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AK Retiree Club

YY1 said:
Filled out my deferred retirement paperwork this morning.
Thanks to the past few years of inflation, I deemed one more year of working is in my best interest, hence the deferred status.
Will reevaluate next summer.
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Speaking of inflation, the ECB raised the benchmark rate in the EU by 25 bps as an inflationary curb. This is first rate hike by the ECB since 2023. Won't affect me much, all that I posses in France and Luxembourg is paid in full, no loans, and food inflation does not affect me much as I only here ~ 70 days per year since 2023. Down in Nairobi, even w/ inflation the cost of food is a pittance as compared to any EU state, the UK, and especially USA. Houses (two) in Kenya are also paid in full, thus no loans outstanding anywhere @ Global North or Global South for me.
 
YY1 said:
Filled out my deferred retirement paperwork this morning.
Thanks to the past few years of inflation, I deemed one more year of working is in my best interest, hence the deferred status.
Will reevaluate next summer.
Click to expand...
And I just saw this @ Trading Economics:

U.S. Inflation Rate

The annual inflation rate in the US rose to 4.2% in May 2026, marking its highest level since April 2023, from 3.8% in April and in line with market expectations. This represents the third consecutive monthly acceleration in headline inflation, with energy costs jumping 23.5% (vs 17.9% in April), due to the energy shock triggered by the conflict with Iran.
 
Oh my, which way will the market go today? I think there is once again "kinetic" activity @ Persian Gulf @ this time, so ......
 
Highest inflation since April 2023 wow
It was far worse during 2021 to 2024 but memories focus on today which makes sense
Being retried and not driving much, I don’t notice much difference
There has been a lot of inflation and tough times in the last 70 years and for me,
I personally don’t think things are that bad in retrospect
Inflation was 9.1% 2022 that was real bad comparatively
 
Middle Earth said:
Highest inflation since April 2023 wow
It was far worse during 2021 to 2024 but memories focus on today which makes sense
Being retried and not driving much, I don’t notice much difference
There has been a lot of inflation and tough times in the last 70 years and for me,
I personally don’t think things are that bad in retrospect
Inflation was 9.1% 2022 that was real bad comparatively
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Inflation rate hit 9.1% for one month in 2022, not the whole year. Still not great.

"The U.S. inflation rate for 2022 averaged 8.0% annually, peaking at a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022 before cooling down to finish the year at 6.5%."

For the years 2021 to 2024 the inflation rates were:

  • 2021: Average 4.7% (End-of-year: 7.0%)
  • 2022: Average 8.0% (End-of-year: 6.5%)
  • 2023: Average 4.1% (End-of-year: 3.4%)
  • 2024: Average 2.9% (End-of-year: 2.9%
 
TomD62 said:
Inflation rate hit 9.1% for one month in 2022, not the whole year. Still not great.

"The U.S. inflation rate for 2022 averaged 8.0% annually, peaking at a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022 before cooling down to finish the year at 6.5%."

For the years 2021 to 2024 the inflation rates were:

  • 2021: Average 4.7% (End-of-year: 7.0%)
  • 2022: Average 8.0% (End-of-year: 6.5%)
  • 2023: Average 4.1% (End-of-year: 3.4%)
  • 2024: Average 2.9% (End-of-year: 2.9%
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Agree, the more you look the worse it looks
2022 was brutal
As you probably know, any inflation numbers from 1983 to the present are far higher than historical inflation numbers, in reality, as they cooked the calculation metrics. So it is worse now than reported and was insane bad in 2022
Since I can’t retirement flex, and live comfortably on Social Security benefits, the biggest effect on me is how the COLA gets calculated, so the hot air balloon in which I am riding is slowly losing altitude, so in order to maintain altitude I have to ditch purchases or subscriptions that are not worth it to me.
 
TomD62 said:
Inflation rate hit 9.1% for one month in 2022, not the whole year. Still not great.

"The U.S. inflation rate for 2022 averaged 8.0% annually, peaking at a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022 before cooling down to finish the year at 6.5%."

For the years 2021 to 2024 the inflation rates were:

  • 2021: Average 4.7% (End-of-year: 7.0%)
  • 2022: Average 8.0% (End-of-year: 6.5%)
  • 2023: Average 4.1% (End-of-year: 3.4%)
  • 2024: Average 2.9% (End-of-year: 2.9%
Click to expand...
I retired in December of 2022 which was not an optimal time for my portfolio. However since I chose the lump sum option before it was impacted by the rise in interest rates I saved myself from experiencing an even more significant loss than the market being down about 18% that year.
 
The orig meaning of "retired" was a mil term, indicating a break in the fighting/a rest, then to go at it again...with renewed effort.

So, what are the thoughts of still remaining the "game" or going back to it, as a consultant, or some short term contracts?

I've been deliberating over doing some part time efforts, either setting up my own firm (small time) or doing some ever so often time fills-ins, as I know there's a market and the companies don't have to worry about health plans/union/holiday pay/training/etc.

Working from home now, seems to be the thing to do now, without having to report into an office-like environment or on going meetings.

Perspectives?

Q
 
I have done a little consulting for a customer since I retired. It involves driving to the site for 7:00 AM, meeting with the instrument technicians to review the scope of work, and then instructing them and answering questions to ensure a successful installation. While the money is great, I am viewing my time in a different way and not sure I will do this consulting again. I have been very fortunate with my investments over the last four decades and don't really need the money. YMMV.
 
Olle said:
I love being retired.
Of course. I am under new management being married and all.
Just returned from a 3 week trip to Norway. Rented a camper and drove about 3,000 miles.
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Great to read that some "love" this new status of being. :thumbsup:

Some of my cohorts from the past identified so closely with their occupations/endeavours, that when they finished up their time at the "Work Wheel" they tended to lose a lot of who they were...esp those in an administrative role.

Since then I've read that this "termination of work", and all the responsibilities that went with their jobs left a scar that never healed, leaving them wanting and listless. Some even had to obtain counselling in order to deal with this occupational separation that happens in some cases.


And, there are still times that I tend to miss some of the comradery that went with some of my past vocations. But, I'll sit down, have a coffee, take the dog for a walk, or call someone I haven't done so in while.

Q
 
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Not a huge surprise for me, as not going to work or running a business is perfect for me, but my goal was to have a structured retirement. But, that felt more like work and was not sustainable or enjoyable. I do have a routine for diet, sleep and physical activity, as that promotes health-span. But otherwise I just do what I want when I want and once I gave up on the notion of my idealized retirement I happily minimizing stress and smelling the roses and it suits me real good. Just talked to a guy at church in his early 70s who is still working more than “full-time” and he loves it. We are all different and if I got bored that would not be optimal and I would figure that out. The last few years have been great for me.
Mystic said:
I am -- mostly -- fond of my retirement but on some days it does get a bit boring ... but then so also was -- often enough -- the workplace(s).
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Middle Earth said:
Not a huge surprise for me, as not going to work or running a business is perfect for me, but my goal was to have a structured retirement. But, that felt more like work and was not sustainable or enjoyable. I do have a routine for diet, sleep and physical activity, as that promotes health-span. But otherwise I just do what I want when I want and once I gave up on the notion of my idealized retirement I happily minimizing stress and smelling the roses and it suits me real good. Just talked to a guy at church in his early 70s who is still working more than “full-time” and he loves it. We are all different and if I got bored that would not be optimal and I would figure that out. The last few years have been great for me.
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As it happens, my retired life in Nairobi is far LESS structured than the same in France and ... yep ... I am far more content in Nairobi.
 
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