Class of 2012

[Blackwoodt]

It’s general election day, and today when I voted I realized that a year from now when we are all voting for the next president of the United States, that I will be retired.

Now that brought a smile to my face!

[BellBarbara]

Nice!

I went to the dentist, and they gave me a reminder card about my appt in 6 months. I went to my work computer and started to put the appt in my calendar, then realized I would not have the account in 6 months. :-)

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellBarbara Nice! I went to the dentist, and they gave me a reminder card about my appt in 6 months. I went to my work computer and started to put the appt in my calendar, then realized I would not have the account in 6 months. :-)

I remember doing that, and thinking, "what will I do? I rely on calendar reminders all the time!"

Google calendar is great. And for the really important stuff you can have it send a text to your cell phone.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan I remember doing that, and thinking, "what will I do? I rely on calendar reminders all the time!" Google calendar is great. And for the really important stuff you can have it send a text to your cell phone.

Google calendar is indeed great. If it seems like overkill once you are retired, you can always just leave text note reminders on your computer desktop. I leave mine in my Excel file (the one I check every day, with my investments, personal finance, budget, etc). That seems to work for me.

[Chuckanut]

OMG!! I had to mention my plans to retire in 2012 yesterday. My boss came up to me and asked if I would like to get the next installation of several very nice advances in technology. Of course I would! I am a geek. But, the learning curve is steep and in reality i would not be putting it to full use until the next school year. So, I turned acted very indifferent to it.

Later, to explain my seeming indifference, I informed the boss that since I probably would not be here next year, it would be better for somebody else to get the technology this year, and start to master it.
I believe this was the right thing to do.

So the cat is out of the bag, the beans have been spilled and the pancakes have hit the griddle. And I am getting nervous at the thought of actually not working and not getting a paycheck. What have I done

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut OMG!! I had to mention my plans to retire in 2012 yesterday. My boss came up to me and asked if I would like to get the next installation of several very nice advances in technology. Of course I would! I am a geek. But, the learning curve is steep and in reality i would not be putting it to full use until the next school year. So, I turned acted very indifferent to it. Later, to explain my seeming indifference, I informed the boss that since I probably would not be here next year, it would be better for somebody else to get the technology this year, and start to master it. I believe this was the right thing to do. So the cat is out of the bag, the beans have been spilled and the pancakes have hit the griddle. And I am getting nervous at the thought of actually not working and not getting a paycheck. What have I done

It's not bad to let the business know you intend to retire or leave. And it's normal to have some butterflies. If you are confident in your preparations you can change that confused face for a smiley one.

Quote:

What have I done

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan I remember doing that, and thinking, "what will I do? I rely on calendar reminders all the time!" Google calendar is great. And for the really important stuff you can have it send a text to your cell phone.

Google calendar. I was not aware of this - but I don't use The Google very much. I do need a calendar and like that text reminder function - very helpful for those of us approaching senility. Good tip. Thanks

[eytonxav]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut OMG!! I had to mention my plans to retire in 2012 yesterday. My boss came up to me and asked if I would like to get the next installation of several very nice advances in technology. Of course I would! I am a geek. But, the learning curve is steep and in reality i would not be putting it to full use until the next school year. So, I turned acted very indifferent to it. Later, to explain my seeming indifference, I informed the boss that since I probably would not be here next year, it would be better for somebody else to get the technology this year, and start to master it. I believe this was the right thing to do. So the cat is out of the bag, the beans have been spilled and the pancakes have hit the griddle. And I am getting nervous at the thought of actually not working and not getting a paycheck. What have I done

I think you have a great set of ethics in passing on the latest technology based on your plans. Hopefully your boss appreciates it as well.

[martyb]

I'm really a 2013-er, but....lately the fed govt. has stepped up offering "early outs" to employees who meet certain time & age requirements, and I'm well past those, so....

They made the offer last year & I wasn't ready. Next time, if & when...I might have to really consider it. As it stands right now, I'm due to check out in January '13. If they make an offer sometime around the mid-year mark, I might be persuaded to jump into the class of 2012.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyb I'm really a 2013-er, but....lately the fed govt. has stepped up offering "early outs" to employees who meet certain time & age requirements, and I'm well past those, so.... They made the offer last year & I wasn't ready. Next time, if & when...I might have to really consider it. As it stands right now, I'm due to check out in January '13. If they make an offer sometime around the mid-year mark, I might be persuaded to jump into the class of 2012.

That sounds like a good plan. I hope it works out for you.

[martyb]

Right now, it's more of a dream than a plan...

[W2R]

I don't think my agency has had any early outs since I retired in 2009, so I know what you mean; it's a dream that could come true, but not something you can count on. Still, either way you will retire before too long. You can't lose.

