Retired, and Back Full Time...

by Walter
(Sunny Florida)

I had retired from the federal government and was working part-time as a management consultant in Washington, DC.

It was the best of all worlds. I could choose my own clients and travel if and when I wanted to. For one week of work, I could earn as much money per month as I had previously earned in a full time job.

Then my father died and my mother needed more attention and care than I could give her from 1,100 miles away. My alma mater university in my home time had approached me about a full-time position and a neighbor had called me about buying my home. A move back home seemed inevitable.

I've been in the full-time job now for 10 years and thought I would be retired for good by now.

I have at least two outside volunteer interests that could consume all my time and more if I let them. But the truth is, I love managing and running an office. I love the feeling of doing good for my school that provided me a first-rate education and a background for a wonderful career. I love getting a paycheck that lets me provide generously for my family and take fabulous vacations every year.

Every time I think about retiring and realize that I would have to downscale my lifestyle significantly, I push my retirement date further ahead into the future.

One of my colleagues at another college in another state wanted to retire when he was 70 years old, but has been talked into staying for four years. This time, at age 74, he says that he is finally quitting at the end of the year.

There is only a seven year age difference between him and me, and, like him, I am determined to hang it all up when I'm 70, if not before.

Unless, of course, I get a second wind and decide to keep going as long as they'll have me.