Class of 2017

[cme4oil]

I was originally scheduled to retire August 31st, I ended up staying one more month to clean up some lose ends and make sure the next person had less to do in order to slide into my position. So my last day is today and the day is OVER! Now lets wait for a couple weeks for it all to settle in.

[CANTW8]

Congratulations, cme4oil!
I'm on track for having 11/14 as my last day of work, but I do get to run out vacation til 1/4/18, got to love the Holidays!

I will have to change my user name soon

[Montecfo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalaxyBoy My company also didn’t permit running out vacation. But what’s the difference between getting paid for vacation instead of getting paid for sitting at your desk?

Let me try this again: The tax rates are not actually different. Some employers may treat paid out vacation as "supplemental wages", at a 25% withholding rate. But the actual tax you pay when you file your tax return is same as regular wages.

[GalaxyBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montecfo Let me try this again: The tax rates are not actually different. Some employers may treat paid out vacation as "supplemental wages", at a 25% withholding rate. But the actual tax you pay when you file your tax return is same as regular wages.

Ah, yes. Once upon a time I actually got paid for overtime and it was annoying when the withholding rate was so high.

[lwp2017]

Im also deciding if I should extend 3 months to April 2.

Have a very large bonus that will pay out April 1.

Also a fun 3 day paid w**k trip in Jan that my DW really wants to go on.

I think I can make it very tolerable by using about 4 to five days of vacation a month.

[Sandman62]

I'm officially retiring from my IT Architect position at an insurance company on Dec. 1st at age 55. Running out some vacation time puts my last day of work at Nov. 3rd. Can't wait!

[38Chevy454]

Congrats cme4oil for getting out, and Sandman62 for being on the final countdown. I started a "workdays until retirement" countdown and posted it outside my office when I was 30 workdays out.

[mistermike40]

Well, it's official. My last day was Friday (Sept. 29)... today is my first non-weekend day, post-retirement. It didn't really sink in over the weekend... today it has and it's a great feeling

[whatnot]

Congrats!! Enjoy your freedom..

[cme4oil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistermike40 Well, it's official. My last day was Friday (Sept. 29)... today is my first non-weekend day, post-retirement. It didn't really sink in over the weekend... today it has and it's a great feeling

This is my FIRST not weekend day, not having to check my work email when it seems to ding me every 10 minutes is very gratifying.

They did try to get me to stay on part time and I told them if they had any issue they couldn't resolve that they could purchase time from me at 150 an hour in blocks of 4 hour time slots. But only over the next couple weeks to give them time to get the new person up to speed... After that, I don't want to be bothered. Maybe they won't call...

[ABQ2015]

This is also my first non-weekend day post retirement and it is a good feeling! And I appreciated not having that Sunday night dread of I have to go to work tomorrow.

The final work week was hectic as I struggled to finish cleaning up my office and files and get everything done, working late a few nights. On Friday, my computer acted up and would not allow access to my email so had to call IT. I liken it to a pet that sees you packing for a trip and misbehaves because they know you are leaving them. I was happy but a little sad as I turned in my security badge, checked out at HR, and drove off the military base. At this point I can't get back on base or into my old office so that adds to the finality.

My co-workers took me out to lunch on Wednesday at an old standby Mexican restaurant that I had requested. Back at work, I received my distinguished service plaque and a US flag that had flown over my agency's nine sites in eight states and HQ. Also a delicious cake and a card with many compliments and a wad of cash - I plan to buy a nice piece of Indian jewelry with the money to remind me of my co-workers. My senior manager at HQ called to congratulate me. Thursday night I emailed out a brief note thanking my management and my colleagues for their support through the years. I should have sent it earlier in the week as I got some nice replies on Friday - now I have no access to my work email.

It was a tough last year at work and I coasted some at the end for which I am not proud but was just burned out. Overall I left on a high note and have some good memories of my career and colleagues but am relieved that I am finally retired.

