Retirement

“When do you think we should retire?” Robert asked this question to one of her close friends Seema while they were sitting in their usual coffee shop on a chilly Saturday morning. It was a good sunny day and the shop was quite packed: someone working on their laptop, a group of friends playing board games, and other people just having casual conversations with each other. They have been meeting once every few months just to catch up as they both are married and have full-time jobs which keeps them busy.

Seema thought about it and the first question came to her mind which she immediately spit out “What does it mean to retire?”. As with most of life’s questions, this is another subjective question which when asked to 100 other people, everyone has a different answer. Answers like I should have $10 million dollars or some arbitrary amount of money are very common.

They both thought about it for a minute.

Robert started thinking about another strain of thoughts — does retirement also mean I will stop working? He asked Seema this question and now there are two questions to answer - When to retire (retirement criteria)? and does retirement also mean you are not working?

Seema: “I think for me retirement is something when I’ve enough money so that I can work on things which I really want to without worrying about if I’m making money off those things or not. I do want to work after I retire but only on things of my choice.”

Robert: “That does come with a question that how much money is enough. Is there an absolute enough? Would you stop if you have an absolute enough? With more money habits also change.”

Seema: “You have to promise yourself that you will live the same life even if you get enough but I get your point. Things can change when I’ve more money — I could want to go on more vacations, but more stuff. Oh well my enough money will not be enough”

Both giggled at that sentence and continued sipping on their coffee.

Seema: Hmm I also think that retirement could be an overloaded term. Are you considered retired if you quit your 9 to 5 and work on your own stuff?

Robert: Maybe not

Seema: Then maybe it’s a wrong question to be thought about. Maybe the right question is, what would it take for you to quit your 9 to 5 without having to worry about money?

Robert took a deep breath and thought about this question. Seema observed his face with a slight smile.

Seema: I can see it on your face that you are as confused as I am but we don’t have to think it right now.

It was almost lunchtime now and they both thought it would be good to head out and get something to eat.

What does retirement mean to you? Give it a thought.