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I am now 62 years old and officially qualify for retirement even though my current plans are to work for another 18 months or so. The strangest thing about this milestone is the low level of euphoria (maybe very low level) that I feel. I can only attribute this feeling to having a choice today, i.e. retirement, that I did not have yesterday. To paraphrase one of mathjak's common quotes, a successful retirement plan is all about being able to make choices, and I now have another choice.
Of course my dislocated knee-cap started to act up yesterday for the first time in over 6 months with pain, swelling, and clicking sounds as if warning me to not get too excited.
But hey, at least it is not my clutch pedal leg!
Congratulations! I do believe the milestones take off a lot of pressure: 62 for SS, 65 for Medicare, FRA for "full" SS check rather than discounted. All reasons to celebrate. Each of the milestones opens up more choices, as you say. IMHO, the feeling of "more options" endures longer than the celebration part.
Whatever - Congratulations! and here's hoping your "more options" buzz lasts a long, long time!
I turned 62 in January. I will still work for a few more years because I love my job and also the flexibility it offers. 62 was good but am looking more forward to 65 when Medicare kicks in.
Glad to see other had the same milestones as I had - 59.5 for no-penalty withdrawals, 62 for SS availability, and 65 for Medicare. I reached the first one, waiting on 62 in another two years, but probably won't take SS until FRA. I'm thinking that psychologically, once I hit 62 and know I have options, I will be able to stay until 65. The sabotaging of the ACA makes it hard to really know if I can go at 62, wish they would have extended medicare to younger people. A lot more people would be retiring now.
Congratulations on reaching 62 along with your planned retirement at 63.5
If you've read the posts here for awhile you'll know what to expect.
My biggest "euphoria" was reaching 65. Medicare eligibility dropped my stress by about 20 dB.
Yup I hit 65 couple weeks ago so that is out of the way. Working until November 1st when my wife is eligible and then we both don't have to work about it. My company is paying $2200 per month for insurance on us now so I don't want to being paying that. November 1 will be a great day!
Retirement is any age when you can afford to stop working, and "afford" is always subjective.
However, 62 is the youngest you can apply for Soc. Sec. benefits, although they will be titrated down from Full Retirement Age if you apply before FRA. FRA varies depending on when you were born.
I applied for Soc. Sec. benefits at age 65, although my FRA is 66 based on my birth year.
I am now 62 years old and officially qualify for retirement even though my current plans are to work for another 18 months or so. The strangest thing about this milestone is the low level of euphoria (maybe very low level) that I feel. I can only attribute this feeling to having a choice today, i.e. retirement, that I did not have yesterday. To paraphrase one of mathjak's common quotes, a successful retirement plan is all about being able to make choices, and I now have another choice.
Of course my dislocated knee-cap started to act up yesterday for the first time in over 6 months with pain, swelling, and clicking sounds as if warning me to not get too excited.
But hey, at least it is not my clutch pedal leg!
Whoo-hoo! But interesting that you plan to continue to work another year and a half. Options are good!
Whoo-hoo! But interesting that you plan to continue to work another year and a half. Options are good!
And maybe longer - but don't tell my wife.
I retired from my previous employer in early 2013. I took my 30+ year pension as a lump sum and it is currently invested for future income purposes.
I secured my present position in mid-2013 as a contract personnel, then was direct hired in Fall of 2013. I need to stay until Fall of 2019 to receive 100% of the company's matches to my current 401(k).
I am planning to retire from my current employer at year end 2019.
I may elect to become a contracted employee for a second time, for a different "body shop", at twice my current salary but w/o benefits, in a position that better matches my nearly 40 years of experience, at the same facility where I now work.
Lots of 'ifs' but for twice the dollars I may keep working until age 65 or even FRA.
I really love what I do.
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