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Old 01-26-2015, 05:44 PM
 
Location: Idaho
6,330 posts, read 7,684,217 times
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The past few years, as I've been researching to where I want to relocate when I retire, getting my affairs in order, and so on. My emotions have been pretty even keel. Not too excited about 'this' and not too discouraged about 'that'. Just going through the options and weighing the pros and cons of everything. Even came up with a timeline which currently is pretty close to three years away from right now.

But, based on some extra deep digging at work, I gained a much better understanding about what type, and how much, my medical retirement benefit will be once I retire. More than I thought! That, along with a couple other things, have caused me to change my window for retirement to be from a year and a half away to two years away at most.

That's coming soon! I feel half-way comfortable financially, so that's not a real concern. Those things always have a way of working themselves out, at least in my life. But realizing that having a date somewhat close, I started getting a bit scared. I really have nothing to be worried about. I enjoy adventure and am looking forward to a new life in a new environment.

Is being a little scared just before retirement somewhat "normal"? Anybody else go through these emotions?
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Old 01-26-2015, 05:52 PM
 
2,189 posts, read 2,593,122 times
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Retirement for me is a couple years away and I CAN'T WAIT! No scared thoughts at all. Have medical coverage and paid off home and enough to get by til FRA and no emotion other than can't wait.
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Old 01-26-2015, 06:06 PM
 
Location: Great State of Texas
86,052 posts, read 84,162,817 times
Reputation: 27718
Quote:
Originally Posted by volosong View Post
The past few years, as I've been researching to where I want to relocate when I retire, getting my affairs in order, and so on. My emotions have been pretty even keel. Not too excited about 'this' and not too discouraged about 'that'. Just going through the options and weighing the pros and cons of everything. Even came up with a timeline which currently is pretty close to three years away from right now.

But, based on some extra deep digging at work, I gained a much better understanding about what type, and how much, my medical retirement benefit will be once I retire. More than I thought! That, along with a couple other things, have caused me to change my window for retirement to be from a year and a half away to two years away at most.

That's coming soon! I feel half-way comfortable financially, so that's not a real concern. Those things always have a way of working themselves out, at least in my life. But realizing that having a date somewhat close, I started getting a bit scared. I really have nothing to be worried about. I enjoy adventure and am looking forward to a new life in a new environment.

Is being a little scared just before retirement somewhat "normal"? Anybody else go through these emotions?
I started to get apprehensive as my retirement date approached.
It's a major life change. All the planning for years and then "it's time".
That last day at work was surreal for me. I only went in to sign papers and turn in keys/badge.
Walking through the parking lot back to my truck I kept thinking.."I did it..I did it...FREE AT LAST"
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Old 01-26-2015, 06:24 PM
 
Location: SW MO
23,593 posts, read 37,330,819 times
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The closer it came the more thrilled I became. I could hardly wait to pull the plug and embark on life's next adventure. My last day consisted of cleaning out the few things left in my office, saying goodbye to everyone, turning in my I.D., signing a few things and I was out by noon. What were they going to do, fire me for leaving early?
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Old 01-26-2015, 06:32 PM
 
Location: Los Angeles area
14,017 posts, read 20,840,623 times
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Volosong, although I was not personally "a little scared" approaching retirement, I find your feeling completely understandable. As Happy Texan said, it's a "major life change" and that can be unsettling even when we perceive the change as a positive one.

For one thing, more is going to change for you than changed for me. I knew I was not going to relocate; not only was I staying in the same community, but was staying in the same home. I knew I would be continuing the same two moonlighting jobs part-time, both involving motorcycling. (I have since given those up). Therefore I had a lot of continuity to explain my lack of nervousness about the whole thing. Not everyone has that much continuity associated with taking the retirement plunge.

In addition other events focused my attention as the retirement date neared. My mother's health was failing 2000 miles away, and a few days after retiring and the usual luncheon I flew there to help my sister get our mother moved into an independent living facility. Although my mother and sister had done a good job of getting her downsized, moving someone is still a lot of work! I stayed there over a week. Then two months later she died - another flight, another bunch of work settling her affairs.

More details than most will be interested in, I realize, but I am just trying to say that there were reasons why I did not feel the same apprehension that you are feeling. In other words, my circumstances were different. Again, your feelings make perfect sense to me.
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Old 01-26-2015, 07:15 PM
 
Location: Florida
6,593 posts, read 7,254,205 times
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Yes, a big change in your life and it is probably not possible to go back to your old job.

I would try and do some "retirement" things now to make the transition a little easier.
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Old 01-26-2015, 07:20 PM
 
Location: Sierra Nevada Land, CA
9,455 posts, read 12,477,246 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by volosong View Post
The past few years, as I've been researching to where I want to relocate
Quote:
Originally Posted by Escort Rider View Post
For one thing, more is going to change for you than changed for me. I knew I was not going to relocate; not only was I staying in the same community, but was staying in the same home. .
Relocation is stressful. Not retirement. Like Escort, we are living where we plan to retire (2-3 years). No worries.

When we made the decision to move to our present location 13 years ago, I was stressed. But thanks to my faith and my brains it all worked out just fine. My observation is that it is about the thought of relocation for you.
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Old 01-26-2015, 07:34 PM
 
5,139 posts, read 8,813,766 times
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I was very nervous about turning in my retirement notice but after that it was great. The stress I had was working out my health insurance coverage (Medicare and supplemental plans), making decisions on how much I wanted to/could spend, that sort of thing. I had a "retirement counter" app on my phone which counted down the days, so that was fun and the time really went fast (I had given about 5 months notice). I had researched places to relocate for many years before I retired, but then when the time came, I decided to stay put for at least a year, in order to settle in to retirement and get used to it, the financial aspects, etc. and I'm glad I did it that way. I actually ended up having some health issues right after I retired so I'm so grateful I wasn't facing a move while going thru that. It's what worked for me but everyone is different. Five months into it, I realize I was more ready than I even thought!
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Old 01-26-2015, 07:44 PM
 
48,505 posts, read 96,533,525 times
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Sure when its right in your face; so to speak. Its lie stage fright just before you do on; best I can compare it. Nothing like dream of being on stage; as its real.
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Old 01-26-2015, 08:11 PM
 
Location: Scott County, Tennessee/by way of Detroit
3,352 posts, read 2,809,538 times
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Relocation has been a little stressful....we went from Detroit to a small 1500 person town in Tennessee and a house that we had been slowly moving things down into for a year or so....for me it's kind of been like a loss....stopped working...moved..left everyone in our life as we knew it for a place that we know 1 person.... 2 months in, I was afraid I couldn't hack it.....(especially when we had to go back for my son's wedding for a week and I really compared both places) but we have a gorgeous place, lots of room for a garden this summer and taking a cruise this Saturday for a week to some place warm....we are 56 and 54 and I consider us very lucky... just have to go with it...My husband on the other hand has had NO problems... He loves it....he feels like the poster above that said he was free.....I think summer will be better.....Good luck with your 2 years or less left...it goes FAST!!!!!!!
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