For the past four-plus years I have been retired from my lifelong career as a software developer. I was very lucky in both my profession and in the corporations for which I worked. I was well-paid, well treated, well-respected, and got to work with a lot of good people. When I decided to retire I naturally worried that it was a decision I might regret later on,whether due to the absence of a paycheck or a diminished sense of self-worth. So I thought this would be a proper time to reflect on that decision. Of course, everyone is different, everyone finds work more or less fulfilling than do others, and for many, retirement is simply not feasible. I speak only for myself. We appreciate any comments or reflections from those who have recently retired or are considering it.
Pros:
– Waking up every morning and feeling like it’s a holiday.
– Auditing real classes at the University of Texas.
– Being able to post whatever I want on social media without worrying about whether my opinions may make a co-worker or superior feel uncomfortable. As a purely hypothetical example, if I happen to feel that this great nation of ours is in the hands of a stupid, sour, mean-spirited, dangerously egocentric lout who cannot distinguish patriotism from personal loyalty, I can post the following: “I happen to feel that this great nation of ours is in the hands of a stupid, sour, mean-spirited, dangerously egocentric lout who cannot distinguish patriotism from personal loyalty.”
– Not feeling vaguely depressed on Sunday evenings, although for some reason I still feel vaguely exhilarated on Friday afternoons.
– Having time to exercise, read, translate, stare out the window, nap, and write silly blog posts. And that’s just one day.
– Not having to sit through the slightly humiliating annual charade called a “performance review” where my manager and myself both pretend that I am being ranked for the purposes of bonus, raise, and promotion based on the quality of my work, rather than admitting that it’s mainly a function of how well or poorly bonuses, raises and promotions have been funded for the coming year.
– Not having to get up at 6 A.M. to make a conference call along with Rick and Donna to hear Jeff and Courtney’s presentation on…whatever.
– Going to a movie on Wednesday afternoon if I feel like it.
– Visiting my parents as often as I want.
– Not coming home grouchy in the evening and feeling guilty about it later.
Cons:
– No paycheck.
– No longer getting to work with a bunch of people from all over the planet who are conscientious, smart, really nice and very, very good at what they do.
– No feeling of being really needed, once in a while.
– No generous, largely subsidized health-care plan.
– Not ever having a real reason to put on a crisp, starched Oxford pinpoint button-down white shirt, blue silk tie, and that tropical-weight charcoal gray wool suit I bought thirty years ago. Cause I look damn good in a suit. Or at least kind of nice.
Conclusion:
Retirement wins. Not even close.
The Garden of Eaton 