Author Topic: I pulled the trigger.... (Read 3935 times)

Shorty · « **on:** February 26, 2018, 01:25:05 PM »

In spite of what my money people said, I signed up for Social Security. Hello geezerdom! I have reached full retirement age, thus surprizing all the nay-sayers. I will continue to work full time, Lord willing, at least for the rest of this year, possibly a little longer in hopes of that rumoured big early out package....

. BUT, the finish line is in sight. Kinda scary thinking of all that freedom. I might have developed a little Stockholm Syndrome, having been at the same salt mine for 32 years.....

oldbike54 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2018, 01:41:50 PM »

UH OH , I see trouble brewing in the Tulsa area . Have you alerted the authorities of this development ?

Dusty

RinkRat II · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2018, 01:53:16 PM »

Congrats Shorty

Now ya gotta figure what kinda career you want for the next 32!

Paul B

twowings · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2018, 01:54:09 PM »

C'mon in, the water's fine!

My Medicare starts Thursday!!!!

Muzz · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2018, 01:58:29 PM »

Shorty, when you finally pull the trigger you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

I too continued working for a further two years after retirement age, 65 out here, simply because I m two years older than my wife. It is a universal superannuation out here, not a pension, and everyone gets it on turning 65 no matter what. I could have retired at 65 but the married payout is reduced if one partner is under 65.

In those two years I was in severe chronic pain from hip and auto immune problems, and those two years were hell. I will never be completely ok but retirement has seen a dramatic improvement in my health. I think it is because I can plan my day on what I feel like doing. If the body feels a bit iffy I can slow down, which takes a huge amount of mental pressure off.

Seeing an end in sight makes a huge difference though. Enjoy your final years, if you have been at the same salt mine for 32 years you must get some enjoyment from your job, which helps greatly.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2018, 02:10:57 PM »

Ah! Retirement. Like turning back into a kid again except the toys are bigger. Be three years in May and I have never come anywhere close to regretting it.
GliderJohn

JJ · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2018, 02:13:43 PM »

Quote from: Shorty on February 26, 2018, 01:25:05 PM

In spite of what my money people said, I signed up for Social Security. Hello geezerdom! I have reached full retirement age, thus surprizing all the nay-sayers. I will continue to work full time, Lord willing, at least for the rest of this year, possibly a little longer in hopes of that rumoured big early out package.... . BUT, the finish line is in sight. Kinda scary thinking of all that freedom. I might have developed a little Stockholm Syndrome, having been at the same salt mine for 32 years.....

Good for you and CONGRATS to making it to FRG (Full-Retirement-Geerzerdom!!)

I

'll be 64 this August, so two more years for me...and God willing... I'll be right behind you!

:1:

Sheepdog · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2018, 02:22:38 PM »

I'll be eligible for Social Security in less than a year. I'm going to jump on it. I retired the first time in '08 and again in '16. Highly recommended...there's nothing like having a flexible schedule.

Texas Turnip · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2018, 02:30:22 PM »

Good for you, Shorty.

I started collecting SS as soon as I could. No regrets.

Tex

Lannis · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2018, 02:37:32 PM »

Quote from: Texas Turnip on February 26, 2018, 02:30:22 PM

Good for you, Shorty.

I started collecting SS as soon as I could. No regrets.

Tex

And because I got MY retirement advice from YOU, I did the same. Started SS at age 62. If I had waited until my "full retirement age" for my DOB (66), which is what everyone encourages you to do, I would be 79 years old before the higher payment caught up with the four years that I wouldn't have collected it.

By the way, everything you told me about retirement and financial planning back in 2004 was right, and it's been working like a charm.

Lannis

kirkemon · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2018, 02:38:39 PM »

Shorty,

I'm in the same boat. Reached full retirement age but still working. Maybe nest year?
I've worked for the same company since 1980. Not sure what not going to work is like, I've been lucky to be employed so long. I like to surf, golf, and go places on motorcycles, so I guess I'll find things to do.
Good luck to you.

JJ · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2018, 03:26:29 PM »

Quote from: kirkemon on February 26, 2018, 02:38:39 PM

Shorty,

I'm in the same boat. Reached full retirement age but still working. Maybe nest year?
I've worked for the same company since 1980. Not sure what not going to work is like, I've been lucky to be employed so long. I like to surf, golf, and go places on motorcycles, so I guess I'll find things to do.
Good luck to you.

Food for thought for everyone...the late Dr. Stephey Covey said:

"Never retire to leisure, but rather to projects..."

Frulk · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2018, 03:49:50 PM »

From the title I thought this was a gun thread.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2018, 03:56:06 PM »

I’m not sure if pulling you’re trigger is an acceptable subject here

someone could be offended!

Lannis · « **Reply #14 on:** February 26, 2018, 03:59:23 PM »

Quote from: Guzzistajohn on February 26, 2018, 03:56:06 PM

I�m not sure if pulling you�re trigger is an acceptable subject here someone could be offended!

One thing's for sure, we're not helping our reputation among the youngsters for spending an inordinate amount of our time talking about Old Guy stuff .....

