[fintstone]

Originally Posted by TimT

This is timely.. Next week I turn 61..and have been working for the same company for 38 years.. we are an employee owned company.. so I have an ESOP we do construction management, and specialize in Bridges/Highways....

My latest assignment takes me to one of the worst neighborhoods in NYC ( and I've worked in some crappy areas)... And since COVID.... so many more people are driving rather than use public transportation.. the commute is unbearable..

So the other day I had a sit down with my boss... And told him Jan 28th would be my last day...We had good long talk as we've know each other for 30 years... He told me we just won a new contract close to my home... about a years duration...

So I'm going to retire at 62....

Last Year my Esop grew almost 70K

Last year my 401K grew almost 205K

so just by showing up to work I can add potentially 275K to my nest egg, which is beside my salary for living expenses...

So it benefits me in the long run to work..

I'll run the number next year and decide..

That is almost exactly what I did. I was about the same age and was offered similar. I stayed an extra year (almost 2) which really helped financially. Much like you, they allowed me to work much closer to home (I previously had a 2-hour commute). So close, that I did not even have to leave home. I did not physically go back to work again for almost 2 years and mailed my computer and cell phone back when I retired (never went back and had a "virtual" retirement ceremony). No suits to lean and no commute costs really helped financially as well. It sounds too good to be true, but working from home just turned into long, long hours where I could do even less of what I wanted (as some tasks were more difficult and there is no "end" of the day, so I ended up working late every night and every weekend. I really wanted to visit my grandkids and spend time with them, but when we did, I had to take my equipment and work the entire time. My net worth has increased significantly as expected. So far, I am glad I waited, but I assume/pray I have another 20 years to play. I hope that is really the case.