HARALD KELLEY Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 122 days unless I decide to extend. Letter to my boss is drafted. Wife says pull the plug, 30 years is long enough. I was thinking of leaving this December but that did not happen. By staying until May, it adds an additional percentage to pension. Oh well, time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlyn12 Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I retired on Dec 12. First SS check is in February and I am really excited! I have lots of grandkids ballgames to go to and lots of coffee parties to catch up on for the last 20 or something years. Nice to think about doing a little traveling when I don't have to worry about how many vacation days I have to work around. I haven't had much time to adjust yet but I do not miss the 45 mile drive in winter weather. Someone said when you retire you have twice as much husband and half the money. I have less than 1/4 the money so the income will change drastically but nice to be able to spend more time with my husband of 44 years. A new chapter in our lives for sure. Husband isn't going to retire but may slow down a bit-I doubt it but we'll see. We farm and ranch and two of our boys are on the ranch so he will still be very active there. He doesn't have any hobbies so hopefully going to Shelby events will become his hobby and he enjoyed the Bash last year. :happy feet: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Hamilton Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Congratulations, takes a little while to adapt to retired life but you soon find out you still don't have enough time to do the things you want (LOL). Enjoy your new "freedom". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlyn12 Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Congratulations, takes a little while to adapt to retired life but you soon find out you still don't have enough time to do the things you want (LOL). Enjoy your new "freedom". Thanks so much. Looking forward to the changes-I think I am anyway. Time will tell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCMO-GT500 Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 oh well....been counting down for 12 1/2 years and was set to retire on 1/3/14..........then about 4 weeks ago the EPA here in KC decided they were gonna set up an incentive program to get folks to leave/retire early/retire to cut costs overall. If approved by our HQ, the program is to start in a couple of months. So of course I stayed on so I could make em pay me to leave......pure and simple a business decision that unfortunately keeps me chained to the desk for a few months longer. Projected incentive is 25K so worth the wait for me. We shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaizman Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) My retirement date was 12/6/13 and my wife's first day of retirement is today. I have been doing a big project in one of our rooms and really don't know yet what retirement will feel like. We feel we have done a good job with our savings but both of us have been having a few restless nights with the transition. We will be going to the 50th in Vegas and hopefully by then we will act like an old retired couple. If 59 & 55 are considered old? Right now doing the renovation work ~ 59 feels real old !!! Edited December 31, 2013 by kaizman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I think I beat you to it. I "retired" in September just before the flood but getting bored so starting to look again. Made a lot of progress scanning pictures after we got electricity though. I might pick up a few lots and build a couple of low income houses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted January 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Thanks so much. Looking forward to the changes-I think I am anyway. Time will tell! I'm sure you will get used to the changes soon and settle right in. Congrats to you. oh well....been counting down for 12 1/2 years and was set to retire on 1/3/14..........then about 4 weeks ago the EPA here in KC decided they were gonna set up an incentive program to get folks to leave/retire early/retire to cut costs overall. If approved by our HQ, the program is to start in a couple of months. So of course I stayed on so I could make em pay me to leave......pure and simple a business decision that unfortunately keeps me chained to the desk for a few months longer. Projected incentive is 25K so worth the wait for me. We shall see. Wow John, that is a 25K no brainer. What a deal ! My retirement date was 12/6/13 and my wife's first day of retirement is today. I have been doing a big project in one of our rooms and really don't know yet what retirement will feel like. We feel we have done a good job with our savings but both of us have been having a few restless nights with the transition. We will be going to the 50th in Vegas and hopefully by then we will act like an old retired couple. If 59 & 55 are considered old? Right now doing the renovation work ~ 59 feels real old !!! Sounds like the project at home is keeping you busier than when you worked. Easy on that back of yours ! I have a list of projects I too want to tackle at my house and shop to make some upgrades. Some of the bigger projects you can not do slow or it is too impactive to the home, so I know what you mean. I hope to meet you at the bash, but now my company has me working out of town running a very large project all by myself and there is no one to cover me if I am gone. I think I beat you to it. I "retired" in September just before the flood but getting bored so starting to look again. Made a lot of progress scanning pictures after we got electricity though. I might pick up a few lots and build a couple of low income houses. I remember you saying that you would never retire. I'm surprised you pulled the trigger. I hope you find a couple good lots to build on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joebob948 Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 5 years and going strong . Can't believe that I was able to do all the things I do now while I was still working !!!!!!!!! Believe me you can find so many things to do---it is almost impossible to be bored !