Lannis

JJ · « **Reply #15 on:** February 26, 2018, 04:01:46 PM »

Quote from: Lannis on February 26, 2018, 03:59:23 PM

One thing's for sure, we're not helping our reputation among the youngsters for spending an inordinate amount of our time talking about Old Guy stuff .....

Lannis

private picture upload

Shorty · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2018, 04:30:30 PM »

Mrs. Shorty is 4 years younger then me. My company quit providing retiree (and spousal) health bennies some time ago, and froze the pension some years ago. So I have to work longer than I had hoped to squirrel away enough to cover her health costs. Prolly a good thing we both come from working class families. No gold plated loo in our future...

Tom · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2018, 04:32:24 PM »

I never fully retired when I was retired. Looks like more of the same. I joke about being retired now and showing up in an office just to check in.

Totally enjoy the job. So when I retire the next time, I'll still be working somewhere.

Sheepdog · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2018, 06:26:28 PM »

We bought this little farm in '08. Haven't had any shortage of things to do since...

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2018, 06:39:43 PM »

I quit punching the clock.. uhh.. 28 years ago.

Never have and never will "retire" though. Everyone I know that did that died shortly thereafter. <shrug>

twowings · « **Reply #20 on:** February 26, 2018, 07:30:01 PM »

I am a homeowner, have 4 automobiles and 1 bike to do maintainence on, a teenage son who still needs a ride everywhere, a lawn, 2 dogs, a daughter who lives next door, and

... having 'something to keep me busy' IS NOT AN ISSUE...trust me

radguzzi · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2018, 07:44:42 PM »

Good stuff Shorty.

I have my Medicare Part A and B card, just signed on with the Supplemental, SS starts in a month, the pension is in place and my last day to work for the folks that I have been privileged to work for the past thirty eight (38) years is March 30th...

Wife Sue retired about six weeks ago, we are ready to do this next chapter.

Congrats Shorty, enjoy when you finally do it.

Best,
Rob

leroysch · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2018, 09:14:45 PM »

A subject I've been debating given I'm 63.

Best plan I've hatched so far is to wait until I become Medicare eligible. If I'm doing the math right, between my and my employer's contributions, medical insurance pushes 20K a year. Yikes!

On a better note, earlier this year I got a dose of reality when the insurance carrier I switched to (Nationwide) wanted $1800 to cover 5 bikes. Previously, the bikes were reasonably staggered throughout the year making it less...obvious (read took more work)....to figure out the annual cost. Then, an AARP junk letter shows up encouraging getting a quote from their endorsed motorcycle insurer. Premium got cut in half for the same coverage.

It was a good day.

Lannis · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2018, 09:32:34 PM »

Quote from: leroysch on February 26, 2018, 09:14:45 PM

A subject I've been debating given I'm 63.

Best plan I've hatched so far is to wait until I become Medicare eligible. If I'm doing the math right, between my and my employer's contributions, medical insurance pushes 20K a year. Yikes!

That's different for different people, of course, and depends on the state of your health, how many dependents, what area you live in, all like that.

Fay and I are turning 64 this year; just did our taxes so I know exactly what our medical expenses, premiums, etc. are. Insurance premiums $480/mo + $5300 in self-paid copays, etc, so $11,000 for the year. We don't go through the government exchanges so it's a lot cheaper than many.

Next year, when we're doing Medicare A&B and supplements, that'll go to less than half of that, so a bit of a "raise" for us ....

Someone with bad and chronic health issues, different plan ...

Lannis

LowRyter · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2018, 10:11:43 PM »

Congrats Shorty.

Next beer is on me. (In fact Bev & I will be in T-town to see Tedeschi Trucks on 19 April.) Meet us at the Mexacali before the show AND COLLECT! (and come to the show, what the hell else ya doin?)

Retirement has been good for us. Bev will turn 66 in March and is about to apply for her Social Security. She's been deferring for the extra compound.

blackbuell · « **Reply #25 on:** February 27, 2018, 05:36:55 AM »

I retired May 2016 at 67; started collecting SS at 66+. Went from working 75 hours/week to unlimited "free" time. Still haven't found any major way to fill the time; guess I just feel like kicking back for a while. When the weather is suitable I take motorcycle trips or go backpacking/hiking. However, in the winters I have been very bored; need to find a better way to occupy my time.

My wife is 10 years younger; won't retire for 4 more years; I get my health insurance through her company, which is great for me. What is not great is the fact that when I jump on a bike for a cross-country ride or when I go to Colorado to climb some mountains, she gets pissed that she can't come along.

Jon

mechanicsavant · « **Reply #26 on:** February 27, 2018, 11:06:37 AM »

I'm in favor of getting out asap .this based on my dads experience. He worked all his life & died on his 65th birthday! I was fortunate to chew through the harness @ 53. Then did volunteer work for seniors,Therese a lot of wisdom &some dementia in those folk. Of course adjustments are part of any deal but I've not regretted my choice .to quote the lizard king (Jim Morrison ) "nobody here gets out alive". So eat dessert first life is uncertain!

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Author Topic: I pulled the trigger.... (Read 3935 times)

oldbike54

twowings

Frulk

twowings