To Stay or to Move? That Is the Question.

Dear Ellie:

My husband and I have been thinking about our home. We are both in our early 60s and preparing to retire in a few years. We look at the ads in the newspaper for retirement communities, and they look very attractive. Some of our friends have sold their homes, bought condos, and downsized into these communities. We love our spacious home, our neighborhood, and our many possessions. The mortgage on our house is paid off, and it does not cost very much for upkeep. Should we be planning to move into a smaller space? Or should we stay in our own home? Anne

Dear Anne:

There is a lot of pressure on retirees to sell their longtime homes and move into a smaller space, either in a retirement community, apartment complex, or town home. Friends or family members may push them to do that when their children have grown up and left. Read More >>

I Married Him for Better or for Worse...but Not for Lunch!

Dear Ellie:

I have been retired for a few years and my husband just retired a few months ago. I can’t believe how difficult it is having him home all the time. I can’t get anything done. He’s always in the way. I don’t feel free to go out with my friends, to shop, or to go to meetings as I have done all during my married life, even when I was working. He’s driving me crazy! What suggestions do you have? Barbara

Dear Barbara:

I have heard this complaint from women many times. When husbands retire and are home all day, a woman’s domain seems to have gained an intruder. As they say, “I married him for better or for worse…but not for lunch!”  Read More >>

Is Early Retirement a Good Idea?

Dear Ellie:

I am in my late 50s and my friends are already talking about retirement. I have worked for a state government agency for almost 30 years and have the option of retiring early (by age 62), waiting until I am 65, or putting off retirement until I am 70. My retirement pay would increase the longer I work. How should I make this decision? Mary Sue

Dear Mary Sue:

You are very fortunate to have a good retirement plan with your state employer. And you are especially fortunate to have so many choices of when to retire. Read More >>

Retired...No Outside Hobbies...What Do I Do?

Dear Ellie:

I have recently retired from a university where I have been on the faculty for more than 20 years. I was always involved with my students and faculty committees and never had time to develop any outside hobbies. My wife still works. I am home alone and really bored. What shall I do? John B.

Dear John:

I have been on a number of university faculties and know how students, campus life, and committees can eat up all your time. The university has a life of its own and tends to create one’s social circle. Read More >>

Afraid to Retire

Dear Ellie:

I am almost 60 years old, and the people in my office are always asking me when I plan to retire. I’ve started to go to the retirement planning workshops that my company offers, but to tell you the truth, I’m scared to retire. What should I do? Betty W.

Dear Betty:

First of all, let me say that most people that I know are “scared to retire.” Most of us have anxiety about the unknowns in our lives. That’s natural. And retirement is a very big step. Read More >>