This poll made me really think about this

[RB TexLa]

The poll about when people plan to retire.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=9090788

Of course I want to one day be in a position I don't have to work to survive. But I can't see not wanting to be a productive working person. Sure, maybe not always 60 to 40 hours a week 52 weeks a year but something. The thing that it really made me think about was becoming not physically able to be productive. I know the "family values" crowd wants us to all believe family is as important and fulfilling as work but I just can not see a way to get past the feeling of utter worthlessness it would cause.

[alstephenson]

1. May I ask how old you are?

I have found (from personal experience) that the closer you get to retirement age, the more you want to retire. Being retired doesn't mean you are utterly worthless, and it shouldn't elicit that response. You should be able to work for as long as you want to and are able to, but those that choose retirement should not be forced to work until they are 70.

[RB TexLa]

2. 40's and I was only speaking of myself in the post.

[Booster]

3. I had the best job in the world for a major TV network. Got to work

with some of the biggest stars ever, the job paid $85,000 a year, and it was easy, but, believe me, one day when you get close to retirement age you will say "ok, it's time". One of the things that helped me reach that decision was watching very young interns come in to work for practically nothing just to get their foot in the door. I would have a great pension and social security, and if I left one of them could get that great job and have just as good a life as I had had. Another thing that helped was they gave me a year's pay if I left a year early. I might add that I owe everything connected to my job to my union.