Today is the first full day of winter! Yeah! That makes us one day closer to the first full day of Spring. Winter is slow down time. Planning time, thinking time, reflection time, valuable time for those of us who seldom slow down. The argument between Me, Myself and I has already started. The more I think about it, the more I want to retire next year. That will give me a year to risk the possibility of life without insurance. It is not the 13 1/3 percent reduction in Social Security benefits that bothers me, it's the lack of insurance before Medicare would kick in. Fortunately, I am healthy and have been for the last several years. 1997 brought a breast cancer diagnosis. 1998 brought a parathyroid tumor (benign) diagnosis. 1999 brought a bone tumor (also benign) diagnosis. Since then, not even a serious common cold.
I don't think I would have too much trouble finding a part-time job to supplement Social Security and retirement savings. The finances are in pretty good shape and will be even better by November 1, 2008. I am not tired of working, in fact, I really like my job. I just don't like the stress level that goes along with it. January 2008 will make sixteen years in the same place. That's a long time. I don't see myself making it to seventeen years. It will be interesting to see how I think when it gets closer to August 1st. That's when I would have to notify Social Security that I would be retiring in three months. I know this is not the last time I will have this internal discussion, it certainly is not the first time.
For now, a tentative decision has been made - subject to change of course! November 1, 2008, I plan to be out of there and on to the great adventure of retirement!
2 comments:
You will be embarking on a new chapter as we travel this road of life. My retirement was forced earlier on me because of the degenertive arthritis in my hips resulting in both hips being replaced. I was lucky to qualify for SSD but not after being turned down but I kept fighting it and finally was awarded in my case I had to be on SSD 2 years before medicare kicked in, those 2 years were insurance free ! Iam now on regular SS. I look at it this way, you will be able to fully smell the roses of life, after my intial adjustment, I found this to be the case. Good luck in the coming year as you ponder the decison
Good Luck with retirement. I know a lot of people are on the fence about it especially the thought of being without insurance. That can be scary. Good Luck in which every decision you make and have a Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!!
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