7 Surprising Facts I've Learned About Retirement

More and more people might face a tough time in retirement. Low-paying jobs, inflation, and high rents make it hard to save. Now, middle-class Americans find it tough to own a home too, leaving them without a place to retire.

My hobbies are watching YouTube videos about retirement 🎉🎉🎉

Also 4 years into retirement from a surgical practice...I lived through the same 7 facts, they are real...Being a "young" retiree like Rob, my wife / children / friends are still at work. So I decided to do 3 type of activity during daytime; 2 hrs of studying ( finances, engineering, spanish etc ), 2 hrs of exercices ( mountain hiking with my dogs ), and 2 hrs for expressing an art form ( playing music for ex ). I prioritize taking care of others, seeing friends during evenings and week-ends. Life is great :)

I think the hardest part for me is going to be switching from accumulation to decumulation. Seems like a big psychological hurdle.

Number one issue in retirement is loneliness. I’m a retired firefighter, 5 members of our department committed suicide the past 10 years. The common denominator was loneliness, mixed with alcohol, a deadly combination. Money was not an issue, they were all very well off financially. Concentrate on keeping social connections. Over 55 communities are one option. Residents take care of each other and have many activities. I have worked in many affluent communities. Their retirement years were very sad from what I observed. The larger the mansion, the higher the level of isolation.

Just recently retired and I absolutely do not miss the stress, conference calls at all hours of the night and weekends and nonstop corporate BS! It's like being set free from prison.

Volunteering can be both rewarding and can keep you engaged with others and build friendships.

We got a puppy a month ago as a solution to bordom and loneliness in retirement. Never a dull moment lol

Love adding the emotional and personal side of retirement. You’re the master

After saving for retirement for over 45 years I too have a hard time with the spending side. I found that if I have the mindset I’m spending my children’s inheritance money, not mine, it’s a lot easier to enjoy the spending … haha 😂

1- hobbies are not enough 2-hobbies are not enough unless you enjoy them all the time; perhaps introduce a social component involving other people. (See -6) 3-you were thrifty to get to where you are… now learn to spend and enjoy it! 4-analyze last year: see if you did well and adjust by looking backward. Don’t get wedded to some plan. 5-you get busier. It can actually be stressful. Remember to slow down if you are making yourself unhappy. 6-keep your friends. Don’t lose track. 7-if you have a new goal, don’t concentrate on reaching the end point, instead, enjoy the process, the journey.

My $5m retirement account has gone up only by 2% in the past year due to rebalancing I did out of fear uncertainty and doubt. What are best alternatives to take in other to secure a financially free retirement and achieve ultimate peace? I don’t want to fail after 22 years of working hard.

Retired 2 years ago. I still can't break the frugal/saving mentality. I've not spent a penny of my savings yet. Not bragging, it's a mentality

THANK YOU, Rob, for your personal, shared wisdom. Having watched you for a number of years on YT and your Q&A sessions, hearing your personal reflections is GOLD for us.

After one year of retirement I realized that I don’t need to be in a constant rush - especially when I’m driving to go someplace. It was almost a given that I needed to be driving at least 5 mph over the speed limit. Now after one year into retirement I just get in the slower lane and relax.

Learning to spend was the hardest part for me. But! I found that I had no trouble fully funding Roth accounts for my four sons and their four wives. Five years and about $200K later I convinced myself that I had managed to get them started investing for themselves and I no longer have a problem pulling from my retirement accounts for my own benefit. By trying to teach them to invest for themselves and getting them started, I managed to teach myself to that my investments had a use other than to sit with a high balance at an investment firm.

I retired from corporate executive life 3 years ago. I took up rainforest regeneration (luckily on my doorstep), an activity I love. Keeps me fit, provides routine, and gives a great sense of satisfaction. 4 to 5 hours each morning on weekdays. I also do gym, help with our grandchildren, handyman help for kids, and we take 2 good vacations each year.

Thanks Rob ! Retired a year ago @54yo, . Similar experiences.I've found myself almost living in isolation. Appreciate all your vids.

I retired early at 56, and then moved into related teaching and writing, while also helping my wife care for 2 grandkids weekdays for 9 years (the reason for the early retirement). I'm now in a new phase, looking for how I might be able to make a difference in some other ways. I've just begun to watch your videos and find them very helpful! I affirm this phase in your life, and with many other people I appreciate your willingness to share not only your financial perspectives, but also your life perspectives. Thanks!

Retired day 1. Saved as much as I could, worked longer than I wanted. Retired at 60. Here’s hoping.