Class of 2020

[Draggon]

Update on my personal early retirement journey - my replacement has been stretched too thin between his old position and the new one, so the learning's been a little slow. However, he's committed to a renewed emphasis on "taking the reins" once he returns from PTO tomorrow. We'll see.... has no impact on my plans!

Progress has been made!

• Post-retirement medical insurance application completed and submitted
• Early retirement application completed, to be notarized at the pool today, and submitted tomorrow
• I became a "heart patient" this year (no event, just test results), so I just ordered 90 days worth of statins (while I still have the old insurance)
• Got my wellness check in Friday for my small HSA kickback. (Actually was a followup for said heart condition, but doc generously offered to code it as a wellness check)
• Got my final, covered annual eye exam scheduled in time

Really, REALLY starting to feel real now... 11/1 is 48 calendar days away! Wow, that was literally my first realization that I'm under 50 days! w00t!!

 

[Draggon]

Draggon - please add me to the list as "Retired 6/26/2020. I left quietly with little fanfare in this Covid environment. Past 2 months have been wonderful...even if I can't go anywhere other than grocery shopping and Home Depot/Lowes.

You got it, nap470! And a big CONGRATULATIONS on your sneaky retirement! I expect mine will go much the same way. We're still in "work-from-home", no-physical-meetings mode, so I expect I'll just fade away. And that's alright with me; even after 32 years!

I saw your response in time to still be able to edit my last update, so you're officially on The List!

 

[cnocmmz]

Had to change my date to 1April 2021

 

[ohiodep]

My last working day was the 17th. My crew gave me a nice pizza and ice cream send off. Not missing the job but I do miss the daily interaction with the guys that I worked with for decades. I am sleeping better and getting more exercise.

Also, it is nice to be able to watch sports in the evening instead of being in bed due to having to get up at 0400.

 

[KarlH]

Congratulations

 

[FLSUnFIRE]

So, so frustrated... still hanging on to 2020 for now (and wondering if I'll just walk out tomorrow). I have a "working interview" in another week at another local brewery to see how I like it and if I'm a good fit... something I really want to do for fun and would act as a bridge job to help me make the leap in these uncertain times -though I'm mostly doing it for fun with the pay as a gravy. At current valuations, I am looking at a WDR of about 3.3% and if I take the fun "job" would be about 2.7% (which makes me feel better given what I perceive as high valuations and COVID and election uncertainty).



Small possibility I could slip to 2021 if I make it do December as I will find out then about any bonus payment that would come near the end of January and that I would lose if I quit before payout. It would likely only be a few hundred dollars (hardly enough to make a material difference to me but I hate leaving money on the table). Cutting it close for class of 2020 and really burned out. Stay tuned!

 

[ugeauxgirl]

I'd love to tell you what's going on with my job, but I don't know. Company okayed us seeing clients in person again, and I worked meeting with clients and their new advisors for about a week and a half and then Hurricane Sally showed up and closed the office again for another month. (Lots of damage)

Clients don't really want to come in anyway. So I have been working very little. Which is FUN! But where the end is, I do not know.... And there is ANOTHER hurricane headed this way. Ridiculous. I'm so over 2020.

 

[bada bing]

Done

Last day at work was Monday a week ago, 9/28. Actually was held over 5 days at work and should have been done 9/23. Last day the crew I worked with had a barbecue at the worksite, which was unexpected and nice. I was officially an employee until 9/30.

Severance check hit my account on the 1st. I signed up for retiree medical, the same HDHP I had as an active employee. I would normally return to work on 10/7, so I haven't missed a show up day yet. That is when it'll be real.

On to the next phase

 

[51notout]

Done



Last day at work was Monday a week ago, 9/28. Actually was held over 5 days at work and should have been done 9/23. Last day the crew I worked with had a barbecue at the worksite, which was unexpected and nice. I was officially an employee until 9/30.



Severance check hit my account on the 1st. I signed up for retiree medical, the same HDHP I had as an active employee. I would normally return to work on 10/7, so I haven't missed a show up day yet. That is when it'll be real.



On to the next phase

Congratulations!!!!

 

[Draggon]

Congratulations to ohiodep and bada bing! I'm not sure how I missed those notifications, but "better late than never"?

Enjoy your new (non)employment status!

