[chris vickery]

The concensus that I have heard from many of my retired friends is that 60 seems to be a magic number.
For many blue collar types, 55 is hard to achieve in terms of pension unless great planning and a good job was there for many years. A couple ex Public Service friends are the exception, with the 55/35 years of service option out.
My father in law was a hard worker, 7 days a week for life. Usually 16 hours a day at least between his farming and running the local bar restaurant, He was afraid of what retirement would bring and the uncertainties of finances etc. He retired at 65, reluctantly. I asked him about 6 months later his thoughts about it. In turn he replied that it was the best thing he ever did and wondered why he did not do it sooner. That was his only regret. He found lots to occupy his new found freedom with and the pleasures that life outside of work has to offer. I also have another work friend who kept working up until last fall.
He kept going until 68. He even commented on taking the winter off and then coming back as a contractor. Well, guess what? After about 6 months of freedom he wondered why he didn't leave way sooner as well. I suppose for him and many others it is an adjustment which is scary to face.
Personally, I could go tomorrow if I knew that I had a solid monthly income to carry me by. At 45 I am already counting the days and hope that 60 can be my number. The best advice I can give to any young person is to get your planning started as soon as you get working. Not enough emphasis is placed on retirement planning when kids are still in school. I also believe that our Government loves an aged workforce- keep us working until we drop, pay taxes and they then only have to pay out minimal benefits for a few short years.