Peter - that is an ideal arrangement. Still get to interact with patients in the field. I am sure you can push off the computer work to your "interns". They need to learn it anyway. Look out they may draw you in for more time.
Thanks to all for the good wishes. 32 years in industry, 11 in academia, I guess the next 20 will have to be in private practice, maybe consulting or or a couple of technology start-ups as a business founder/owner. Maybe CEO of a railroad empire! Always done volunteering during that time in kids sports as a coach, scouting and singing in a church and community choir. Time will tell. Jeff
@Putnam Division posted:Congrats to all who have recently retired or have set a date. As many of you remember, I retired on December 31, 2020 after practicing Nephrology for the better part of 37 years.
I love retirement!
I remain very busy on my new home layout and with our local modular group. I remain connected to my medical colleagues by doing some medical staff committee work......I do miss the day to day dealings with my colleagues. I miss the patient interactions.......but, I do not miss the bureaucracy and the computer documentation.
I am trying to remain current with the science in my field (Nephrology). The recent advances in molecular biology, therapeutics and genetics have radically changed what can be done for kidney patients.....and (unfortunately), there is just no way to stifle my interest.
This leads me to an announcement....I am going back to work.....one morning a week. A few months back the VCU Nephrology Division asked to to help out a Monday morning clinic at our local VA. The format is ideal. The clinic is for new kidney patients making their 1st visit with a kidney doctor. The clinic is staffed by Nephrology Follows (those who have completed an Internal Medicine residency and know are learning to be kidney docs). My job is to see all the new patients with them; begin the evaluation of their problem; coordinate what needs to be done; set up the follow up care; and, teach the internal medicine residents and kidney fellows how to approach a new patient presenting with a kidney problem........and, it is flexible when I need to be off....notwithstanding the issues with dealing with computerized medical records again, I am looking forward to it.
Peter
That sounds ideal Peter. Just don’t let it creep into a few days a week.
Jay
@ScoutingDad posted:Glad to finally have a "retirement" date of Sept 1, 2023 at 67. Now I'll have to figure out the next 20 year career. Actual stop working date is May 26th due to banked vacation days. Wow, 7 weeks away. First time since I was 12 I will not be working for a paycheck. Odd to consider.
Hopefully you'll soon be wondering how you found time to go to work.
@ScoutingDad posted:Glad to finally have a "retirement" date of Sept 1, 2023 at 67. Now I'll have to figure out the next 20 year career. Actual stop working date is May 26th due to banked vacation days. Wow, 7 weeks away. First time since I was 12 I will not be working for a paycheck. Odd to consider.
Congrats! I retired 12/31/2022 and am having a blast. If I had known how great this was, I would have done it much sooner. Enjoy the rest of your life!
Jeff and all recent retirees,
Good luck to every one of you you! I had also hoped to go by September 1, 2023 (at 63)...but need to reevaluate this around early June. The last thing I want to is retire and then the economy grows worse and I need to find a part-time job, so we'll see.
Tom
Retired back in 2006 and now have a full time job working on the railroad, fishing, hunting, dirt bike riding, bicycling and of course I get together with a few good friends of mine and we pretend we are chemist's. We enjoy every once in a while turning beer, whiskey and wine into Urine. LOL Retirement the best thing I ever did!!!
@Putnam Division - Hard to keep a good man.....doctor.....down Peter. I'm sure you will enjoy the "work" again. Helping our veterans is a noble deed as well.
@ScoutingDad - congratulations Jeff. So a photo essay of a completed TPRR II should be posted soon? 
@chessiechick- Hope you both make a full recovery. I've heard some stories about long covid.
@PRR8976- Hang in there Tom. When the time is right you will know. I'm a couple years behind you but retirement is probably still 6-8 years away for me.
Bob
@chessiechick I’m sorry you both have long Covid. I have heard about it from others how it lingers. My wife and I have avoided it, but have other issues that had altered what we thought we could do in early retirement. Hopefully you both will get well soon.
@RSJB18 posted:@Putnam Division - Hard to keep a good man.....doctor.....down Peter. I'm sure you will enjoy the "work" again. Helping our veterans is a noble deed as well.
Bob
Thank you, Bob
Peter, I m glad you have found a way to still help people in your retirement. Hopefully, you can concentrate on that and stay clear of all the things not patient related that burden a full time doctor.
