Genesia said:

psst....I think you just volunteered....
[Edited 12/16/08 11:59am]

He sounds like the lady my Mom works with. She is more than able to retire,but I think she continues to work,because she really has nothing else to do. She has no family.Her daughter,grandchild,son in law,and soon to be other grandchild all died in a car crash. I think the only friends that she has are the ones at the hospital that just deal with her. So I think she just does it cause there is nothing else that she can think of to do.

Genesia said:

Believe me, this guy is more than able to retire. If you read through my earlier posts, you'll see that the guy is financially eligible for retirement. Sure, his personal savings may not be what he wants, but he has the funds for retirement (even with the stock market and economy not doing well).

I don't have a problem with him working. My problem is when the person becomes a pain-in-the-ass to his fellow co-workers and becomes extremely hard to get along with. This guy has been moved to several different department within the last 5 years because people don't get along with him. He is a very good worker, but is just a pain-in-the-ass.

BTW, I hope and pray that I can retire by the time I hit 65. I don't ever want to be the person that dies at work. Nor do I want to be the person that dies shortly after retirement. I pray that I can retire nicely and be able to enjoy life and be healthy enough to lead a full life at that age.

daPrettyman said:

How do you know he has the funds? Are you his retirement fund manager? (In which case, you shouldn't be posting that information.)

My feeling is that if he were as big a pain as you say, he would have been let go a long time ago. You say the boss likes him. I wonder why? Maybe because he knows his job and does it...without the special "kid glove" treatment that so many younger workers expect? (Believe me, I see this every day. Whiny little candyasses.) Maybe he expects to be shown a little respect for his knowledge and years of service? (Something a lot of younger workers seem resentful of giving.)

Something tells me this guy is giving as good as he gets. Think about it.

Genesia said:

I know the guy has funds because the company I work for is a privately held company. The employees receive a percentage of all of the company's profits. Even if his personal account is not where he wants it, his ESOP is PHAT.

I know people that have retired within the last year that all tell me that they have between 2 and 5 million in their ESOP accounts. Most of them have only been with the company between 15 and 20 years. Those who have been here longer have more than that. So, I KNOW his retirement is in pretty good shape. By the time you factor in his Social Security, retirement from his previous job (which he has told us he still has) and his ESOP, he is in great shape. Not to mention what may be in his 401K.

I don't think I mentioned that this guy has been transferred between different departments because other bosses don't get along with him. He is a stubborn guy and is hard to work with. My supervisor likes him for other reasons. Not because he is good at his job and is dependable. He likes him because he does a lot of things my manager should be doing in my department. My manager has only been here for 2 years and doesn't do much. He is always joking that he will pawn off his work on other people (which he usually does). He's a nice guy, just lazy.

Sometimes it's not about funds why people choose to stay and work...some people feel that retirement will be their doom, their end.

I knew a guy that died on his way home from his retirement party.

Another lady that I used to work with worked into her 70's, because her husband(s) had died shortly after retiring.

Older people who can retire don't because most likely they aren't use to just staying home and doing nothing or because they don't have anyone at home and will be lonely. Shucks my grandfather retired twice and the 2nd and final time he retired, it was only because of his health. Even now after having two mini strokes, he still can't stay still...during the summer he cuts his grass, my mom's grass and my aunt's grass along with handy work. We keep telling to slow down, but he can't help it, he's use to working. He's 82 years old.

mdiver said:

days ...

missfee said:

My dad was the same way....his health (and Hurricane Katrina) caused him to finally hang up his spurs after two previous retirements...and it's driving him crazy because he doesn't know what to do with himself...he'll be 77 this coming February...

reneGade20 said:

you see what i'm talking about?....

Ocean said:

Stop trying to make yourself feel better you old git

missfee said:

Be that as it may, they should retire anyway. They're too old of be of any use - and they annoy the younger workers.

missfee said:

I can relate to your grandfather. My father is a lot like him. My parents live on 32 acres and have LOTS of trees in the front yard. My father spends his time in the Fall raking and mulching leaves. In the Spring and Summer, he spends his time planting vegetables for his family. He said he didn't want to work for people or companies anymore because he couldn't deal with the politics of companies. I would think that would be more of a good reason to retire than any.

Genesia said:

thats not a very nice statement to make.

mdiver said:

just who will keep you in the lifestyle you're accustomed to?

missfee said:

Well, duh.

It is, however, entirely in keeping with the spirit in which the thread was created.

BlackAdder7 said:

I plan to be able to do that by myself

People want to feel useful other than sit all day just waiting to die.

Sweeny79 said:

There are other things that you can get involved with after you retire (if you're healthy enough). Volunteering comes to mind. That is what I'm going to do when I finally can call it quits. I like helping people.

One day at work, I walked into the women's lu and this older female employee was there. I could tell she had been crying. Since I'm new and not aware of the office politics, I asked the lady want was wrong.
She just shook her head and said "It's very distressing to work among my peers when all the comments about age keep cropping up." she continued. "I do my work effciently, My evaluations from management are always above average, I do my best to get along with others inspite of how they treat me."
After listening to her all I could say was, "well one day they two will have to reach your age. Luckily you have knowledge about this job that is far above theirs. Perhaps they are just insecure about themselves and their lacks. Most likely her co-workers don't know your personal story and why you chose to continue to work." (they can only assume, guess, make up stories and embellish on what they've heard as to why)
I then left. I really felt sorry for her. Prior to this time she was one of the few who said "hello" to me each day. Other than that she stayed pretty much to herself.

Age discrimination is one of the most insulting and hurtful types of harassment co-workers can inflict.
I hope this women starts keeping documentation on overheard comments and one day make a formal complaint. If she choses to stay it's her right. As long as she does her work efficiently that's all that counts.

Genesia said:

Whatever If it was your grandfather or father or a close relative that was one of these "old people who won't retire", I doubt you would make such a rude comment with such insensitivity....and it is insensitive.