Retired and Living My Dream Life

       Last week I explained about my choices for retirement when I was 62: continue working for three years (or more), continue working and collect Social Security benefits, or quit working and receive Social Security benefits.

These are choices that most people make after they turn 60. Things may change, but by the time we turn 60, we will be facing some form of this decision.

My decision was based on what I really wanted to do with my life. I mean, deep -- down in my soul -- desire to do.

That desire is to write. Specifically to write novels.

Thus the third word of my blog's title: writing.

I wrote my first novel when I was 16. It was a dreadful thing based on the books I'd been reading about Fu Manchu, an evil Chinaman. It was, therefore, fan fiction. It's called The Table is the Master and features 12 hapless tourists to Hong Kong who are kidnapped and forced to play roulette (I guess this seemed torturous to me at the time) until only one of them is the winner. Supposedly the others would die.

Hey. I said it was dreadful. Full disclosure!

I had a great time writing it. I had to learn about roulette, at least the numbers on the wheel, and I made slips of paper with each number and color that I pulled out to insert into the story. I did not consider getting an actual roulette wheel. (Probably the potential explanation to  parents still living in the house was a deterrent.)

It didn't matter that I knew nothing about the city where the characters were trapped because all the action took place in one room. I don't recall if they had access to bedrooms or a bathroom, or showers. So probably it was a stinky room after a while.

I sat at the desk in my brother's room where the only typewriter in our house lived. I typed every page of that story on that typewriter. I was always wondering what would happen next, what the characters would say to each other, how they would react to this forced imprisonment. It was like reading a story, wondering about the ending. What happens next? Except, this story was being written by me, so I determined what happened next.

What a joy!

I wrote another novel in my twenties, a historical romance, and a historical mystery in my forties. During my life, I wrote over 25 short stories and a few children's books.

Hmm. Seeing a pattern?

Truthfully, I haven't been able to stop. (Topic for another blog post.) I constantly imagine characters, settings, plots.

For most of my life, I've had to set aside time to work on stories. Even if they came to me fast and furious, like my story "The Honorable Nephew", I still had to leave them to go to work. They never were my work.

Since I turned 62 and could receive my Social Security benefits, I have been able to write every day for as long as I want. I have published one novel and a play for children to perform. I'm working on several novels; either planning them (I love planning!), revising and polishing them, or researching for them. I've completed two novellas, a fantasy novel, and a book that follows the one already published. Thus, I have a series!

I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world: I have lived long enough to receive retirement benefits, I am now enjoying my work as a novelist every single day, I have good enough health to probably live another 30 years. Plenty of time for a career!

Is there a dream life for you? Can you live it now, or must you wait? Either one is fine!

Have a lucky, joy-filled week, whatever your age!

Retirement and Me

I am officially "retired" from paying day jobs.

At 61 I was working part-time at an assisted living facility as the Program Director. I really liked that job. I helped people every day and I was always learning something new.

For example, I learned how to set a banquet table (thanks Val!), how to conduct a book club and Bible study (thanks Carol and Martin!), and how to announce Bingo numbers without getting distracted (thanks Boogy!).

However, some of my duties were becoming boring, like making popcorn for afternoon movie time. And I was growing weary of folding and lifting wheelchairs into vehicles.

Someone mentioned to me that I could actually '"retire" at age 62 – that is, receive Social Security benefits. I don't recall exactly, but this person might have been one of the residents at the center, probably hoping, after another botched batch of popcorn, that I'd move on.

Anyway, a wee bit of investigation later, I discovered that:

1. I could begin receiving Social Security benefits at 62, and

2. The monthly amount I would receive at 62 was a few dollars less than what I would receive if I waited until 65, and

3. The monthly amount I would receive was equal to my salary at my part-time day job.

Hmm.

Quick calculations!

I could receive retirement payments at 62 and quit my day job, and stay home to do what I really love.

Down side?

Well, sure, if I stayed at work and received those payments, I'd make twice as much to take home. If I continued working and waited until I was 65, I'd fill my pockets with even more money.

What would you decide? Would that change for you at a different age?

If you read the first post in my blog, you know I'm 65. What do you think I decided?

Stop by next Monday to find out. Meantime, whatever your age, have a lovely, kindly week!