Sashamae: Isn't it a wonderful feeling to wake up and not be "stressed"? We took a 2 day trip to Atlantic City-for 50.00/nite! Never could do that before....My hubby also loves to fish-as well as I. He has gotten to go with my son and wife, while, I was scheduled....Now, the four of us can enjoy going. It is so nice to go shopping-and not have to rush. I already started addressing my Xmas cards--something I always did, while working, so that it would ease all the hustle and bustle of the holidays! I Thank God, each and every day-that we were blessed with the opportunity to retire early. Take Care and Have a Wonderful Day. In Pennsylvania-it is going to be in the high 60's today---and Sunny!

DazedandConfused-This is unbelieveable to me! I've never retired at anything(except maybe childbirth-Ha Ha). I still don't know how everything will play out yet. For me it's a guessing game right now. When OPM gets everything figured out and the checks start rolling in-then I'll know whether I need a part-time job or not. I don't need much to live on-my home is paid for and I only plan to travel a day trip now and then; so we will see. My husband wants a Pontoon Boat out of this deal-we both love to fish-so that will be my last major purchase (God willing). I sure appreciate you being on this site and sharing the information and experience you have. It should make it a little easier for those of us that are just getting their feet wet with this retirement thing!!

Sashamae, you made it! That is a great site and to my suprise the health plan I currently have came up only #6 when I ran the Medical Plan Tools. I just got a booklet from NALC which came up #1 on my list. I have been retired going on 5 years in April, and I have been working ever since for the state. I have to be especially careful choosing a plan because it becomes my secondary plan, and I have to coordinate pharmacy benefits, or I could end up mixing Caremark and Medco.

DazedandConfused-Thanks for the link-I think it will help! The choices can be rather confusing although I know I am not going to pay 400 a month for health insurance; no matter what!! Can't afford that high price now!! I checked on lite-blue yesterday to see if I could log in. I got the message that my account was terminated. I guess that means all is well with the retirement!! How about you?

Edited by author 11-01-2009 06:54 AM
It's That Time of Year - No not Christmas, FEHB Time. Here is a link some of you might find interesting in making your selection.

http://www.plansmartchoice.com/Registration.aspx?logout=Y

Hello All! Well, I survived the 5:00PM witching hour(no pun intended,as today is Halloween) and today, every day is Saturday! I am surprised that my previous question regarding my apprehension over retirement sparked so many replies. It lightens my heart that so many of you care and took the time to hold my hand by offering your views on the retirement process and how you are enjoying your new lives. It has been most appreciated and to all of you, a long,happy and healthy retirement. God bless!

Edited by author 10-31-2009 03:29 AM
Congratulations, on everyone who took the VER. I have no regrets, I retired on July 31,2009. I had 28 years with the government(24 of them with the P.O.) I was a carrier for 24 years and loved my job in the 80's and 90's. However in the mid 2000's I felt less enthusiasm for this wonderful job I was always so proud of. So many changes, some necessary and some not. I went out, somewhat on a leap of faith, unfortunately I didn't have the age to get my full pension, but by the grace of God I put in for part-time work, and this company hired me full time, with wonderful people and in a beautiful office where I no longer have to do all that physical work, which has caused a back and hip problem over the years. With that salary and my annuity I am bringing home about $200.00 more a month, just doing easy and unstressful clerical work. I added more years to my life and family and friends have noticed the new me! So there is hope for everybody. Good Luck to all!

Another chapter closes, albeit a very lengthy one, and a new one begins. Best of everything in all your future endeavors. If anyone hears any updated news on the incentive bonus, please post. thanks, and take care all

Future Retiree--You said it so well!! God Bless!!

