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I became eligible in 2015 at age 60 to retire with pension and health insurance so there was an established date when I qualified for retirement. But I decided that I needed to work until 62 to boost my retirement income. It was very disappointing at the time because I really wanted to retire. Even though I recognized that the delay would improve my financial position, I felt that I was sacrificing 2 years of my life and health for money. This has made the last 15 months hard to endure and has put me in a bit of a funk.
But eligibility has changed my work attitude and made it easier in some ways. I am much more detached and don't get as upset about management BS initiatives and policies or the new administration that is out to get federal workers. It has been harder to stay focused as I fixate on retirement but my quality of work on projects has not diminished, just my degree of engagement within the organization. Not a WTH attitude toward my customers and work products but maybe towards my agency. I’m on the final stretch now and currently counting down all my "last time I have to do such and such" milestones: performance review, training plan, ethics training, etc. etc. Just hope the last 9 months go quickly.
Once the necessity to work goes away, it is hard, unless you're in a rewarding career that you really love, to maintain the same focus.
Because in the back of your mind, you know that you don't have to put up with the same bs any more. My tolerance for office politics has gone from "grin and bear it" to near zero.
But I still do as good a job as I can, because the day I feel that I'm not giving the job 100%, I'll find something else to do.
When my job went south at age 65 and one month, I applied for Medicare. When I receive my Medicare card it was my ticket to freedom.
A certain feamale manager (whom everyone hated) sent me a pressuring email. Only to me! Not my boss or her manager. I came within three inches of giving a week's notice. Ah! Such freedom! Said email I forwarded to my boss. After a very supportive chat, I agreed to wait 11 months to retire.
I retired suddenly, pretty much on the spur of the moment. 2 or 3 weeks notice. Couple of weeks of thinking preceded it. Just decided I had had it with the east coast city and with the job, and had a health problem. Immediately made an over 1000 mile move and happiness and enjoyment ensued.
I turned 62 in October of that year, and retired and moved 2 months later in December. Great decision.
I have struggled with long-term under employment since 2009. Part time jobs, contract work, anything to keep afloat. My SO retired 3 years ago on SS, so we manage, but it has been rough.
As I approached the minimum age to apply for early SS at age 62 I did a 30 day ''count down'' calendar. Those who have served in the military know what that is, LOL.
I woke up that morning, had my coffee, and applied on-line. Done!
This after over a year of pondering it all and knowing that I will now feel ''safe'' with that money coming in and I/we will now have choices open to our life because of it.
I also know that I will always be bringing in a bit of part-time or contract or self-employment money monthly, so basically I will double my income.
In 4 years I can work a full time something and make as much as I want and be ok too.
Now I am counting down the 4 months until I get my first check! So relieved, so happy! Can't wait! Going out for a steak and seafood feast and maybe a trip in early summer to the ocean. Man oh man!
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Now I am counting down the 4 months until I get my first check! So relieved, so happy! Can't wait! Going out for a steak and seafood feast and maybe a trip in early summer to the ocean. Man oh man!
Great for you! It is nice having options, and for us to have something to add to our peace of mind. It's funny how each little piece of security can add up to help chip away some of life's rough edges. And lord knows, there are a LOT of rough edges around right now....
If I had only one piece of advice to add: no matter what your life path offers from here on out...take a camera!
I worked until I was 72. I had that planned with my employer. I gradually eased into retirement over four years, going from full time down to 67.67% to 50% and then retirement. I thought I was ready. I sort of was. I still take odd consulting jobs.
I became eligible in 2015 at age 60 to retire with pension and health insurance so there was an established date when I qualified for retirement. But I decided that I needed to work until 62 to boost my retirement income. It was very disappointing at the time because I really wanted to retire. Even though I recognized that the delay would improve my financial position, I felt that I was sacrificing 2 years of my life and health for money. This has made the last 15 months hard to endure and has put me in a bit of a funk.
But eligibility has changed my work attitude and made it easier in some ways. I am much more detached and don't get as upset about management BS initiatives and policies or the new administration that is out to get federal workers. It has been harder to stay focused as I fixate on retirement but my quality of work on projects has not diminished, just my degree of engagement within the organization. Not a WTH attitude toward my customers and work products but maybe towards my agency. I’m on the final stretch now and currently counting down all my "last time I have to do such and such" milestones: performance review, training plan, ethics training, etc. etc. Just hope the last 9 months go quickly.
My feelings mirror yours. I became eligible on Dec. 1, at age 60, to retire with health insurance (not free, pay employee rate). Financially, I am not quite there. My target retirement is April 2018, but it is tough not to fixate on leaving. I am anxious to retire, but it is scary, too. I hope I don't fall into the "one more year" trap. Alan Thicke just died at age 69. When I hear things like that, I remind myself, there is more to life than work and I need to make sure I have some time to experience it!
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Same Here
