Artkansas 

50+ retirees. What did your co-workers give you when you retired? Did you like it? What would you have wanted more?

metalheart44

My wife/coworker gave me a Kubota BX25......

Allegheny Jet

I went into my superintendents office to inform her that I was going to retire 4 years ago I was not prepared for the result. Our discussion turned to what I was going to do with all my extra time away from work. She brought up the possibility of me returning part time and asked if that could be possible. I took a moment to reflect and stated I could continue to do my job in 3 days a week if I gave up specific responsibilities. Those responsibilities were the things I hated about my position that included a weekly 4-6 hr senior staff meeting with her and the supervision of several problem employees. I gave up those hated responsibilities and commitments and consider that a great retirement gift. I still will be summoned to the meetings for budget or strategic discussions but not on the weekly basis.

rydabent

Some people like me couldnt have had it better. Back in 93 I took a buyout which included a years pay. I had a luncheon, and came back the next day and did the same job for another 15 years as a contractor. Then it got better, I got retirement pay, contactor pay, and then SS for 5 years. I actually retired for good at 70. Triple dipping was not too bad at all. Finally I could put away some money for old age. As far as fellow workers went, I got a cycling rain coat and a few other small things.

Retro Grouch 

A lead parachute.

volosong

I still have a couple more years. When I go, it will be quietly. No parties for me. More "junk" I don't need. Just celebrated my 30-year anniversary here at the Lab and was able to pick one of about 80 "anniversary gifts". It took two months to decide because it was all junk, stuff I already have, or stuff I didn't really want or need. Ended up ordering a chime wall clock.

akwoodworker

Nothing but it was a union job. However the job gave me a retirement income which is something that is not too prevalent in the cooking industry.

Nightshade

Lucky person with a smart boss. I had a similar offer that turned out to be a full time job with more work than I had to start with. I put up with it for 18 months before I lost my temper and just walked out.

Like I said.......lucky fella.

RonH

The day before I retired from the hospital I worked at one of the prima-donna docs reamed me a new ***hole.
On my last day the department gave a retirement breakfast in my "honor" and many wishes for a happy retirement.
That's it. No gold watch. No big bonus check.

zonatandem

Nothing/zilch/nada!
Just glad to get the hell out alive (post office job) with a pension + benefits back in '95.
Boss wanted to give a big speech on the last day saying 'blah/blah/blah'.
Told him if he did I would take equal time and he would not like what I had to say about him.
No speech, no flowers . . . no regrets!

stapfam

The best days of my life after 50 years of work.

big john

I've been in the car repair biz for decades and people rarely retire. Years ago a guy I worked with retired after 35 years at the dealer. He wanted to buy a new truck and the sales manager gave him a hard time until he went to the owner and asked for a different sales rep.
That was all they would do for him, give him the salesman he wanted.

Here, a guy retired a couple years back and they bought lunch for the shop. It was something.

I want to retire more than I've ever wanted anything.

Old Sarge

Effective December 31, 2011, I retired after 45 years in Law Enforcement. Last 16.5 years were as Deputy Constable (effectively I was Chief Deputy but our office wasn't large enough for that pay grade). My boss, an elected official, arranged a retirement party at the Event Center where I am active with the church. Several civic leaders were there and a proclamation from the city (where I was once on city council) was presented to me naming the 31st as my day. The other deputies and at least one or two friends collected funds and presented me with a Kimber Ultra CDP II .45 acp. And it hasn't been off my side since that day. The fete was well attended with lots of church members coming by to wish me well. I had done some (116) TV spots while with a different agency and they had them playing on the TV screens during the entire event.

lhbernhardt

I got downsized out of the outsourcing company that had absorbed the division I was in, where I had worked for years (an electrical utility). They needed to get rid of some of the managers in order to save expenses. I was one of the few with an MBA, and working on an accounting designation so I could be more useful to the new company, so I guess they figured I would be more expensive, so I was let go. I was within a couple years of the gold watch, so no gold watch. I am still kinda sore about that! They did pay me for the next 17 months. My only regret now is that I didn't just move to Italy for about six months. I found my current job after 3 years, but I will only have been there about 10 years before I retire, so I don't expect anything at retirement, but at least it's another defined benefit pension, another income stream.

I've never seriously pursued any career path anyway. I'd just leave each day when it was time to leave, get into my kit, walk to the bike room, and get on my bike for a long ride. Any real goals I've had related to my cycling "career" anyway, and I have no plans to retire from cycling. No pay, but great health benefits.

Luis

rdtompki

I'm telecommuting from California into the home plant in Iowa. Retirement is very, very near at hand. I neither want nor expect anything. My retirement "celebration" will have to be via Webex. Since I've got a combination of SS, some savings and defined benefit pension I won't starve. Would like to stay in California, however, despite how bad things have gotten. One of my sons, DIL and two grandsons are nearby so I need to stick around.

Dudelsack 

I am curious why the OP asked this question. I can't answer it because I'm not retired. As I've been self-employed for most of my career, all I expect is a plate full of brownies and a few hugs.

jdon

Well written and a near identical story for me. My department was outsourced and we all got the boot.

jdon

Probably related to a Foo thread..

Ronno6

I received a Canon Digital Rebel EOS camera, which was the best one going back in '04.
I use it to take pictures of my bikes............

Tandem427

Best gift of all, my freedom!!!

I have a plaque somewhere that is gathering dust.

I had a full year's worth of annual leave plus the maximum carry-over from the previous year so that was a nice bonus.

longbeachgary

I also was downsized and as a gift I was able to keep the shoe that they used to kick me out - although I had to have it surgically removed!!!!.

sail

A box and the door after 23 years and a couple of buyouts. Couldn't have been a better gift.


Guy who handed me the box was working today, I rode my bike.

rubic

Ah, retirement. I can taste it. I penciled myself in for May of 2014. That would make it 34 years in the health care delivery business. My gift would be full medicare coverage for myself with an employer paid supplemental plan, full company paid medical coverage for my wife until she becomes eligible for medicare, a decent pension that I paid into for 34 years and social security that I paid into since 1966. If I wait until 2015 to retire, I pay for medical coverage at a high cost.

John_V 

I got the gift of knowing that I would never have to work again unless I want to. I don't want to.

jim911

My boss ordered me a new Porsche GT3. I hope she's not kidding!
It comes with conditions, can't afford to retire!