I have a question for any of the "olds" on this board who might be retired. It's about knowing when to call it quits.
A series of events over the past couple of years has significantly affected my perspective ( favorably or negatively is a matter of opinion, I suppose). I have been practicing law for 32 years, and candidly, have hated about 90% of it, moreso over the last 5-10 years. I enjoyed trying cases and making appellate arguments, but since %$#*&%$# insurance companies have horned their way into my area of practice, I just don't get to do that type of thing very much any more. All insurance companies ever want to do is settle and have you fill out reams of paperwork. When somebody used to come to me with a legal problem, I used to look at it like "Hey, here's an interesting new situation" … now, i just look at it like " Ahh geez... more insurance paperwork " Plus, the "Claims Examiners" or "Claims Managers" I have to answer to are usually 2-3 year lawyers who washed out of big firms and they don't know shit. So, the job has become a PITA and a bore.
Here's the dilemma: I met with my financial planner guy, and he says I don't have to do this any more. At the same time, I make a buttload of money and don't have an easy time walking away from that.
I'm 58, so while I know that seems "ancient" to most the posters on here, it is pretty young to retire. Adding to the problem is the fact that I am not sure if I'll want to do anything when I quit. I teach a college class on the side, and thought I might want to get more into that, but these days, I don't feel like doing much of anything. This might be due to the fact that, having recently added it up, in the 22 years I have been with my current firm, if you back out actual holidays and funeral days, I have taken off a grand total of 32 days over that period of time. It is probably burn out i am suffering from.
For those of you guys who have retired, when did you "know" you were done?
A series of events over the past couple of years has significantly affected my perspective ( favorably or negatively is a matter of opinion, I suppose). I have been practicing law for 32 years, and candidly, have hated about 90% of it, moreso over the last 5-10 years. I enjoyed trying cases and making appellate arguments, but since %$#*&%$# insurance companies have horned their way into my area of practice, I just don't get to do that type of thing very much any more. All insurance companies ever want to do is settle and have you fill out reams of paperwork. When somebody used to come to me with a legal problem, I used to look at it like "Hey, here's an interesting new situation" … now, i just look at it like " Ahh geez... more insurance paperwork " Plus, the "Claims Examiners" or "Claims Managers" I have to answer to are usually 2-3 year lawyers who washed out of big firms and they don't know shit. So, the job has become a PITA and a bore.
Here's the dilemma: I met with my financial planner guy, and he says I don't have to do this any more. At the same time, I make a buttload of money and don't have an easy time walking away from that.
I'm 58, so while I know that seems "ancient" to most the posters on here, it is pretty young to retire. Adding to the problem is the fact that I am not sure if I'll want to do anything when I quit. I teach a college class on the side, and thought I might want to get more into that, but these days, I don't feel like doing much of anything. This might be due to the fact that, having recently added it up, in the 22 years I have been with my current firm, if you back out actual holidays and funeral days, I have taken off a grand total of 32 days over that period of time. It is probably burn out i am suffering from.
For those of you guys who have retired, when did you "know" you were done?
