Growing up, 65 was a significant milestone. People retired at 65 (usually mandatory). They somehow were transformed from Adults into Senior Citizens. Social Security and/or pensions kick in, as do discounts at stores and restaurants. It was certainly a mixed bag.
In 1983, while I was in my early 20s, the federal government overhauled Social Security, gradually raising the eligibility age to 67 after the Office of the Actuary (yes, there is such a thing) showed we were living longer and had more productive (i.e. paying taxes) years ahead of us. Of course, Medicare remains fixed at 65 and the junk mail about signing up for this incoherent system has been filling my mailbox for months.
Still, we Baby Boomers have fixated on 65 as do many institutions, including TimeWarner Media, which will begin paying me my small DC Comics pension as of August 1.
Of course, the reality is that more and more of us are working past 65. Deb and I are still at it, and I intend on teaching (all things remaining equal) until 70. I have watched, with some envy, some of my close friends alreayd retire and enjoy a new chapter. Others are like us, still grinidng away for whatever personal reason motivates them.
As a result, turning 65 today is a milestone from a cultural standpoint, but I don’t feel like a senior citizen. Nothing really has changed.
Yet, I do recognize that the number of robust productive years left to me is a shrinking one. I find myself being far more selective about how I spend my time, from books to read to things see and do. Once we’re both retired, the goal is to travel and do the more active trips we want while we’re still physically able. Age is definitely growing as a factor in decisions being made.
That said, I am not done or putting away the laptop. I actually have goals ahead of me, including a renewed focus on my writing craft, trying to raise the level of work I do. That will mean being more selective in the assignments I accept (admittedly, not many are coming these days, a potential sign of ageism) and time devoted to the work itself.
But, today is a day to celebrate and I need to decide which of the many freebies offered to partake. Should I start with my complimentary Starbucks drink and then stop at Mission Barbecue for my birthday sandwich? Use my discount coupon at Galliano’s for dinner? Decisions await.
#Tags: DC Comics, Mission Barbecue, Office of the Actuary, Starbucks, TimeWarner Media
Happy birthday! 🎉 🥳🎁🎈🎂
Do it all!
Turning 65 is an odd “event.” I’ve been there, and like you I experienced no “change” other than those imposed by society. So accept the freebees and keep on keepin’ on. My two suggestions are: travel now–sooner than later, because later is questionable in oh-so-many-ways; and use all of the new “extra time” to write. Write, write, write; one day you’ll be elsewhere but those words will ring on.
I’ll say that Medicare is incoherent. Also possibly incompetent; while my transition was smooth, Elizabeth’s was (and remains) a bother.
Nonetheless, I expect you and Deb will continue to have happy and productive years. The one nice thing about being this age, however, is that if you aren’t happy — you can just up and quit and do something else that makes you happy then. There’s a little bit of freedom to that. (And it kind of reminds me of our RONIN tagline. If you intend to be happy in old age, you can do anything.)
Well, you’re about 6 months ahead of me, but 65 is on the horizon for me, as well. And I don’t see ANYTHING changing for me as I cross that cultural milestone.
Part of that is that I’ve been a freelancer almost my entire life. So I don’t have a pension to collect from, well, ANYONE. I put aside some money along they way, but not as much as I’d like.
Another reason is Myrna and I adopted 2 children very late in life— I’m 64 with a 10 and 12 year old! That pretty much means until they get out on their own— probably about 12 years down the road— we need income to put aside for their education, pay for their various activities (Eliza is amazing on the soccer/futsal fields, and those leagues are expensive!), etc. (Just last night at a practice, some other soccer parents were talking about how their PARENTS were starting to retire.)
On the plus side: Thanks to Superman money, I was able to buy a small house that we rent out. Literally the smallest house in the neighborhood. We get offers from developers EVERY SINGLE WEEK to buy that property. At some point we will sell it, and that will be our “retirement” nest egg.
I know I’m doing pretty well, health-wise— certainly compared to my father, who had his first heart attack around 50, had heart disease from smoking, and spent the last few years of his life house-bound and helpless (my mom had to retire to take care of him) before passing away around 70. I have a rowing machine that I use— ENJOY using— at least 5 days a week, mow the lawn with a walking mower… Hell, last year I climbed Mt St Helens! Which is only 8000 feet and change, but still: it was hard! And I plan to do it again once every year for as long as I can.
And I freely admit: even after we “retire” (Myrna is a staff artist, so she WILL get a pension!) I will continue making comics. I can see the day when I won’t be able to ink anymore— my hand simply isn’t as steady as it used to be— but with luck I’ll be able to keep writing, and find talented people willing to bring those stories to life.