I've got four more working days!! Well, that plus an hour or so to grab some personal stuff from the office I haven't seen in months, drop off my company laptop, company ID, and go through what I expect to be a fairly short exit interview on Friday...

 

[Perryinva]

May 1 2020 is the plan. Will be 62 +3. DW will 67+5. Ready to go now. Just greed and fear holding me back. Every month adds about $50/mo increase in income. Too hard to pass up so far.

Haha, just saw this from mid 2017! This thread started in 2013! I left May 31, 2019. ERP kept me paid with double dipping (pay + pension) through July 2020, so bottom line of both portfolio and pension was higher than had I worked through May 2020 as originally planned. Timing is everything.

 

[Draggon]

Haha, just saw this from mid 2017! This thread started in 2013! I left May 31, 2019. ERP kept me paid with double dipping (pay + pension) through July 2020, so bottom line of both portfolio and pension was higher than had I worked through May 2020 as originally planned. Timing is everything.

Nice! It's fun to go back and find those old posts to see what your former self's plans were and how they worked out. In this case, I'd say you outperformed! Congrats on your earlier-than-planned retirement. Hope you're enjoying!

 

[GATime]

Switched to 2020

Well I was in the 2021 group with a date a few months away. This month my company had other plans so my retirement moved to this month. Biggest issue we have is healthcare, the cost and the Plans. The ACA Plans are all HMO's and we're having a hard time getting our heads around doing an HMO with all the restrictions. Leaning towards just doing Cobra for a year and seeing what 2022 may bring.

 

[1242Vintage]

Love reading all the experience of my fellow class of 2020 retirees as we start this next stage of our lives.

I retired back on May 1 and it has been a truly awesome six months. All the stress and anxiety I had about retirement leading up to May 1 has vaporized.

Since we cannot travel anywhere this year, wife had her other knee replaced and is recovering nicely. We have also spent lots of quality time with parents and siblings. And I’ve been focusing on regaining the fitness I had when I was younger and returning to a healthy weight. Also spending far less in retirement than we projected.

Things we look forward to in 2021 are a trip down to Mexico in January with brother and SIL, daughters graduation from Johns Hopkins nursing school in May, a meandering road trip with family through Alaska in June and a trip to British Columbia in August to compete in a multi-stage bicycle race through the Rockies.

Retirement life is good!

 

[MI-Roger]

Class of 2020 Member

Wow! I guess I am really tardy with this post.

I retired effective July 1st, 2020.
Staying busy volunteering as a Docent at Greenfield Village Museum outside of Detroit, restoring/building my 1964 Formula Car (see pre-work photo of car parked next to my convertible below), and spent a couple weeks watching our infant Grandson while his parents worked.

Where I Volunteer:
https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/expert-sets/101112/#mod=exhibit-view

My Toys:

 

[FLSUnFIRE]

As much as I hate to, I'm going to officially bump myself to the Class of 2021. Originally hoped for this summer but the COVID mess reduced the incentive (less fun to be had not working and less confidence in the economy/market). The numbers still work but given how late I am in the year, I want to see what will happen after next Tuesday (regardless of the results, I think some of the uncertainly will fade) and in December I will find out if there is any bonus (puny) I will get paid out in January. I'll likely wait until the payout and will also, hopefully, have unused leave paid out at a slightly higher rate in addition to the income I will save during the extra time as a wage slave. I'm taking half of December off and that will give me some mental space to be comfortable with my decision and reduce the pain of continuing to w*rk. Unless the market/economy completely tank, I am tentatively planning to give notice after any bonus pay out in late January with an ending date somewhere between February and the end of March (April Fools would be a fun day to end on!). Still hoping for a PT offer but doubt that will happen... I'll consider myself FIREd if it does and will stick around for as long as the work/life balance works for me but think within a year or two I will be enjoying the "off" time way too much!


Congrats to all of you who got out in 2020... Hopefully will be right behind you.


