I have been retired for one year the 31st of last month. I spent forty-four years in law enforcement, spread over three agencies, two municipal and one county level. I "retired" from the first agency, a major metropolitan police department where I held a supervisory rank, after twenty-two years at the age of forty-nine. Financially a bad idea but I was trying to change careers, didn't like the change and returned to work for a small municipal agency where I, again, made supervisory rank but had to work for idiots. Quit and did some consulting work only to return to work with a county agency for 16 1/2 years where I finally retired at the age of 69. I loved my work and everyone expected retirement to be hard on me (I decided to retire because the county commissioners are idiots, were laying off some people from my function and if I had not retired a younger officer, not eligible to retire, would have had to be laid off). The people that thought I would hate being retired were dead wrong. I love every minute of it.
How do you spend your time?
I keep so busy I can't believe it. I teach a Sunday School class and have written several Bible studies over the years and now I have more time for preparation and writing. My wife and I enjoy each others company, though I do try to stay out of her way for much of the day. We took four vacations last year (don't know what I was vacationing from). I do a lot of photography. I accompany my wife on more visits with her children, grandchildren, great-grand children, etc., in Oklahoma (I note them as hers, though I feel like they are mine, God brought me a wonderful family when she and I married). I do things I missed doing when I worked and still don't know how I had time to work. I am also still a reserve officer with my former agency as well as firearms qualification officer so I work part of a shift occasionally, especially when some of my particular (or peculiar) talents are beneficial to the office.
What might you do differently?
I did a poor job of financial planning, due in part to several failed marriages. I would do better, but God has blessed me in my finances also so we get by.
Have any of your "goals or priorities" changed?
Not really.
Has anyone felt the need to work "part time" aside from financial reasons?
Yes. I am signed up for substitute teaching at a couple of Christian schools, in fact I teach my first classes later this month (in Texas you don't need a teaching certificate to sub).
How has it affected your interests like cycling---or other interests/hobbies you might have?
Cycling is just becoming an interest, for fitness/medical reasons, but I am really liking it. I now have more time for other hobbies like photography/travel.
Who has traveled--and where---especially for cycling vacations?
Haven't done that yet and don't expect to because my wife doesn't ride...yet...and she is my second priority. As noted, we did take four vacations this year. First was visit to Civil War battlegrounds in TN, SC and GA. Also visited a couple of churches where I wanted to hear the preacher. Second, Yellowstone followed by TN again to attend a two day concert. Third, SD to take a couple of friends who had never see Mt. Rushmore. Fourth, cruise to Progresso/Cozumel with church group.
Any words of wisdom or lessons learned from those that have more experience with this retirement thing?
Live each moment with gusto because you don't have any idea how many moments you have.
Who researched areas to move to and actually changed where they lived?
Did some research but my current location offers everything I need. If we didn't have family within two hours of this are, eastern Tennessee sure looks tempting.
Good luck on your future.