Retirement: The question has been asked a lot lately.
Posted By RichC on June 23, 2024
Brenda and I have been asked several times recently … “are you retired?” The most recent for me was at my yearly wellness physical by my PCP. I’m not really sure how to answer the question since there hasn’t really been a definitive “we are retiring” moment for either of 
us.
I “work from home” in my office nearly everyday just as I have ever since COVID-19 when the pandemic prevented sales people from visiting customers. During that time it became increasingly difficult to handle the printing side of the business, but really it has been years since I made cold calls. I’ve done little to solicit new customers for either the printing and publishing side, or the “web hosting” side of Consolidated Printing and Publishing Co.
On the other hand, I still answer the phone, handle what I can remotely and outsource whatever printing comes in as needed. I still file sales tax returns, yearly tax returns and keep the business in good standing. Come to think about it … this is exactly what I imagined doing as retirement approaches. Nowadays I spend the majority of the day focused on investing and trading, keeping the servers up-to-date, invoicing and handling the dwindling number of existing customers’ needs who remain. I still enjoy talking with customers I’ve known for decades and find that I look forward to the weekday mornings (financial market openings) rather than the weekend mornings (home and yard chores). In fact, I feel less productive and guilty if I’m not trading stocks, writing call options, attending conference calls or webinars, etc … or am taking too much time away from “the office” (ie. trips in the winter). Hm … so am I retired? I don’t think so … at least not yet. 😊
Brenda is equally on the fence regarding the “did you retire question?” She stopped working due to her hip with every intention to go back (probably should have applied for medical leave — oh well). Then after surgery, stretched out the rehab and enjoyed taking some extra time in Florida.
We’ve now both hit the 65 years old milestone, which means out of pocket health insurance has given way to Medicare — we’ve opted to start with a Medicare Advantage plan since it seemed like a continuation of our existing health insurance that we’d recently become “way too familiar with.” Although our FRA Social Security is still a couple more years away, having buttoned up the health insurance worries that we had when under 65 was a big relief, especially with Brenda’s ongoing osteoporosis concerns and treatment.
Still, Brenda is actively working to strengthen her bones, getting in much better shape through exercise and is working a few days volunteering at a local non-profit. That’s been great all the way around. Still she is reluctant to give up her pharmacy licenses (Ohio and Florida – see below) … so she keeps up with continuing education and still contemplates working part time, if that were ever possible. Who knows?
Comments