FLSunFIRE

 

[cnocmmz]

As much as I hate to, I'm going to officially bump myself to the Class of 2021. Originally hoped for this summer but the COVID mess reduced the incentive (less fun to be had not working and less confidence in the economy/market). The numbers still work but given how late I am in the year, I want to see what will happen after next Tuesday (regardless of the results, I think some of the uncertainly will fade) and in December I will find out if there is any bonus (puny) I will get paid out in January. I'll likely wait until the payout and will also, hopefully, have unused leave paid out at a slightly higher rate in addition to the income I will save during the extra time as a wage slave. I'm taking half of December off and that will give me some mental space to be comfortable with my decision and reduce the pain of continuing to w*rk. Unless the market/economy completely tank, I am tentatively planning to give notice after any bonus pay out in late January with an ending date somewhere between February and the end of March (April Fools would be a fun day to end on!). Still hoping for a PT offer but doubt that will happen... I'll consider myself FIREd if it does and will stick around for as long as the work/life balance works for me but think within a year or two I will be enjoying the "off" time way too much!


Congrats to all of you who got out in 2020... Hopefully will be right behind you.


FLSunFIRE

Dito! I am with you. I too was supposed to walk away this year; however, with COVID this an opportunity to still try and max out cash and investments while the travel ban is still in place and just pad the accounts. FLSunFIRE, our time will come soon enough. All the best to those that have walked away this year

 

[cnocmmz]

Congratulations to ohiodep and bada bing! I'm not sure how I missed those notifications, but "better late than never"?

Enjoy your new (non)employment status!

I've got four more working days!! Well, that plus an hour or so to grab some personal stuff from the office I haven't seen in months, drop off my company laptop, company ID, and go through what I expect to be a fairly short exit interview on Friday...

Congratulations.....Enjoy life on your time

 

[Vacation4us]

DH is on track for Nov 2. He has been cleaning his office for a week. Had to retrieve the lifesize Batman fathead Off the wall.

Retirement party may be a bust. All offices going on tactical alert with days off cancelled. And the 1 person we did not was to see is coming. I emphasized with the unwanted visitors for a few years but coming to every event to get sloshed and make a scene in mot our idea of fun. It’s sad but her tragedy does not define my D H 32 ye career.

We all agreed she would not be invited the event is not a bout her husband's passing , but the captains wife went beside our back and invited her anyway,

Between Covid, the election ,and too many hands in the pie the party isn’t looking as w
Fun as we hoped

 

[Marita40]

My last day is Dec. 11! Just finished cleaning out my office (we've been working at home) and this week said "no" to an assignment that I really didn't want to do and realized I could say no. Strange and very good feeling.

 

[spikeykiller]

ER
Well, the day is finally almost here. I gave my notice to retire two weeks ago and next Friday Nov 13th will be my last say in the virtual office. I’ve agreed to be available by phone for a couple more weeks to help with any on boarding questions from my replacement.
This day has been 30 years in planning hard to believe it is now only days away. What will I do with my time..........

 

[Draggon]

Well, it's official. Today is the first day of my retired life. I turned 55 on October 5, and, as far as I know, I'm pretty healthy, so I'm looking forward to a long, happy "License to Chill". Someone way upthread posted a screenshot of a t-shirt that said, "Retired 2020: Not My Problem Anymore". I loved it instantly and went out on the web and found one and ordered it. I waited months to put it on, but I wore it to my exit interview.

I was on the FIRE train before FIRE was an acronym. I got my financial planning start after joining The Motley Fool website back in the mid-90's. Eventually, in August 2000 to be exact, I found an interesting discussion board there called "Retire Early Home Page" started by a guy by the name of John Greaney. As far as I know, he may be the godfather of the modern-day FIRE concepts as he retired in 1994 at the age of 38. I had never heard of such a thing! That was a real turning point for my FIRE journey.

Granted, I'm not as young as many FIRE-ees, but I'm still thrilled to death to be able to pull this off. I hit my key FI goal about three years ago, but made the somewhat painful decision to stick it out three years to solidify and instill serious "backup plans" such as a full pension and affordable post-retirement medical coverage. I kind of regret that decision, but I'll learn to live with it - lol!

I started early enough that I probably should have been able to pull this off 10 years ago, but, as I've said many times, I'm a terrible investor, but one heck of a saver. I dabbled in different investment techniques, even attempting a couple years of "mechanical investing" during about the worst time I could have tried it. Luckily, saving early is definitely the most powerful key to reaching a goal like this successfully.

