The Class of 2011

[steelyman]

Just another minor information update here. Based on a little searching through earlier posts on e-r.org, it appears that frugal-one (who hasn't appeared in quite some time, presumably danced off into early retirement) retired on or about February 24. That leaves just three more of us to take us into the New Year and pass the baton to The Class of 2012

Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
10 nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
Coolius (60) 4/1
20 KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
30 Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
chas57006 (57) 6/30
40 chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
50 freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
mact0n (61) 8/26
60 jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
70 deserat DH (45) 12/1

 

[Kachemak]

Yet another addition for 2011....

Under the “life is too short” rationale, took an early retirement 29 Sep 2011 (two month anniversary already!) to spend more time with my husband and kids – very grateful that I had the opportunity to do so. Started receiving interim monthly annuity payments from OPM so at least this stage of my CSRS retirement process is moving along. Just turned 53 years young this month and am still in a first frenzy of post retirement excitement – have an exhaustive four page list of “things to do”. I am sure this feeling of “hurry up and try to do everything now” will eventually become more reasonable! Like many other posters, lost ten unneeded pounds, caught up on sleep, still wake up from dreams of being at work, etc. Every day I go on an hour-long walk with husband and dog – now I can actually experience Alaska daylight during the mid-day/mid-winter, an extra benefit I had not thought of before. Also have scanned through the thread “What did you do today?” to make sure this wasn’t some stuffy financial site – no worries there! Count me in!

 

[Coolius]

Steelyman, thank you for maintaining the list of the Class of 2011.

What a thrill to see so many begin to shake off the yoke of working, and enjoying life to its fullest.

Just about 8 months into retirement, and enjoying it fully. No regrets at all leaving the stressful job workplace.

 

[Midpack]

Welcome to the club Kachemak, to ER.org and the Class of 2011 both!

And it appears we have two more inductees today (congrats afntrn56 & Tree-dweller) and another tomorrow - may be the last of 2011 for a grand total of 71 members?

Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
10 nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
Coolius (60) 4/1
20 KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
30 Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
chas57006 (57) 6/30
40 chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
50 freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
mact0n (61) 8/26
60 jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
afntrn56 (55) 11/30
70 Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1

 

[steelyman]

Steelyman, thank you for maintaining the list of the Class of 2011.

What a thrill to see so many begin to shake off the yoke of working, and enjoying life to its fullest.

Just about 8 months into retirement, and enjoying it fully. No regrets at all leaving the stressful job workplace.

Thanks, Coolius . I've been happy to help keep the list and thread going through the year. But it's not just me: bizlady got it going in the first place, Midpack has done the lion's share of creating and organizing the list, and there's been welcome help from people like Alan and W2R

I remember when you joined the class, and am glad to hear that freedom is agreeing with you! I am behind you (only 3.5 months for me), but am looking forward to 2012 as the first full year in which what I do each day is completely up to me

We're about into the last month of 2011, and I hope others in the Class of 2011 will share their thoughts

 

[JmfromTx]

I wanted to correct my retirement date so I'll throw in a few thoughts also. 9 months in and no regrets what so ever. It kind of surprised me that not only did I not miss the drive but I didn't miss what I'd been doing for 30 years even though I enjoyed most of it. After working almost continuously for 40 years, since I was 16, I can honestly say being retired is the best job I ever had. My last day of work was actually 2/25 so here is the new list. I don't want to risk cutting and pasting it into the proper sequence. I might screw up the whole thing.
Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
JmfromTx (56) 2/25
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
10 nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
Coolius (60) 4/1
20 KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
30 Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
chas57006 (57) 6/30
40 chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
50 freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
mact0n (61) 8/26
60 jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
afntrn56 (55) 11/30
70 Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1

 

[Beryl]

9 months in and no regrets what so ever. It kind of surprised me that not only did I not miss the drive but I didn't miss what I'd been doing for 30 years even though I enjoyed most of it. After working almost continuously for 40 years, since I was 16, I can honestly say being retired is the best job I ever had.

Smiling at your comment which parallels my experience.

