What does retirement mean to you?

Don Carson, retired Civil Engineer/Project Manager, Jacobs Engineering (age 79)

In a brief discussion with Don Carson, we got his story of retirement.

His career started with the Army Corps of Engineers in 1961 and J.E. Sirrine in 1963, which later became Jacobs Engineering, where he retired.

Since he enjoyed his job, Don continued to work past the “normal” retirement age. At the age of 71 the company’s workload began to slow and Don offered to retire. A few months later the company asked him to come back for a specific project that lasted approximately 18 months. He stayed on part-time after the project ended.

As his work week continued to get longer, he and his wife, Nina Jo, decided it was time to fully enjoy retirement. At age 75 Don decided to completely retire.

Five years later we asked how they are spending their days in retirement and Don said “Busy.” He said “We volunteer, work with the church, do yoga and Tia Chi, involved in grandkids’ activities, and travel.” Don said “I think we did more together when I worked than now.”

In our interview with Don, we asked what advice would you give someone in their late 50s or early 60s that is planning when to retire and how to spend retirement. Don said, “Honestly, I can’t imagine retiring at 55. If someone is going to retire at 55 I hope they’ve got a lot to do. I hope they have something worthwhile to keep them busy.”

Retirement means different things to different people. What does it mean to you?