retire

[larry@stinescorner]

Im really having a tough time doing concrete work and masonry I am almost 55 and could retire with a small pension . My wife still works and wants to continue working and says I can go for it, but I cant be sure what to do

 

[GRJ]

If you can afford to retire.....do it. Otherwise just hang in there and give the heavy work to the young guys.

 

[Jaden]

How about starting another career? You will need things to keep you active and healthy.

 

[rrlund]

I'm the same age and as sore and tired as I am,I'd do it at the drop of a hat if I could. From what I hear,within a short time you'll be so busy you won't know how you ever found time to work.
The thought of working this hard for another God knows how many years is about more than I can stand. I'll probably shoot for 65 or 66,so by then my son who wants this place had better have himself in a financial situation where he can start to buy me out or he's gonna blow his only chance.
If you can do it now,I'd sure say go for it. Got a neighbor who retired from working for the state at 50. Never heard him say he was sorry.

 

[Spook]

If you can swing it, do it. I retired a few years before I had planned, but the GM plant closing pretty much made the decision. If you don't have a lot of debt, it is pretty nice. The longer I am out, the better I like it. I think it is better to retire 5 years too early than 5 minutes too late.

 

[showcrop]

A lot of guys with a business and a following can sell out to big company and and then go sell for them. Selling is no more than going around shootin' the breeze with people.

 

[larry@stinescorner]

I would like to do that but all our work is heavy , Ilike to work hard and have been good at it but not good at telling people to do stuff., but what you said is good advice

 

[BANDITFARMER]

Larry this should be easy, Retire and enjoy life, work more on your place in PA and really farm it. Do side jobs to keep up on the concrete skills, But most of all enjoy your family and friends. Bandit

 

[Dave 2N]

No one but you can make the decision; you know what is possible and what is not.

I retired early due to outsourcing but knew that because of the way I am, "retirement" as known in the past wouldn"t work for me. Even with all I have to do, I still wasn"t ready to just "back out" of things. So since 2001 I"ve worked part-time. Keeps me busy enjoying something I like to do, provides some $$ for bills and my addiction--tractors.

Yup, as someone said below, right now you don"t have a clue about how busy you will be when you retire. Keep that in mind because it"s the truth.

My advice is to retire "from" something "to" something not as streuous or regimented. And remember-you do have your masonry skills to fall back on occsionally if you need to.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[larry@stinescorner]

thats what I would like to do., I would probably still let my neighbor farm the land, because I might lose money doing it.

 

[Adirondack case guy]

Hay Larry:
I have always enjoyed your PICs and we often post on each others posts.I am 8 yrs. your elder and and have been in the business. My son is a union mason(flatwork finisher) My e-mail is open and would like to comunicate with you in that medium also, as I do with many new found friends on this forum. come join us.

 

[alg]

Larry,
You live in Jersey,how can you afford to retire.? I did in 2004 when the Ford plant closed in Edison.Had to go back to work,could not afford the cost of living here.I live outside of Flemington.

Al

 

[kj(seil)]

Larry I"m 60 and this has been on my mind same as you my job requires a lot of climbing, both stairs and ladders. getting tougher by the day, knees and hips ache by the end of the day, kj

 

[larry@stinescorner]

thats one of my worrys ., but my wife does work., and we have no debt but you are right it is expensive here.

 

[Fergienewbee]

I retired last winter at 62 so I do have SS to carry me. I don't need a lot of money to enjoy myself. As Thoreau said, "That the man that is richest whose pleasures are cheapest." With direct deposit, what I don't have is "walking around money." I need to find a part-time job also to pay for my hobbies, mostly anything to do with wildlife and the outdoors.

Larry

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I wish I knew what to say. Could you find/develop some part time efforts at your own pace/timing?
All I know for sure is I am the same age, and thank God almost daily that I have been self employed for over 25 years. I don't know how with my physical challenges, as small as they may be, I could put in regular hours, every day. I stood on a concrete shop floor for years. I can't do it steady now.
Best of luck. And I love your love of the land.

 

[Billy NY]

That is a tough call to make, the body says one thing, the wallet says another.....

