At Last! Retiring for GOOD!

Now, another possible twist that affects my decision. The mother of my youngest grandson may be returning full-time to finish her bachelor's degree, and MAY need some child care. Oh, darn! How inconvenient! I may just have to think about that! NOT! I'd LOVE to spend extended time with him, and, also, with his older sister (whom I don't know that well, but would like to - she seems to be both intelligent and lovable). I should find out what the updated situation in Cleveland is by sometime next, leaving me with a last-minute decision to make. Den is leaving it up to me.

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...