Class of 2022

[Jim59]

How's it going you three? Two of you are done done, right? And Jim59 6 days seems awfully close -- even if they don't all conclude until May 5!

Yes, 2 working days left, 1 day per week for 2 weeks. I reduced to a 3 day week and with a company retirement day since February and accrued annual leave that’s 2 remains days to 5 May. I’ll keep IT stuff until then. Not for work though.

 

[Jim59]

Let’s get kaudrey’s retirement reflected

I’m sure Leonardo will let us know when final link with work is broken


roady-runner - Jan 2022
dadu007- - Jan 2022
oldmedic - Jan 2022
caninelover - Jan 21 2022 - FIRE'd
Present Aside - Feb 2, 2022 - FIRE’d
Leonardo - Feb 2022
Escapevelocity - Feb 2022
kaudrey - 25 Feb 2022. - FIRE’d
OnTheBeach - 28 Feb 2022
Romer- Feb 2022
Ozinvestor - March 2022
Dean56 - March 2022
Travis Bickle - March 2022
My Next Chapter - April 1, 2022
Pompanobeach - April 2022
fassmac - April 2022
Goingcamping - April 2022
ejw93 - April 2022
YVRRocketSurgery - April 2022
mmurphy111 - April 2022
cynicalbuthopeful - 1 May 2022
GTP2022 - May 2022
Jim59 - 6 May 2022
nhcycling - June 2022
plex - June 2022
beernutzbob - June 2022
retire48in2018 - June 2022
Physics Guy - June 2022
Poopycat - June 2022
ImThinkin2019 June 2022
Sean Pizzle - June 2022
David3 - June 2022
Mrs & Mr Bustergordon - 30 June
Silent Walker - July 2022
CaliKid - September 2022
BGH1 - September 2022
Unpaintedhuffhines - September 2022
firemediceric - October 2022
mountainsoft - December 2022
ExPatKiwi - December 2022
Panda Bear - XX 2022
Sam Cro - XX 2022
Dreams of Freedom - XX 2022
Callitaday - XX 2022
dd564 - XX 2022
Chris Texas - XX 2022
Bee4 - Sept 2022
cyber888 - December 2022
ecowtent-XX 2022
Aiming_4_55 - XX 2022

 

[kaudrey]

Thanks, Jim59! Enjoying my first weekend that doesn't feel much different than the last few days!

 

[caninelover]

Thanks, Jim59! Enjoying my first weekend that doesn't feel much different than the last few days!

Congrats! It gets better once the dust settles. It is so much fun to get out and do things during the week that others can't

 

[Dean56]

Things happened beyond my control, so I had to move myself out to May 2022.


roady-runner - Jan 2022
dadu007- - Jan 2022
oldmedic - Jan 2022
caninelover - Jan 21 2022 - FIRE'd
Present Aside - Feb 2, 2022 - FIRE’d
Leonardo - Feb 2022
Escapevelocity - Feb 2022
kaudrey - 25 Feb 2022. - FIRE’d
OnTheBeach - 28 Feb 2022
Romer- Feb 2022
Ozinvestor - March 2022
Travis Bickle - March 2022
My Next Chapter - April 1, 2022
Pompanobeach - April 2022
fassmac - April 2022
Goingcamping - April 2022
ejw93 - April 2022
YVRRocketSurgery - April 2022
mmurphy111 - April 2022
cynicalbuthopeful - 1 May 2022
GTP2022 - May 2022
Jim59 - 6 May 2022
Dean56 - May 2022
nhcycling - June 2022
plex - June 2022
beernutzbob - June 2022
retire48in2018 - June 2022
Physics Guy - June 2022
Poopycat - June 2022
ImThinkin2019 June 2022
Sean Pizzle - June 2022
David3 - June 2022
Mrs & Mr Bustergordon - 30 June
Silent Walker - July 2022
CaliKid - September 2022
BGH1 - September 2022
Unpaintedhuffhines - September 2022
firemediceric - October 2022
mountainsoft - December 2022
ExPatKiwi - December 2022
Panda Bear - XX 2022
Sam Cro - XX 2022
Dreams of Freedom - XX 2022
Callitaday - XX 2022
dd564 - XX 2022
Chris Texas - XX 2022
Bee4 - Sept 2022
cyber888 - December 2022
ecowtent-XX 2022
Aiming_4_55 - XX 2022

 

[Monterey298sc]

May 31, 2022 for me and DW after 48 yrs of working

 

[mmurphy111]

Delayed a Few Months

Moving to December - waiting for company to IPO! Market caused a delay from March. Ugh.