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted January 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 The Pension Analyst from our Union Trust Administration Office sent me a email outlining the 2 things that need to happen before I can start collecting pension checks. (1) I must work a minimum of 500 hours after 7/1/14 and (2) turn age 54 on 12/30/14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Today my wife & I attended a retirement workshop put on by our Union administration. Representatives from our Pension Trust administrators were there to answer questions as well. One great piece of news that they told us is that our union pension is 85% funded and that is calculated on a 30 year pay out. They said that they have a funding improvement plan to get to 100% funding with in 3-5 years. We were also told that our plan is in the top 25% of Trusts in the country. The fellow in charge for the last 15 years really cares about our pension and I have know him for many years. The biggest unknown is health care. I get a $14 dollar union discount per year of service and I was told today that coverage for me and my spouse will cost $614 per month thru the union. That give Tana and I coverage with Kaiser health services. I have been with them since I was born. Just walk in and show my card and pay $15 co pay. Same for prescriptions and lab tests. If I need to stay in the hospital it will cost me $150 dollar co pay and that's it. The Union is exempt from the Obama care deal right now and our plan is grandfathered in. No one knows if that is going to change or not ? They said that I could also shop for my own insurance thru the exchange and buy it myself. I will have to look at this as time draws closer and evaluate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCMO-GT500 Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Rob...I made a book suggestion to you on SU. But maybe should put here as well for all the TS folks. Lots of info out there on the retirement/financial stuff....but not as much on the emotional and mental stuff, which is just as important. A good book that will really make you think and consider how to fully utilize the rest of your life is "how to retire happy, wild and free" by ernie j zelinski. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Rob...I made a book suggestion to you on SU. But maybe should put here as well for all the TS folks. Lots of info out there on the retirement/financial stuff....but not as much on the emotional and mental stuff, which is just as important. A good book that will really make you think and consider how to fully utilize the rest of your life is "how to retire happy, wild and free" by ernie j zelinski. John, I just ordered it. The Audio version. Thanks for the tip. Rob How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free: Retirement Wisdom That You Won't Get from Your Financial Advisor - Ernie J. Zelinski $11.56 - Quantity: 1 Audio CD - New Sold by: SuperBookDeals-- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARALD KELLEY Posted February 1, 2014 Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 On Friday I met with my CM and gave him my notification that I was retiring May 2. I now have an offer to consider if I stayed an additional 12 months. I have to crunch the numbers and see if it is worth my while. Let's see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvic1518 Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 It's funny how everyone has a different take on retirement. I've been with the same construction company since 1981. At age 55 you can draw your full retirement from my union, so in 2007 at the age of 55 I retired from the union and went into management with my company. Double dipping for a couple of years was good and I was able to help my 2 son's with buying their first homes and bought my first Mustang. Here in California when the economy took the big dump it hit the construction trade hard and our company even harder. My boss knowing I was already getting my pension new I could survive better than the younger guys with families. Early 2010 I got laid off and the next two and a half years I only work 6 months, I got called back in August of 2012 and I'm still working. In July of this year I will be 62, now I have to decide if I want to pull the plug or keep working for a while longer. I have a 2008 GT500 and a 2012 Boss 302, both paid for, but I keep thinking about 2015-2016 Shelby GT350!!!!!! It may keep me working a little longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted February 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 It's funny how everyone has a different take on retirement. I've been with the same construction company since 1981. At age 55 you can draw your full retirement from my union, so in 2007 at the age of 55 I retired from the union and went into management with my company. Double dipping for a couple of years was good and I was able to help my 2 son's with buying their first homes and bought my first Mustang. Here in California when the economy took the big dump it hit the construction trade hard and our company even harder. My boss knowing I was already getting my pension new I could survive better than the younger guys with families. Early 2010 I got laid off and the next two and a half years I only work 6 months, I got called back in August of 2012 and I'm still working. In July of this year I will be 62, now I have to decide if I want to pull the plug or keep working for a while longer. I have a 2008 GT500 and a 2012 Boss 302, both paid for, but I keep thinking about 2015-2016 Shelby GT350!!!!!! It may keep me working a little longer. I am also a member of the carpenters Union Local 156. Once I pull my 80 & Out, I can not work in