Why I Retired at 55 — And Why It Just Made Sense

I retired at 55 — not because I was done working, but because it made sense.

After more than 30 years of security and operations experience, I had the opportunity to take a $200,000 lump sum along with a $3,500 monthly pension for life. That decision allowed us to pay off our house, our cars, eliminate major bills and credit cards, and make some much-needed home renovations — things that would have taken another 10 years or more if I had kept working.

The plan was never to stop working. The plan was to remove pressure.

With our major bills gone and the pension covering what remains, my goal was to continue working, earn additional income, and use that money for savings, flexibility, and discretionary spending.

Since retiring, I’ve taken on security management roles, learned some hard lessons, and found myself navigating the job market again — this time with more freedom, but also new challenges.

This channel, I’m Retired — Now What?, is about sharing that journey in real time — the decisions, the lessons, the wins, and the uncertainty — without hype or pretending to have all the answers.

If you’re retired, close to retirement, still wanting to work after a long career, or wondering what comes next after the grind, you’re not alone.