 

[Dean56]

The list has been updated to add new dates for Monterey298sc & mmurphy111.

roady-runner - Jan 2022
dadu007- - Jan 2022
oldmedic - Jan 2022
caninelover - Jan 21 2022 - FIRE'd
Present Aside - Feb 2, 2022 - FIRE’d
Leonardo - Feb 2022
Escapevelocity - Feb 2022
kaudrey - 25 Feb 2022. - FIRE’d
OnTheBeach - 28 Feb 2022
Romer- Feb 2022
Ozinvestor - March 2022
Travis Bickle - March 2022
My Next Chapter - April 1, 2022
Pompanobeach - April 2022
fassmac - April 2022
Goingcamping - April 2022
ejw93 - April 2022
YVRRocketSurgery - April 2022
cynicalbuthopeful - 1 May 2022
GTP2022 - May 2022
Jim59 - 6 May 2022
Dean56 - May 2022
Monterey298sc - May 31, 2022
nhcycling - June 2022
plex - June 2022
beernutzbob - June 2022
retire48in2018 - June 2022
Physics Guy - June 2022
Poopycat - June 2022
ImThinkin2019 June 2022
Sean Pizzle - June 2022
David3 - June 2022
Mrs & Mr Bustergordon - 30 June
Silent Walker - July 2022
CaliKid - September 2022
BGH1 - September 2022
Unpaintedhuffhines - September 2022
firemediceric - October 2022
mountainsoft - December 2022
ExPatKiwi - December 2022
mmurphy111 - December 2022
Panda Bear - XX 2022
Sam Cro - XX 2022
Dreams of Freedom - XX 2022
Callitaday - XX 2022
dd564 - XX 2022
Chris Texas - XX 2022
Bee4 - Sept 2022
cyber888 - December 2022
ecowtent-XX 2022
Aiming_4_55 - XX 2022

 

[BobMW]

Adding myself for July 1, gives me another full year for pension credit, and 1/2 the summer to enjoy. Had planned for end of year, but in December was feeling extremely burnt out, and ran the #s going mid-year-not enough to stay for. 62 1/2.


roady-runner - Jan 2022
dadu007- - Jan 2022
oldmedic - Jan 2022
caninelover - Jan 21 2022 - FIRE'd
Present Aside - Feb 2, 2022 - FIRE’d
Leonardo - Feb 2022
Escapevelocity - Feb 2022
kaudrey - 25 Feb 2022. - FIRE’d
OnTheBeach - 28 Feb 2022
Romer- Feb 2022
Ozinvestor - March 2022
Travis Bickle - March 2022
My Next Chapter - April 1, 2022
Pompanobeach - April 2022
fassmac - April 2022
Goingcamping - April 2022
ejw93 - April 2022
YVRRocketSurgery - April 2022
cynicalbuthopeful - 1 May 2022
GTP2022 - May 2022
Jim59 - 6 May 2022
Dean56 - May 2022
Monterey298sc - May 31, 2022
nhcycling - June 2022
plex - June 2022
beernutzbob - June 2022
retire48in2018 - June 2022
Physics Guy - June 2022
Poopycat - June 2022
ImThinkin2019 June 2022
Sean Pizzle - June 2022
David3 - June 2022
Mrs & Mr Bustergordon - 30 June
BobMW - 1 July 2022
Silent Walker - July 2022
CaliKid - September 2022
BGH1 - September 2022
Unpaintedhuffhines - September 2022
firemediceric - October 2022
mountainsoft - December 2022
ExPatKiwi - December 2022
mmurphy111 - December 2022
Panda Bear - XX 2022
Sam Cro - XX 2022
Dreams of Freedom - XX 2022
Callitaday - XX 2022
dd564 - XX 2022
Chris Texas - XX 2022
Bee4 - Sept 2022
cyber888 - December 2022
ecowtent-XX 2022
Aiming_4_55 - XX 2022

 

[PandaBear]

Updating my stats! It’s been a difficult decision to retire, for a multitude of reasons. I went back and forth on my decision so many times from November to February.

But now, work has been changing (and not for the good, lol), so has my mom (unfortunately, also not for the good) and so has our savings (like most people, also not for the good!!)

But, I looked at our money from 3 years ago to today, and even with a dip, we’re up 30%!

I am so grateful I’ll have more time with my mom. I want this time.

And while I have loved my work, it’s so apparent to me now that I am done. I was holding on to the past. The work environment I loved is gone. Things have changed. That’s okay and it’s okay that I am moving on. It’s taken me a little bit of time to get here but I am so excited for my future. No regrets anymore at my decision.

