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I retired from the government 4 years ago but continued to work in Industry full time. It's a combination of motivations between "I'm not ready to hang it up" and "continued making money saving it for retirement". I'm in engineering and fortunately the demand for my profession is greater than ever. I enjoy a relatively high salary while the work is not stressful so while not continued until one of them doesn't hold true anymore?
I did have to relocate because the commute to/from my job. The traffic in LA is hell if you need to spend 4-5 hours a day on commute, that's the time wasted and you'll never getting them back. Fortunately I had a rental located much closer to work so I just moved right in without acquiring another mortgage at 7% interest rate. The wife likes the new location better so that keeps my marriage in harmony.
Many debates on this forum on why continued to work after retirement. My personal feelings is, unless you've identified a number of things "needed" to be done in your retirement, such as taking care of family members, working your new farm, etc., chances are you'll be bored after sometimes spent in retirement. If you enjoy the work and additional money helps, then coming back to work is not a bad option.
I was in the public engineering industry all my life, too, although I am not an engineer. I know a lot of them, though, and now I work for an engineering firm on the private side.
Yes, the demand is huge in the NY/NJ metro what with the Gateway and JFK redevelopment projects and we have a shortage of engineers. Retired engineers from public agencies can have a lucrative second career, as can those like me with related and support skills.
Those who go back to work and enjoy it....more power to you!
I work for money -- period.
When I get to certain markers set for myself, I'm out. Never to return.
Don't need the socialization. Get that from family and friends.
Don't need to "feel like I contribute." Not one bit.
Don't want to have to get up at a certain time, or have to report to anyone for anything.
Even IF I were to get bored -- eventually -- there are plenty of things do to besides working.
Nobody should put up with the "deliberate disrespect" on the job. Have you considered looking into different firms?
I did do a look at finding a different job and did some serious looking at Colorado Springs since my wife and I both loved it when we were stationed there some years ago. But the numbers just didn't work out given my age. So, I just hung on a couple more years and retired last year. So far I've been plenty busy. I'm a volunteer Scout leader as well local STEM education. Which got me volunteered to a couple of STEM development boards for the city. Feel like I'm working harder now than when I was paid for it...
If you need to fill time, and to feel useful, and don't need the money, there are plenty of non-profits that welcome volunteers. If you have a connection to a cause you are passionate about it makes it even more meaningful. I like volunteer things where it doesn't take too much time, and that can be flexible. I do one afternoon per week at a day center for dementia clients, and one morning a week I do a delivery drop of 40 giant bags of pet foods to a food bank. Both are easy but make me feel I contribute. I'm thinking about taking on a once a week 4-hour shift at the local Good Samaritan thrift store.
I do need the money but in terms of "contributing..." I don't think of all work as contributing, but want to do something that helps to stand against the problems and downright evils in the world. In m own tiny way, I want to stand for the right things. I've had jobs that didn't stand for anything but employment, and didn't like the feeling. Of course, one still had to make a living, but I always wanted to make a living somewhere where my job addressed some lack or ill somewhere. Have found satisfaction in healthcare and public TV and editing for PBS. No satisfaction in technical writing or waitressing.
No one has threatened me with a shotgun, so I just stay home and relax.
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