Retire Or Not?

[Matheous-2]

I am a sixty six yrs. old male with a wife several years younger. I have continued to work (part-time) for a year past retirement age and would love to retire now. My problem is my wife says 'why should she continue to work while you want to retire & sit about the house' ! -Which is something I don't do....Because I am fairly fit for my age -my wife thinks I should keep going. I only work two 8hr days a week....What should I do?

[Ankou]

perhaps it is a shock to her system that you have reached that point, and she is wondering what you might get up to whilst she is still slogging away!

lots of discussion and reasurance is in order i reckon.

[brenda]

I am appalled at the selfish reaction of your wife. Heavens above you have grafted to 66----what does she want you to do carry on until you drop off the perch.Very loving that to my mind --not.

Is it the finance angle which is worrying her ? You sound pretty sensible to me and am sure you have costed things out.

If you no longer like your job , then you must be miserable in it -- so why do it?
If as you say there are loads of things you can do when retired and you are healthy---- then go for it .

I cannot see a compromise situation in this --- but do not have all the details,

My advice to in this situation would be to do as you want to do ---- goodness knows you have earned it.

[Euphemia]

Best to retire when your are still fit enough to enjoy it

[cazzz1975]

if its financially viable then go for it, I would resent her for assuming you would sit around the house all day!

being fairly fit for your age means you can enjoy your retirement, there is no fun in working until you are fit to drop and not enjoying the benefits that retirement brings

[cupid04]

Retirement does take some getting used to. My husband retired due to ill
healt a couple of months ago now. I am ten years his senior . I wouldn't be
without him, I love him to pieces but he drove me mad the first few weeks.
We were not used to living in each others pockets and it takes some getting
used to. You both need to sit down and discuss this calmly together. You
need to take up some hobbies or part time charity work to give each other
space. You also need to find something you both enjoy doing together.

[funnygirl]

What a cheek!!
I would love my hubby to say I cannot retire yet!!
Remember it's your life and you've worked hard for your retirement.
I say retire whilst you can and in good health and enjoy it.

[Matheous-2]

237SJ -That sounds like a great idea- but what cullinary skills I have are limited and NOT to her liking! Also generally hard to please with almost anything!

[Carakeel]

To be honest, I wouldn't dream of telling my OH when he should or should not retire. I respect and love him and know that he will make the right decision when the time comes. Knowing him, he will want to discuss it with me, but it will be totally his decision. I really think your wife's attitude is dreadful! She knew when she married you that you were a fair bit older than she and that you would most likely want to retire when you feel the time is right. The fact that she will be working while you are at home, or doing whatever you chose in your retirement, is something she needs to accept and if she trusts you and your relationship is a healthy one, then she will. I retired early due to being disabled. My nearly 9 yrs younger OH works full time. He has no problems with me being at home. I am my 94 yr old mother's primary carer (she has mild dementia and is no longer mobile), look after our home and 4 dogs, study with my OH and have a few volunteer things I do relating to his work. My days are always filled and I often wish there were more hours in the day for me to catch up with the things I need to do. So, I find your wife is being selfish and unreasonable. Sorry! Like everyone, you deserve to retire when you want to and your wife needs to show more respect, more trust and more love for you! Sermon over!

[puma86]

I could easily think you were my Dad! He has the same at home.

Retire if you want to retire - i'm sure she would do the same if the shoe was on the other foot. She's just jealous at the thought of you retiring some time before her. You've worked all those years and now is the time to enjoy life. If you don't particulaly like your job and can afford to retire, then do it! Enjoy what life has to offer :o)

[PurplePolkadot]

you say she's generally hard to please? sounds like your on a hiding to nothing, do as you feel is right for you, am sure mrs bossy boots will get over it lol

[Rodge2]

You've worked for and earned your retirement if you want it. Life is not endless, we only get an allotted time, and if you've worked on past retirement when you'd rather not have, you will have missed out on that 'me' time you have earned. Several friends of my parents retired happily, to find only months later they had developed a serious, sometimes terminal illness and did not get any enjoyment out of their retirement. Think carefully about this because you don't get another chance at it.

[Matheous-2]

I think I have a GREEN light here chaps - from a comment m.d.w. made this afternoon! Woohooooooooo!

[boxtops]

Rah - let us know what you decide!

[Matheous-2]

A big THANK YOU to all who took their precious time to reply to my plight. You are all very thoughtful & generous in doing so!

[Matheous-2]

I might add -I already handed in my notice of termination and my very kind boss gave me some annual leave to sort out a definite decision. -YES -I wish to retire!

[askyourgran]

I have to admit when my OH took early retirement I was envious as he had all day to do what he wanted, although he found some part-time work to do each morning for a while. It wasn't any easier for me, still working full time. (He is Philtdown man - a womans place is in the kitchen) I stuck it out at work for another five years and took early retirement. I was bored witless, while he had established a routine of friendships and his hobby. I could have stayed on at work for all the good it did. I had never had time for hobbies that took me away from home, just housework, reading, crosswords TV etc. So I was well and truly out of it when I retired.