Embracing Retirement: My Journey to a New Chapter at 60

Retirement is often thought of as a later life decision, but in my case, it came much earlier than planned. I ‘retired’ five months before my 60th birthday, after a tumultuous and complex journey involving job redundancy, personal challenges, and health considerations.

Job Redundancy and Unemployment

After serving for almost 23 years, my job was unexpectedly made redundant. Initially, I was hesitant to accept this news, but through my personal assistant, I discovered an ulterior motive behind it. My new female boss wanted me to leave to make room for her youngest daughter, who would take over some of my responsibilities. The situation was compounded by rumors of a romantic misdeed involving the head of HR, which was said to have influenced the decision. However, upon further investigation, the company refused to employ the daughter, leading to my early redundancy.

At the time of my redundancy, I was 59, and my age was cited as an obstacle to employment. Despite the initial setbacks, I held out hope for a few years, as my husband had also been retrenched due to affirmative action. Eventually, life events forced my hand, and I retired early at 59.

Military Retirement

My military career, which spanned 30 years in the Air Force Reserve, came to an unforeseen end due to a manning slot that the Air Force Reserve wanted. Additionally, I had an order for one year of active duty, which could have potentially granted me an active duty pension at age 56. However, the Air Force Reserve ordered me out to free up the slot. This decision was a significant blow to my plans and led to my forced retirement at the age of 53.

The process of transitioning out of the military was not without its challenges, but it also presented an opportunity for me to resume a different career path. Simultaneously, I faced additional responsibilities and care obligations within my family.

Family Responsibilities and Caregiving

One of the biggest challenges I faced was taking care of my wife’s autistic brother, who was in his late twenties but had the mental capacity of a two-year-old. Standing at 6'5" and non-verbal, he could be quite a behavior problem, especially when refusing to comply with instructions or engaging in actions that could harm himself or others. Given the advanced age and deteriorating health of his parents, the responsibility of caring for him fell on me to a significant extent. All this added to the pressure and complexity of my personal life.

Karate Studio and Professional Fulfillment

While my primary focus was on retirement and transitioning to a different lifestyle, I also had a successful karate studio to run until the age of 55. Having accomplished everything that was possible in martial arts, I was determined not to compromise on standards for financial gains. By the end of my time at the studio, I decided to step away entirely and focus on other aspects of my life.

However, my passion for martial arts continued, and I continued to judge for the state of Illinois for several years, ending in 2014. This allowed me to stay connected to the martial arts community while moving on to new chapters in my life.

The Benefits of Early and Late Savings

Reflecting on the years that led to my early retirement, it is clear that careful financial planning and foresight played a crucial role. My wife and I decided to avoid purchasing a more expensive home, opting instead to live in a modest home. This decision, combined with my wife’s profession in the medical field, allowed us to save and invest more of our income, particularly during and after my military career. Today, the benefits of these savings are evident, providing a solid financial foundation for our new chapter in life.

Embracing retirement at 60 was not without its challenges, but the combination of preparation, family support, and careful financial management ultimately made it a smooth transition. I am now enjoying the freedom and fulfillment that this new chapter brings, having left both the military and karate behind but not without taking the lessons and passions from these experiences into my retirement.