What Type of Retirement for You?

While surfing my favorite blogs in the internet I came across a reference to the Vanguard Center for Retirement Research (https://institutional.vanguard.com) talks about six paths to retirement. For the past couple of years I have been very interested in our second fifty years.

The conventional view of retirement – working full-time until a set date and then shifting to full-time leisure – does not match the experience of many older Americans, according to the Vanguard national survey. According to the study “The paths to retirement are varied, and different types of work are common in the early retirement years.”

What I found interesting is that only 29% of Americans age 55 to 69 fall into the Early Retiree’s category. These are the people who exit the workforce in their 50’s or 60’s and stop all work thereafter.

Others plan to continue working in various forms through their 60’s and beyond (10% of Americans age 55 to 69) Their decision to never retire is based on a desire to be active, the type of work, or working to meet basic living expenses.

The other groups include Work and Play (12%), Still Working (35%), Returnee’s (5%) and Spouses Retirement (9%). There are various reasons people in these groups are still working. Some are semi-retired and working part-time or are self-employed.

The Vanguard survey of 2,474 individuals age 40 to 69 indicates that “The conventional view of retirement — working full-time until a set date then shifting to full-time leisure –- does not match the experience of many older Americans.”

I guess the boomers are not going to become conventional in retirement. Are we rejecting the system created by our grandparents and parents? Interesting thoughts. I would love your comments.

Red Dirt and T-Shirts

You own a t-shirt company on the island of Kauai when flooding from hurricane Iniki damages your inventory. Now you’re on the verge of financial ruin. What to you do? Some people would give up and move on.

Paradise Sportswear looked at the pile of white t-shirts now stained with the red volcanic dirt of Kauai and saw their future. Kauai’s Hanapepe Valley is the source of their natural dye; the rich red dirt used to create their now famous Red Dirt shirts. I loved the picture of the row of washing machines covered with the red dirt. Their brand is known around the world as Original Red Dirt Shirts.


I discovered Paradise Sportswear during a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands and picked up a t-shirt and a flyer. The t-shirt is one of my favorites and the flyer has been sitting on my desk for a year. Today I decided to write about a great American success story and a little Hawaiian red dirt.

Thank You Sean...

The Oregon National Guard said Sergeant Sean Patrick Fennerty died after a bomb hit a vehicle he was in while fighting anti-Iraqi forces in the Al Anbar Province.

Fennerty graduated from Jesuit High School 1999 and Oregon State University in 2004 as a history major.

He joined the U.S. Army and became an Airborne Soldier and was stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska with the 25th Infantry Division, the Guard said.

According to newspaper articles, Fennerty loved to ski, fish and spend time with his friends. Officials said he was survived by his mother Mo, father Brian, two sisters, Kelly of Seattle, and Colleen of Chicago, and brother Conor of Washington D.C.

The following statement mourning the loss of Sgt. Sean Fennerty, was released by Jesuit High School.

It is with deep sadness that Jesuit High School has learned of the death of Sgt. Sean Fennerty of the Class of 1999.

Sean is remembered as a faith-filled person who participated in all areas of the school. He took it upon himself to strengthen the school community with his generous and giving spirit. These qualities enabled him to be a friend too many faculty and students while he attended Jesuit.

His classmates will miss his sense of humor and deep sense of loyalty to them. His awareness of duty to make our world a better place is what led him into the military service of our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sean's parents, sisters, brother, and the extended Fennerty family during this difficult time.

Requel, Oh No!

Raquel Welch was on Today this morning. She was talking about how the 60’s of today. My mind was not on the interview. I was remembering Raquel at an earlier time. It was Christmas 1967. I was serving onboard a hospital ship, USS Sanctuary (AH-17), supporting Marine operations in Northern South Vietnam.

Raquel was traveling with Bob Hope. Bob, Requel and a large contingent of photographers flew out to the ship to visit the patients. We were all excited. I remember standing between two Navy nurses and making a comment about getting to see a real American woman again. I survived but the nurses started saying they couldn’t wait to see Bob, a “real American man.”

I was the senior ward Corpsman or two sixteen bed Urology wards. The wards had upper and lower bunks and Requel was trapped in the back corner by the photographers. It was exciting for all of us.

That was 39 years ago. Seeing Requel on the Today Show brought back a lot of memories. To me she has not changed at all. She is still one very beautiful woman. I’m glad I had the chance to met Bob and Requel.

Retirement, Not!

Marika and Howard Stone have given me the the best advice on retirement I have received so far: Don’t!

"Think about it. Why would you want to quit something that provides a place to go and people to see, mental stimulation, a feeling of being needed, a way to hone skills and experience and keep learning, not to mention an income? Even if you can afford to join the leisure class, there is ample evidence that good work– even part-time, flex-time, on your own terms — is good for you. "

Howard and Marika Stone are co-founders of http://www.2young2retire.com/ and and co-authors of Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life . Visit their website and sign up for their newsletter “Reinventing Retirement.”

Ok, I have decided not to retire. Now I have to put a plan together that will carry me into my 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. I agree with the Stones “Retirement is just so 20th century!”