Retired at age 51 at the end of 1994....still happy and still a good choice.
Encouraging to hear your perspective. There are so many mixed messages about retirement.
Sure, retirement can be very bad if that means essentially deactivating and withdrawing. But the way I see it, if you have your health and some financial means, then one is free to pursue life and service in a completely different manner.
Retired at 56 because I could. Hated job...it was killing me. Continue to see former colleagues and others who worked beyond the time they could retire found croaked face down on their desks. If one’s identity becomes merged with your job it bodes ill. The only exceptions I’ve seen are very specialized and highly educated people like doctors, scientists,engineers etc.