Retired, question.

We're all ears, and thanks to retirement, we actually have them time to listen, as long as it's not too seedy, believe me, we've heard it all, it seems. To me, it's a setback, of sorts, I mean, you've obviously thought about retirement as the miles/years drifted by, I know I did, and now that it's here, it's not enough for you. I didn't plan well either, but adjusted my lifestyle, rather than drive again. I understand, like a crutch to stand on when the going gets tough. And let's be honest, 2-3 years? Right, you know as well as most all here, the checks start rolling in, and that new RAM 2500 looks pretty nice, then WHAM! The bottom falls out, and will be in worse shape than if you never went there, and if you don't think it will, I'll end this right now. All I'm saying, it's natural to go back to what paid the bills in a crisis, but in these uncertain times, I'd sure want something more stable than trucking right now. Still, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest,,,best of luck.

 

In my case, I was forced to retire for medical reasons. I was not ready to retire. I was in my mid-50s when I got off the road. I had been offered a job in a safety department, but then found out even that was not going to be possible. I think for most, their fear of retirement is living on a fixed income. I know several folks now retired who are/were Walmart greeters. You can work up to a set amount, and it won't affect social insecurity. For me, retirement, along with losing my driver's license, got me good. Some days I fight boredom.

 

I believe you can make up to $23,000 while on SS, and get penalized if you go over that. In my case, I live in a govt. assisted apt. for seniors, and CAN'T earn any extra money over what SS pays( $1485/mo) or I lose my assistance. So talk about boredom. One has to remember, it's retirement, and yes, many of the things we had while working that can't be had, are a constant reminder, but be strong, working sucks!

 

There was a Section 202 apartment available when I moved from Hampton, VA. I was nowhere near qualifying for it. Section 202 is a lot like Section 8. I still have not started my Social Security yet. Right now, I am 67 and want to wait until I am 70, if I can. Yes, I am paying my Medicare Part B out of pocket.

 

With Social security if you make up to $25,000 30% of your SS can be taxed. If you make $35,000 or more up to 80% of your SS can be taxed. At least that's were it stands with me.

 

I keep forgetting about the standard deduction, and yes if I found a part time job and make up to $25,000 I should have no taxes, I lost track on what Trump was doing with senior citizens not having their SS taxed, I think that that would be a big help.

 

I am in a similar spot. Have not been trucking in 3 or 4 years. But every time I think about earning some pocket money with it I remember all the not so good parts and realize it's a no longer for me.

The rest is ideas for the Idea pile.

Industries I have considered going back into......

Yard hostler/spotter

Ag Supply/dairy supply:
DeLaval Does milking equipment
Fertilizer supplies -- Should have a place like this near you Serving Growers in the Pacific Northwest | Valley Agronomics, LLC Idaho

Rock and gravel:
Several quarries and rock pits in my area.
Local landscape supply places that deliver truckloads of chips/sawdust and rocks

AG Harvest and seed hauling:
Would be more seasonal but I am leaning more toward part time over full time. Just enough to get me out of the house/off the property.
I would be looking at the grain silos, Co-op storage places, Ag processors

As very local examples --
Fireworks Importer and wholesaler in town, drag them out to retail places May through mid July. Mid July for returns.
Christmas trees. They grow a lot up here. Farm to retail locations most of November

 

The openings for dump truck requires current experience and they seem very strict about that, the last time I drove a dump truck was back in 1988, I wouldn't mind getting into agriculture and haul hopper bottom, very few of that in my area. Wouldn't mind dairy but we'll see, right now I'm looking at some Reefer companies, never had a problem with Reefer, I thought about AG harvest but again not in my area, I'm trying to move out of this area and get back into a small village, but have to wait for another year.