I was with the same company for 29 years and paid into SS since I was in middle school (junior high back then). My time with Megacorp was mostly fun but I'm thankful to be able to retire so early. Winter snow is coming and I plan to work hard drinking tea by my fireplace as I catch up on reading.

We are all so blessed.

 

[pb4uski]

Not sure what class I belong to as I will stop working just before Christmas 2011 but will be on vacation for six weeks and then go off payroll in mid-Feb 2012. So am I class of 2011 or class of 2012?

Don't care so much - just glad to be free!!!

 

[Midpack]

And our 71st and final (?) member of the ER.org Class of 2011, congrats to deserat DH today!

If any of you know of corrections, updates or additions, please feel free to correct the record or pass them on, and we'll update.

Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
10 crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
JmfromTx (56) 2/25
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
Coolius (60) 4/1
20 KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
30 Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
chas57006 (57) 6/30
40 chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
50 freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
mact0n (61) 8/26
60 jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
afntrn56 (55) 11/30
70 Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1

 

[ohyes]

This is a very Happy-Feeling thread. Congratulations to all of you! It's fun to see those retirement dates beside your usernames, proof that it really, really came true for you.

Hope more of you post your retirement stories. I love 'em.


oh yes
(class of 2012)

 

[steelyman]

Wow, how fantastic to see this roster of class members finally become a sea of green! It's been a banner year for all of us and I hope it gets even better for everyone in the years to come

I'm not much of a YouTube poster here on E-R.org, but I'll make an exception and offer up a verse and video in honor of the freedom we've all earned this year

As we live a life of ease
Every one of us has all we need
Sky of blue and sea of green
In our yellow submarine (yah-hah!)

​

 

[lovinglife1]

Greetings...been away for some time....Took a megacorp buyout effective 1 October, repatriated to Lake Travis, Texas from Japan....and settling in. I havent slowed down at all these last 2 months getting the house in order, celebrating my first US holiday in years and really, just getting reaquainted with life here. Wow, you know, i also havent missed the grind at all and wouldnt think much about the company save for finalizing my pension and other requirements. Best wishes to all of you and hope to involved in the forum in the coming time.....Yeah!

 

[Packman]

I am retired now for 6 months and my DW and I took our first significant vacation (a cruise). We have cruised 11 times prior to this one, but this was the first time I didn't have to go back to work after returning. For the first time, I didn't dread the end of the cruise and coming home. Being retired made the cruise last the full time and coming home was fantastic cause I didn't have to go back to work. I'm on full time permanent vacation now . Another benefit of ER for all of those that are looking forward to the big date.

 

[cocobird]

Switched to class of 2011

Became officially retired after Thanksgiving. I was a rehired annuitant for a federal agency. Last March, my appointment was extended to May 31, 2012. Around July, I was advised that OPM ruled that the need for rehired annuitants was over and the appointments would end January 31, 2012. First week of November, HR advised that my revised ending date would be January 11, 2012 due to some new rulings. Two weeks later, got called in and was asked to turn in my official IDs and to go home because I was no longer employed.

After getting over the shock, realized that I am ready to retire and this time stayed retired. Was asked to come back to work already, but finally said thanks, but no thanks.

Best decision they ever made because I realized I don't need them!

Glad to be in the 2011 class. Hooray!

 

[Midpack]

Late entry, our 72nd and final (?) member of the ER.org Class of 2011, congrats to cocobird!

If any of you know of corrections, updates or additions, please feel free to correct the record or pass them on, and we'll update.

Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
10 crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
JmfromTx (56) 2/25
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
Coolius (60) 4/1
20 KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
30 Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
chas57006 (57) 6/30
40 chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
50 freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
mact0n (61) 8/26
60 jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
cocobird (55) 11/28
70 afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1

 

[ls99]

Congrats to all the now willfully and happily unempl*yed.

 

[pb4uski]

Please add me to the list. My last day of w*rk will be Dec 23. I'm 56.

While I'll be on payroll into mid Feb 2012, I won't be w*rking so I guess that's what counts.

Yippee!!!!!

 

[Midpack]

Two late entries, bringing us to our 74th and final (?) members of the ER.org Class of 2011. An even 75 would be a nice number, anyone?

