Comments on: There is NOTHING unpatriotic about retiring early

By: Zeke

Zeke — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:20:39 +0000

The US military services allow retirement after 20 years, meaning age 38 in many cases. If you served Uncle Sam for 20 years I think you’re patriotic.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:36:34 +0000

I have to say I agree with you 100%. I agree that working contributes positively to the economy by producing goods and services and contributing taxes. But the country also needs people to spend money traveling and enjoying retirement. This keeps other people in jobs.

In addition, if retirement age people held on to all their stocks indefinitely and didn’t cash them in to spend the cash, the US would lose out on those taxes, and it would create an artificial demand for the stocks which could cause the prices to rise because no one would ever sell. Then the market would crash when people decided the stocks were overpriced (gross oversimplification; I know).

If you have reached a level of financial security where you can retire and you want to retire, do it. You’ve earned the right.

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:59:27 +0000

Well call me a red Rooshian communist if you have to, but as for the labor force, I’m outta here! I just hope no one tells them muslim tourists about this or the Bin Laden Daily News will start running essays on how good it is for Merkins to retire early. And that would be bad.

By: KC

KC — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:33:06 +0000

Unpatriotic to retire early? huh? Well the facts are that most boomers won’t retire – at least not in the tradition sense. The 4 I know well (my parents and my in-laws) are all “retired” – 3 of them are still “working” on a contractural, part-time basis. My parents still need the added income. My in-laws do not, but my father-in-law likes to work as a mediator (he’s a former judge). Many boomers aren’t as financially fortunate as my parents and in-laws so they will continue to work because social security and their retirements (if they have one) will not pay the monthly bills. I really dont’ think retiring early is going to cause all the problems that forecasters predict.

By: Adam Lehman

Adam Lehman — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:35:20 +0000

social security. another situation where the government has taken control of something it has no right to and does a really poor job of doing so.

someday people will quit putting their hope and future into the hands of politicians.

By: annie

annie — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:01:24 +0000

That’s just inane. I’m looking forward to a follow-up on why we should retire early and how to do so.

By: Zombie Money

Zombie Money — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:04:06 +0000

its your choice lol. Do what you want!

By: Lord

Lord — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:34:22 +0000

He is just trying to justify what he will be forced to do anyway and figures if he has to work until dead everyone else should have to as well. He bypasses the main issue which is employers don’t want to employ old workers, so he will be lucky if he can find work. Instead he should be hoping people retire early so he will be able to find work and make more working.

Social Security is in quite good shape with over 78% pay as you go and this has been rising over time. There may well be no problem with it at all. The problem is the rest of budget is currently dependent on Social Security surpluses and will have to be trimmed. Medicare is a different story and will require healthcare reform.

By: "Mo" Money

"Mo" Money — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:39:55 +0000

Who is this person and what right deos he have to try to dictate his beliefs on others? What an idiot! Sorry, but that kind of talk angers me.

By: ChristianPF

ChristianPF — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:22:40 +0000

This one is new to me… First, let me say I am so thankful to be living in the US, we have problems, but it is still one of the best places to live in the world. But, the government’s money is just so poorly managed that it is the source of these problems. They need to get their money in order – not tell people that it is unpatriotic to retire…