At a 50-year High School Reunion

Not mine - my husband's.

It's been interesting, so far.  His class (1966) is a very good-looking, accomplished group.  They are generally healthy, active, and in different stages of retirement.

Some have continued to work, others are employed part-time.  The rest are cheerfully enjoying their free time.  The majority have at least some connection to a job, even if only sporadically.

They are active - one of my husband's classmate, Stu Ellison, showed up in a to-the-knee Velcro brace.  He broke his leg MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING!  At 68!

Now, remember, these are generally the more successful members of the class.  Some died early.  Others had hard lives and did not attend.  However, the class is a testament to how to age with grace.

Both my sister and I are in the throws of handling paperwork related to retirement.   She is wrestling with the health plans, and I am working to move my NC money to the SC teachers system, so I can retire in the next few years (PROBABLY 2018 - possibly sooner).

I have just one piece of advice - organize the paper!  For each issue, create a folder, put all paper in it, and make sure you document ALL conversations.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Already Seeing the Difference

Last night, we watched TV in a newly cleaned bedroom.  It was nice to enjoy a less dusty, less cluttered environment.

This morning, I got up early, cleared off the table (it's a landing zone for junk), and got the dishes done.
I'm watching (allegedly) the videos that I have to for that Reading course I have to take (well, they aren't getting my FULL attention, but they aren't worth THAT much of my attention.  I'm so near finishing (more than 87% done) that I want to blitz it this weekend, and check it off my list.
This is going to be a busy month, focusing on the kinds of things I will be doing once retired.  In addition to organizing and cleaning (and a LOT of throwing out), I will be writing - not just blog posts, but my books - the Chem one and another one, a novel that I've had in progress for ages.  If I can move those projects ahead (hopefully, within a few months, completing one of them), I will believe that this summer was successful.
Read more

Beware Those 'Helping' You

I've never belonged to AARP. My husband joined, just for the discounts (probably MOST peoples' motivation).

I've heard about the immense profit AARP makes selling companies access to seniors (you do know that they are a large driver of all that junk mail you receive, don't you?). This gives more evidence for the charge that they are not so much a lobbying group, as a predator.
...most of AARP’s revenues do not come from the “members” it purports to represent. The group’s primary source of income is from royalties it receives from its AARP branded health insurance plans, which enjoy exemptions from some of Obamacare’s more onerous taxes and fees.
Read more

Retirement Prep

We've been talking a lot lately, and we are beginning to plan our purchases more prudently - with an eye to what might be useful in retirement, but, also, what would fit into a reduced budget.
An example of this is a wish Dennis had before Christmas - he's long wanted a good camera, and he found one at a good price - $400, one that had been more originally.
My first impulse was to say, fine, that can be your Christmas gift. Den was actually the one to hesitate in buying. He decided to think about it for awhile.
Now, we will have some room in our budget for indulgences like that - not everyday, but certainly, annually. The change we will have to make is to plan for these financial outlays.

[POST-CHRISTMAS]

We're back at work today - Den had kids yesterday, mine come for the first time today. I have 3 preps - it may be difficult, at first, but I'm looking forward to the change.

I signed my letter of intent for next year - the last time I should be doing that. I'm hop…
Read more