Anyway, this is already getting lengthy, so I'll cut it short and just say, I wish you all the best in your personal FIRE journeys. To those that have already retired this year, I salute you and am incredibly pleased to join you! To those that will retire before the end of the year, the class looks forward to your announcement! To those that have had or have chosen to defer to a later date, I empathize and wish you the best in making your new date work.

Thanks everyone, for your support this year. It's been inspiring for me!

 

[Dtail]

Well, it's official. Today is the first day of my retired life. I turned 55 on October 5, and, as far as I know, I'm pretty healthy, so I'm looking forward to a long, happy "License to Chill". Someone way upthread posted a screenshot of a t-shirt that said, "Retired 2020: Not My Problem Anymore". I loved it instantly and went out on the web and found one and ordered it. I waited months to put it on, but I wore it to my exit interview.

I was on the FIRE train before FIRE was an acronym. I got my financial planning start after joining The Motley Fool website back in the mid-90's. Eventually, in August 2000 to be exact, I found an interesting discussion board there called "Retire Early Home Page" started by a guy by the name of John Greaney. As far as I know, he may be the godfather of the modern-day FIRE concepts as he retired in 1994 at the age of 38. I had never heard of such a thing! That was a real turning point for my FIRE journey.

Granted, I'm not as young as many FIRE-ees, but I'm still thrilled to death to be able to pull this off. I hit my key FI goal about three years ago, but made the somewhat painful decision to stick it out three years to solidify and instill serious "backup plans" such as a full pension and affordable post-retirement medical coverage. I kind of regret that decision, but I'll learn to live with it - lol!

I started early enough that I probably should have been able to pull this off 10 years ago, but, as I've said many times, I'm a terrible investor, but one heck of a saver. I dabbled in different investment techniques, even attempting a couple years of "mechanical investing" during about the worst time I could have tried it. Luckily, saving early is definitely the most powerful key to reaching a goal like this successfully.

Anyway, this is already getting lengthy, so I'll cut it short and just say, I wish you all the best in your personal FIRE journeys. To those that have already retired this year, I salute you and am incredibly please to join you! To those that will retire before the end of the year, the class looks forward to your announcement! To those that have had or have chosen to defer to a later date, I empathize and wish you the best in making your new date work.

Thanks everyone, for your support this year. It's been inspiring for me!

Congrats. Retiring at 55 is a great accomplishment and still younger than many retirements on this site.

 

[Draggon]

I love to see all these {CHECK}'s showing up! Keep 'em coming!

Yeah... about that pandemic.... ugh... moving on

On a brighter note, Your LIST update is here! We have a few new retirees (Yay! Congratulations!), a few altered plans (it'll all work out!), and, believe it or not, we're still getting a handful of new additions to the 2020 Class, so please welcome them aboard the train!

PLEASE NOTE: I went back through the forum and added "Announcement" links to all who notified us of their successful retirement. If you find an error, please let me know as this is a bit of a tedious cut & paste task! Also, if you'd like your Announcement to point somewhere else, let me know - I can do that, too! LoL - I also just found out that there is a limit of 15 emoticons per post - so no more smilies from me!!

Congratulations to everyone that's "Made It" so far! Livin' the dream (although likely in isolation - still)!

Class of 2020 (Un)Official List... (I like lists! ):
Trivia Item: (The Birth of The List)

