First-hand accounts of retired life from the personal perspectives of retirees are provided, based on a 1982-1983 survey. The accounts are based on written statements from over 1,500 retirees of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA/CREF). The comments were elicited at the end of a 20-page questionnaire by open-ended queries. Respondents ages ranged from 60 to 95, and the group included faculty, administrators, professional staff, and support staff. The views on retirement are published as part of TIAA-CREF's expanding retirement counseling services for participants and their spouses. The objective is to help future retirees plan better for the life-change of retirement. Retirement considerations discussed include finances, health and housing, adjustment difficulties, altered relationship with spouse, and retirement as a single person. Additional topics include getting ready for retirement, reasons for retirement, the freedom of retirement, activities, working for pay and pleasure, concern about inflation and Social Security, health insurance and medical costs, where to live, and ties with family. The questionnaire is included. (SW)