Early retirement?

25 responses were published yesterday in response to Straits Times' question 'At what age do you wish to retire, and why?'

I did a brief summary of them. Out of the 25 replies, 7 or 35% targeted 60 as the age they want to retire. At the same time another 7 do not wish to retire at all ie. preferring to work as long as health permits albeit at a slower pace when age catches up. 2 remark that a person should look for a job which one is passionate about so that it does not seem like work quoting Confucius "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." At the other extreme 3 out of 25 want to call it a day at 45 so that they can travel and indulge in their hobbies. To complete the statistical count, another 3 wish to retire at 50, 2 at 55 and 1 at 65. It seem that 60 is the most desired retirement age with a minority targeting to retire younger.

Amongst the reasons for wanting to retire, the most often quoted is the longing to travel, followed by the wish to spend more time with family and the urge to do community or volunteer work. The wish to continue working on the other hand is supported by the need to be socially engaged, to stay relevant, to keep the mind and body alert and to impart their know how.

Placing myself against the above sampling, I belong to the minority having retired below 55. There were more push factors than pull factors in my case. The benefits of early retirement are indeed as described by these people; more frequent travel and more importantly travel without a worried work- burdened mind, certainly more time with family (including extended family) and of course more time for volunteer work.

On the flip side of the coin, although I went on to pursue some studies, I must admit that only a demanding job can keep the mind really rigorous and alert. Even ST journalist Dennis Chan had to admit in today's Sunday Times that nearing 50 he is now no longer so presumptuous as before that his cognitive faculties will forever prevent him from falling prey to swindlers out to cheat old folks of their money. I think the surest way to keep the brain cells active is  having to solve daily work problems. Just a stormy weather forecast from your boss' secretary will keep your brain juice churning summoning all your EQs and IQs  on how best to avoid being caught in the storm. On the other hand one must of course be aware there is a wealth of data to show that stress is harmful to the brains.

At the end of the day I will still opt to enjoy the benefits of retirement, forgo the stress and just find happier ways to stimulate the mind. My only challenge is disciplining myself to engage in daily  activities that keep the brain juice churning and minimise  lazy hobbies like watching TV dramas.