It will always be up to the Immigration Officer who takes your passport when you arrive, Having said that, your past history of staying in Thailand indicates that you are not a tourist anymoe but are trying to stay longer term in Thailand. Therefore, if you attempt to arrive on a Visa Exempt Stamp, then you are lokely to be taken aside for questioning and possibly refused entry into Thailand. Best you obtain a visa appropriate to the reason for your stay in Thailand.
You cannot renew a Retirement Visa. When the visa reaches its en date, it is gone forever and cannot be renewed. I believe that you will want to aplly for an Extension of Stay based on being over 50. Each Immigration Office has there own list of requirements and these vary depending on the Immigration Office.
You are not renewing your reirement visa. When the visa expires, it cannot be renewed. I assume that you are applying for an extension of stay based on being over 50 years of age.
Just so you understand. You will not be renewing your visa because a visa cannot be renewed and expires when it reaches its end date. You will be applying for an Extension of Stay based on being over 50.
You cannot renew your visa. Once it reaches its expiry date it is finished and cannot be renewed, However, you can the apply to your Immigration Office for an extension of stay based on being over 50 years. There are many Immigration offices in Thailand and some have different criteria on how early you apply, so you need to seek advice from your Immigration office.