I turned in my notice last December. I thought I would miss it and oddly enough, I don’t. I am not of traditional retirement age, but thanks to good investments and my wife’s company having an excellent family plan I was able to retire a few years early. I could have stayed, but what would be the point. Simply put I had enough. The difference in my health today is amazing. I’ve lost weight, reduced the meds I’m on significantly and my blood pressure is back to normal. Most important I have a much better outlook on life. I pop on here at least once a month to see if anything’s changed and sadly enough, it doesn’t seem so.
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Took advantage of the VIP offer in 2020 and retired at 55 with 33 years of service. I have no regrets. Both my 401k and lump sum IRA have increased nicely so far this year, giving me more comfort with my decision to retire earlier than I had originally planned. The pandemic changed my outlook on life and time became a much more valuable commodity.
Some advice ...free.. try to separate leaving Ford from retiring, at least I did that. You know when you know. Leaving Ford felt like an essential thing I had to do for my health and happiness from the years of selling my soul out to what was expected, promoted, and what I tolerated daily which I have to own.
Perhaps my experience was unique but the freedom after 30+ years is amazing. You can earn more money, or not. 35 years at Ford was a fantastic experience overall but drudgery and theater the last several years.
I agree with all posts listed above. I retired back in '08 (during the financial meltdown) at the age of 49 after 30 years of service and I never regretted it either. Retirement is a personal decision and no two cases are exactly the same. Life is short, I say get out while you can. I've seen too many people wait and then end up dying or having a medical condition within a year or two. I became widowed 6 years after I retired which was sad, but you have to keep it going somehow. My kids are grown and have moved on. I'm not a rich man, but I live a comfortable lifestyle. The way I see it, I've been in the plus column for 13 years now. You can always go back to work and make some extra money if you want, but you can't go back and make extra time.
My health has been declining the last few years and I am only in my mid 50's. Stress and long hours sitting in worthless meetings is starting to take its toll. I was waiting to see if a buyout was coming but have decided I am done with the poisonous atmosphere that is Ford. I will be putting in for early retirement in the next couple of months.
Agree - I took the PRP in 2018 at age 58. No regrets - conservative investments have been earning more than my salary so why work!
My last several positions at Ford were almost no stress/easy money - so I have not had to recover my health as others have stated. I do work out consistently now - no excuses anymore.
If you can, get out ASAP. Some folks need their job/career to define themselves and will work forever. To each his own.
Life Is Good, I have to agree. Left Dec 2020. I don't know if it was the workload, bosses, PR machine, CEO performances, or just the 'new' Ford culture does not fit with my old school brain. Work from home was no fun at all with my favorite Ford people not around. Now the air is cleaner, the birds are singing, health is better. The financials don't seem to matter you make it work to get your life back.
The only advice I've ever gotten from retirees is retire as soon as you can.
I took the PRP in 2018 and I'm not regretting it one bit. Like the OP my health is so much better. worked at over a dozen companies before I landed at Ford very late in my career. Very good environment if you get a good LL6. First two were excellent, the last three were really bad.
Good for you OP! We all need to invest in our health to ensure a long healthy retirement!
Too many of my prior coworkers retired too late and as a result did not have a good retirement.
We have observed coworkers having an average 2 years of a good retirement before death or poor health. The saddest was a coworker who died in the office bathroom right after his retirement lunch.
Stress is a silent ki---r, it destroys your health. If you can retire, do so and enjoy life!