Class of 2015

[2B]

Now at 55 I am facing relocation to Pittsburg (no thanks) or Dallas (no way).

I receive a pension from the utility 24k no cola.
920K in savings and 401k
House 400K owe 38k on mortgage
Property Taxes ridiculous 12,500 per year.
Kids are done with college
I think I might have to relocate either way

Dallas is a nice place. No state income tax Property taxes are high in Texas but not as bad as you have now.

You didn't mention SS although that's a decade or more away. Without it, you are going to have to roughly $60k/yr available before taxes and heath care. That's going to be hard to support a $400k house with your property taxes on. If you are planning to retire, you will definitely have to downsize. Even with downsizing, you're going to struggle without making a big lifestyle reduction.

 

[2B]

42. 2B - Jan 2015 age 63

I am now officially 27 Feb 2015 subject to revision based on project progress. I personally think its "no later than 27 Feb" because I can't see this project dragging on that long where I would still be needed.

I'm still betting on Valentine's Day. I've had two uninitiated job losses. Both were on Valentine's Day week. One was on Valentine's Day. It's always fun to go home and say "Guess what, Dear? I was fired today." It makes Valentine's Day so much more special. This time it would be different. The bubbly is chilling and awaiting the day.

 

[Bryan Barnfellow]

2B--Bravo!

 

[Philliefan33]

I spoke with my department head today and told him that I am interested in any severance packages that may be available this year. He's going to put my name on "the list", but warned me that once it's on the list I cannot change my mind. No worry for me, because if there is no talk of packages by the end of March I'll be retiring. He couldn't confirm the availability of a package, but hinted that if I stayed a little longer it might be a possibility. I told him we will see what the landscape is in March.

Then I told my immediate boss that unless I am offered a package, I will be retiring at the end of March. He was a little surprised-- not surprised that I want to go, but that I can afford to go. I assured him that DH and I have been planning for twenty years, and since it looks like our plan worked we should be okay.

We all agreed not to mention anything to my coworkers yet. I do not want a long goodbye. I only told the bosses so that they could start planning.

Is it mean / bad to hope for a bad financial report for the business that might necessitate layoffs?


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[utrecht]

The wife and I both work at the same place and are both retiring on Friday. We've worked there for 24 years and know a lot of people. Everyone knows and we have a big retirement party set for Friday evening. There will probably be 100-200 people there. All of that is great and I'm grateful to have so many friends.....BUT....

If one more of them says something about how lucky we are I might punch them in the throat! These people all make the same amount of money that we do and the majority of them will work for years to come and even with a very nice pension they will work to late 50's or even 60. We will be 50 and 46.

It wasn't luck that we bought a nice house in 1996 and still live in it while they all bought bigger and better houses when we all got raises. It wasn't luck that we drove cars for 10 years when they bought new every time they paid off a car.

Upon retirement, we can be paid for up to 368 hrs of vacation time and 720 hours of sick time. It isn't luck that we both have within 2 hours of 368 and 720 respectively.
These all took lots of planning and sacrifice. Not luck!

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

I guess I am now Class of 2015 at the age of 67.

Project cancelled as of 31 Dec 2014. Left Azerbaijan (for good, inshallah) 16 Jan. By the way, if anybody has the idea that they might want to go to Azerbaijan for any reason, PM me and think twice.

Have been making plans for a long time. Now to execute them. "Many a slip twixt the cup and the lip."

old Ed

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Now, how do I change my location on the sidebar?

 

[REWahoo]

User CP > Edit Your Details

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Found it. Thanks.

 

[Travelwanted]

If one more of them says something about how lucky we are I might punch them in the throat! These people all make the same amount of money that we do and the majority of them will work for years to come and even with a very nice pension they will work to late 50's or even 60. We will be 50 and 46.

These all took lots of planning and sacrifice. Not luck!

Congrats! As many posters and several threads noted, people will naturally be jealous of your success.

Your post is hilarious. . .

 

[2B]

I guess I am now Class of 2015 at the age of 67.

Project cancelled as of 31 Dec 2014. Left Azerbaijan (for good, inshallah) 16 Jan. By the way, if anybody has the idea that they might want to go to Azerbaijan for any reason, PM me and think twice.

Have been making plans for a long time. Now to execute them. "Many a slip twixt the cup and the lip."

old Ed

You beat me. I'm theoretically still here until 27 February. I'm not very busy but I was asked to stay to keep the current staffing to not upsed the client. No counter-offer to send me to London or Norway.

Our Upstream group is shedding folks big time. I know one guy leaving that has decided he's retiring too.