I wonder if KimInWisc also retired this month and will weigh in?

[GalaxyBoy]

Congrats! Ain't it great?

I still look at DW at least once or twice a week and say, "Guess what? I don't have to go to work tomorrow!" I really still feel that way, over six months in. I hope that feeling doesn't go away anytime soon.

[FrugalLady]

Sept 29th was also my last day of Full-Time employment. They threw me a nice retirement party that night, however, I immediately started my new part-time job on Oct 2nd and worked Monday thru Thursday. So it really didn't sink in until Friday that I really am semi-retired.


With being only 48, I am too afraid to fully retire until I know how things are going to shake out with the ACA. I'm a long ways from Medicare and expensive health insurance can be a budget breaker. Part-time work that provides health coverage seemed to be the ideal option for now. Hubby is 70 and has been retired for 6 years now. I want to be able to spend more time with him while his health is still good. I don't want to have any regrets that I didn't spend more time with him while I had the chance. Hopefully you all can give me the courage to take the final plunge into full retirement.

[T-Minus]

Was asked to wrap things up for EOY close, so I've pushed my go-date. I've updated the list to reflect this fact:

Class of 2017

January
- Pedidiva 1/1/17 age 58
- doneat54 – 1/4/2017 age 54
- rrufus – 1/6/2017
- Hillbilly – 1/6/2017
- GSMAN - 1/13/2017, age 56
- PaddyMac – 1/14/2017, age 55
- Paracelsus – 1/1/2017, age 55
- coveredbridge - 1/20/17, age 55
- jwr62 – 1/31/2017
- TNBound - 1/31/17, age 57
- Retire2017 – 1/31/2017, age 56
- gayl – 1/31/2017
- redduck, age 72

February
- Gazingus – 2/1/2017, age 55
- duckcalldan – 2/10/2017, age 53
- geeky_grrl - 2/10/2017, age 45
- Stratman - 2/10/17, age 62

March
- Johnora – 3/1/2017, age 52
- GalaxyBoy - 3/3/17, age 57
- Sasset – 3/6/2016, almost age 56
- jrwinfla – 3/15/2017, age 56
- Yogi Bear – 3/24/2017, age 57
- USGrant1962 – 3/24/2017, age 55
- DrRoy – 3/31/2017
- Golden Sunsets- sometime in March, age 68
- Choices' DH 3/31/17, age 65

April
- Lucantes – 4/2/2017, age 50
- MuirWannabe – 4/7/2017, age 55
- rjsob58 – 4/7/2017, age 59
- StaceyR – 4/7/2017, age 59.5
- Bklyn55 - 4/21/2017, age 56
- chief04010 – 4/29/2017, age 59.5
- JohnM - Sometime in April, age 50

May
- JohnnyBGoode – 5/5/2017, age 50
- ccourt9283 – 5/31/2017, age 62
- Rdub- 5/?/17, age 47

June
- GreenER – 6/1/2017, age 55
- Oneparkatatime - 6/2/2017, age 57
- Freetodream – 6/2/2017, age 62
- statsman DW – 6/2/2017, age 64.5
- timo2 - 6/10/2017, age 64
- Argus - 6/16/2017, age 55
- Amomynous – 6/23/2017, age 51
- LRDave – 6/30/2017, age 59
- Red Badger – 6/30/2017
- Joe0401 – 6/30/17, age 60
- candrew - age 59.5
- Rickt – 6/15/2017, age 57
- windyblonde DH
- timerfirst

July
- Arkgolfer – 7/1/2017, age 49
- Bikechuck – 7/7/2017, age 64 1/12
- dand76 - 7/14/2017, age 59.5
- 2017ish - 7/28/2017, age 57
- jollystomper, age 59
- Oscar1 - 7/31/2017, age 55