I'm very familiar with your neck of the woods, well the jersey side, having spent 15 years there in the construction industry. Most work was in NYC I commuted, but earlier on it was NJ. I've see some old timers laying brick, had a couple of guys on a high rise job in '99 that retired as union bricklayers, 40 + years but there comes a time, though local 79 does the mason tending, mixing the mortar, loading the scaffold, etc. eventually your time comes, it is not an easy job by any means.

I appreciate seeing your photos, as has been mentioned most never really see NJ as it should be seen, there is some astounding landscape and places, both inland to the west and or the south, I really liked north and western parts of the state, though I've lived north near Wayne, and south in Manasquan, right next to the ocean, some of the jobs I've worked when I was a heavy equipment operator, made me appreciate the landscape, though so much has been lost to developers like K Hovnanian, they just gobble up land, I worked a 100 acre site in '94 in the Howell TWP., vanderveer rd., was a dairy farm and had deep topsoil, no rocks, just absolutely beautiful, I sunk a D8k on that job, hit a water logged area while traveling to another work area. They tore down the silos, the barns and the farmhouse, I looked through the place, even then it was sad to have been an operator on that job, boy did we tear that place up with dozers and scrapers.

There sure seems to always be a long commute for most who live or work there, but things don't seem to dry up like where I'm from, seems maybe you could take up another position, all those years of experience makes for a great super, or non working foreman or some kind of a position where a company could benefit from your experience, we had a guy on that job in '99 who was filling a position like that, he knew the work well, and was good with the drawings and layout, when he was not there it was on me as a project manager to keep these guys doing the right thing on the job, he was much appreciated because of his experience and knowledge, I hated it when they put him on another job, because I had to check all the layouts and the work to make sure it was in accordance with plans/spec's, well hopefully you will figure out something, I do physical labor everyday on our farm and it ain't getting NO easier I'll say that LOL !

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Is it possible to drop to a three-day week to take some pressure off the body?

 

[kendak]

I'm 62 with heart trouble & work [2] jobs plus take care of a disabled wife..everything including 5 tractors paid for...SS wouldn't pay the Doc. bills or meds.....at 55 you are way to young to retire...I'll have to work till I die...take care ...Kent

 

[Riverslim]

Same here, started drawing in March. I get about 350 every two weeks for part time delivering auto parts, Gives me that walking around money.

 

[BillinCentralMO]

Hey , I've investigated this for you. I went to a large cemetary here and I looked at all the gravestones. Not a single one said , "I wish I had not retired." Go for it before your wife changes her mind.

 

[larry@stinescorner]

thank you for the reply, hope things go better for you, I dont mean to upset anyone, just getting some input from all you fine people, thanks again and best of luck to you.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I retired at 55. Had everything paid for, no debt. Had over 400K in 401k and 3k/mo in other investments. Make more retired than when I was working. Pay more in taxes too. If you can't maintain your income lever, don't retire. Inflation will catch up with you and you won't be happy. My brother found that out! In 12-15 years from now everything will cost twice as much. Try to live on just what you will make in a pension for a year and see how happy you are. Pay off all your debts too.

 

[Cal Innes]

Hey Larry,
I am not going to make this any easier. As others have said, only you will know when the time has come to retire. I am 57 and retired at 55 from state service so have a pretty good pension.My wife retired the same day. I always thought I was in good health and I still feel as though I am. That being said, 12 months ago I had a grapefruit-sized tumor removed from my kidney (one kidney and tumor are now gone) I feel great now... did then too. Now it's spots on the lungs.... operation upcoming.... so what's next? The point of this is, things may be a bit strained financially, but enjoy a little time while you have good health and a good wife to share it with. I still get a few side jobs but don't have to go looking for them. The extra $$ is always welcome. Now the difference is that I work hard because I want to and not because I have to.
Lots of luck with what ever you decide... and thanks for all the pix!
Cal

 

[jm.]

i was a little diffrent in at 65 I absolutely loved what i was doing.. owned my own Kubota dealership and things were great but my wife had been retired for two years and just kept telling me how much better I would feel.. Finaly looked at it and say o.k. boys take it and run (actually my grandson) for the last two years have had the time of my life..IF there is any way you think you can live confortably go for it today don,t wait..I stay busier now than I ever did but work at my own pace and at what I want to do. ..Gowing out West next week for ever how long we want.. Just makes life great. JM

 

[Tony Vidlak Sr.]