I hope you got most of your Canadian cash turned into US dollars before it fell.

 

[Ally]

If one more of them says something about how lucky we are I might punch them in the throat! These people all make the same amount of money that we do and the majority of them will work for years to come and even with a very nice pension they will work to late 50's or even 60. We will be 50 and 46.

It wasn't luck that we bought a nice house in 1996 and still live in it while they all bought bigger and better houses when we all got raises. It wasn't luck that we drove cars for 10 years when they bought new every time they paid off a car.

These all took lots of planning and sacrifice. Not luck!

I told everyone that I am retiring June 5th and my husband is already retired. I am amazed at all the professional people who make much more than I do (at a nonprofit) saying things like "But you aren't retirement age yet! You're so lucky. I envy you!" I told some those of them I know well, that this is why we drive old cars, saved a large portion of our salaries, and are debt free, so we could retire when we wanted. It's not luck!

 

[kimcdougc]

You are right Ally. People say they are envious...but while we were LBYM they were out having a good time. Now it is our time to have a great time! Congrats on your decision!

 

[Travelwanted]

Well. . .call me fickle but I'm back on for 2015!

I had considered a OMY but recent events have made me realize that was a bad idea. I even have offers to jump to another "j*b" but I can't help but think of the saying, "the grass is greener". Probably same B.S., just different address.

Enough is enough. . .I'm out! I'm nervous but excited. As I posted in the thread Dream Job. . .I am looking forward to what is next. However, upon reflection, I should have titled it "Dream Hobby". Much better reflection of my intentions.

 

[KCGeezer]

Adding mine to the bottom, removed travel watch, added sanstar in that place......


1. Ikubak - April/May 2015- age 52
2. LoneAspen - Feb 2015- age 48
3. Neihn - Dec 2015-
4. Fourchristians - June 2015
5. ABQ2015 - March 2015- 59
6. Live and Learn - March 2015- 52
7. Utrecht - Jan 2015 - Age 50
8. haloFIRE - August 14, 2015 - age 47
9. Phil1ben - June 1, 2015 - age 55
10. SonnyJim - January 1. 2015 - age 48
11. Theseus - July 2015 - age 59 (moved up to 2014 - congrats )
12. biker4life - July 2015 - age 45
13. Options - January 2015 - 59.5
14. Al - June 2015 - age 52
15. Siamond - July 2015 - age 53
16. Shabby - January 2015 - age 48
17. jcretire77 - April 2015 - age 55
18. Fermion - Oct 2015 - age 45
19. BrianB - January 2015 - age 56
20. RobLJ - May thru August - age
21. FreqFlyer - Feb 2015 - age 43
22. Hiker88 - August 2015 - age 55
23. Enjoylife133 - December 2015 - age 60
24. Jpearl - July 2915 - age 43
25. iac1003 - April 2015 age 63.5
26. kern44 - June 2015
27. Fedup - Dec 2015 age 55
28. Mo Money - April 2015 age 53
29. Aus_E_Expat- April 2015, age 56
30. rodi - April 2015, age 53
30. vireo- June 30, 2015. Age 60
31. Sanstar - March 28, 2015, Age 59
32. Rdub - May 2015, age 45
33. johnnyfuego - Jan-March 2015, age 52
34. Islandtraveler - July 2015 age 56
35. kimcdougc - Feb. 1, 2015 age 57
36. 3800Fiero - Feb 2015 age 57
38. cbo111- Sep 2015 age 57
39. Planner - April 30, 2015 age 53
40. FatCyclist - January 2, 2015 age 57
41. Oreogn - Feb 2015 age 58
42. 2B - Jan 2015 age 63
43. tuffshed - January 2015 age 60
44. trirod - December 2015 age 48
45. jabbahop - Feb 2015 age 54/55 (depending whether I go before Feb birthday)
46. nuke_diver
47. Travel4Fun - Jan 2015, age 50
48. robnplunder - July 2015, age 53
49. Bryan Barnfellow - July 17, 2015
50. Taxman59 - July 1, 2015
51. nuisance - Q2 2015
52. texcurtis - January 31, 2015, age 54
53. OBXretire - July 1, 2015
54. Punxsyboy
55. Philliefan33
56. pinejake - March 5, 2015, age 56
57. Spudd - January 30, 2015, age 42
58. bingybear - Feb 28, 2015, age 53
59. kitesurfer2- April 30, 2015, age 62
60. Wheels down - March 1, 2015, age 60
61. Whisper66 - March 1, 2015, age 55
62. KCGeezer - May 31, 2015, age 58

VP notified during budget process in October, formal notice went in this past week, holding off on telling coworkers for another month or so. Not convinced I won't wind up doing a little consulting or find an opportunity in an entirely new field but those decisions will have to wait till after I spend a summer at 'the lake'. I can hardly wait to putter and do chores without the need to rush back to town to be in the office. Ready to dance.