• dingo - 1/2/2020 (Congrats! (snuck in front of Ergragg1)) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Erbragg1 - 1/3/2020 (Early bird... Teacher's pet... ) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Octogirl - 1/3/2020 {CHECK} (Completing part-time assignment 7/24/20) (Announcement) (Update)
• INTJ10 - 1/9/2020 {CHECK} (W*rking an overpaid temp job) (Announcement)
• Out_the_Door - 1/24/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• idledancer - 1/27/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• nobodyspecial - 1/31/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• AS2019 - 2/14/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Third Son - 2/29/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• target2019 - 2/28/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• JakeinChina - 3/1/2020 {CHECK} (41!) (Announcement)
• HighFlight - 3/4/2020 {CHECK} (but not the easy way!) (Announcement)
• nobody - 3/6/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• 51notout - 3/6/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Maenad - 3/13/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Go-NoGo - 3/16/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• georgemoe - 3/20/2020 (after 43 years!) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• CoastboundPNW - 4/1/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Grimelowe - 4/3/2020 (45yo - Nice!) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• TN Jim - 4/10/2020 (Earlier than expected; nice!) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Born2Fish - 4/16/2020 (Hey, I'm here and retired!) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• jaharrer - 4/30/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• 1242Vintage - 4/30/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Lucie's Husband - 5/9/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• RobLJ - 5/19/2020 (Retiring the rest of the way! ) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Mountain skier - 5/21/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Ger0n1mo - 5/31/2020 (Hoping...) {Waiting for update...}
• mattwallace24 - 5/2020 (Placeholder) {Waiting for update...}
• kingkarmann - 6/5/2020 (Accelerated!) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Dalmore - 6/11/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• nap470 - 6/26/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• roadtripper - 6/30/2020 (Left 6/19 or 6/12?) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Lienlord - 7/1/2020 (fuzzy - due to pandemic!) {Waiting for update...}
• MI-Roger - 7/1/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• COcheesehead - 7/10/2020 (Countdown is on!!) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• wmackey - 7/10/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Markola - 7/10/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• OTDasap2020 - 7/31/2020 (A sap? ) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• DRC726 - 7/31/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• brainsagolfer - 8/1/2020 (PTO started 6/24) {Waiting for update...}
• makingaplan - 8/4/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• fishnfool - 8/7/2020 (guesstimate from "35 working days" from 6/23) {Waiting for update...}
• KarlH - 8/28/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• lampshade - 8/28/2020 (Last working day is 7/31) {Waiting for update...}
• free2020 - 8/31/2020 {Waiting for update...}
• FlyFisher - 9/1/2020 {Waiting for update...}
• L Carlisle - 9/1/2020 (MOSTly retiring...) {Waiting for update...}
• albireo13 - 9/4/2020 (Sounds like the best of the dates you've proposed so far!) {Waiting for update...}
• bada bing - 9/30/2020 (Landed a great package!) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• firewhen - 9/30/2020 (Finally got the nudge they needed!)(Slight delay, but still 2020!) {Waiting for update...}
• Unpaintedhuffhines - 10/1/2020 (RSU's FTW! ) {Waiting for update...}
• GATime - 10/25(?)/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Draggon - 11/1/2020 (1st date eligible) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• Mr. Vacation4us - 11/2/2020 {CHECK} (Announcement)
• f35phixer - 11/12/2020 (Committed! - no longer likes their J*B!!)
• spikeykiller - 11/13/2020 (Friday the 13th - spooky!)
• ugeauxgirl - 11/15/2020 (Class ringleader )(Corona delay!)
• ohiodep and the DW - 12/1/2020 (Leaving work 9/17/2020 on vacay!) {CHECK} (Announcement)
• tinlizzy - 12/1/2020 (deferred from 6/1 - i.e. Plan B!)
• Marita40 - 12/11/2020
• Mrs. Vacation4us - 12/15/2020 (Mr. V cut in front of her!)
• Magoo30 - 12/31/2020
• pdxgal - 12/2020 (?) (COVID delay)
• retire202052 - 12/2020 (I may have figured out the pattern of your UserID )
• gamboolman - 12/31/2020 (g-man says 1/1/21, but I'm giving him 12/31 to keep him in our class!)
  ----
• HNL Bill - 1/15(ish)/2021 (Former classmate, now a proud member of the Class of 2021! Good luck!)
• cnocmmz - 4/1/2021 (Former classmate, now a proud member of the Class of 2021! Good luck!)
• GoBugGo - 2021 (Former classmate, now a proud member of the Class of 2021! Good luck!)
• FLSUnFIRE - 2021 (Former classmate, now a proud member of the Class of 2021! Good luck!)
  ----
• RxMan - ??/20?? (Class of 2020 Official Stalker)
  
  

Anyone else want to post their target? Also, lemme know if I miss one or mis-stated anything.

 

[Vacation4us]

Today is the day for Mr. Vacation4us! We are being escorted to his office at 8:30 am and a few hours later driven home to load up and head down south to vote.

I decided last night to give notice on my return to work on November 10 th. My official last day will be November 17th. The Christmas party was cancelled so there really is no reason for us to stay into December. Since I really am only losing out on 8 more days of pay I just decided to forgo paying December rent and move home where we really want to be.

Congratulations to the class of 2020! Honey I am right behind you!