Larry if I was you I would retire.If you find that you can't afford it you have a skill that you could still do part time and with your wife still working I think you would be alright.My wife has never worked so I'll probably have to work till death do we part.Good luck Buddy if you do retire we all get the benefit of your awesome photography !!!!! PS more of it "Hint Hint "

 

[44 massey]

Am 60 and would love to even think could retire! Our insurance is provided by employment (group insurance)! I had heart surgery at 55 and wife was diagnosed with Lukemia 2 yrs ago so no hope of getting other insurance so looks like retirement isnt in the near future here!!

 

[JR Frye]

LARRY:

You are not retiring, you are just going from one job to another job, and the new boss will be honey do this and honey do that.
But keep in mind the pay is no good but I am sure your wife is a real good cook, So how bad is that.
I know I was retired, until a friend of mine asked me if I would consider going back to work working with him with his people with special needs. I did and it is very rewarding
And I enjoy it very much, and I have learned a lot, THANKS TO THEM The people with special needs.

SO Larry you have worked all your life for the day you can retire: Try it you might like it
If not go back to work part time. You will never know till you try it.

Your old buddy said that

JR.FRYE

PS: HOW HAS EVERY ONE BEEN,SAY HI TO EVERY ONE

 

[Billy Shafer]

I was forced to retire with bone cancer. Sat around the house going crazy. Started doing odd jobs around town. Now have more work than I can handle. Just picked up even more work today.

If you want to retire think about it. You can work when you want to. Also you can choose what you want to work on. Of course you will still have the BOSS at home to put up with. I am sure she can find you plenty of work.

 

[Paul from MI]

Look into part time work. I went part time at 62, finally retired at 66. Some of the best years of my life, lots of time for tractor shows and such, and a little money to spend on them. Best of both worlds, plus no more responsibility for 20 people and a whole bunch of e tools & equipment. Keep your skills current. I'm doing lots of volunteer work in my field(retired electrician) trying to make our county a little better palce.

 

[guido]

Hello Laryy@stinescorner,
If you can do it finacially, whats the problem Larry? Go for it. My BIL was 68 this year and was afraid that if he retired, you would crawl up and die.
I saw him just a few days after his retirement, and you know what he said?.
I should have done it 10 years ago. I refrain from saying I TOLD YOU SO!!!!.
Guido.

 

[Welding man]

I am 60 years old,still work 10 to 12 hours a day, five days a week, pull tractors on the weekend.I own my own home,rental property, and my own business, all paid for and don"t really need the money. I have no known health problems, and I live to work, I am a workaholic. I hope and pray I never have to retire and I can live to be 90+ and fall over from old age, retirement has never been in my plans. I have several friends that have retired too soon and are now working at min.wage jobs just to have something to do. But thats your choice.

 

[730d se]

I know folks that have planned and saved well and still are working instead of doing leasure stuff. They spend time making more of that green ($$$)stuff instead of spending those valuable hours with family, grandkids, and friends having fun.
It is normal to assume that you will live X amount of years and so on. But that money will do you no good when you leave.
Too many generations have left loads of money for their kids and grand kids to spend and runied families.
The courts are full of familes that were once close but are now divided and fighting over who gets the deceased estate. It ain't about the money! It has created many more issues than it ever solved.
By the way, I am a conservative nnalert, just one that got smart.

 

[big fred]

I plan on retiring at 55 (another 16 months or so), but I've been contributing to my 401(k) since I started work, never been unemployed (knock wood) and have lived pretty frugally. As a defense industry engineer, I will be able to return as a contract employee or consultant if things turn south and I need income. The conventional wisdom at my work is that if you started here before age 25 and managed to avoid layoffs, it doesn't really pay to retire later than 55.

I wish you the best of luck in making this decision. It ain't an easy decision to make, that's for sure.

 

[kyhayman]

If you can retire then by all means do so. We never know how long we have, might as well do what you want to do. Thats not to say you have to crawl in a hole and quit, just retire from concrete work. Pick up something easier on the body part time, or even full time if you want to or need to.

 

[Old Roy]

Rule # 1 never tell anybody to do something .
Ask them as a favor, and they will bend over backwards for ya.

