I'm also a school teacher. You are not crazy. Even if you hadn't lost your husband, it would still be scary. Take heart. Talk with a financial planner and get their input. I live in Texas and I frequently get emails from financial planners offering free dinners at the dinner, they answer questions. It may be an option for you.

Hate to say it but I Think that you should stay at your job till retirement Better safe than sorry

You might better reconsider. Life is no picnic any way you look at it but staying home alone is the pits! No routine to count on, just that tv, telephone & computer. Unless you have a ton of friends to do things with.
Try just taking a leave of absence and try it out before you give up working. You may find out its not what you thought it would be.
Life is so different when we are alone and a widow..
Hope you make the right choices.

Thanks for the advice, since I started teaching later than most I won't ever make it to full retirement, (I don't plan to teach until seventy!)
I talked with the school retirement guy and he offered nothing and I talked with the state retirement teachers and they said I can start drawing at sixty. Since my birthday is in March there is no reason to teach a half a yr. more, they discourage you from doing that.
I have been taking care of other people's kids and not taking care of myself. I am burnt out and figure if worse comes to worse, I can get a part time job doing something more fun. Teaching is not fun to me any more.

It seem like you already made your decision. so just do it.

I agree - just do it. Sometimes our bodies tell us what to do, even if our brains continue on their logical path (which is their function).

Being worn out and tired all the time is no fun. Staying home alone is no fun either, but you will have the time to find something you enjoy.
Sending lots of hugs

At the end of the day, it is your decision. You are far enough along that I think it is up to you. The only hesitation I would have is losing the other benefits you receive while working. I also wonder if there is a way for you to do a partial change or go to part-time for the coming year instead of a full break before you collect your retirement. My concern is that you would put yourself in a position where you have no cushion and no fallback if anything happened, like you became sick for example.

I wonder if what you actually need is a vacation, a break. Exhaustion and frustrsation will make you want to do drastic measures. If you can take a break, get some real rest and recreation and then still want to do it, then go for it. Just proceed with some cautions that's all.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

I think it's a matter of the individual's priorities...what is important to YOU. For some, financial security is # 1...for others, it's being free to live life on your own terms.

Only you know what gives you the most peace of mind.

I think you should go for it! I've also worked since I was 15 and am "too young" to retire too.....life is short as we all know. Go for it and enjoy your farm and not getting up to an alarm clock every morning! Sounds like you've thought it out and can make it financially so what the heck! :)

If being on this unasked for "Journey" has taught me anything.... it's life is to short! A lot of us never got the chance to enjoy retirement with our husband or wife... I say go for it! Blessings!

Thanks for all your input. I guess I should have mentioned I do have savings to fall back on, probably not enough, but putting forty thousand miles on my car in two yrs. is what is worrying me. I am more isolated and alone at work than I ever am at my farm. They all live a totally different life than me (city dwellers) and have gone on with their gripes about their husbands, one actually complained that he told her he bought her a Christmas present and she griped because now she was going to have to buy him one.
I am perfectly happy when I am alone on my farm. I have fifty head of cows to take care of, donkeys, chickens, and two wonderful dogs that wait for me to come home every day and I watch getting older.
My husband and I were just waiting until I turned sixty so we could go and travel more and now he is dead before I could retire. I worked all these yrs. so that he would have insurance, no one would insure him because of his first heart attack and five bypass 18 yrs. ago. I am healthy and never have used the insurance all these yrs. My Dr. retired!!
I want to visit people that I haven't had time to do since he died. My husband worked all his life and never even got to get his social security! I don't want to be too old to go anywhere and never have done the things I want to do. I have taken care of people and other people's kids all of my life. I just want some peace in my life and a change. Sorry for all the ramblings but yes, I have thought about this for a yr. I think it is time.

I think you should be able to collect under your late husband's Social Security when you are age 60 ,if you retire. Give them a call -they were very helpful to me and even gave me an amount so that I could plan. Good luck to you!

Unfortunately, I always made more money than him so I won't be able to collect on his social security. That is what they told me when he died.

I took my retirement early, was 62.... if I had worked until retirement age, would only have been 170 dollars more a month. I get widows benefits, and was able to draw out my retirement at 59, (401k), paid off my house and bills, now I get widows benefits, at reduced rate, and draw on mine.

isn't school about out for the summer?.... maybe you need to think about during that time. ts hard to get another job at this age. they say you won't stay... follow your heart... you only live once.

I am a 55 year old special ed. teacher and I made the decision to retire. I have 34 years of teaching credit and one year of sick leave which adds another year. I have decided to retire and enjoy what is left of my life. My husband died suddenly this Feb., just short by 2 years of his retirement date. He was 54. We had planned to retire together. I am going for it. He left me financially fine, but he isn't here to enjoy it. LIfe isn't a given, do what is best for YOU! I have a new grandbaby and two daughters who I plan to go see a good bit and just do what I want for a change .

Teaching isn't teaching any more, it is all about the test. So sad for the kids.