August
- JeffInSeattle – 8/1/2017, age 60
- Retire52 - 8/26/2017, age 48
- dixonge – 8/3/2017, age 56
- BlueAFMom - 8/14/2017, age 49
- cme4oil - 8/31/2017, age 61
- 38Chevy454 - 8/2/2017, age 53
- ER Eddie

September
- capjak – 9/1/2017, age 55
- ABQ2015 – 9/30/2017, age 62
- KimInWis – 9/30/2017, age 56
- fishvt - age 55
- mistermike40 - 9/29/2017, age 57

October
- hankster - 10/1/2017, age 59
- Indigo Mule – 10/31/2017, age 55
- MOSAT - 10/13/2017, age 62
- RetireAge50 - 10/10/2017, age 50
- Marc – 10/20/2017, age 59 11/12

November
- CANTW8, 11/24/2017

December
- Marco – 12/31/2017, age 56.5
- Clover5 - 12/31/2017, age 56
- T-Minus - 12/31/2017 - age 57
- Revlefty
- neihn, age 57
- lwp2017

Month TBD
- HawkeyeNFO
- KrissK – late 2017
- Tdv2 - end 2017, age 54
- Future FIREe, age 55
- Montecfo, age 57

[Marc]

Pulled the plug as planned last Friday. Still haven't sold the house, had to give excess furniture away as I couldn't get any money for it, and I had to order a third POD as my estimate for two PODs was way off. We drove from Alabama to Texas over the weekend. Market didn't go down 10% yesterday so I made it through the that financial wicket. Now, I am sitting at airport in Austin waiting for flight to ATL and FCO to begin a nice 71 day trip to kick off retirement. Hopefully house will sell while we are gone; otherwise, some replanning will be necessary come January (may have to become landlord).

Many thanks to those on this forum that have helped me over the years. We have started this new phase of our lives FIRE'd!!!



Marc

[Revlefty]

The church voted today to call the guy who will replace me... And the man accepted the position. At the business meeting, a couple of people jokingly were trying to get me to reconsider and stay at the church. The man who was running the meeting just said, "I think we all know that ain't gonna happen!"

I realize that my situation is a lot different than many people on this forum who can't wait to walk away fro Mega-Corp... But Calling the replacement is a major hurdle in allowing me to break away and leave the congregation in good hands.

I only have eight more Sunday's!

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlefty I only have eight more Sunday's!

Congratulations!

I once attended a church where the young minister complained to some of the church elders that he wasn't entirely happy with his chosen profession because he had to work weekends. Yes, he was serious...

[MOSAT]

Today is the first day of retirement. I had my company retirement lunch last Friday, turned in all the company keys etc.
I had originally set October 13 as the date, but circumstances changed it to November 3. 2017. We had been paying extra on the mortgage. in anticipation of being debt free by the end of the year and I asked DW to check on the last bit of balance we owed. She told me, "none" so last w*rk day and first day of completely debt free[
Life is good and now to get on with the next chapter!

[ABQ2015]

Congrats to all the October/early November retirees!

It has been a month for me and like GalaxyBoy I keep gleefully reminding myself that I don't have to go to work tomorrow. Currently I'm visiting friends in Oregon and it is so nice to be on vacation and not have to dread going back to work once I get back home. Makes the vacation a little more relaxing.

[MrBig1]

I know I'm new here and haven't been around to do a lot of discussions with y'all but, December 1st is my last day with my employer. I herniated my L3-L4 disc 12/16/2016 and have been on furlough leave since then. My condition has not improved enough to return to my job so rather than putting it off any longer I'm going officially resign on the above date. I believe I have thought this out thoroughly and can see no benefit for me by delaying any longer. Now is the time of open season for health care and I need to decide what is my best option. ACA, Cobra or just purchase on the market, I need to evaluate all choices and determine what's best for my wife and I. I'm also going to make a sizable withdrawal from my retirement savings to fund my chosen lifestyle during retirement so I want to split this up between different years for tax purposes. Glad I found this site.