June 1 here I come!


roady-runner - Jan 2022

dadu007- - Jan 2022

oldmedic - Jan 2022

caninelover - Jan 21 2022 - FIRE'd

Present Aside - Feb 2, 2022 - FIRE’d

Leonardo - Feb 2022

Escapevelocity - Feb 2022

kaudrey - 25 Feb 2022. - FIRE’d

OnTheBeach - 28 Feb 2022

Romer- Feb 2022

Ozinvestor - March 2022

Travis Bickle - March 2022

My Next Chapter - April 1, 2022

Pompanobeach - April 2022

fassmac - April 2022

Goingcamping - April 2022

ejw93 - April 2022

YVRRocketSurgery - April 2022

cynicalbuthopeful - 1 May 2022

GTP2022 - May 2022

Jim59 - 6 May 2022

Dean56 - May 2022

Monterey298sc - May 31, 2022

nhcycling - June 2022

plex - June 2022

beernutzbob - June 2022

retire48in2018 - June 2022

Physics Guy - June 2022

Poopycat - June 2022

ImThinkin2019 June 2022

Sean Pizzle - June 2022

David3 - June 2022

Mrs & Mr Bustergordon - 30 June

BobMW - 1 July 2022

Silent Walker - July 2022

CaliKid - September 2022

BGH1 - September 2022

Unpaintedhuffhines - September 2022

firemediceric - October 2022

mountainsoft - December 2022

ExPatKiwi - December 2022

mmurphy111 - December 2022

Panda Bear - June 1, 2022

Sam Cro - XX 2022

Dreams of Freedom - XX 2022

Callitaday - XX 2022

dd564 - XX 2022

Chris Texas - XX 2022

Bee4 - Sept 2022

cyber888 - December 2022

ecowtent-XX 2022

Aiming_4_55 - XX 2022

 

[skyking1]

I'm hanging out here and taking a day or two a week for now to spend with family.

 

[HealthyFuture]

It’s been a difficult decision to retire, for a multitude of reasons. I went back and forth on my decision so many times from November to February.

And while I have loved my work, it’s so apparent to me now that I am done. … It’s taken me a little bit of time to get here but I am so excited for my future. No regrets anymore at my decision.

PandaBear, thank you for sharing this. First, I am sorry to hear of your mom’s decline. You are so right that you won’t regret time you spend with her. Second, congratulations on arriving at a mental space that allows you to look forward feeling settled.

This was a very helpful message to me, especially this week. I also had been going back and forth for months, even after telling my boss. Maybe I should delay my date of departure a few weeks? A few months? What am I doing leaving work I love?

And then I remember my parents are aging. My DW is aging. I am aging. As I get closer to determining a final date (July it’s looking), I also am mapping out what I’m doing the first few months out, and like you I am getting excited for my future. And yet, I know that there still will be hard days ahead. Leaving a place where we’ve invested so much of ourselves for so long is (when we’ve loved it) a hard thing to do. Even when we know intellectually we would not choose our work or co-workers over our family.

So congrats, and thanks for sharing. It helps me keep moving down my path.

 

[Aiming_4_55]

Congrats PandaBear and Class of 2022 grads on your decisions! I'm sure it's right for you.

Originally, I was targeting end of March, however, still struggling with the FAQ, what will I do once I pull the plug. So I will ponder my options and concerns to see if 2022 is still right for me. While it's not purely a financial delay, SORR is on my mind for long term and the 529 fund that we will start using in 2 years.

 

[HealthyFuture]

I'm hanging out here and taking a day or two a week for now to spend with family.

Good for you, skyking1!

 

[Leonardo]

Let’s get kaudrey’s retirement reflected

I’m sure Leonardo will let us know when final link with work is broken

I'm 100% FIRED! The next chapter of my life has already begun!

Congrats on the other members!

 

[YVRRocketSurgery]

Congrats to the March cohort!

still struggling with the FAQ, what will I do once I pull the plug.

I struggle to answer that too when coworkers ask me what my plans are. Realistically, the missus has a bit of a laundry list of small projects around the house that we've been putting off so I'll likely start with that.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Last Thursday was my last day and I’d say so far so great. Was just sitting here watching the basketball game thinking how nice it is to not have to worry about what I’m supposed to do tomorrow.

 

[skyking1]

Good for you, skyking1!

Thank you healthy. I am working hard on that part. Congrats Travis!!

