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ohyes · 04-18-2011, 05:26 AM

....wanting to keep our thread near the top so no 2012's miss seeing it.

It's a Monday morning. Retiring is most definitely on my mind.

Either DH or both of us will be heading to Mass in the next few days to help his dad. I am glad DH is retiring in July so he can be there more for his father. LOTS of good reasons to retire!

....still July 2012 for me.

palomalou · 04-20-2011, 04:58 PM

May 2012 is my plan, unless there is a financial implosion of some sort. Although folks here have informed me that I am not retired if I do some PT work, to me it will be retirement because I'll be where I wish to be. And I can pick and choose--so completely different than the present! Right now we are saving half of our pre-tax income and living on peanuts. Firecalc, ORP, and Merrill Edge all say it should work. I also have my fingers crossed, with no evidence, that there may be another buyout next year.

palomalou · 04-20-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohyes

DH is retiring this year. Earlier this week he turned in his Letter of Intent for next year. He marked Retiring. This also serves as his letter of resignation. He is having mixed feelings about it, now that the decision is official, he said he feels relief at times, but he is also feeling nostalgic and a bit sad.
He was born to teach, but the work situation is not going to get better in the near future.

I'm in your husband's position almost word for word. He may feel very happy when he actually retires. Isn't it human nature to try to see the positives of one's current situation?

mexico · 04-20-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palomalou

May 2012 is my plan, unless there is a financial implosion of some sort. Although folks here have informed me that I am not retired if I do some PT work, to me it will be retirement because I'll be where I wish to be. And I can pick and choose--so completely different than the present! Right now we are saving half of our pre-tax income and living on peanuts. Firecalc, ORP, and Merrill Edge all say it should work. I also have my fingers crossed, with no evidence, that there may be another buyout next year.

I am targeting anywhere from May to August of next yr. Like yourself, the market will be the key influencer as to whether it's May or a little later. It would be interesting to see where we both are next yr. As every month goes by, it's gets a bit more exiciting as financial freedom is at the doorstep.

Pegcarddave · 04-21-2011, 05:58 AM

Add me to the list! Not sure if I qualify as ER since I will be 63, but is exciting and a little scary walking into the unknown after nearly 50 years of work. January 6th, 2012 I start my new life.

BellBarbara · 04-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Less than 1 year to go now. Can't wait!

Aruba50 · 04-24-2011, 03:50 AM

I too, will be a part of the 2012 "grduating" class. I have April 1st marked on my calendar (not because I am a fool, I hope....).

piano88 · 04-24-2011, 05:37 AM

Leaving job in 2012...thinking April 2012, in time for spring, good weather. Will help the transition.

o2chim2 · 04-28-2011, 09:57 PM

Dear All
I am brand new on this board.... don't know how to do much navigation on here yet... but will learn. Plan on ER 12/31/12 @ 60Yrs. of age. A little nervous, but really excited to see where it goes. I see some mentioning FIRE..... help me on what this means.... looking forward to reading posts from you wiser and experienced ones.

SecondCor521 · 04-28-2011, 10:27 PM

Financial Independence Retire Early, or somesuch.

2Cor521

ohyes · 05-01-2011, 07:23 PM

DH is retiring in June. I cannot believe all the paperwork he must submit - for pension, for insurance....and all of it has deadlines. He has at least 10 pieces of paper to get in, two of which must be notarized. Neither one of us is that organized.

We talked to a "counselor" at one of the places who was not that helpful. (He has three years in as a state employee and 26 in as a teacher - so two different entities with which to deal). I just nag, lol.

misty57 · 05-06-2011, 01:20 PM

Add "us" to the list. DH plans to take early retirement in 2012 at age 55 after working for the same company for over 31 years.

We have been planning for this since we were 24. To make it better, there are rumors that the company he works for is going to offer managers a incentive package to retire. Last year they offered one to VPs and directors, but the rumor is that they still need to get more lean and mean at the top. Since DH was planning on retiring anyway, this would be icing on the cake.

misty57 · 05-31-2011, 05:28 PM

Wow, not many in the Class of 2012!! I had to find the thread so that I could give an update and was shocked to find that I was the last one to post, so I guess I'll be talking to myself. ha ha ha

The VP announced that there WILL be an incentive package to get managers to retire. I imagine we'll find out for sure no later than the fall and hopefully the offload date will be the last workday in January as it was this year for the directors and VPs.

ohyes · 05-31-2011, 07:34 PM

2012 is going to be a GREAT year to retire.

DH and I have hit a little snag--not a snag exactly - just a pain in the neck thing. We plan to use some money from our 403b between retirement and SS. Our plan administrator is a young guy (music background) who has recently joined his father as a MetLife rep. He told us we couldn't use any of the 403b before 59 1/2. I know we can as we will both be over 55 when we retire.

Several emails back and forth, including a link to a MetLife distribution form that states in plain English that we can do this with no penalties. Once we get all that straightened out with him, I will sleep better with very few worries and only joy in my heart about upcoming retirement.

I still need to find a computer app that will show the countdown to retirement. Now, THAT will be fun.

chris2008 · 06-01-2011, 02:29 AM

I have updated again and added a few earmarks.
Those who come new to this thread or would like to add their earmarks please feel free to copy and paste the list.

Cato
DFW M5
Masquernom
Traineeinvestor
Gary M
Scony
Ohyes 7/12
Worker Bee
Plattj 1
Unallowable
Bellbarbara
Ksols
Aviator
JJPies60
Obgyn65
65walkon
Blackwoodt
Chris2008 7/12
Mexico 7/12
Palomalou 5/12
Pegcarddave
Bellbarbara
druba50
Piano88
o2chim2
Dancingmama

eytonxav · 06-01-2011, 06:16 AM

Added some detail:

Cato
DFW M5 1/12 @ 62
Masquernom
Traineeinvestor
Gary M
Scony
Ohyes 7/12
Worker Bee
Plattj 1
Unallowable
Bellbarbara
Ksols
Aviator
JJPies60
Obgyn65
65walkon
Blackwoodt
Chris2008 7/12
Mexico 7/12
Palomalou 5/12
Pegcarddave
Bellbarbara
druba50
Piano88
o2chim2
Dancingmama

Blackwoodt · 06-01-2011, 11:57 AM

For a countdown widget, go to Yahoo widgets, or use the link. http://widgets.yahoo.com/widgets/retirement-countdown I like their retirement countdown widget!

I also found a place on Etsy (an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies) where I had my own special calendar necklace made, marking my final day in 2012!

It comes with, or without a personalized disc. I had mine engraved 505. 505 was a code word for meeting at the local pub, 5 minutes after 5:00, well on September 28th, 2012 it will be my last 505! I love it, and wear it everyday.

I've attached a photo, and here is a link to Etsy for any of you that might wish to mark your own calendar! (and no, I don't know the person making the necklaces, I just thought they were great!)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62488363/mark-your-calendar-necklace-tm?ref=pr_shop

ohyes · 06-02-2011, 07:32 PM

Hey, thanks for the retirement countdown widget link. Got it downloaded and rolling right along.

Appreciate it. DH only has 3 more days so he probably doesn't need it, lol.