Deseret News | Rush to retire early is selfish, unpatriotic

Reader comments
Andrew L. Yarrow: Rush to retire early is selfish, unpatriotic

Former Resident | 2:31 a.m. April 6, 2008

I am trying to understand why this article even ran in the DNews on April 6. It was published in the Baltimore Sun on March 26 and since has had numerous people weigh in, mostly criticizing Dr. Yarrow for his shortsighted analysis of this issue. As a person who worked in public service for 38 years, retiring at age 60 was appropriate for me. And who is to question when anyone should retire? Dr. Yarrow is only 50 years old. Perhaps he should wait another 10 years and then write his opinions. Perhaps at that point they might seem a little more relative and he might be better qualified to address a subject in which he is currently woefully lacking in essential clues.

Yuppie ways of Neocons | 7:14 a.m. April 6, 2008

Uh-oh!

Neoconservative Andrew L. Yarrow, obviously did some poor planning, has run out of money and must work the rest of his life to afford gasoline for his car.

He must have been too enconced in capitalism,turned into one of those yuppies and ignored the ant and the grasshopper story as a kid.

Chuck Keilman | 7:23 a.m. April 6, 2008

What bilge. Retiring from the 9 to 5 60 hour a week grind allows people to spend more time with their families and utilize their time to find other ways to contribute to America. What about all those who start their own businesses and create jobs for others. Those who spend there now free time volunteering to help others with time they didn't have while working full time. What about the money that is being contributed to charitable endeavors because now people have the time and money to consider such things.

I see a great advantage being retired. I spent more time at work than I did with my family for the years my children were growing up, now I get to spend all the time I want with my children and grand children.

I had nothing against working hard for my life but there is not one thing selfish or wrong about following my dreams now that I am free to do so.

Comments continue below

You're Wrong | 10:13 a.m. April 6, 2008

Huh? If someone can in an honest manner make money during a short period of productivity, what is wrong or unpatriotic about them retiring early?

America is its people and what is good for the people (which is made up of individuals) is good for the country by definition.

Typical collectivist mentality | 10:16 a.m. April 6, 2008

Socialists (and the Congressional Red Army) think that the "common" people are property of the State, and must be kept yoked until no longer of value to the Motherland.

The hundreds of thousands of dollars I've paid in taxes over the years are enough of a contribution. Watching so much of that money go to feel-good pork-barrel political favors doesn't motivate me to give you more.

Why spend an extra 10 years working, commuting, and away from where I want to be for 60 or more hours each week, only to find that the fruits of 25 of those hours were given to some university to categorize navel lint?

Do the math. If I can retire at 55, the drop in income will be less than the drop in taxes and the various expenses involved with my work. That means that I'll have MORE money. and less chance of a heart attack before I can spend it.

I can't imaging anyone's last thought being "I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

If means that I'm selfish and unpatriotic, then I'll just have to live with the shame. For 30 years.

Not being a Slave is Selfish | 10:23 a.m. April 6, 2008

I think not volunteering to be a slave is also selfish. Think of how many good causes could benefit if I signed myself over to them and became their slave?

Anonymous | 11:03 a.m. April 6, 2008

If you listen to our conservative administration you will go broke, lose your retirement, your social security benefits faster than you might imagine.

veedub | 11:23 a.m. April 6, 2008

Everyone should keep working as long as they wish, but many people I know who have "retired" are as busy or busier as before, with travel, spending time with family, or taking opportunities for volunteer work. If they can afford it, retirees can accomplish as much in retirement as when they were trudging day by day to a sometimes meaningless job.

Anonymous | 1:34 p.m. April 6, 2008

If you haven't planned for the future and have lived a typical yuppie life, you will no doubt have to work forever.

anon | 2:36 p.m. April 6, 2008

Subtext: the state owns you. Being born is a crime, and you've a debt to serve to society.

Paul | 3:20 p.m. April 6, 2008

Since a lot of US industry has been moved overseas in the last 20 or 30 years, what exactly does the original writer want potential retirees to be doing - working the counters at McDonalds or mopping floors? But, if they do that, what will the illegals be left with - picking lettuce?

Stewart | 4:43 p.m. April 6, 2008

The retirement age has already climbed from 65 and by 2009 will be 66 and increasing. If the economy tanks this year Mr. Yarrow should be happy because of the many retirees that will have to go back to work just to live, and the funds of many future retirees will have been eaten up by the inflation that will follow. By the way retirees are required to pay taxes on 80% of their Social Security income. In reality they pay on it twice. Those that were retired in the 1970s were cheated out of their retirement. A generation later we can expect the same thing again, while the "Robber Baron CEOs" take their multi-million cut out of the economy.

Anonymous | 5:51 a.m. April 7, 2008

I retired at 51. Why? Like that old saying about why the dog does THAT........cause he CAN.

Who's idea was it to pump tens of BILLIONS of dollars in Afghanistan and Iraq? Not me , I'm not responsible for that waste.

Who's responsible for for the overpayment of our officials? Not me!
What about all the other fat in our Guv spending and outright waste?

Retire when you are sure you will have enough to go the distance.

Figure on taking 4% your first year in retirement.
Add another 2% per year after.

Can you pay your bills with that amount?

Add in what you need weekly ALSO add in pocket change..........say 110.00 each for you and spouse.
finally..........whatever your bills now. pad that amount another 8%

Lastly: if you live in a State that hasn't seen
electricity de-regulation yet,pad you electric bill another 44%.

ok. do those numbers work out?

If they do,RETIRE NOW AND LIVE.

any questions?

Barb | 2:24 p.m. April 8, 2008

Mr.Yarrow should try working in law enforcement where you put your life on the line everyday for people like him. I'm 52 and have 30 years in. I can't wait to retire at 56 (Rule 90). I just hope I don't die before that time. Uniform staff can retire with full benefits at 55. I cannot. I'm in management. I don't have children or grandchildren to take care of me when I'm elderly. Calling us "baby boomers" unpatriotic makes me sick. My husband died at 48 from effects from the Vietnam War. Let's put some of those billions of dollars into our domestic woes instead of on war. Shame on him for his comments!

Jo | 4:20 p.m. April 8, 2008

I don't think he really understands retirement. You are still working. Different work at home. You just take a salary cut to do it.

Retire and Live | 10:35 a.m. April 9, 2008

If a person can retire and live without depending on others...go for it. My parents put more into Social Security than they will ever pull out of it. And I would like to know anyone who can live solely on what they get from Social Security. If they don't have other means of income they work to suplement their income.

If we didn't spend all the money on those who are here illegally and on medicaid and are not contributing to the Social Security because they are using bogus numbers, there would be more money for those who worked their who lives and contributed to the system.

I probably won't see any Social Security when I am old enough to retire, but my father taught me that it isn't the Governments responsibility to take care of me. If I can't manage money and invest and save for retirement, then I deserve to work till I die.

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