the construction industry period. You are lucky that CA allows you to do that. If we got caught doing that, we would get our pension shut off until all the money was paid back. I can work 480 hours a year in the trade or as a supervisor and that is it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvic1518 Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Grabber, I was a cement mason and my business agent told me he couldn't say for sure that I would be able to get my pension and keep working. He did tell me each case is reviewed individually and he knew guy's who were able to retire and go into management. My boss sent a letter to the union saying he wanted to make me a project manager with the job description. I received a letter from the union that the board approved the project manager request and I was able to retire at age 55. I know a carpenter who worked for my same company and he did the same thing. If you have the opportunity it's worth looking into. The last time I was laid off it was for 16 months. Part of the time on unemployment and part of the time on disability (knee replacement). It was a good indication of what retirement would be like financially because unemployment and disability are about the same as social security at the age of 62. Still a tough decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted February 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Grabber, I was a cement mason and my business agent told me he couldn't say for sure that I would be able to get my pension and keep working. He did tell me each case is reviewed individually and he knew guy's who were able to retire and go into management. My boss sent a letter to the union saying he wanted to make me a project manager with the job description. I received a letter from the union that the board approved the project manager request and I was able to retire at age 55. I know a carpenter who worked for my same company and he did the same thing. If you have the opportunity it's worth looking into. The last time I was laid off it was for 16 months. Part of the time on unemployment and part of the time on disability (knee replacement). It was a good indication of what retirement would be like financially because unemployment and disability are about the same as social security at the age of 62. Still a tough decision. I did check into working in the office after I pull my pension. I wrote a letter asking if I could be a PM or a Scheduler or a safety guy. The answer was absolutely not. I have a friend here in Portland Oregon that is a Cement Mason that just pulled his pension, also another friend that is a Laborer. Both of their Unions have allowed them to become Supervisors....and collect their pensions too. Lucky double dipping guys. Carpenters Union only allows us to work 480 hours a year, which is 3 months straight. I could time it at the end of one year and the start of the next year and get a 6 month job lined up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Carpenters Union only allows us to work 480 hours a year, which is 3 months straight. I could time it at the end of one year and the start of the next year and get a 6 month job lined up. Are you sure that it is in any calendar year (allowing you to straddle a year end) or in any 12 month period? I would ask for written clarification before starting such a gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted February 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Are you sure that it is in any calendar year (allowing you to straddle a year end) or in any 12 month period? I would ask for written clarification before starting such a gig. I did ask because the year dates that they use are June 30th to July 1st. So here is a example. I could start a job on April 1, 2015 and work all of April, May and June and that would count for my 480 hours for 2015. Then I could work July, August and all of September and that would count for my 3 months of 2016. This would give me 24 weeks (6 months) of work at 40 hours a week. If any OT was involved, the time would have to be shorter. I can not go over 480 hours per year. I plan on doing this and need to hit the timing to start a job on June 1st to get the full 960 continuous hours in (6 months). Once I pull my retirement I have to not work for a full 30 days per the law. So if my 30 days starts on March 1st I could theoretically go back to work June 1st for 6 months of double dipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IASHELBYGT Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I happy for you guys that want/can retire fairly young. I'm 56 have been working 35 years with the same employer in a variety of different positions. I truly don't see myself retiring for at least another 8-10 years. One because I like to spend money on toys too much and the other is I really like my current position and boss. I think I would get board without the daily routine. Now I have no grandkids yet, so that all may change as I may get a new perspective on life. Anyway, congrats to you Grabber I won't be counting the days, but if I did It's about 2,500 more working days . Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 In vegas looking at houses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 I happy for you guys that want/can retire fairly young. I'm 56 have been working 35 years with the same employer in a variety of different positions. I truly don't see myself retiring for at least another 8-10 years. One because I like to spend money on toys too much and the other is I really like my current position and boss. I think I would get board without the daily routine. Now I have no grandkids yet, so that all may change as I may get a new perspective on life. Anyway, congrats to you Grabber I won't be counting the days, but if I did It's about 2,500 more working days . Dave You just counted them. In vegas looking at houses Hope you find a place with a guest room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCMO-GT500 Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 well......the countdown to retirement begins anew....instead of retiring on 1/3, I delayed to see if the EPA would actually offer buyouts this Spring....they have released enough details now for me to feel confident that my last day of work will be 4/3....and that they indeed will be paying me to leave.....this extra money will be a nice addition to my "car parts" account.....grinning like the Badcat I am! