Is age 55 too young to retire?

Public Comments

1. From work, no. From life, yes.
2. Certainly not. If you have worked hard and are financially able, why not retire and do those things that you haven't had the time or money for earlier. You could always go back to work or start a business after an interim.
3. If you're in a position in life to do so, I'd say go for it!
4. Not if you've been working long enough. My dad just retired after working at Ford for 36 years, granted he's bored and getting another job since he's only 53 or 54 but if you're set to go, and not going to suck up the social security that we who are working are paying into and never going to see a dime from because there's too damn many babyboomers, I don't see there being a problem with retiring early...
5. If you can financially afford it, why wouldn't it be? Just find things to occupy your time. Volunteer for a local charity or become more involved with your church or something. BUt make sure you can financially not work anymore and not have a decline in you living status for 30-40 years. Also, plan for an increase in health costs and possible nursing home care. Hopefully you won't need it, but it would be horrible to not be able to afford it. But why do you have to stop workign altogether? Why not just work part time?
6. Why would it be? if you can afford to 'live', and pay your way, without being gainfully employed? Go for it . . .!!!
7. My husband retired and got another job Something we can do together and we enjoy. You just don't go home and sit in a rocking chair keep busy living and enjoying life
8. Work yes stick it out for five more years and they will think that you are committed and you deserve better! and you will have more to fall back on when you retire! 60 is a good time to retire and during that period of five years i would start a spending saving pyramid. Which means that you spend 20% of your monthly income on luxuries, then you save 40% for your retirment plan, and then you spend 40% on taxes and bills or other nesseties; and than you will have money to fall back on!
9. If you are financially able do so. You would want to have some hobbies or travel or something to do.
10. a friend of mine retired at 38. He invented a medical devise at the age of 19 , dropped out of college and went into production. Sold the company ( after going with an IPO). Got his nickels together and bought 4 small companies too stay busy. He bought a house in Aspen, Colorado for when he wanted to go snowboarding ( hotels was just a waste of money) . A house in the Bahamas to go fishing. etc. etc. So no , 55 is not to young....wish I could !
11. I guess the answer is different for each of us because of the many variables. Are you weary because the job is physically or mentally stressful? What are you're plans for the future if you do retire?If you're a pro-active person with lots of activities and friends you may enjoy a long retirement. Living alone you may be bored and lonely. I'd try to consider thoroughly because the rest my life is a long time, I hope! :) Good luck with making the best decision. Juju
12. I did it!
13. If you are in govefrnment service they would not allow you if you wish to continue after 55(now 58 or in some cases 60) I myself retired at 58 as the rules required it but,honestly I say that I was at the top of my efficiency then and even at 85 now I am so(leave alone physical work but most office work involves little physical activity)I love the Japanese method of leaving it to the worker to choose his age of retirement. I kinow Japanese workder who are still at the lathe in their 75th year and also doing good job.Life expectancy has increased in these times what with better nutrition,medicine etc. available. In fact, as it is feared the so-called old men may outnumber young men. In such a background it would not only be impermissible but criminal to retire at 55. When I visit Old Age Homes I sometimes wonder what some of the inmates are called old for they are more active than some so-called young ones.The enforced retirements had adverse effects on some creating psychological problems. Let us respect our old. Harness them to the vehicle. Let them run. I would myself bend for the saddle to be mounted and I promise I would not disappoint the riders. I have been receiving monthly pension for over 25 years and sometimes I feel almost guilty in accepting it.It is not that I have kept myself idle these days but I really feel that I could give a good accounjt of myself if bigger responsibilities are placed upon me.
14. Hell no! Go get it if you can afford it, or have enough to do to so you wont die too early because of boredom. You can only fish just so much.
15. Kembeck.55 is too old in my book. Reason being , how many yrs ya got left? And do ya love your job? If so then YES. Now go ou and find something ya like to do, whether it pays or not
16. Depends if you can afford health insurance, that's the biggest draw back for early retirement.
17. If you have enough money, good for you.
18. It depends on how your fixed for money and if your set on that there is no age to young. You might get bored, but I think I could find things to do.
19. Go for it! 55 is not a day too soon. I retired a couple of years ago and I have never been so busy in my life You will soon find yourself doing so many things you put off while you were working that you will wonder how you ever managed. Have a happy and productive life! By the way...Don't worry about the money. After a few months, you will notice that going to work was costing you money. What I am saving on pantyhose alone is making my smaller income go a lot farther than when I was working.
20. nope. my dad started working at John Deere when he came home from Vietnam. He was able to retire at 52. He pretty much relaxed for about two years (much deserved) but than he kinda missed working. so now he holds down a part time job. 55 is still young. Just because one is retired does not mean one is dead. I would love to retire at that age and see the world.
21. Of course not, even in the private sector we have roles that we wouldn't consider for anyone younger. It's not the age itself or the social impact it has in our culture, though that is significant enough, but the experience and knowledge gained and conclusions arrived at by someone who's basing it on first hand experience. Having said that, I'm assuming they've learned the right lessons from their experience and are not bitter about the nasty things they went through. Some people get poluted by their experiences, others grow through them. Age comes with opportunities and risks. I've not been considered, nor would I want to be in a position, for positions that have a certain age group traditionally populating them. If you retire and assume you're supposed to die slowly by doing nothing, you will die a miserable death and make those around you suffer throughout the process. If you do not know HOW TO RETIRE, then don't, because you're not going to make it. Retirement is an opportunity and a way of life that can be full of achievements and satisfaction, but you need to know how to plan for that and engage in it and intend it, it doesn't happen on its own and it could hurt you far beyond working your tosh off.
22. if you are financially able to retire at 55 unless you have married into money you should have had a life time of goals or been very lucky -- i retired at 55 13 odd years ago and i have never looked back -- but i had my life map out of what i was going to do and how much money it would take to do the things i want to do!!! main advise make sure you are ready to quit and have well establish goals that your still want to achieve!!!
23. No, I retired just before my 52nd birthday after putting in 30 years of teaching. Never regreted it for a moment.
24. Retire ? No age requirement, just suggest you have the means to live without your present income. Retire from everthing ? --- 150 is a good target to shoot for,
25. If you have the savings, pension, 401 or whatever, for retirement funds, to sustain you till you can collect SS, plus be able to maintain a Medical plan for yourself, till you can also collect Medicare at 65, fine. But make sure, or you will surely be headed back to work. If you can do all that I say fine go for it. Do you have a lot of bills, do you have a mortgage, or is it paid off. Will you be able to sustain yourself with what you have for the rest of your life and be able to live comfortably. Only you know what you require in life and what you can do with and without.
26. Heavens, if you can afford to retire now, you are not too young. My ex retired at 55. He did try another job for awhile but it was just too hard on him physically. So he happily lives in his Mom's home wiling away his days on his SHORT WAVE Radio.... yep he is stuck in the 50's, what can I say!