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Every once in a while we have a "whatever happened to poster X?" inquiry here. Mine is about Vicky3Vicky, who hasn't posted on City-Data for about a month and a half. Does anybody know if she is O.K.?
Excuse the diversion, ER. Something's been on my mind lately, and I think I finally came to a decision about it.
As some of you know, I scheduled my retirement date to be this upcoming March 7th. No particular reason for that date, other than I wanted to achieve my 34th anniversary here, get into a new month and wanted to be contrary and retire on a day other than a Monday or a Friday.
On that last day, I'll get a nice check for unused vacation and sick time. Only a percentage of the sick accrual, but one-for-one on the vacation time. That last check would be somewhere around $24,000 gross. Had expected to live on that for awhile so that I could delay SS benefits and get me moved to my new retirement home in another state.
Then, a few weeks ago, heard a rumor that they hold back 60% of that last check. WHAT??? That changes things. I expected to have to pay taxes, but not that much! A quick e-mail to HR confirmed that they only hold back 40%, due to IRS regulations. It is not considered pay, but supplemental income. Okay, that's better. She said I could get around that 40% by having it go straight into TIAA, (after which I could presumably withdraw it immediately at a more reasonable holdback.
But it got me to thinking . . . why don't I just burn the vacation, then come back those last two days to close out my employment status. Lots of advantages for doing so. 1.) I'm "stuck" in the house anyway because of all the downsizing, packing, and delayed maintenance required before selling, 2.) I'd still get my regular paycheck for those days, 3.) I'd still be on employer medical, (a very reasonable monthly fee), 4.) I'd still be accruing vacation time, (about an extra 3 days), 5.) I'd still be technically employed, so it would theoretically be easier to obtain a new mortgage on my retirement home, and 6.) best of all, I'd still get employer contributions to my retirement account.
Only real downside that I can figure is that I'd be "stuck" in case I was ready to move and an opportunity presents itself, and I wouldn't be in a situation to avail myself of it. But then, it's the 'slow season' in real estate and inventory is currently low.
So . . . a brilliant solution suddenly popped into my mind this morning. Why don't I pull a Solomon and 'split the difference down the middle'? I have two months of accrued vacation, (the maximum allowable to accrue). Why don't I take one month before that March 7th date and another month after that March 7th date? Originally, I had thought of taking the two months after March 7th, which would make my new retirement date at the beginning of May.
What this means is that I just have this month of January left to go to work. I'll be on vacation all of February and March, with an official retirement at the beginning of April. (The beginning of the month as a retirement date gives me employer medical till the end of that month.) The net effect is that my pseudo retirement begins in about three weeks, and the official retirement begins April 3rd or 4th.
Already cleared it with my supervisors. On my secondary project, the other IOT, (Instrument Operations Technician), says that the new guy is up to speed enough that he can take over now. My replacement on my primary project is on vacation today, so I'll let him know tomorrow. He needs a little push anyway. I'll still come in on those odd days where my expertise is needed. Maybe two or three days a months. That's easy enough to do. Puts the pressure on me to finish updating the operating procedures documentation.
Feels good. To finally see the goal line and to have made a decision. This retirement stuff is not easy. I thank the good Lord that I can leave on my own terms, unlike so many here who have been forced into retirement.
Volosong: You didn't ask for feedback, and I am no expert in any case, but it seems to me your reasoning is sound and that you have a very rational, objective, and analytical approach. Small wonder, given what your job is! It is refreshing to read that sort of post, as opposed to the emotional kind which is so often devoted to hyperbole and hostility.
May it all work out exactly as you have planned and hoped. I wish you all the best with the sale of your house and with your move to a new state. May that be smooth sailing, although smooth sailing is never guaranteed with that sort of endeavor. Whatever problems come up, I have confidence you will handle them well.
Thanks. I may be a techo-geek, but I like simplicity and tranquility, of a sort. And a plan! The plan may, and probably will change, but I need a direction. Without a direction, it doesn't matter which way one goes. Right?
Also, in my 'old age', I really seem to be embracing that ol' cliché that our mythical parents always told us, "If you can't say anything nice . . . don't say anything." I've also learned that after giving up a daily reading of the newspaper, my life is a whole lot more peaceful and a whole lot less stressful. If something going on in the world is that 'earth shattering', it will filter down to me someway or somehow.
Thanks. I may be a techo-geek, but I like simplicity and tranquility, of a sort. And a plan! The plan may, and probably will change, but I need a direction. Without a direction, it doesn't matter which way one goes. Right?
Also, in my 'old age', I really seem to be embracing that ol' cliché that our mythical parents always told us, "If you can't say anything nice . . . don't say anything." I've also learned that after giving up a daily reading of the newspaper, my life is a whole lot more peaceful and a whole lot less stressful. If something going on in the world is that 'earth shattering', it will filter down to me someway or somehow.
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Well, the bolded part is a good philosophy for avoiding conflict and hence keeping one's blood pressure down. LOL But I seem to be cursed with a congenital (or since childhood in any case) compulsion to confront baloney (to avoid using a two-word phrase also beginning with "b") whenever I encounter it. That has made my posting life on City-Data interesting, to say the least. Sure, I have to choose my battles, especially in the workplace, but it is hard to go against one's essential nature.
Thanks. I may be a techo-geek, but I like simplicity and tranquility, of a sort. And a plan! The plan may, and probably will change, but I need a direction. Without a direction, it doesn't matter which way one goes. Right?
I also applaud your planning. Mine was easier. I retired on Dec. 30 because that ensured I'd receive a pension COLA for the new year. If I'd retired on the 31st my first COLA wouldn't be effective until the second year of retirement. I also cemented/vested my last promotion and the accompanying pay increase for purposes of my pension by waiting to the end of the year.
The 30th happened to be a Tuesday. Monday I came into my office dressed casually, cleaned it out, loaded my personal belongings into my car, said my goodbyes and was gone before noon, never to look back. It was two years earlier than originally planned but it was time!
Every once in a while we have a "whatever happened to poster X?" inquiry here. Mine is about Vicky3Vicky, who hasn't posted on City-Data for about a month and a half. Does anybody know if she is O.K.?
You're right. Her last post was in October where she wrote about a homeless man they were helping.
You're right. Her last post was in October where she wrote about a homeless man they were helping.
Actually her last post wasn't quite that long ago. It was on November 20 (2016) in a Retirement Forum thread entitled "Light Conversation: What forum posters would you like to talk to in real life?".
Every once in a while we have a "whatever happened to poster X?" inquiry here. Mine is about Vicky3Vicky, who hasn't posted on City-Data for about a month and a half. Does anybody know if she is O.K.?
Strange, I was thinking about her too. She did post something emotional in response to some crass remark someone posted, saying she's in a vulnerable state with an upcoming cancer test result due. It has crossed my mind that perhaps in that regard she's not doing well. She had been posting quite regularly.
I sent her a DM. Will let everyone know if she responds. Maybe everyone should send her a DM & let her know we care. I don't know - just a thought.
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Decisions, decisions!