Scared but excited

 

[stlguy57]

Please add me to the bottom of the list....

stlguy57 - Dec 31, 2015, age 58

 

[wheelsdown]

Updated List

1. Ikubak - April/May 2015- age 52
2. LoneAspen - Feb 2015- age 48
3. Neihn - Dec 2015-
4. Fourchristians - June 2015
5. ABQ2015 - March 2015- 59
6. Live and Learn - March 2015- 52
7. Utrecht - Jan 2015 - Age 50
8. haloFIRE - August 14, 2015 - age 47
9. Phil1ben - June 1, 2015 - age 55
10. SonnyJim - January 1. 2015 - age 48
11. Theseus - July 2015 - age 59 (moved up to 2014 - congrats )
12. biker4life - July 2015 - age 45
13. Options - January 2015 - 59.5
14. Al - June 2015 - age 52
15. Siamond - July 2015 - age 53
16. Shabby - January 2015 - age 48
17. jcretire77 - April 2015 - age 55
18. Fermion - Oct 2015 - age 45
19. BrianB - January 2015 - age 56
20. RobLJ - May thru August - age
21. FreqFlyer - Feb 2015 - age 43
22. Hiker88 - August 2015 - age 55
23. Enjoylife133 - December 2015 - age 60
24. Jpearl - July 2915 - age 43
25. iac1003 - April 2015 age 63.5
26. kern44 - June 2015
27. Fedup - Dec 2015 age 55
28. Mo Money - April 2015 age 53
29. Aus_E_Expat- April 2015, age 56
30. rodi - April 2015, age 53
30. vireo- June 30, 2015. Age 60
31. Sanstar - March 28, 2015, Age 59
32. Rdub - May 2015, age 45
33. johnnyfuego - Jan-March 2015, age 52
34. Islandtraveler - July 2015 age 56
35. kimcdougc - Feb. 1, 2015 age 57
36. 3800Fiero - Feb 2015 age 57
38. cbo111- Sep 2015 age 57
39. Planner - April 30, 2015 age 53
40. FatCyclist - January 2, 2015 age 57
41. Oreogn - Feb 2015 age 58
42. 2B - Jan 2015 age 63
43. tuffshed - January 2015 age 60
44. trirod - December 2015 age 48
45. jabbahop - Feb 2015 age 54/55 (depending whether I go before Feb birthday)
46. nuke_diver
47. Travel4Fun - Jan 2015, age 50
48. robnplunder - July 2015, age 53
49. Bryan Barnfellow - July 17, 2015
50. Taxman59 - July 1, 2015
51. nuisance - Q2 2015
52. texcurtis - January 31, 2015, age 54
53. OBXretire - July 1, 2015
54. Punxsyboy
55. Philliefan33
56. pinejake - March 5, 2015, age 56
57. Spudd - January 30, 2015, age 42
58. bingybear - Feb 28, 2015, age 53
59. kitesurfer2- April 30, 2015, age 62
60. wheelsdown - March 1, 2015, age 60
61. Whisper66 - March 1, 2015, age 55
62. KCGeezer - May 31, 2015, age 58
63. stlguy57 - Dec 31, 2015, age 58

add me @ the end

 

[texcurtis]

Counting down to my last work day this coming Thursday. I've gotten a few things in place:
- instead of work furnished got my own cell phone and lap top
- updated the will
- updated beneficiary forms
- got wifi at home
- got all my finances & allocations consolidated for retired life, I hope
- attended my retirement luncheon. Was quite nice.

The most common questions/statements I get:
- what are you gong to do? I say take a year off then figure it out.
- are you moving out of the area? Nope, staying in my beloved house.
- I'm so jealous. I don't respond to that one, but feel fortunate and grateful to have taken steps and made the choices to get me to this point.

I'm ready for group checkout on Thursday & to pick up that retiree badge and exit.


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[Ed_The_Gypsy]

I hope you got most of your Canadian cash turned into US dollars before it fell.

I only keep a few pence in a checking account in TD Canada Trust to keep it open. They don't offer that account any more. Just for insurance.

 

[2B]

I only keep a few pence in a checking account in TD Canada Trust to keep it open. They don't offer that account any more. Just for insurance.

