I've done it, officially retired, for now.

[gmarshall]

OK guys, you got me wondering If I could retire too. I'm 61 and have a pension from the state of nj for 25 years in government. Working full time in Ohio. My big question is about health insurance. If your retirement was not planned, how do you handle the health insurance issue. That is the only thing that really worries me about retiring and there aren't too many places to get advice. I'd love to hear your views.

[Wrench]

Congrats on the retirement Dennis, hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I was offered an "early-out" by the company I worked for 3 1/2 yrs ago, I had 28 yrs. in, and it was a big deal. Our retirement was based on a points system, age & yrs of service to equal 85 points for full benefits. The pension $$'s were based on the highest 3 consec. yrs pay out of the last 10 yrs. I had been in the maintenance shops for 10 years, with the highest 3 consec. being my FIRST 3 since we were working 5 10hr days and going to school another 20-25 hrs a week at full pay. My 3 best were going to drop off as my "target" date was May 2012. After all the "figuring" I took about an 8-10% cut in my pension, and my health ins. cost me about $50.00 more per month. I was fortunate in that we could keep all our regular benefits upon retirement, health ins. until eligible for Medicare. When they "sprung" the news on us in Feb. '09 we had 15 days to decide if we wanted to participate, then another 30 days after signing up to back out. It was probably the single biggest decision I've ever made, especially under those circumstances, but I've never looked back. I just started a pretty decent part-timer with a local based business as a tanning bed "lamp changer". There are some good little "niche" jobs out there, but you have to dig around to find them. Good luck!! Maybe we can get together sometime, we're not all that far apart.

[Miles]

OK guys, you got me wondering If I could retire too. I'm 61 and have a pension from the state of nj for 25 years in government. Working full time in Ohio. My big question is about health insurance. If your retirement was not planned, how do you handle the health insurance issue. That is the only thing that really worries me about retiring and there aren't too many places to get advice. I'd love to hear your views.

 

Okay, you have a very good point about the health insurance. I know of many people that retired, and then had to go back to work, even if it was part time, just to have the health insurance coverage from the employer.

 

My secret...I married a gal that is 4 years younger than me, she is a doctor...Ph.D., not MD., and she still needs to work for another 12 years. We have great health insurance through her work...the State Dept. of Health.

[bongobobny]

Yes, health insurance is the main reason I didn't retire sooner...

[Midrsv]

OK guys, you got me wondering If I could retire too. I'm 61 and have a pension from the state of nj for 25 years in government. Working full time in Ohio. My big question is about health insurance. If your retirement was not planned, how do you handle the health insurance issue. That is the only thing that really worries me about retiring and there aren't too many places to get advice. I'd love to hear your views.

 

Just picked up on this thread again. Fortunately for me, I am on my wife's (federal employee) insurance plan and we can keep that into retirement at relatively the same cost. She's working another year. Had I been on my employer's plan the insurance would be nearly unaffordable as a retiree. Nearly $1000/month for a decent plan.

 

Just talked to a guy tonight that had spent $90k this year on care for his wife.

 

Dennis

[Wrench]

Yeah Dennis, health insurance is a BIG deal when considering retirement. I figured when I retired if I could pick up a job that would cover the monthly cost of my health insurance then I'd be that much ahead. I started about 6 weeks ago with a local-based tanning business, and I love it. Like Larry said, it's finding that little "niche" that gets you a few $$'s, and makes you happy. Good luck!!

[rougeray]

OK guys, you got me wondering If I could retire too. I'm 61 and have a pension from the state of nj for 25 years in government. Working full time in Ohio. My big question is about health insurance. If your retirement was not planned, how do you handle the health insurance issue. That is the only thing that really worries me about retiring and there aren't too many places to get advice. I'd love to hear your views.

 

If you’re a veteran the VA will see you. I live in Baton Rouge and we have a local clinic. For major problems ya got to go to New Orleans. You can drive yourself or take a bus that leaves and returns twice a day. I get my prescriptions through the VA also.

[motorcycle_1300]

I officially retired about 10 days ago packed everything up and headed to my new home in Naples Florida, well at least for the winter months. looked a bit like the beverly hillbillies with the truck packed two bikes on the trailer and me driving the Penske ford. was wet and nasty for the first day driving down bikes looked like crap. clutch lever worked hard at first once i ofloaded them now however the clutch slips in second gear if I get on it. Guess it is time for springs.

 

Anybody in south west Fl wants to go for a ride give me a shout.

 

Al

[Jayceesfolly]

I am retiring next week and am looking forward to it. More time to ride the scoot! I have a few projects around the house to keep me busy, so I am not going to be bored. I am adding a new deck and stone patio to the back of the house as well as a new pool. Those projects should keep me out of trouble and, as my wife says..."off the streets"! The winter here has been very mild so far, so I am going to start on the deck right after the holidays. When I have a M & E next summer, y'all have to bring your swimsuits and frolic in the pool. I wonder if the "pond monster" will migrate from Ohio to New York?

 

BTW...thinking about a tour of the George Eastman House Museum for the M & E and then a meal at our home afterwards.

 

 

Jim

[Marcarl]

I am retiring next week and am looking forward to it. More time to ride the scoot! I have a few projects around the house to keep me busy, so I am not going to be bored. I am adding a new deck and stone patio to the back of the house as well as a new pool. Those projects should keep me out of trouble and, as my wife says..."off the streets"! The winter here has been very mild so far, so I am going to start on the deck right after the holidays. When I have a M & E next summer, y'all have to bring your swimsuits and frolic in the pool. I wonder if the "pond monster" will migrate from Ohio to New York?

 

BTW...thinking about a tour of the George Eastman House Museum for the M & E and then a meal at our home afterwards.

 

 

Jim

Really??? like totally like........you're joshin' us right???

[Jayceesfolly]

Carl:

No, not joshin'. My last day is Dec 20th and then my new job is to drive my wife crazy in the shortest time possible! (Shouldn't take long, she is halfway there just thinking about me being around the house for 24 hours a day!)

 

And the projects are for the new home we bought last July, after the International.

 

 

Jim