Most of my life I lived off the government. The USAF gave me a free room, food, clothes, health care, and some spending money.
Then the G.I. Bill paid for my college. As a teacher the state and city paid my salary and insurance premiums. I paid into the Teacher Retirement System every month I worked. Now I get a lifetime pension from the state and Medicare. I receive some Social Security. Not as much as I should, but since I receive a pension it is thought by the higher ups (GOP) that it would be double dipping to receive more. I have investments that I seldom dip in to. I have done occasional jobs like substitute teaching and last summer I worked for the U.S Census Dept.
Like @LiterateHiker I am enjoying life. Good health, biking, hiking, volunteering, oh..and still playing softball after all these years. I have it pretty good and I know it.
Not bragging. I know I have been very lucky. I also along the way made some good decisions.

The cost of everything has exceeded my expectations, especially supplemental healthcare insurance.

Plan carefully, part time work can be beneficial, make sure your house is paid for. Don't use USAA Medicare supplemental insurance it's age based and raises more than others as you age, it's age based not community based

Following - thinking about when I might want to retire. Haven't looked into what my income would be, but I currently live pretty cheaply, so I imagine I'll make plenty in retirement to enjoy my life similarly to how I do now, but with more time to goof off, rather than work.

I didn't plan for retirement. I just opened a couple of pension accounts when I was young. And then there was Social Security. So I got to age 65 and started cashing in. End of story.

Retired, I feel healthy and happy. No physical complaints at age 67.

Hiking, weightlifting, running, and volunteering keeps me strong and happy. Talking and laughing with friends gives me joy.

Also enjoy reading and doing jigsaw puzzles.

I was terminated in 2009, and I still LOVE it that way.

At this point I am not looking forward to retiring, I actually love what I do and would like to keep doing it. I would do it out of my garage if I had to. Since I did not make a lot of money I do not get much in Social Security, fortunately Kate gets a little and we rent out the upper two stories of our house. I am doing better than most in this area.