six months later due to "work stress".

Yeah, right: work stress.  :tongueout: :twirl:

One thing I'll say, whether you're able to retire or not in a few more years, consider an off-ramp rather than a cliff if you're not sure if you'll be happy with it.  Like, transition to part-time in a new place, or do some volunteering on a regular schedule.  Take a class or two of something purely out of interest.  Or if you can afford it and want to do it, plan ahead for things like travelling long term.  I know in Africa there's basically infinity things to see.   :teddyr:

I only say that as I've known some people who retired early and ended up feeling real malaise after a few months or years, less happy than they thought they'd be, just sort of an empty feeling when they didn't have the schedule work provided.  Don't want to see you end up there.   :cheers:

I'm hoping to retire when I'm around 85 . . . I think I'll be able to do it.

I'm in the same boat as Burgo. 

And listen to Jim H.  Retirement goes that way far too often.

It seems from a chat I had with my mentor yesterday that she has no immediate retirement plans so my plans are back in motion.

1. I have registered with our pension fund which I have been contributing to since 1989 and my fund in SA money is sizable.
2. I have two clients from the UK in early April and then I am taking the rest of the month off to decide what to do.
3. I am scared that what happened to Dad at retirement will happen to me: that cannot happen again.
4. I will make my final decision in May this year but as thing stand right now, I will be retiring before the middle of the year.

Make sure you have something planned to do when you retire. Be it another job, a hobby or whatever.

^^^^^  What Alex said.   :thumbup:

i said my piece via another form of social contact. i hope you'll keep in touch, brother trev. i love you a lot.

 :teddyr: :teddyr:

Agreed: if I go, I would like to go home to Zimbabwe, see my birth town and the town where I grew up (two different places) as I haven't been home since 1997.

Zombie hugs back, Sister :teddyr:

I'm going to see a financial advisor on Thursday and then leave for two weeks to finalize my way forward.

That was changed to this coming week Tuesday but if I can even get half of my money out after tax, I will go.  :teddyr: