OT..........Retired today

Congrats!!
Although I try not to tell people what they are going to like, think, or do... I think I'm going to be safe in saying, YOU are going to LOVE retirement!!

I have "officially" been retired after 36 years in a government job since Feb 1, 2010. That was the magical day! Now granted, I was on LTD for three years before that, so the suddenly being free from working didn't quite have the same affect because the time on Long Term Disability was my practice run . But there's something to be said about retirement that takes away the feelings of "guilt" that I found I had while being on LTD. Although it is a benefit, and I was approved and all that stuff, there were so many days that I felt just fine and was feeling guilty that I was getting paid for not being at work.

When it came time to make the decision (even though I had the years in, the earliest I could retire was at age 55), the decision was a no-brainer For starters, the economics of the decision.. I would be getting $1000/month MORE being on my company pension than staying on LTD Of course, taking myself off LTD meant I'd be responsible for my own medical insurance... but as a retiree with full years service, I got a retiree discount, so instead of paying $55/month for my full medical insurance, I pay $22/month. I figured I could swallow that bill and still come out $1000 ahead of the game

So now, I get to live my life "guilt free" for not working! Oh sure, we still have the medical crap to put up with and all the stress and tension that that can bring us... but for the most part, I feel physically just fine and my days and nights are my own to decide what I want to get involved with. I have yet to ever get to the point where I say "I'm bored. I think I better find a part time job to relieve my boredom!" And something tells me that you won't have any time filling up your days/hours either!

Enjoy the time that is now truly your own to spend how you want to spend it... and not having to listen to others tell you what you have to do, because that is what you are being paid to do. Hahaha... of course, it might mean your family is now going to tell you what you have to do ... beware of that!!

Cheryl