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yosemiddysam Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 a few days shy of 1 year and 6 months here to retire from the USMC. I plan on being hired on as a full time Deputy Sheriff though so I dont really consider myself as retired. At 37 with 2 kids, 2 grand a month will not last long. I know I will be working for quite some time but I will be able to retire twice I guess. Then it will be relaxing time for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlyn12 Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 In vegas looking at houses What are you finding? We had a house across the street from the South Point casino at Belle Esprit and loved it there. Maybe check that out. It was in an excellent location-close to everything we wanted in a nice area and about 10 min from the airport. We left a car there and flew back and forth. Good luck in finding something you like~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 well......the countdown to retirement begins anew....instead of retiring on 1/3, I delayed to see if the EPA would actually offer buyouts this Spring....they have released enough details now for me to feel confident that my last day of work will be 4/3....and that they indeed will be paying me to leave.....this extra money will be a nice addition to my "car parts" account.....grinning like the Badcat I am! I was offered a buyout in Jan 2013 that would have paid 220K or so (with taxes deducted, so it's a lot less, kinda like a lottery thing). I kick myself in the a** I didn't take it but I was working on something interesting that the company completely lost interest in during the rest of the year. Oh Well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 In vegas looking at housesWhat are you finding? We had a house across the street from the South Point casino at Belle Esprit and loved it there. Maybe check that out. It was in an excellent location-close to everything we wanted in a nice area and about 10 min from the airport. We left a car there and flew back and forth. Good luck in finding something you like~ We made an offer on a place today. We were coached to be at or slightly above asking price, I went even higher than that. It is without a pool (which we consider essential) but without one we can add one built to be like we want it. We looked at another place that had a pool but it needed so much work we passed. I hope this one comes through. We are looking at some others tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 (edited) well......the countdown to retirement begins anew....instead of retiring on 1/3, I delayed to see if the EPA would actually offer buyouts this Spring....they have released enough details now for me to feel confident that my last day of work will be 4/3....and that they indeed will be paying me to leave.....this extra money will be a nice addition to my "car parts" account.....grinning like the Badcat I am! John - I just might be 8-9 months after you my friend. We will hook up for lunch when I start traveling a bit. BTW I am getting into that book you told me about. I have the CD version now. 9 CD's and I just finished 2 of them. Taking it all in slow, then will listen to it all over again. Great stuff ! Rob Edited February 12, 2014 by Grabber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 We made an offer on a place today. We were coached to be at or slightly above asking price, I went even higher than that. It is without a pool (which we consider essential) but without one we can add one built to be like we want it. We looked at another place that had a pool but it needed so much work we passed. I hope this one comes through. We are looking at some others tomorrow. Here's what we got (sorry I can't get a bigger pic right now) Asking price was 310K, and we asked what other offers and said the were all in the area of asking price, and we named a pretty high number and when we got it down to the price we said we'd like to go just a tad higher... We were looking for a place with a pool. This house has a minimally invasive HOA, side yard access that allows an RV to be parked. But the back yard on this is big enough to put in a monster pool, so we'll get the freedom to design it. It has some grass where the pool will go. 4 br, 3 ba, master is up but our friend's house with a lower level master (two story) seems to actually be rare. We can get an outstanding pool added here for what we were going to get an average one (without spa) for before. All the houses sport a 3 car garage, but in reality unless you have a motorcycle the single stall isn't very usable. Usually there are cabinets or water heaters in the space so in practice we'll still have a two car garage. The GT will occupy one side and my truck will still be outside - that's not a problem, I'm sure after 10 years (it was born here in 2004) it would get neurotic if it was stored in the dark. If you're looking to buy in Vegas now is the time. Last fall when we were here the inventory was twice what it is now, and just after we left places started selling for asking price or higher. Now the inventory is about 1/2 of what it was then (in 4 months) and the asking prices for similar properties are at least 40K over what they were last summer and the year before. Virtually of the foreclosures and short sales are gone - it seems like the standard level we saw 8 or 9 years ago when we first started looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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