Oh Yeah! Dh retired 2 years ago at 51 and never looked back. I retired 2 months ago at 50. like others have said, we live modestly - have enough money to pay the bills and one vacation a year. 30 years in Verizon - i couldn't wait to get out. i have no intentions of working unless i have to. people are surprised we're not working, like we need to work not to be bored. when they ask "so what are doing?" i say nothing! and i'm as happy as can be. although our kids are 10 and 12 so it's good to have more time with them. Go for it!
Retirement has its advantages and disadvantages: One advantage is that you can throw away your alarm clock. One disadvantage is that you get to get caught up doing all the work that needs to be done around the house and yard.
This is what I tell my former students who ask how I like retirement:
If I had known that not working was this great, I'd've gone on welfare when I was sixteen.
I'm with rowan1. A tired body and a clear mind sure beat a tired mind and rested body. I was allowing my job to kill me. Physical work only hurts my body.
I only have 2 more years before I can retire!! I cannot wait to be able to spend time with my birds!
I am thinking about backing up to part time though and that way I can keep my insurance and a small amount of income coming in to supplement my Social Security.