My husband and I went to dinner with friends recently and about half way through the meal I was asked, "So, Jen, when are you going to hang it up?" Meaning, when was I planning to retire.
This was the first time in my life when someone asked me that question seriously. All previous conversations surrounding retirement have been just small talk, nothing serious or even real. More day dreamy, really. But this time was different. My friend really wanted to know and by asking the question so seriously he made me realize that retirement was closer than I thought. Really close, in fact.
The problem is I can't really pick a date because there are too many variables floating around. I've saved for retirement as best I could, but who knows how much I'll really need, or how long I'll live.
I really like my job, and plan to stick with it as long as I can. But what if something changes and I decide to leave? Do I really want to start all over again someplace else? What if my health throws me a challenge or two, what if my kids need me, or my in-laws? What if my investments suddenly and unexpectedly produce a whopping return of 50 percent? Wouldn't that be nice.
I think I'm not ready to answer the R question just yet. It would be smart financially if I stuck with the working world until 65 or 67, but anything could change before then.
For now, it's work as usual. And that reminds me, I have a job I have to get back to. I have a future retirement to fund.
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