So today, Feb 1st, is the first Monday in which:
My time is now my own to do what I want 
Congrats!! Welcome to 40-Tude Inc. All day, every day.
Congrats. I am a good 6 months into not working and I don’t miss a thing. Woke up, made some French toast for wife and I, went on a bike ride, weeded some vegetable beds, tended to the cat boxes, showered, and it’s not even noon. I will be ready for that afternoon nap 
Calendaring is an early casualty of retirement.
Dame Maggie Smith FTW.
There are multiple “Best feelings in the world” moments every day! They start with waking up at the usual time, and thinking that it’s time to go to work, followed immediately by the psychologically orgasmic sensation that you do not. 5yrs. for me now. Still occurs couple x/week. Still orgasmic. Roll over… til what you thought was a couple minutes, and it’s 9-9:30. All ya can do is quietly chuckle.
Coffee is like Sunday morning every day. 3x reload. Plan “a” training session… maybe a 2nd session in the afternoon. By now, it’s time to unload after coffee3. Quiet house, basement or master bathroom… Wonderful choices.
It’s near 10:30 -11? Training session #1. Long shower. No rush. Go ahead, crack that 4th egg for late breakfast - there will be a 2nd workout later.
While digesting, ponder… Lawn?-no. Snow?-no. Chore(s)?-no. Project?-meh. Trip to Depot? - “If I hit the Depot, I can hit the coffee shop too.”
I could go on for days. Quit work!
My advice to all the youngsters is pay attention to maximize the money you get from pensions, social security, 401k, inheritance, property, and investments. You don’t want to miss out on any nickel due to you. I punched out at 60 and limped along on my wife’s health policy till Medicare kicked in. She is younger than me. She took Cobra till her Medicare went in. Trust me we worked the system pretty hard. I was high 3 of the last 5 years income retirement pension.Boy Howdy did I ever clock in the OT for 3 of the 5 last years.
Then what to do when you retire. Trust me when you are in your mid 70s life ain’t as easy as your 60s. Old things start happening to the old bones, joints, muscles and even your heart. Look at the Monty, Dave Scott, Tinley, Mark Allen, Molina and the boys cardiac records. Things that make you go hmmmm? Almost to the person of my old training mates have some heart related issues now in their 70s. And new hips and knees are on some of their platters. We all thought our hearts were in such good shape they would beat a couple years after we were dead. Come to find out huge amounts of exercise over many years may not be so good for cardiovascular health.
So much for Debbie Downer. What to do now that everyday is Saturday?
Wake up, walk the dog, have a cup or two o Joe and a light breakfast. Either bike, go to gym, hike or swim depending weather. Or house chores am, work out afternoon. Do something with spouse most every day. Get a nap in there most every day. If I am tired a day off can be scheduled any time. Day drinking can be fun and the pub is quiet around noon or so. Doggo is always good for a walk or hike if you get bored. Summers there is always fly fishing. Racing smaching, I don’t care how far or fast I go. No power meter, speedometer or even Strava. I just go out on the pleasure machine cycle. Or swim till I am done. Then there is Dr. DDS, haircuts, grocery shopping, massage appointments to keep.I do read a bunch of books now I have the time.
I used to hate BTOs Taking Care of Business song, now I live it. And Bob Dylans “keep on keeping on”, is a daily mantra.
Man, you’re killing me. We recently realized that I could theoretically punch out any time , thanks to Mrs. Ti’s wise management of finances and a little luck.* That realization is definitely seeping into my attitude towards my job, which on balance I still enjoy doing. Your account of life on the other side sounds mighty appealing and it’s affecting my math. Congratulations on getting it done right and setting yourselves up for a nice future!
*not intended to be a brag of any kind.
That is the other thing, punch out as soon as you can. No guarantee on anything. My lawyer and old HS friend died last weekend. Like the old saying I wish I could have had another day at work says no one’s last words.
I could too. As could my director. We were discussing this the other day how we both like our jobs, we like who we work with, our jobs are fairly easy, though sometimes busy. They pay for me to travel where I want to go to anyway, and I can generally add time for personal travel, and they pay me Silicon Valley money to live in Tennessee. Plus, I can make my own schedule for the most part.
That’s a good setup you have.
For me, there were a few things that came together for me to pivot…
So far, so good.
My calendar simply changed. Now it is full for months with the grands soccer games, swim meets, school events .. and our hikes, excursions, trips, social events and volunteer activities.
It’s pretty much the only reason I moved to Tennessee in 2012. Didn’t want to start over with more restrictions (vacation/office hours/flexibility/etc.) after 22 years. Coming up on 36 years in April.
The other reason to keep working is I don’t know where I want to live. Though if I quit the law firm, I could go work for the racehorse company or for @E_DUB, but neither can afford me.
Maybe E_DUB could set you up in Tuscany to open up the slowtwitch endurance horse racing division? Horses must have some slowtwitch fibers, no?
I could go for that. I’d even accept Southern France.
You are priceless
The artificial limits on IRA and 401k contributions have been the main limiter for me. Right now I can’t even contribute to my Roth IRA due to income limits unless I do a conversion.
I live well below my means but when I retire someday, a fair portion of my wealth will be outside those tax advantaged accounts.
There’s a good chance I’ll retire outside the U.S. though. We’ll see what health care looks like
FWIW I love my line of work and I would be bored without it.
Retired @ 60, 2 yrs ago.
Moved to the coast.
The days go so so quickly now.
I have many hobbies.
Wife & I train after breakfast, usually starting around 9am for anywhere from 20-30mins (lake swim) to 60-90mins (ride, brick). No long stuff any more.
Then maybe some home chores (garden etc).
Model building - I spend hours doing this.
Fishing (for a few hours almost every day)
Watch documentaries/movies/series
Lots more travel, sometimes involving a race, nearly always involving fishing.
Bit over the pressure of racing now but still enjoy the regular training. Much more riding on the mtb now as our new location is far less road cycling friendly. Mtb when I go off-road is my highest intensity workout.
Same here. But what day of the week the event is on remains a mystery.
You’re very fortunate to have a pension.