I flunked my first retirement. Two years after retiring from the military (27 years) I went back to work as a Program Manager for the Army (another 23 years). My last day will be at the end of this month. I intend to be a home body and fiddle with an old MGTC and tinker with the trains. I'll also sort through my overstocked collections of trains, die-cast vehicles books and attend various automobile gatherings and train meets in and around the Phoenix area. This time I am ready...I will not flunk again.
Chuck, congratulations on your soon to be retirement! Congrats to other recent or soon to be retirees as well.
I keep up with this thread, the lessons learned are very helpful. As for me, I’m at least 12 months out, but can’t see going more than 2 more years in any case. I’m eagerly looking forward to a new layout build and have already started gathering supplies. I’m also looking forward to more family time now that I have a grandson with two more on the way! Staying engaged at my church is also important to me. Great friends there, none into trains, but lots of other common interests. A small group of us men meet twice a month, once for breakfast and once at a local micro brewery. We have solved the world’s problems many times over! No doubt maintaining a social life whether with trains or other interests will be an important aspect of retirement
Another aspect not mentioned, but it’s very important, exercise. Enroll at a gym or at least do some strenuous walking. And always do something to enhance your core, it helps in maintaining your balance.
@Chuck242 thank you for your service!!!! Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! I have two pensions myself, but not from military service!
@Scott R I hope you can retire sooner than later. My church also is an important part of my life. Besides weekly services, there is weekly ‘old guy’s’ breakfast Bible study where we solve the world’s problems while eating then on to study. I am also on the men’s ministry committee which provides events for men and boys of all ages. I get tremendous fellowship, but none of them are train guys! 🫡 🤷♂️ 😄
Jay, you are so right about exercise! With all my back and leg issues, I am committed to daily exercises for life. I had better get off here and get an exercise session in before lunch! 😊
I retired October 2020. I immediately went back on contract. December 15 of 2022i was asked to do one stupid thing too many and after nearly 2 years and 3 months on contract, I just quit. 2 years ago I sold almost all of my o gauge and tried ho. I sold all that a year ago. We spent 1/2 the winter in Orange Beach Alabama last year. While there in foley, I went to the Train museum and spent an hour gazing at the o gauge layout. Needless to say I came back and I'm starting a new layout which I'm trying to document on my YouTube channel. I'm so glad I finally retired and I'm enjoying life and trains. Jeff
@chinatrain99 posted:I retired October 2020. I immediately went back on contract. December 15 of 2022i was asked to do one stupid thing too many and after nearly 2 years and 3 months on contract, I just quit. 2 years ago I sold almost all of my o gauge and tried ho. I sold all that a year ago. We spent 1/2 the winter in Orange Beach Alabama last year. While there in foley, I went to the Train museum and spent an hour gazing at the o gauge layout. Needless to say I came back and I'm starting a new layout which I'm trying to document on my YouTube channel. I'm so glad I finally retired and I'm enjoying life and trains. Jeff
Jeff, almost the same thing happened to me. August 2015, I took retirement that was pushed on me, them immediately went back as a contractor until October 2018, when a change in management said they didn’t want us anymore. I had another bad job for about 8 months, then left for Knee replacement surgery in November 2019. Then Covid hit an I couldn’t find anything once I had gone through therapy. Then I recovered from another surgery and was contacted to go back as a contractor again. This time another change in management didn’t like my gap in employment, and rejected my resume. At 66 and 1/2, I’m done! I still have the trains, but may sell some but certainly not all. Life has so many twists and turns 😆
Mark, enjoy every day the good Lord gives you. I wasn't happy that I was pushed to quit, but 4 months out, it's the greatest feeling ever. My BP is down. My weight is down. Life is good. Happy Easter everyone.
@ScoutingDad, Congratulations on your pending retirement Jeff! I agree with you, that it will strange not to be working after all these years, but I think I'll manage 
.
@chessiechick, Sorry to hear that you and your husband are dealing with long covid symptoms. But glad that you're on the path back to more normal health.
@Putnam Division, Congratulations Peter! It's hard to quit something that you love. I am sure that the newer folks will appreciate and benefit from your many years of wisdom. It will make then all better doctors.
@Strap Hanger, glad to hear that you're having so much fun in retirement.
@PRR8976, Tom, I hope that you're still on track when you check in June, and that you can retire in September.