 

[davpal]

Good point. I look at the paper every day in the obituaries and there are people in there every day that are 25, 35, 40, 50, 60. I'm 46 and every day half of them are younger than I am. I would retire TODAY if I had a pension. My auto supplier went belly up and got sold. New company didn't pick up the pension so everybody that had less than 30 years was SOL. I had 25 in at that time and now 27 years and no pension. Most of my friends and relatives retired from GM at around 48 years of age and receive $3000-$4000 a month pensions. Not ONE of them is bored or regrets it. They all have lots of money and lots of hobbies that require money, lots of time to do what they want 24-7. If a person is bored after they retire they were a boring person to begin with. If you can retire do it TODAY! Good luck.

 

[Old Timer in Ohio]

Hey there Larry;
My BIL was my best friend, he was a few years older than I am. We always talked about what we were gonna do when he and I retired. BUT one night he was GONE, he never showed any sign of the cerebral aneurysm that killed him at 64. The next day I took early retirement, (at 62). I really can't afford it, but we get by with some
extra odd jobs. At least I'm still alive at 77, I often think about how much I miss the good times, we could have shared.
Bob
God Bless

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Been retired for almost 7 years. God has been good to me. Still active and work a lot. Just do the things I enjoy.

 

[1936]

If you are ready retire. I did 7 years ago and never looked back. Dropping the stress is a life saver. Have a hot meal ready when the wife arrive home each night and you will be the guy. Only tip I will give is have the house paid off. Saw most of my old supervisors retire and die in under two years. The job just kept going on like they were never their to start with. Good luck and keep the picture coming.

 

[Welding man]

Believe it or not, it's not about the money for me either, you would be totally amazed at the number of jobs I do for friends, elderly people, churches,fire department and charge nothing. As I said I just like to work.I don't have any grandkids or close family ,except my wife. A lot of my estate will probably go to charity when we are gone.

 

[pja]

Larry, I have read a lot of your posts and enjoy your pictures considerably. I am just a year older than you and have been a carpenter-mason for
36 years in the central Michigan area. I can simpathise with the physical limitations you are encountering, me too. I have been pretty well looked after by the company that I work for and now enjoy a little bit easier job (safety man- quality assurance)not so much physical stuff. My advice is to try to, let the younger fellas do the heavy stuff and just offer advice, lead by direction, not by example. pja

 

[John Harmon]

Find something easier to do for an income.Retirement is great if your pension/socialsecurity /medicare at least equals your pre retirement income,both in after tax perspective.Put off retirement as long as you can. If you can afford it great.I retired in 1999 and enjoy it except a fixed income is getting harder to cover all the bases with every year. Life style changes are an ongoing thing which means cutting out a lot of perks.

 

[730d se]

Welding man, You are indeed a unique situation. I have seen folks grabbing the green thinking they will retire "next year". Many of them have fallen over dead, stressed out to the max, and never enjoyed much of the fruits of their labor. What a waste.

 

[730d se]

Greedy companies and decisons have put this country at the low that it is in today.

 

[James Howell]

You might want to consider photojournalism as a second career.

Sure enjoy your "random" photos with stories.

 

[LeoinMI]

Tough call Larry. From reading all the posts you have lots of options. I retired at 51, seven years ago, with a life long pension of $2,600.00 per mo. That amount goes to my wife 100% per month after I die. We also have my wife's pension and 401k that we have not tapped into yet.(Over $250,000.00) At age 62 we plan for my wife to draw Social Security (another $1,100.00 per month if it is still available) and I'll weigh my options as to if I draw mine at that time or wait until 66. I also get a Cost of Living increase every year so my current pension amount goes up annually.
My wife works full time, so we use her medical coverage. I work part time two or three days per week and all finances work out fine.
Our biggest concern is health coverage as is everybodys'.It's that time between retirement and age 65 when medi-cade kicks in that can be costly if you do not have insurance. But if your wife has medical coverage for you and her,.. all should be o.k. You are talented enough to pick up odd jobs on the side or find a part time job that could use your skills. Crunch the numbers to see if you can be financially sound even if you have to cut back a little. Your health is important,..so go for it if you can swing it.
Good Luck in whatever you do.

 

[Ultradog MN]

If you don't have a job you never get a day off.

 

[Dean Olson]

Hire an apprentice to do the things you don't want to do. You will still have your income and less wear and tear. Get a good one or maybe 2 and you will be more productive and make more money.
I am 30 + years as a Plumber and just can't/don't want to do the heavy labor part. The biggest struggle I had was picking the right guy and developing some patience.