That's good. I haven't been paying attention to the Canadian exchange rate for the last few years. I was shocked how much it had changed in just a couple of years. This is about as low as I can remember seeing it.

We could almost add Canada to the list of countries where US retirees can make their dollars go farther. Notice I said almost.

 

[Travelwanted]

1. Ikubak - April/May 2015- age 52
2. LoneAspen - Feb 2015- age 48
3. Neihn - Dec 2015-
4. Fourchristians - June 2015
5. ABQ2015 - March 2015- 59
6. Live and Learn - March 2015- 52
7. Utrecht - Jan 2015 - Age 50
8. haloFIRE - August 14, 2015 - age 47
9. Phil1ben - June 1, 2015 - age 55
10. SonnyJim - January 1. 2015 - age 48
11. Theseus - July 2015 - age 59 (moved up to 2014 - congrats )
12. biker4life - July 2015 - age 45
13. Options - January 2015 - 59.5
14. Al - June 2015 - age 52
15. Siamond - July 2015 - age 53
16. Shabby - January 2015 - age 48
17. jcretire77 - April 2015 - age 55
18. Fermion - Oct 2015 - age 45
19. BrianB - January 2015 - age 56
20. RobLJ - May thru August - age
21. FreqFlyer - Feb 2015 - age 43
22. Hiker88 - August 2015 - age 55
23. Enjoylife133 - December 2015 - age 60
24. Jpearl - July 2915 - age 43
25. iac1003 - April 2015 age 63.5
26. kern44 - June 2015
27. Fedup - Dec 2015 age 55
28. Mo Money - April 2015 age 53
29. Aus_E_Expat- April 2015, age 56
30. rodi - April 2015, age 53
30. vireo- June 30, 2015. Age 60
31. Sanstar - March 28, 2015, Age 59
32. Rdub - May 2015, age 45
33. johnnyfuego - Jan-March 2015, age 52
34. Islandtraveler - July 2015 age 56
35. kimcdougc - Feb. 1, 2015 age 57
36. 3800Fiero - Feb 2015 age 57
38. cbo111- Sep 2015 age 57
39. Planner - April 30, 2015 age 53
40. FatCyclist - January 2, 2015 age 57
41. Oreogn - Feb 2015 age 58
42. 2B - Jan 2015 age 63
43. tuffshed - January 2015 age 60
44. trirod - December 2015 age 48
45. jabbahop - Feb 2015 age 54/55 (depending whether I go before Feb birthday)
46. nuke_diver
47. Travel4Fun - Jan 2015, age 50
48. robnplunder - July 2015, age 53
49. Bryan Barnfellow - July 17, 2015
50. Taxman59 - July 1, 2015
51. nuisance - Q2 2015
52. texcurtis - January 31, 2015, age 54
53. OBXretire - July 1, 2015
54. Punxsyboy
55. Philliefan33
56. pinejake - March 5, 2015, age 56
57. Spudd - January 30, 2015, age 42
58. bingybear - Feb 28, 2015, age 53
59. kitesurfer2- April 30, 2015, age 62
60. wheelsdown - March 1, 2015, age 60
61. Whisper66 - March 1, 2015, age 55
62. KCGeezer - May 31, 2015, age 58
63. stlguy57 - Dec 31, 2015, age 58
64. Travelwanted - July, 2015

add me @ the end

After much anguish, I decided it was time to deliver the news. Done! I
gave notice today. . . it's official. Wow. . .

 

[OBXretire]

Originally planned for June 30 this year, with 41 vacation and comp days, I only have around 70 work days left.

 

[Philliefan33]

I had been planning on a March 31 exit, but learned something today that will likely postpone it 1-3 months. My section manager, who just recently heard of my ER plans, called me to her office today and strongly hinted that there may be severance packages available in 2Q. Since she has no reason to keep me here against my will, I have to believe that she is truly trying to help.

I have to talk to DH tonight, but I will probably bite the bullet and stay a little longer. It would stink to retire as of March 31, then find out on April 15 I could have gotten a package. I'll just keep telling myself that after 2/28/15, I am officially KMA and RIP. (Some of you Feds might recognize those acronyms. If not, think "kiss my .." and "retired in place"


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[jcretire77]

Sadly I am working for a company that is doing well as I was hoping that there would be some kind of a severance this year. Dang it.

Not sure what will cause me to push the button. Probably some really good weather.

 

[texcurtis]

Retired today. Feeling worn out, relieved, and ready to start the next chapter.


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