@Chuck242, Chuck, thank you for your service. Congratulations on your pending retirement. I hope it sticks this time.
@Scott R, Keep your chin up, I hope things line up and you can go a year from now. Even so, within two years is pretty good too.
@chinatrain99, glad to hear that you're doing better after work.
My goal is to retire in December at 61. Even with a recession, I think we'll be OK. I will reevaluate as I get closer.
Andy
@Steamfan77--Andy, thanks and good luck to you (and all), too. 
Tom
We have plenty of experienced folks on OGR, collective advice is appreciated. I think joining the gym, volunteerism and solving the worlds problems with close friends will fit my routine just fine.
I've been active with veterans groups since military retirement and am a sincere believer that 'continuing to serve' is something to enjoy. Whether one volunteers at Church, serves on a local Town Council, stands in as a School Crossing Guard, is a member of the Parent Teacher Organization and so on...or builds a Christmas Train Display for the community once a year... are the things that bind communities together and add internal strength to America.
Best wishes to all as you celebrate either a Happy Easter or a Happy Passover.
And now I have to find a Gym.
I've really enjoyed reading through this thread over the past few days.
I wanted to add a few things to my earlier post.
Regarding retiring to Lancaster County, PA - we moved here about a decade or so before we planned to retire, although life had other plans in mind. Here is my take on it (YMMV). Keep in mind that I came here after spending my whole life in the Washington, DC and Baltimore area, so that is my basis for comparison.
1. Cost of living is WAY less. We bought about 50% more house here than we could have gotten in Baltimore. Car and homeowners insurance is much cheaper. If you are into gardening, you can get deals at any number of family run greenhouses. If you like classical music, there are gazillions of "free will offering" concerts at local churches; many of the performances are quite high caliber.
2. Traffic is WAY, WAY less. I have to keep from laughing when the locals complain about how horrible the traffic on Main Street was, "I waited for at least 10 minutes for road construction". That said, Pennsylvania roads are ALWAYS under construction and are not in great shape.
3. It can be harder to meet people and make close friends. People are quite polite and cordial but can be reserved. It varies by community, of course. In the more rural areas, where people have known each other literally all their lives and their family all lives nearby, their social circle of friends and family is complete and they may not be interested in adding more people to it. If you move to a community where people have lived in other states or traveled extensively, this is not as much of an issue.
More later - have to go cook Easter Dinner now. Happy Easter!
@Chuck242 posted:We have plenty of experienced folks on OGR, collective advice is appreciated. I think joining the gym, volunteerism and solving the worlds problems with close friends will fit my routine just fine.
I've been active with veterans groups since military retirement and am a sincere believer that 'continuing to serve' is something to enjoy. Whether one volunteers at Church, serves on a local Town Council, stands in as a School Crossing Guard, is a member of the Parent Teacher Organization and so on...or builds a Christmas Train Display for the community once a year... are the things that bind communities together and add internal strength to America.
Best wishes to all as you celebrate either a Happy Easter or a Happy Passover.
And now I have to find a Gym.
Welcome home Chuck and enjoy that retirement the best you can. From a surviving member of the 114th Assault Helicopter Company Vietnam 66-67
@Lary posted:Welcome home Chuck and enjoy that retirement the best you can. From a surviving member of the 114th Assault Helicopter Company Vietnam 66-67
Lary, thank you for your service!
Lary, thank you for your service as well. A lot of us kids grew up with trains, moved on a bit and as the teen years ended, many of us grew up pretty quick for sure. Its nice to see a calming return to the trains. My Vietnam time was with the USN, three deployments 66, 67-68, and 69. My USN experience and training landed me a job at a National Guard Nike Missile battery on Long Island, and then back on to active duty with the Army Corps of Engineers. Dad seriously asked me one day if I was able to hold a job? 27 years of Active Duty was my good fortune, knock on wood.
The slow march towards retirement is underway!……today, my good buddy, who’s a retired carpenter, surprised me with these awesome parts shelves he made from practically all scraps,…..So I’m beginning to get things organized, labeled, and in their rightful place, ……parts will be a whole lot easier to find….being organized is the way to go!,
Pat
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Pat, the shelves and parts bins are certainly nice!
