At Last! Retiring for GOOD!

I'm a little more hopeful about figuring out a way to retire than I was the last time I posted. Several reasons for this: I managed to put in a proposal for a summer workshop at my school district. I have no idea (and, frankly, little reason to hope) that it will be accepted, but it was an important first step. I'm still working on getting my life in order. My toe is healing nicely, and it looks as though I will continue to improve mobility. That would make it easier to move around, and continue functioning as a teacher. I've re-booted my novel revision, and will be continuing to slap that puppy into shape. Once I do, I plan to approach publication from 2 directions: Send it out to potential publishers If I don't at least get a nibble within a reasonable amount of time, self-publish and self-promote I'll be continuing my writing - I keep dipping into the Chem ebook, and may realistically anticipate it being on the market by late summer - just in time for n...

After my foot checkup, I stopped at the Social Security office. I was seen relatively quickly (for not having had an appointment), and had a delightful and personable young man assist me. It was a complicated question, and he persisted, using the Chat function to get more expert assistance from another employee. The Result? I've withdrawn my application for SS that was in process. I had applied in my own name accidentally. I have another appointment with a representative to discuss how to apply in my own name, which it appears WILL result in my getting some money - Yay!!!! At this point, no one can tell me exactly how much. But, I'm OK with that - I just have to trust the process.

Just got bad news - Social Security confirmed that I will NOT be eligible for money based on being a 'wife of'. So, that $400/month I was counting on is Gone With the Wind, so to speak. It appears that the trouble is that I get a pension from OH teachers. That government pension (2/3 of it) is deducted from my SS money. Alas, it is actually higher than the money SS WOULD have provided. So, no money. Until I'm 70, and can collect in my own name. I could collect earlier, but I pay a penalty for doing so. In addition to the penalty I will pay in either case, to the tune of around $350 less in my SS check than other folks. The girl (can't call her a woman, not with that tiny voice) at SS had to deliver the bad news. She did say something incredibly dumb: she cheerfully pointed out that once I had 30 years of SS-eligible work, I wouldn't lose any money. She continued with her perky positive attitude even when I pointed out that I would be 79 at that point. I do...