Thank you, Future Retiree, for your empathy and kind words. I have already begun to see and experience the stress of having no bodies around to work the jobs that people have vacated on my pay location recently. I am a Nixie clerk and the mail is piling up to the rafters in the plant because I get pulled off constantly to fill in for those people who have retired or have been fired. I have over 25 years seniority and it means nothing to management anymore. And you are absolutely right about the backstabbing,peer pressure and ridiculous pettiness of some of the employees! I won't even address the harrassment issues. We all can attest to that. I am sure that once I get over the jitters, I will be fine and will probably have a good laugh over my hesitant mindset. Thanks again for your empowering and kind words. I feel much better now!

richdor: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement and congratulations to all who have been able to take advantage of the VER. I retired with the March 31st, 2009, group-age 56. I was like you-afraid that I would regret making that big decision. I laid awake the final two evenings, contemplating calling Greensboro and backing out. BUT.......I didn't and am so very glad that I did retire. From some of the feedback that I am receiving from people who didn't retire---The USPS is really getting worse. Now, with all the clerks/mailhandlers going, there is no back-up whatsoever. My friend had a family member lifeflighted to the hospital-but, couldn't go-due to not being able to find someone to work in her place, for 3 or 4 lousy hours. Believe me, friend, you will find a burden lifted off of your shoulders, when you wake up and realize that you no longer have to put up with the back stabbing, peer pressure and harassment. Good Luck to you--and Trust Me-You will not regret it.

Hey everyone! First of all, congrats to all of you who are taking the plunge and retiring. I am scheduled to leave on Oct.31st as some of you are. Can I ask a silly question? Are any of you feeling any anxiety over your decision to pull the plug? I never thought in a million years that I would feel this way, but the closer the day comes the more anxiety ridden I am. Of course I realize that this is one of life's major moments. I did not expect my emotions to be as heavy as they are right now. I guess I need some hand holding.LOL! Another question, if I may. Now that President Obama has signed the Fers sick leave credit bill yesterday, are those of us that are retiring on 10/31 will be getting the advantage of this newly signed bill? It is so close to the wire that I thought I would ask. Thanks everyone!

/m1333 Last day on Halloween - Is it going to be Trick or Treat? I dare you to soap your supervisors car windows or egg his car.

4 more days!!! Let the countdown begin!!

/m1330, I totally agree! I retired over 4 years ago with almost 40 years which is a heck of a lot more years than anybody retiring early today, but it could have been considered a time when finances were failing. I even remember the "Powers that be" where talking about being unable to make payroll as far back as 2002.

It would be nice if they would make the pay retroactive for all non-EAS employees. I doubt it will happen. What I want to know is-has anyone heard any more on the APWUs' trying to get us severance pay? I know they have filed it on level 2; but haven't heard anything else. I sure hope that goes through. That would be another 50,000 plus that I could surely use!!

1329-- Retroactive pay of the incentive money isn't going to happen. Where would they draw the line? I want it too, and people before me want it as well.

Took the VERA and left on 2/28/09. Carried mail for 24 years, then went into maintenence for the last 3 years. A soon to retire clerk called me a few months ago and told me about the incentive and early-out the PO finally came up with, she is leaving now too. Told me the VERA folks that left prior to the incentive deal may still get it. Any word on that? I am managing just fine-but the incentive would be icing on the cake for sure.

For anyone that wonders if they will miss anything about the PO. I retired 4-1-08. This last July- 09, I went to the union picnic. There were quite a few people there. I talked to maybe 4 or 5 people. And I had 40 yrs in when I left. I stayed about an hr. I doubt I will ever go to another one. I was kind of surprised that most people acted like they didn't even know me. Don't get me wrong, my feelings weren't hurt at all. Just kind of surprised is all. There is a group that has lunch twice a month as a group. Sorry, but I think everyone saw me, and me them enough. On to a new life. Don't miss it. I do keep up on what is going on in general, but the FREEDOM is PRICELESS! And sure is nice to know I have that money on the first of every month, plus my wife is retired PO, too. Life is good. God bless to all.

FutureRetiree--I DO trust you and I don't even know you!! I beleive I won't miss it at all(just some of my friends that can't retire). That was very useful information and I'm glad you posted it. I would imagine that you have figured it right. I am not eligible for the supplement yet but will be in about a year. I still have concerns about making ends meet-but I have faith it will all work itself out. Thanks again!

Sashamae & Postalvet: I retired March 31,2009, with the VER. Just to let you know, I received copies of my retirement papers that were submitted into the USPS-about 3 wks after I left. Then about 4-5 weeks, I received a letter from OPM stating that I would get an interim check--but, due to all the calculations not being processed yet, it may be lower than expected, but, it would be retroactive-as soon as the numbers were finalized and included in the following check. I then received a letter about a week or so later explaining that their next check would be more, since they had finalized everything. (That did not include the special sup. pay.) Then about 2-3 months later-I received a letter from OPM again-stating that they would be starting my supplemental FERS money and it, too, would be retroactive back to the April 1, and would include it on my monthly check. It seems, they process all the retirements, first, then go back and pull out all the FERS people who are eligible for the Special Supplement under FERS-and then process those people next. I would guess that all my "correct" amount of money came on the 4th. check. I hope this helps. When I first retired-the first check was actually only approx. 120.00 off of the amount that I was expecting-but it finally all worked out by the 4th month. Good Luck To You Both. Trust Me-You won't miss it.

Thanks postalvet! I was beginning to panic!! Just hope the PO doesn't somehow screw things up--wouldn't be the first time!! I'm with you on the 10-31-09; I can hardly wait!! First Christmas in 20 years that I will be able to attend ALL the family get-togethers!!

/m1323 sashamae if I remember correct you are an early out like me. the people who have received their incentive check have already retired. the people who have received their paper work have already retired. paper work is not forwarded to OPM until you stop clocking in.

the HR Generalist (Principal) where I work which are what the people left locally who deal with shared services are called told me,

"I reviewed our Early-Out Retirement Incentive Listing and both of are you are listed as ready to retire, no actions pending. No 'approval' is needed."

so now it is wait until Oct 31, 2009!!!!!!

I've been checking out the other forums on retirement and some are saying they received their incentive check on Friday. Also some are now getting confirmation back from OPM that their paperwork has been processed. Anyone here received anything back yet?

/m1321 as always!!!