@harmonyards posted:The slow march towards retirement is underway!……today, my good buddy, who’s a retired carpenter, surprised me with these awesome parts shelves he made from practically all scraps,…..So I’m beginning to get things organized, labeled, and in their rightful place, ……parts will be a whole lot easier to find….being organized is the way to go!,
Pat
Impressive!
Peter
@chessiechick --Interesting to me that you said Lancaster County. I visited a close train friend this past August and I loved it. I just need to convince wifey to "uncouple" from her sister's "reach" so we can get there. We'll see. I'm going back in another month or so. A recent study by one group (US News, I think) also picked Lancaster County as the #1 retirement community).
Tom
@PRR8976 posted:
Tom, you are so right! It is easy to miss thanking everyone! I too have tremendous thanks for everyone who has served our country! I wish all of them a well deserved retirement whether they served a whole career or one enlistment.
@harmonyards posted:The slow march towards retirement is underway!……today, my good buddy, who’s a retired carpenter, surprised me with these awesome parts shelves he made from practically all scraps,…..So I’m beginning to get things organized, labeled, and in their rightful place, ……parts will be a whole lot easier to find….being organized is the way to go!,
Pat
Now that's not your average parts shelf.......
Very nice Pat. Enjoy the countdown.
Bob
@harmonyards posted:The slow march towards retirement is underway!……today, my good buddy, who’s a retired carpenter, surprised me with these awesome parts shelves he made from practically all scraps,…..So I’m beginning to get things organized, labeled, and in their rightful place, ……parts will be a whole lot easier to find….being organized is the way to go!,
Pat
Hi Pat, this is a little off subject, but I have a Lionel DC can motor question and I hear you have knowledge. Send me a private message please. Congrats on the forthcoming retirement!!
Those are some very nice storage shelves, and well organized too! Super nice friend you have there.
Jeff, I was driving by this and did a double take. It was along route 322 in Ephrata, PA.
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Retirement... means freedom'.. No alarm clock, no commute, no boss... I would say though, the way the economy is unreliable, Save up, invest as much as possible. To really enjoy retirement, you need plenty of cash. You don't want to worry about bills and watch what you spend. Remember, you've worked many years. Now it's time for you to enjoy life to the fullest. It goes fast, time seems to really fly once retired.... However, I don't know how I got anything done when working, I'm busier now than I ever was'.... One thing for sure for most people, you will LOVE it....
I’ve always said to my wife that I’ll make a great retiree 
. I have lots of work to do on the layout and a host of other activities and interests. I’m counting the days…
Andy
I guess I don't have retirement figured out yet. I quit my morning contractor job mid December. Then we went to Alabama for the winter. I truly was retired then but we came home March 1. Now, no alarm but I'm up at 7. I Eat breakfast and drink coffee. Work out. Come home and watch a lil tv before lunch. I do a few chores and or work on my layout till supper and then watch tv. In bed at 10. I may not be at work but I'm still on a schedule. I think I'm doing something wrong. I'm better at being retired when I'm not at home.
Chinatrain99, it’s my belief that retirement can require a transition period. Exercise is an important component as well as your layout. To keep me focused, each Sunday, I make my to do list for the week. It can be added to as the week evolves. I check things off as they are accomplished; household items as well as social commitments. Those items not completed either get carried over or eliminated. I use a spiral stenographer’s pad and simply write “week of…” across the top of the page. You’ll figure out what works for you.
Jay
@chinatrain99 posted:I guess I don't have retirement figured out yet. I quit my morning contractor job mid December. Then we went to Alabama for the winter. I truly was retired then but we came home March 1. Now, no alarm but I'm up at 7. I Eat breakfast and drink coffee. Work out. Come home and watch a lil tv before lunch. I do a few chores and or work on my layout till supper and then watch tv. In bed at 10. I may not be at work but I'm still on a schedule. I think I'm doing something wrong. I'm better at being retired when I'm not at home.
Nothing wrong with keeping on a schedule. Sounds like you've got the basics figured out, food, exercise, trains, sleep.
The rest will work itself out.
Bob
My retirement was official in November of 2022. I took a couple of months off to do some things around the house and work on the layout a little. A couple of months ago I started volunteering 3 days a week at an aviation museum about 30 minutes from home. We are rebuilding a B-17 bomber to airworthy condition. It’s a great group of men and women to work with. A side effect is I have lost 15 lbs. It should be finished in about 6 to 10 years so my future looks pretty busy.
