Looking for the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Retirement. Update/ GOOD NEWS!!!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Since Dk has been a big part of my life for the past 6 years, I've decided to reach out to all you dear people who are living the retired life to share some insight into what retirement looks like to you now.
I just turned 60, have a fabulous job, work 3 days, 11 hours per day, work with wonderful staff and new mommies and babies. I make what many would consider very good income. My work days are long and demanding and challenging, both mentally and physically as I probably walk an average of 5-6 miles a day throughout the unit, and am standing a good part of the day as well.

BUT, I am just tired. Tired of the committment, tired of the responsiblity, tired of all the requirements of hospital employment. Tired of being gone 3 whole long days a week. I leave at 6:30am and not home til 6:30 pm and just come home and go to bed because it's such a long mentally draining day. (I am also up everymorning at 4:20 to go to Crossfit at 5:00 before work)
I love, love , love staying home. I have always been a home body and have many hobbies and activities to be as busy as I want to be. First and foremost, I have two amazing grandchildren that I see and have hours and hours of playtime with at least 1-2 times a week, However, I just feel like I am missing out on more with them.
And the finanical loss would be considerate, but it would certainly not send us to the Food Stamp line or buying Purina.
When is it enough? When did you decide and what helped you make up your mind? Does anyone have any regrets or wish they had stayed employed longer? I would very much appreciate your thoughts and feelings about this, as I am just making myself miserable with indecision. Thanks in advance.

update:
After so much great input from everyone here and discussing this with DH and family, we have our sights set for this Oct. I feel such a sense of relief and that sense of dread on the mornings of work is greatly lessened. Still there tho. Find myself wishing it was Oct already. We are preparing financially and it's looking very do-able with some minor adjustments, but nothing earth shattering. I am as frugal as they come, so my spending habits won't change. I always said I'd still be looking for coupons and sales even if I won a HUGE lottery. Just in my blood I guess. Thank you to everyone who replied as your input was valuable and all taken into consideration in this decision. You are all just such a kind and generous group of friends.

GOOD NEWS!!!!! I will be very busy in retirement. We have grandbaby #3 on the way!!!!! Due in Feb. Wanted to share that with my Dk family. thanks

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you F. I will be doing a lot of shopping before oct.

[Lynda Kamrath]

We do exactly the same, Medicare, and AARP (United Health Care).  I have Part D also.  My husband had a bicycle crash last  year and it really covered everything (ambulance, ER and followup).  We were actually surprised it was so easy.  You are right, F, the doctors complain a lot, but it is a good plan for us.  The Medicare is taken out of Social Security, so once you get used to it, it seems almost free.

[Valarie]

Fortunately my insurance is provided in my retirement package.  I know that's a blessing.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Very good for you Valerie, medical professionals don't always have that option. DH's has it in his retirement package as well, with an option to add me but it is over $700 a mo for just me. Ouch and i don't use $700 a year in medical expenses or medications! Looking at HealthCare.ORG, and other options as well.

[Gail and Bailey]

After my husbands insurance ran out we got a policy just for catastrophic situations but after a few years it got so expensive we cancelled it and hoped for the best (for 5 years) until we made it to Medicare.  We relied on the fact that we are healthy, we have no issues that require daily meds, we have yearly check-ups and we had savings put aside in case of emergency.  We will both admit that when the day came that we signed up for Medicare we breathed a sigh of relief!  It is not something I would recommend but thankfully it worked for us.  

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

WOW! That option never even occurred to me! I must be very chicken or not a very good gambler. I am absolutely in the best health and shape of my life at 60 yo and can athletically and physically do things I didn't do 10 years ago, but in Nov. 2012, I got Valley Fever and it required an ER visit and 10 months of medication and monthly blood work. And just being a nurse gives one too much insight into what can happen in a second. BUT, it is tempting I have to admit, to just drop it and wing it for a while. Or at least until I cave in from worry!!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

You are wise. All it takes is one Mack truck. Medical debt is one of the largest causes of bankruptcy in this country. Only people with no assets can afford to have no health insurance. Even then I would highly recommend against the strategy.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

After much discussion with DH and BFF, and myself, ha, and reading all your open and thoughtful posts, we feel this could happen and we are gearing up for it to be this Oct. So scary!!! I am already thinking of the financial impact and what I can do to soften it. Again, it's the insurance, but something that can't be avoided.
My children are thrilled, as this frees up "Grammie" for the little ones. So Thank you all for your input. There does not seem to be any real negatives, and no one said they missed going to work every day!!!!
If anyone has any great private insurance nuggets to share, I'd sure appreciate that too.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Congrats Sue! So happy for you. I agree private health insurance is a killer. If it wasn't for that I'd be retired and enjoying the good life with you. Trying to hang on another few years, I'm jealous!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

THANK YOU, not sure how good lifey it will be when it might be a choice between health insurance and food on the table. Joking ofcourse, but it does come with a very high pricetag!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Congratulations.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you, F.