Whooaa - Phoenix....
Do the course that is suitable for what YOU want.
If you're at retirement stage from ANY job it would at least suggest that there is an age question here - and that the scenario you put forward of not wanting to fly airliners is probably correct - in which case an ATPL level groundschool knowledge level may be an uneccessary pain (and expense).
As you probably know - there are 14 exams for ATPL (including Worldwide Climatology) - and you would need passes in those to command a heavy transport jet.
The CPL (only) has 7 (slightly simpler) exams - and is what you NEED to teach at a flying school.
Although they are both about the same price - the CPL is much easier to learn.
Having said that - are you considering going on to get (even POSSIBLY considering going on to get) an instrument rating??
Tell us what you REALLY WANT - then we can help.