My retirement story

[Scout333]

I agree with Clester. Also, depending on the size of your TSP account you may be able to get by with pulling out only the earnings i.e. 3-4% annually. Should be able to earn that even investing very conservatively (mostly G and/or F). Example, 200,000 balance @ 3 % = $ 6,000 annually or $ 500 month. Tax side - earnings would be taxable and be mostly offset by mortgage interest deduction? That way, you keep your TSP account for real emergencies. Just a thought. Not an easy decision, you are wise to explore a lot of different options. Good luck!

 

[2moryrs]

Wow! It has been nearly a year since I walked out of the office and into the next phase of life, retirement.
It has been a wonderful, full year. Some very big highs and some very big lows. Its really exciting to be partaking of air and water and the bounty provided by our farmers.
Any body still on the fence about whether you should retire; get off that fence and start enjoying yourself and your family and friends while they are still with you.
Merry Christmas! Hope you will have a white one.

 

[tsptalk]

Merry Christmas 2moryrs! Mine will certainly be white. We got dumped on this weekend.

 

[nnuut]

Wow! It has been nearly a year since I walked out of the office and into the next phase of life, retirement.
It has been a wonderful, full year. Some very big highs and some very big lows. Its really exciting to be partaking of air and water and the bounty provided by our farmers.
Any body still on the fence about whether you should retire; get off that fence and start enjoying yourself and your family and friends while they are still with you.
Merry Christmas! Hope you will have a white one.

I'm really happy that you like your retirement after a year!! I retire in 17 days, or 6 more working days, I can't wait!!! Stop around every once in a while and say hello!!

 

[Buffalo_Nickle]

Mr. NNuut,

you are definetly a true short-timer.. I as well left last yr after 34 yrs.. Big decision by all means.. but dont waiver on that fence..it will be good to you, Merry Christmas!

 

[peterson82]

All this retirement talk is making my head spin. 2040 or bust!

 

[XL-entLady]

Retirement is wonderful. Going back to work on an intermittent basis helped the checking account but is rotten on the disposition! :cheesy: I'm counting the days (6 months) until my retirement if full-time once again.

Congratulations once again on yours, 2moryrs!

Lady

 

[nnuut]

Mr. NNuut,

you are definetly a true short-timer.. I as well left last yr after 34 yrs.. Big decision by all means.. but dont waiver on that fence..it will be good to you, Merry Christmas!

Thanks, CONGRATS to you TOO! I'm Out of here on the 31st with 36 1/2 years!! Yahoo!!:toung::laugh:

 

[Gumby]

Thanks, CONGRATS to you TOO! I'm Out of here on the 31st with 36 1/2 years!! Yahoo!!:toung::laugh:

nnut,

Good luck. Hopefully that CSRS retirement package and your TSP saving will give you a comfortable retirement. You have earned it.

 

[nasa1974]

Already pulled up some retirement numbers. Looking at May of 2012. That will give me 41 years 6 months. Sick time will put me over 42, I will be into my second year of a step increase and cost of living increases for 2011 and 2012. Of course if a sweet deal comes up between now and then or if I hit the lottery I am gone. See ya!! :laugh:

 

[Blindman]

Put the brakes on yall!!! I'll have just 15 years in the DOD and I need your input to help make my TSP work for me.......OK..I'll let you retire as long as you keep posting!!!! Congrats to All on your retirement!!! Tis the Season!!

Blindman......

 

[nnuut]

Already pulled up some retirement numbers. Looking at May of 2012. That will give me 41 years 6 months. Sick time will put me over 42, I will be into my second year of a step increase and cost of living increases for 2011 and 2012. Of course if a sweet deal comes up between now and then or if I hit the lottery I am gone. See ya!! :laugh:

WOW that's over 80%, you should be able to make it on that!! Good luck!

 

[nnuut]

Put the brakes on yall!!! I'll have just 15 years in the DOD and I need your input to help make my TSP work for me.......OK..I'll let you retire as long as you keep posting!!!! Congrats to All on your retirement!!! Tis the Season!!

Blindman......

Hey Blindman, I'll still be around, I will just have more time to post on TSP Talk!! Time passes quickly you know you're half way there already!!
Best of luck
Norman

 

[2moryrs]

Thank you! Congrats to all of those soon to be retired! As Lady said "retirement is wonderful!"
Tom, alas, my christmas is likely to be either sunny or foggy as we are headed to sunny CA for a visit with family. We received 3 inches of snow the other night but the thaw has started as temps went over 40 degrees today, (it is still monday in pacific time)
Nasa1974, 41 years! I would have been dead from the stress if I had stayed a day longer! Good one ya for sticking it out that long.

 

[2moryrs]

Wow! Time sure flies when you're having fun!
If I had known that I would be so busy after retirement than before retirement, I might have kept working a little longer . . .NOT!
Now that the Spring has Sprung and I am getting outdoors life is good again:laugh:

The only down side so far is having both my parents still with me. The down side part is that they live 700 miles away. We can't afford to move closer to them and they don't want to move away from their health care professionals.

The up side is that they will be celebrating their 60th anniversay on the 19th of March. Not too many folk can say that they have been married to the same person for 60 years. I am thankful for them and glad I still can share these moments with them.

Happy Retirement to all the new retirees!

 

[tsptalk]

Thanks for stopping by 2motyrs! I hear that same thing from many of my retired friends - how did I have time to work before I retired?

 

[Zebra]

Can't wait.............December 2010!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rick]

Well here is my retirement story so far.

I did it! After 29 years of Gov. service I pulled the trigger on March 3rd 2010! Why March 3rd? That's a stupid day to pick! 3 days into PP6!
Well that's the day I turned 50, and under the FERS ATC early retirement the first day that I was eligible.
I turned in my Application for immediate retirement Form 3107 on 12/21/2009. I kept in close contact with my retirement and benefits officer in RentonWash. (1 call in Jan-Feb-Mar.) The day I retired I called once again and reminded the retirement officer that today was my last day.
Well so far it has gone off without a hitch! Only 3 days after my last day I received my SF50. But the best part is that this morning Monday the 8th of march! I checked my TSP account and the TSP has already been notified of my separation. I called TSP and they advised me that they had in fact been notified and told me that I can make my withdrawal options today!!!!!!!!!!
I plan on a partial withdrawal and leaving the balance in the TSP account.
I will keep you all informed to my future retirement details.

 

[Frixxxx]

Congrats Rick...Good Luck and let us know of any pitfalls!!!!

 

[Zebra]

You ATC guys rock, (I'm a Government Aviator), but what are you planning being you are only 50? contract work? Differnet career? I on the other hand will turn 63 prior to my retirement in December and plan on doing whatever I want, (if the wife will let me, lol)! Enter Governement service (22 years Military and 22 years NASA); I'm done, I'm tire and ready to have perpectual weekends, with no alarm clocks in sight. I find it "NO JOY" with the Obama crushing of the space and aviation programs we are seeing here in the NASA communities.......its time, not the same anymore!