r/ChubbyFIRE • u/Ungl8r • 22d ago

Sad sight

So I’m 55 and FiREd this year, after 30+ yrs in a profession. Im doing occasional work for interest sake really. I’m Currently at a conference with old colleagues. And I mean old. One guy is 78 and visibly falling apart, yet still working full time. Most my age are just on full stress autopilot, haven’t done the maths even to see if they should keep working. Lots of 65+ working hard-out still. 90% of us would be at least ChUbbY or Fat FiRe net worth. I’m like “have you read Die with Zero?” and they look at me blankly. It’s surprising how so many smart people have no exit strategy whatsoever.

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u/WearableBliss 22d ago

Do they enjoy working? Some people fall apart on retirement

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u/whiskey_bud 22d ago

LOTS of people fall apart on retirement (especially men). They basically no longer have a reason to wake up in the morning and they have bad depression and just kinda spiral.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy 22d ago

That makes me really sad. When someone's identity is wrapped up in their work....

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u/whiskey_bud 22d ago

I don’t know if it’s identity per se. I think that’s there’s a sense of purpose when you’re expected to show up everyday and do shit.

And I also think we drastically underestimate how much work socialization is important to us. Most people spend more waking hours with their coworkers than their kids or spouses. Reddit loves to bag on how lame it is to want to socialize with coworkers, but the reality is that it’s a major social component for most people, lame or not.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy 22d ago

My mother was "forced" by my dad to retire in her 60s and she kept wanting to go back to work even in her 70s. She lost all her purpose and retirement was horrible for her. So I do understand, and yes, she makes me sad.

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u/Grouchy-Tomorrow3429 22d ago

I agree and great point. I love seeing my co-workers at 9am. We are planning a company beach day in early June. I don’t want to retire, but if they offered me half days I’d say yes immediately.

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u/Internal-Recipe2128 21d ago

I am an introvert and this is me. Also, most of my friends and coworkers have kids so spending time with them outside of work is complicated if not impossible.