I pride myself in KNOWING I won't depend on him to make it through my twillight years...but do you think generally, people reach their retiremnt years, and know or expect their significant other to be at their side?

I met a woman this weekned who is wife to one of Dad's friends....they are from a large city, and moved to their summmer home, just as my parents did when I was in jr high school. Anyway, this chick was so lonely that I had a five minute conversation with her about dogs, and she asked me over this week, and she was sad when I told her I did not live there.

So, I really think that when people retire, they just expect that they will entertain each other, and when that does not happen, it really sucks for the person who misses the city.

I answer based on my own experience. My wife and I did similar goal for later in life. I am now retired from the Army. I still work but it is not because I have to bring a check home. With my retirement and VA benefits I can actually not work anymore. We are still young enough for us to now do more things when we want to. Our kids are grown up.
Even though my wife stayed at home raising the kids and taking care of the family I saw it as my duty to make sure she was covered in her old age should something happen to me. She is not worried at all now that the house is paid and I am paying for her to still get part of my retirement pay and she will get SS. For her alone that will be enough and no worries about medical needs either and no house mortgage.

To me it is sad that people do have in the back of their mind not fully trust their mate will be there later because of the potential for divorce there. Attitudes have changed for men and women to think about that when they are looking into the future. My wife and have had our lows during the last 37 years of marriage but divorce is something we are determined to fight. We truly have worked hard through hard times. Divorce in our opinion people do use it as the easier way to solve marriage problems.

You have a great day.
Friendly Veteran

I don't know, but you shouldn't.

Welcome aboard F.V. Thanks for your service and I hope you and your wife have a long and healthy retirement ahead of you.

Yes. I think it's a blessing and somewhat of a curse when couples reach retirement age together, because while yes, it's undoubtedly comforting knowing that you'll have your partner with you, it probably becomes very easy for the two to become complacent with each other. I imagine that single people who enter their senior stage may be more likely to be more active and mobile.

RedBedroom wrote:

I pride myself in KNOWING I won't depend on him to make it through my twillight years...but do you think generally, people reach their retiremnt years, and know or expect their significant other to be at their side?

I met a woman this weekned who is wife to one of Dad's friends....they are from a large city, and moved to their summmer home, just as my parents did when I was in jr high school. Anyway, this chick was so lonely that I had a five minute conversation with her about dogs, and she asked me over this week, and she was sad when I told her I did not live there.

So, I really think that when people retire, they just expect that they will entertain each other, and when that does not happen, it really sucks for the person who misses the city.

I think people probably expect that before they reach their twilight years. Once they hit that stage and their health starts to decline, they probably become a little more aware of how it's not a guarantee.