You've got to find something to do to make you feel better mentally as much as not working makes you better physically.

Several years ago the military did studies of officers who retired. They determined if the retirees did not retire TOO something their life expectancy was like 22 months.

You need a hobby or other activity to replace your work time. Evaluate your skills. Determine what you enjoy doing and implement that into something you can feel good about. If it's mechanical ability, fix bicycles for free (or a fee), or lawn mowers, or sharpen chain saws......

Can you do handyman's work? Find some of the people who have rental property nearby. Set up a situation with them to fix sinks, stools, water leaks, mow grass, rake leaves, replace screens. Help with remodeling when tenants move. It starts out part time and can develop to be as buys and YOU choose to be. If you work competently you will be able to work you own hours to get those jobs done, and become extremely valuable to the owner.

If you have a work ethic as you described consider it a valuable tool. Many today don't have it, don't know what it is, don't know where to get it, don't know what it's for!!!!! Those folks you can out work with a blind fold on and one arm tied behind your back, and no breakfast! They have no gumption.

 

I am with you. I know exactly how you feel. Two bad knee's limits the crap out of you. Changing the oil can be a challenge. I finally had my left knee surgery and can get around better but still am limited to what I enjoy doing and I am only 40.

 

what have you done over the years?
you have some computer skills.
My draftsman is 65. He learned drafting when he was in highschool. worked as a draftsman for a few years, then joined the air national guard (a week before he got his draft card) and wrenched on jets for 30 years. After retirement, he took an autocad class having NEVER turned a computer on before and has worked for the last 15 years as our draftsman.
Draftsmen aren't in high demand anymore, but they are still needed.
My point is, dont rule out doing something just because you haven't done it in a few years.
Heck, our travel agent doesn't have an office. The people work from home, set themselves as available on their website and that will transfer the next call to them and they do everything online thru their home phone. This means as long as you can operate a computer and talk on the phone at the same time, you can be pretty much completely disabled.

 

totally and permentally disabled here, hurts to think much less do something BUT work ethic from Buffalo NY means I HAVE to be productive.
been through the mental stuff with losing a job to physical injury and it will get better, you smile with helping people, it doesn't hurt a smuch when you feel productive in something you CAN do, making a positive every day.

start the process, look at community college, ask wife what she sees you being good at (may surprise you!)_

PM me if any questions or you just need som esupport. you CAN do this!
about 2 1/2 years on SS from application start to final decision. just so ya know.
keep the faith

 

WOW, Thanks to everyone. I'm starting to feel much better about it. Looking forward to my big vacation. Been looking around and I'm finding plenty of little things I can do around the house.

As far as finding some other work to do, I don't think so. I have osteoarthritis in just about every joint. My hands are crap. can hardley do anything with them anymore. It would be hard to be productive.

Once again thanks to everyone for the kind words, I never thought I would get this large of a response. Only 10 more work days left!!!!!!

 

You may as well use up some of what I've paid in to SS. Sounds like you are someone who needs/deserves some help. Plus I'll never see any return out of it anyway 25 years from now and I've paid in over $100k so far (I have a good paying job, usually get a little "excess SS" back at tax time every year.).

I'll say if the govt ever implemented the plan I heard about a few years ago where you could cash out what you put in, stop paying into SS and be ineligible to collect upon retiement, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
In the meantime you can have mine!