[aeross60]

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyb I'm really a 2013-er, but....lately the fed govt. has stepped up offering "early outs" to employees who meet certain time & age requirements, and I'm well past those, so.... They made the offer last year & I wasn't ready. Next time, if & when...I might have to really consider it. As it stands right now, I'm due to check out in January '13. If they make an offer sometime around the mid-year mark, I might be persuaded to jump into the class of 2012.

My wife and I work for the Fed too and after 26 years of service we both decided to take the VERA early out with the 25K buyout each. At age 50 and 51 it is a big move, but with our little FERS pensions and our saving over the last 26 years we will be free at last Jan 31,2012. We plan to not dip into Tsp/401k funds until age 65 letting it grow tax free and just use our after-taxed saving. Looking forward, Federal Taxes will be our greatest headache. We have zero deductions.

[martyb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeross60 My wife and I work for the Fed too and after 26 years of service we both decided to take the VERA early out with the 25K buyout each. At age 50 and 51 it is a big move, but with our little FERS pensions and our saving over the last 26 years we will be free at last Jan 31,2012. We plan to not dip into Tsp/401k funds until age 65 letting it grow tax free and just use our after-taxed saving. Looking forward, Federal Taxes will be our greatest headache. We have zero deductions.

That sounds great to me! I wish my wife was a fed, but she's not. No pension at her job, just her 401k which isn't so much now, but she'll continue to max out for another 4 yrs till she retires at age 55. As far as my situation, I'm under CSRS, so even though I do have money in my TSP, and have been maxing out for the last few years, still isn't as big as it would be if I were getting matching $$. Also, mister stock market has been less than friendly to me lately However, I'm currently have nearly 35 years service, and will do ok with the pension. In addition, at age 60, my AF reserve pension will begin. Hoping to not have to touch wife's 401k or our Roth IRA's, but more than likely will be dipping into my TSP to some degree. Due to WEP, I'll get a very small SS (maybe $250) at age 62, and wife will get her SS at 62 as well. She is designated to receive 55% of each of my pensions if I pre-decease her.

[martyb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R I don't think my agency has had any early outs since I retired in 2009, so I know what you mean; it's a dream that could come true, but not something you can count on. Still, either way you will retire before too long. You can't lose.

I work for Defense Contract Management Agency, which is a sub-agency of DoD. Last year they circulated an email to see who might be interested in signing up for an early-out to occur in Sept. 2010. I could have gone, but they weren't offering any cash incentives, plus going out 2 years early would cost me 4% off my pension (2 yrs x 2%) plus....my TSP wasn't where I wanted it to be yet (doubt it ever will be) so I declined. Next time I'm thinking I might have to look seriously at it. There's a lot of buzz about another offer maybe early to mid 2012. The TSP still needs some help, but like I said, probably always will to me. I could probably live with taking maybe a 1% or 2% cut to get out early. I hear WalMart is looking for a greeter..

[ohyes]

While I told my principal of my plans last spring to retire after this school year and most of my colleagues know, i never intended to tell the students. It just didn't seem cool.

Today a third grader raised his hand and asked if this was my last year. When i asked him where he heard that, he replied, from Mrs. C*****. (their teacher). I went ahead and admitted it and they were sweet to moan and act bummed. But, I am bummed that they know. Can't pinpoint why it bothered me, but it did.

However, a new librarian will be exciting and fun for them and that part is good.

[aeross60]

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyb I work for Defense Contract Management Agency, which is a sub-agency of DoD. Last year they circulated an email to see who might be interested in signing up for an early-out to occur in Sept. 2010. I could have gone, but they weren't offering any cash incentives, plus going out 2 years early would cost me 4% off my pension (2 yrs x 2%) plus....my TSP wasn't where I wanted it to be yet (doubt it ever will be) so I declined. Next time I'm thinking I might have to look seriously at it. There's a lot of buzz about another offer maybe early to mid 2012. The TSP still needs some help, but like I said, probably always will to me. I could probably live with taking maybe a 1% or 2% cut to get out early. I hear WalMart is looking for a greeter..

We are lucky that we took the offer when we did cause now they are trying to backout of the initial offer by adding a quota to the language for the number of employees who can retire early. I don't think they can do that, but they will try anyway and at the same time we are still hiring. Go figure, that's our government.

[Chuckanut]

I guess I could squeeze more out of retirement by working longer, but in the last 3 years I have seen so many of my friends and relative either die or face life-changing illnesses that I want the time not the money. I can make up for the 6% it will cost me by not buying a few things every year. What I can't get back is the time and my health.

[marylandcrab]

I may very well be joining this crowd. Looks like we'll be selling our business in the early part of the year, and part of the deal is working for the buyer for 6 months as a consultant. Not looking forward to that part. However, the goal will be for us to take a vacation for 2 weeks in September for our 20th anniversary and to celebrate retirement.

Still working out the details of the purchase so I can't start counting my chickens yet, but it certainly gets you thinking/dreaming.

[Chuckanut]

Egads! Every day brings another.reason to retire.