I retired at age 51 due to numerous reasons, my health, wanting to be a room mom when DD started first grade, and mostly because I could. I had worked for the University of Illinois for 30 years at a fairly good paying job. I LOVE IT! I don't know when I had time to work! Granted my health isn't the best in the world but I'm having the time of my life! If I want to sew I sew, if I want to sleep I sleep, if I want to go shopping, I go, if I want to go on retreat, I do it. For the first time in my life my time is my own (for the most part). Retirees can be a vital part of the community, their neighborhood and their church. I don't stand so well anymore, I don't jump around and dance to the Lord like I used to but I can hold those babies so that the younger ones can. We all have rolls to play, the trick in retirement is finding your new roll.