Retired...!!

[Jeepnut]

Heh...well, after 22 years and war twice. I'm turning in my tunic and hitting the sweet life. Almost.
I've earned a full pension...so I'm going to take it. Hard descision to pack it in and face a world so foreign, but there it is.

I won't be completely out of touch. I've been offered two different jobs in the same office already, but only as a civilian. Same faces, but it's tough to take the step away from such a security and familiarity that service brings.

Ahh, WTH. Many are worse off than me, so why not?....I ain't complaining, mind you...Just need to know it's the right thing, right time.
Who'd have thought that reaching the point you've worked so hard to get to, would bring such derision?

Thanks for listening, friends.

Jake

 

[MO_mule]

Jeepnut:

Congrats on reaching that milestone and thank you for serving.

I think you should take a look at the financial impact of "pension plus earned income" vs. carrying on in the military until you reach 60 or 65. I suppose if you don't retire, you could be eligible for another tour? That's a big factor, lol.

Chris

 

[sonny]

You've earned it; take it, and thank you for your many years of service to our country and our freedoms.
I could only take 3 yrs. Turned down an offer of OCS. My boys were in 8 and 10 yrs before they got out. Of course, had they stayed in, they'd be retired now also.
I'm retired and I don't have a pension that buys more than chips and salsa every week. But I chose my profession and I did it to the best of my ability for 35 yrs and now I'm retired also.
My wife and I did buy our home before the big highs and lows of real estate so we can live decently on our Soc Sec, at least for now. But watch out for this gov't health care; that could do us in.
We have to VOTE for good people. And that big congressional vote is coming up this fall.
best to you,
Sonny

 

[Jeepnut]

Yeah, Chris...it is a big factor.

Thank you for your kind words for service, and I truly appreciate them.

Folks up here are not so quick to offer words as your's.
In thinking about pushing through to sixty, I thought that drawing my pension and working another career, one that would allow me to enjoy life (peace) would be the way to go.
I don't think I'm a coward, but I have to tell you straight up...I do not want to go again.
I suppose I've already made up my mind, eh?...and have earned the right to make that choice?....so why is it so hard?

Again...thank you. This is why I like this place. Straight talk and decent folks. Helps clear the mind.

 

[m657]

re: ".so why is it so hard?"

riding the Dragon is one thing;

dismounting without being eaten is another....

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Jeepnut; My advice for what it's worth. Pull the plug & work civilian for a while to improve your S.S. later on. I retired in 1988 after 38 years with Ma Bell. Got about 1/3rd of my former salary each month. Worked part time 5 years till age 62 then took my S.S. FWIW. Good Luck.

 

[bubbajoe45]

DR's advice sounds pretty good to me (and what you're thinking of anyway).

So, I'm curious . . . what sort of 'tunic' are we talking about here? Canadian military, LEO, or clergy (pardon my ignorance). Either way, I still offer thanks for your service (to the people of Canada - public service is public service) Good luck and enjoy, you've earned it.

 

[ingmansinc]

I will make a few assumptions since you have not stated a few things. First it sounds like you will be ok financially if you retire. Second it would appear you are about forty years old.

I would imagine that over the last twenty-two years you have daydreamed many times of what you would do if you hit the lotto. Well, you just hit it in one sense so pursue that dream. Don't just exist, but rather go have some fun. I worked for the "man" for thirty years and then went into the home repair business for myself. I had a lot of fun for fifteen years and then really retired at age sixty-two to shoot and fish anytime I feel like it. Persue your dreams.
​

 

[gunlovingirl]

There's one person who truly knows what's best for you. Whatever you decide......thank you for the service you have unselfishly given.
My personal thought..........you deserve a break today!

 

[Iggy]

Thank you for your service. Now then, there's a whole new world waiting out there.

Go find your niche and enjoy it.

 

[Beauetienne]

Congrats and thanks. Hope you enjoy every minute.

 

[hiram2005]

Jeepnut; Congratulations. I'm looking at the same thing, will be 50 in August and have 31+ years with the state of Indiana. Really hard to imagine giving it up but I'm ready for something else. Leaving in April and benefits start in September. Good luck!

 

[oldguy66]

Had a similar situation. Worked 31 years than forced to retire. Worked some small type jobs, found out the less they pay the more they treat you like skit. Than worked as a contractor for 2 years made a ton of money. When that job ran out I than realized I should retire. If I had to do it over I would have walked away at the end of 31 years and never looked back. I had the money so that is all that matters. It seems like I still had something to give to society that is the reason I worked longer. Oh well ! I was never known as being very smart.

 

[Moonman]

Thank you for your sevice, a whole new world awaits you.

 

[Jeepnut]

DR's advice sounds pretty good to me (and what you're thinking of anyway).

So, I'm curious . . . what sort of 'tunic' are we talking about here? Canadian military, LEO, or clergy (pardon my ignorance). Either way, I still offer thanks for your service (to the people of Canada - public service is public service) Good luck and enjoy, you've earned it.

Yeah...Cdn Military...and I agree with Mr. Rumbaugh's advice, too. I wish a lot of things, many that I'd rather never have seen.
I'm going for it...done and done.

Thanks all for many kind words. It has helped. It's illuminated a choice that seems right.

Quite a supportive and intuitive place we have here...thanks again Friends, borders be damned...
Jake

 

[ChuckS1]

I retired from the Army and immediately went back to work. just a few more years and I can retire from Lockheed and then it will be doing whatever I want...

 

[bobelk99]

Retirement = Yes, Sort of

My thoughts
1. Make sure the income after retirement is sufficient to live as you feel you need to live.

2. If #1 is taken care of retire ASAP. Live and enjoy while you feel like it.
You can always find work if you need to fill time.

Seems lots of folks, even if financailly secure, 'push through to 60' or some such personal and maybe useless goal. All too many folks retire, and the next year or so find their health failing, largely because they just pushed too long.

Just my $.02 worth.