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I am a retired IT executive with 44 years of experience in IT. I am originally from Virginia and have lived in North Carolina the past 60 years. I am a widower who was married for 57 years to my late wife, Judy. We have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. I volunteer with my church and serve on the board of 2 retiree associations, one of which has more than 50,000 members. I still enjoy golf, travel and taking care of our home and 2 acres of land.
Comments
Thanks Dick. This article may change some people's perspective of the carefree retirement life. I retired at age 66. One of my goals was to play golf several times a week. I took lessons to sharpen my game. I had a series of nagging injuries that year that resulted in me playing far less golf than when I worked. I have been blessed with pretty good health in my 15 years of retirement, but I am on a first name basis with many medical providers. That is the reality of life in our 80s, but I feel blessed. Happy Thanksgiving!
Post: You worked a lifetime, you achieved your goals, you have it all-the next day it hardly matters
Link to comment from November 26, 2025
Thanks Mark. I have a similar background. I grew up in a small Appalachia blue collar town in the 50s. Through God's grace I have been far more successful than I ever dreamed. Success is a relative term, and compared to many on HD, I would not be considered all that successful. But coming from where I started, it was successful for me, and I know many people in my hometown who never got the opportunities that I did. Like you, I avoid talking about my status or success, especially with people in different economic backgrounds.
Post: Bearing Witness: Retirement From the Wrong Side of the Divide
Link to comment from November 26, 2025
Dennis, thanks for an interesting article. One of the downsides of living a long life is losing so many friends and family members along the way. My mother went through this as she lived to be 89. She would have a best friend. Then that friend would die and she would find another best. This cycle repeated itself several times. I am experiencing the same thing at age 81. Life is a series of adjustments, and in old age, we are not immune to that.
Post: What’s Really on My Mind These Days
Link to comment from November 26, 2025
I am sorry. I misunderstood one of your comments.
Post: What would you do if you couldn’t drive?
Link to comment from November 24, 2025
I go to a local gym 2 or 3 times a week. The equipment in the CCRCs I visited, and I visited some with 1,000 residents, had very sparse gym equipment. Only one had an indoor pool. They do have a lot of activities, but they more in the realm of cards, board games, art, etc., none of which interests me. One facility said they had chair yoga. I asked her if they offered regular yoga. She said if they had regular yoga, none of their residents could get up off the floor. Since you do not know me, I do not think you can judge my situation. IMO, whether to do CCRCs or not has a lot of variables, which will result in people making the best decisions for themselves, and one size does not fit all.
Post: What would you do if you couldn’t drive?
Link to comment from November 24, 2025
That is a reality that will eventually confront us who live in surburban areas with limited mass transit. I am 81 and still drive without any problems. Cataract surgery solved the night driving issue a few years ago. My plan would be to move into a CCRC when/if that occurs. I have done my research on CCRCs and know what my options are, but I am much too active to do that now. That is an individual decision that everyone must make for themselves.
Post: What would you do if you couldn’t drive?
Link to comment from November 24, 2025
I live off of my pension and SS. My investments are for my children, both in their 50s. I have to adjust my AA every year as equities continue to go up. But I am comfortable with my investment strategy and AA, and doubt even a bad bear market will change that. If I were a younger retiree living off of my portfolio, I would be much more nervous about things. One thing that could help your mindsight is to look at your market gains over 5 and 10 year periods. That will help you realize that even after a bear market, you are still ahead over those periods.
Post: Is the current stock market anything to be concerned about?
Link to comment from November 23, 2025
This is a great idea for your FIL. I plan a nice inheritance for our two children. One would probably be ok without it, but the other one will need it. We have a special needs grandchild who is now 24. I am considering a special needs trust for her. Not sure about the other two grandchildren. One is a recent college grad who has started her own business and other one will graduate in the Spring from South Carolina with a marketing degree. We have contributed to their college tuition. They no doubt could benefit from an inheritance or perhaps sizable gifts now. I may defer those decisions to my daughter. We gave each child $15k last year and I will likely do the same this year. We put no conditions on the money but encourage them to save some and spend it wisely. They are both in their 50s and the money now can be very helpful to them.
Post: Skipping a Generation
Link to comment from November 21, 2025
This is my understanding as well. Wait until you receive the SSA after you receive the IRMAA notice for that year.
Post: Another IRMAA Question
Link to comment from November 6, 2025
Ruth Chris has really great steaks and great service, and you pay for that. We love it but it is a once a year thing for us.
Post: Three Peas and a Reality Check. (A Very Tiny Rant)
Link to comment from November 5, 2025