 

[BobMW]

"still struggling with the FAQ, what will I do once I pull the plug."
I was surprised a little to be struggling with this too. Just gonna enjoy this summer more than ever & take on some over-due home projects. Friends seem a little under-whelmed by that answer

 

[finnski1]

Last Thursday was my last day and I’d say so far so great. Was just sitting here watching the basketball game thinking how nice it is to not have to worry about what I’m supposed to do tomorrow.

Congrats!

 

[HealthyFuture]

Last Thursday was my last day and I’d say so far so great. Was just sitting here watching the basketball game thinking how nice it is to not have to worry about what I’m supposed to do tomorrow.

Congrats!!!

 

[My Next Chapter]

Just wrapping up my first week in retirement. On Monday the thought of looking for another job crossed my mind several times, which I found very odd. By Tuesday those thoughts settled down. I enjoyed a week of no alarm clocks, no video calls, and no back-to-back meetings. I had more family time by enjoying an afternoon with my dad, another with my mother in law, and babysitting my nephew’s kids one morning. I spent hours playing my piano and walking outside. It has been a very good week!

 

[disneysteve]

Is it too late to join the class?


If you look up my early threads from last year, you'll get the backstory, but basically I'm 57, wife is 58. As of last year we had about $1.9 million saved. I then unfortunately lost my 66-yo cousin to cancer. He had ER'ed at 55 so at least he got to enjoy most of 11 years before his passing. Anyway, I was his sole beneficiary and inherited about $1.3M taking us to about $3.2M which was a sufficient amount for me to at least cut back on work.


In August I gave notice to drop from FT to PT. That took effect at the end of November so for the past 4 months I've been doing 24 hrs/wk instead of 36. I've used that time to really crunch the numbers and work on the budget and tweak things in the portfolio and explore health care coverage and learn from everyone here.


We decided recently that we were as ready as we were going to get so yesterday I gave notice to drop from PT to per diem. That will take effect no later than August 10 (our contracts require 120 days notice). So as of then, I won't be 100% retired, but I will not have any scheduled hours. I'll be free to pick up shifts whenever I'd like (based on availability).


My plan at this point is to do at least one 4-hr shift a week and probably no more than two 4-hr shifts. I enjoy my job but it can also be kind of high pressure at times (I'm an urgent care physician) but I learned early on that no matter what happens, there's only so bad a 4-hr shift can be, especially if it's not a closing shift so you know you get to leave on time.


So that's my story. As of August 10 or thereabouts (probably August 6 as that's the end of the pay period), I will be free, only working on my own schedule when I want to. Hopefully that's close enough to ER to join the 2022 crew.

 

[Luvtoride]

Is it too late to join the class?

Hopefully that's close enough to ER to join the 2022 crew.

I’m late to the class here too. What are the “rules” to join the Class of 2022?

I turn 65 in October and it now looks like that’s when I will retire. Certainly not ER but definitely ahead of when I thought I would retire.

3 weeks ago we learned that my company required that we Return to Office 5 days/ week. Most of us were shocked and just about all were disappointed (to put it mildly), angry or disgusted.

I have since spoken to my Financial Advisor (this is about 6-12 months earlier than we had planned), HR department (to learn more specifics about my pension and retiree medical coverage, etc.) and of course my wife. Pending receipt of my exact pension numbers from our actuarial firm (I have estimates so far) it looks like October 16th will be my date (just about 6 months from now).

A couple of reasons why that date:
- our Pension plan considers Normal Retirement for collecting 100% of calculated pension benefits- age 65. Anything before that age is considered “early” and carries significant discounts i.e. 93% at age 64.
- I will reach my 33 year anniversary with the company on that date (nothing too significant economically about that but just a nice milestone date)
- We leqve on a 2 week trip to Italy on Oct 17 which has been planned for almost a year. Instead of using vacation time (and taking my work phone along) I will get paid out for my “unused “ vacation time and celebrate my retirement!

Now I just have to make it official (any recommendations about doing that?) and start the “wind down work” and start positioning myself for retirement!

Hope this qualifies to join the Class of 2022!

 

[disneysteve]

3 weeks ago we learned that my company required that we Return to Office 5 days/ week. Most of us were shocked and just about all were disappointed (to put it mildly), angry or disgusted.

Congrats!


I've heard so many stories of people leaving their jobs for just this reason. Employers just don't get it. People preferred working from home. They were happier. They were more productive. Their costs dropped with no commuting. They had more free time in their day as a result of not spending an hour or two on the road. No more dry cleaning expenses. Less eating out. More family time. And ultimately, it saved the companies money too. Hopefully more employers will come around and make remote work permanent when possible.