Congratulations to all new retirees and welcome to the ranks! Someone asked me what I did all day, I said whatever, whenever and if I wanted to do something. My hubby, too, made fun of my apprehension when I drew close to those final withdrawal minutes. Well, I sat down and made a list of all the "little" projects that needed to be done, and a list of places I would like to go. Since April, 32 out of 35 projects are completed-the way they should be done--not just done----and we have traveled to nearby places-that are right under our noses-but never had the time to enjoy. We, too, found that cutting back is very easily done--and look how much you will now save in gasoline. There is a close group of retirees and their spouses, who we try to meet each month for a breakfast, or dinner. We all were from the "old school" and did our jobs to the best of our ability. When you see what is coming up to fill in for us--USPS will be in alot of trouble, because no one has the work ethics like our generation did. God Bless You All and Enjoy Each and Every Day of Retirement.

richdor, after 19 months into retirement, I've found that it is VERY easy to cut back on things and never hardly change your life style. For instance, eating out. When my wife and I were still working we ate out A LOT. Now about once a month, and have BETTER meals at home. Don't use NEARLY as much gas! Don't spend my time buying a bunch of crap I don't need. I like to travel,but that doesn't mean I have to take a around the world cruise. I enjoy doing stuff around the homestead, and just enjoying the day. Usually NO SCHEDULE. I'm LUVINIT! HAPPY RETIREMENT EVERYONE!

Sasahmae: Your explanation of your last days prior to your retirement are EXACTLY what I have gone through recently. Middle of the night pacing the floors,not eating well and just over all angst about the whole business. Hubby is laughing at me now and counting down the minutes till 5:00pm! That is the last moment in time when I can pull my papers. I know I will adapt and adjust in time. Thank you so much for the well wishes and you are totally right.... I have a new life now and with the grace of God I will be around so I can keep up with you guys on this blog. Happy Trails and God Bless!

richdor-I just want to say good luck to you. I too have had thoughts of whether I was doing the right thing. But, it's done and won't change now and I'm glad I stuck to my guns on this one. The days leading to 9-25-09, (the last day I could back out), were nerve-racking for me to say the least. I couldn't sleep well, eat right, nerves all torn up!! But after that day passed and I didn't fold under the pressure; everything has been great. The only thing I think about now is how to make the money go further since it's no where near what I was making. I have faith though that all will be okay. The Best of Luck to you with your NEW LIFE!!

Orncollect: Your post really made my day and left me LOL! You are so on the money about the idiocy and foolishness of some folks there. My immediate supervisor was the most awful gossip hound on the planet and made no bones about who were the "favorites" on the pay location. Spiteful as well. I will surely not miss getting all the documentation letters for my various ills and the idea of having never to ask for certain days off etc. etc. is just heaven! My nervousness is subsiding but I realize now that my reaction is totally normal about withdrawing from something that has been a constant in my life for almost 26 years. Yes, I will miss the comraderie of my little group of friends but I know I will see them all again as we are a tight knit group. So, I am diving in head first. Retirement here I come!

I left two years ago and it has been wonderful. The one thing that I do "miss" is the idioticy of what were my fellow employees. Notice that I do not use the word "workers". They were usually good for a laugh or two. I always made sure that I stayed far, far away of the one's that I knew were trouble. Which means that I only had contact with 3 or 4 people, the whole time I worked. You have to also understand that most of the people that I socialized with were not postal workers. As to what to do with your time. I finished all the half done projects and the repairs that were deemed "that it'll get us by for awhile". Life is calmer, the homestead is not on the verge of falling apart and now my spouse and I are doing the traveling we wanted to do. Good Luck and laugh out loud the first time that you don't have to ask permission to be sick, take time off or wait for someone to complain about how you offend, harassed or "dissed" them.

Richdor, like Future Retiree I too left on March 31, 2009, at 55 with 29 years. Yes, there has been a little anxiety on my part, but it is more than offset by the feeling of freedom I have every day. Like Future Retiree, it was a good decision for me, and I believe it will be a good decision for you, too. Mostly, I wonder how the hell I got all my honey-dos done AND worked 50 hours a week. It truely is a great feeling, richdor, get ready to enjoy it, and I hope you get your SL credit.