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For many working Americans, retirement is a dream filled with freedom, hobbies, and travel plans. But for one retiree, the most common question he gets — “So, how do you like retirement?” — never stops making him laugh.

He wrote, on Reddit’s r/retirement forum, that the question always surprises him because he can’t tell whether people are serious. “I loved my job and I loved my career,” he said. “What I love more though is not having a job. Every day is mine. I do what I want, when I want, if I want.”

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Adjusting to Life After Work

This retiree explained that his transition from work to retirement wasn’t instant. “Took me a few years to get here,” he said. “OK, maybe a few decades. But it’s great.”

It took time to get to a place where he felt fully content. He credits that peace to having a supportive family, good health, and a modest but stable financial foundation.

“We’re far from wealthy,” he wrote. “We live in a small house, but it’s ours. We have everything we need.”

Other Reddit users chimed in to share their own experiences. One person described retirement as being “like a teenager with money and wrinkles.” Another added that the only thing they miss about work is “being young and working.”

While some said they were initially nervous about the transition, most agreed that the freedom and reduced stress make retirement worth the adjustment. “Now that I’m retired, I realize I should have retired years sooner,” one commenter wrote.

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Freedom — With a New Kind of Structure

The original poster, who spent 40 years in the same career, admitted that it took time to get used to life without the routines of work. “We are raised and taught to be workers,” he said. “I spent my whole life thinking I would be a worker and then suddenly one day… I just get to live.”

Still, he’s found joy in the unstructured days — even poking fun at them: “It’s really hard deciding if I wanna hike, kayak, or garden,” he joked. “I have far too many social engagements, listen to way too much live music, and have to spend more time with my wife, children, and grandchild.”

What Makes Retirees Happiest

Research backs up many of these observations. Most retirees are happier than they were while working — particularly those who planned ahead financially and emotionally, according to a 2024 MassMutual Retirement Happiness Study.

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According to the study, retirees who feel “much happier” in retirement are more likely to spend their time socializing, exercising, and pursuing hobbies. Those who report loneliness — about one-third of respondents — often didn’t focus on building social connections before leaving the workforce.

“The happiest retirees invest not just in their financial futures but also in their social circles and physical health long before retirement,” said Paul LaPiana, head of brand, product, and affiliated distribution at MassMutual.

Finding the Balance

The Reddit retiree’s story highlights that a fulfilling retirement isn’t about luxury or endless leisure. It’s about stability, relationships, and choice. As he put it, “Every day is mine.”

So, how does he like retirement? His answer, delivered with a smile: “It’s great.”

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This article ‘So, How Do You Like Retirement?’ — One Retiree Shares Why That’s The Funniest Question He Gets originally appeared on Benzinga.com