Belated congrats to cocobird, and welcome to pb4uski!

If any of you know of corrections, updates or additions, please feel free to correct the record or pass them on, and we'll update.

Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
10 crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
JmfromTx (56) 2/25
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
Coolius (60) 4/1
20 KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
30 Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
chas57006 (57) 6/30
40 chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
50 freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
mact0n (61) 8/26
60 jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
cocobird (55) 11/28
70 afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1
pb4uski (56) 12/23

 

[steelyman]

Looks like we're about done, people. Congratulations to everyone! Any thoughts? It's been a little different than I thought, but I know it was the right thing to do. There's been no lack of things to take care of and things to do. I am really looking forward to '12 and have been happy to help contribute to our collective move towards freedom

All my best to the class!

 

[Midpack]

Looks like we're about done, people. Congratulations to everyone! Any thoughts? It's been a little different than I thought, but I know it was the right thing to do. There's been no lack of things to take care of and things to do. I am really looking forward to '12 and have been happy to help contribute to our collective move towards freedom

All my best to the class!

Thought we might squeak out a 75th, but this thread has been a lot of fun. Thanks for all your efforts to maintain it, along with many others.

Just as life is a unique journey for every individual, retirement couldn't be anything but unique to each of us as well. Not exactly what I expected either, but that's part of the appeal - who knows what the future will bring, but I know there will be good and bad. I hope life never stops challenging and surprising me.

Congrats once again to all the Class of 2011 as we take our place among those here who precede and follow in our footsteps!

 

[cj]

Yes, I've been "out" since April 26. Geez, when did I ever have time to work? This month there have been multiple "fire drills" with my parents, and I was able to attend to them without worrying about work getting in the way. I'm getting lots of things done and doing what I enjoy. I'm lovin' it!!

 

[martyp]

Looks like we're about done, people. Congratulations to everyone! Any thoughts? It's been a little different than I thought, but I know it was the right thing to do. There's been no lack of things to take care of and things to do. I am really looking forward to '12 and have been happy to help contribute to our collective move towards freedom

All my best to the class!

It's been the best year of my life!

 

[Beryl]

I'm truly thankful that retirement was possible this year. I am blessed to be in a financial position to stop w*rking so early.

Do I miss that big paycheck and co-workers at MegaCorp? At first, yes. Now that I've adjusted to a different spending habit and began new activities, not so much.

This is one of the best Christmases ever.

 

[Alan]

Congratulations class of 2011.

I hope you all enjoy your first Christmas as a retiree as much as I did.

 

[NeverBored]

I'm almost at the six-month mark, and am still thrilled to be a member of this class of 2011. I don't miss the j*b, especially since I get called or emailed at least once a week to answer a question or two. I've gone back as a consultant, but on an extremely limited basis -- probably not more than 10-20 hours per month until May 2012. It's actually rather nice -- people are happy to see me and I enjoy a friendship with some of them. I get to answer some questions and solve a few problems, maybe go for coffee or lunch, and then go home. I've done a bit of training for my replacement and we're on good terms. But I think I will be fine when it's clear they don't need me anymore.

I have really enjoyed having time for things -- I was able to help our daughter plan and enjoy her wedding, which was a day I won't ever forget. I've had time to help my mom-in-law, who needs a lot of attention right now. I enjoyed summer afternoons with another daughter who was home from college; it was the first time we'd been able to enjoy that much time together. And I've had time to travel some with DH, without considering if it was a good time to be away from the office. We did a lot of in-state travel, including an anniversary trip to the California Central Coast. And then the week before Thanksgiving, our youngest daughter's college soccer team unexpectedly earned a trip to the NAIA Nationals, which was one of her dreams. We were able to drop everything and go to Alabama and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We never would have been able to do that if I'd been w*rking.

I haven't finished the to-do lists, but I've made some progress. The house is less cluttered and more organized. I've also signed up for an art class in January.

But most of all, I'd have to say having time to be with family and friends has been the best part of retirement. And as someone said in another thread, that time is worth giving up a bit more income and benefits.

Congrats to all, and thank you for all the encouragement over this last year -- I probably would not have retired this year without this forum and the information I found here.