Search:

Custom Search

Readers' Comments

Total Comments: 36
Page 2 of 4

« Previous | Next »

What Will (Your) Retirement Life Be Like?

Almost Time!

Division Director
DHHS/FDA
Tue May 19, 2009 10:05 AM

Post Reply

I'm eligible to retire within the next 6 months. Although these days it will be considered quite young to do so, I will. Am I anxious? You bet. Although I enjoy work, it's changed a lot in the past few years; I'm ready to go. But the primary reason for me is to spend more time with my husband. He has been retired for several years; obviously, he's a bit older than me, so I'm not spending the remaining good years we have, working. It's time to start enjoying the things we like to do together (and some apart-I'm no fool!). I don't want to feel like I have to plan every detail of what lies ahead...that's no fun! I want that flexibility to do what I want, when I want, as long as we can afford to do so and remain happy in life. Financially, we're good and not many people can say that right now; I feel extremely fortunate and lucky in that regard and that I have a loving spouse that WANTS to spend more time with me!

Re: Almost Time!

Specialist
Federal Agency
Tue May 19, 2009 11:19 AM
Spot on comments! I am retiring July 3rd and cannot wait to spend time with my husband and other family. While I have plans for my future, I am not making pie charts or daily plans to keep myself busy. Been doing that for way too many years now.

Most of my retired friends say they enjoy most being able to get up every morning and then decide what they want to do that day.

Yes, I have things around the house that need to be done, but these also will not dictate how I will spend my days. Just as while working, I'll put off these things if something more interesting comes up.

Happy Retirement!

thanks

GEO
FED
Tue May 19, 2009 10:13 AM

Post Reply

For those that comment on this article, thanks! You all provide better advice than the article. Keep writing!

If you can't fill in the pie chart, you'll never retire cause you don't have a life outside work. Get one!

T- 7months, 12 days and counting

What Will (Your) Retirement Life Be Like?

Management Analyst
CNI
Tue May 19, 2009 10:38 AM

Post Reply

I will retire effective 1 Jan 2010 and believe me, not a day too soon. I'm ready and have been planning for my retirement so time. Since the establishment of CNIC, I've seen more fraud, waste and abuse since 2003 than I have in my entire government career. It's becoming impossible to work for the military because they all want to be in charge. It's all about me, me, me.

Our government needs to go back to the real DoD days of doing business. If not, your children don't need to worry about getting a job with the government. It's going to consist of only retired military who aren't qualified. However, their vet preference got them the job. So very sad, but so very true. Do a survey and check it out.

Re: What Will (Your) Retirement Life Be Like?

Frustrated Fed
United States Marshals Service
Tue Jun 2, 2009 9:08 PM
The United States Marshals Service is like that also. Administrators are former agents who haven't a clue how to run an office but use bullying techniques on subordinates that they used when breaking down criminals. It has to be one of the most unprofessional agencies. After 30 years, I questioned wrongdoing in the office....fraud, mismanagement of funds, hiring family and lying on applications. Overtime was paid to administrators who didn't even show up to work a 40-week. Admin staff paid to work as "security guards" on weekend activities. When I questioned, I was labeled "whistleblower" and my federal career suddenly came to an end. These monsters ruined my retirement planning and tried hard to keep me from receiving anything. There are evil folks in this agency who don't want to work for a living....just play their deceptive games. What a waste of taxpayer dollars!

Re: What Will (Your) Retirement Life Be Like?

Civilian Marine
USMC
Wed Jul 8, 2009 9:34 AM
You hit that one right one! I see this everyday and working for the government is no longer what it used to be. I can't wait to retire in 2010 with 35+ and look forward to the day I no longer have to compete with the retired military that are not qualified to fill these positions that civilians have been working toward for years.

Great Advice

NTEU Union Rep
IRS
Tue May 19, 2009 10:51 AM

Post Reply

This is a valuable thought provoking article which provides great advice to those who are in or nearing retirement. I used the volunteer website you provided and have already found some interesting opportunities to fill the work, lunch, travel portion of my soon-to-be retirement days. Thanks for providing valuable insight into what lies ahead and for challenging us to think be for we take the leap to retirement life.

It's nice to see that some can afford to retire!

Paralegal Specialist
USPS
Tue May 19, 2009 10:51 AM

Post Reply

I'm retirement eligible, but cannot afford to do so and probably will never be able to, unless TSP wildly rebounds. I'll fantasize about you happy retirees while my poor co-workers are changing my Depends, waiting for me to die on the job. Good luck and Enjoy!

Can't wait to retire

Doesnt really matter
Dept. of the Treasury
Tue May 19, 2009 12:34 PM

Post Reply

I can not wiat to retire in January, 2010. I had plan to retire on 12/31/2010. I am going to retire no matter what. I am tire for one thing of the disparate, dispasionate treatment among employees and it appears to me that the goal is to rid the agency of certain employees. I don't have a problem with that, especially those who are not doing the job they are getting paid to do, just sitting in their cubicles like zombies, and those who don't have a clue what professionalism means, and those individuals (managers) who enjoy getting rid of people who they do not like, so yes I am ready to go. I am not trying to pay off my mortgage. I have payed all of those credit cards, etc within the past five years. So as long as my pension covers my mortgage, to hell with the job. In regards to government waste and abuse, I am prepare
to give my comments, but only after I leave. Cause, whistleblowing is also broken. Retaliation continues to be alive and well and employees are afraid.

Re: Can't wait to retire

Frustrated Fed
United States Marshals Service
Tue Jun 2, 2009 9:17 PM
You are absolutely right. Retaliation is alive and well in the United States Marshals Service also...even if you have outstanding performance ratings. Suddenly, you can become a poor performer overnight and there is nothing you can do about it. Lawyers are no help and no employee assistance programs are worth a darn. If you aren't part of the "family" of con artists, you can be disposed of easily. Even with 30 years of exemplary service, a case can be built with little or no effort on management's part. It is a fallacy when someone says federal employees can't be fired. They should move to the Marshals Service and question the fraud that is going on there.

2 more years this month

Former Staffing Specialist, Now Union Steward
DOD
Tue May 19, 2009 9:52 PM

Post Reply

I saw the vol retire application of one of my former co-workers today. She was always sure that she would work for 5 more years but is fed up with NSPS and is going out day one. I'm not in NSPS but may need to work there again if necessary. I want to pay off all my debts too but my husband charges too much and then wants to pay off the entire $50K balance or so from his TSP. He's done this at least 5 times since 1990 with me and my TSP account is only $20K when it was over $55K at one time. At least I'm CSRS and that's a comfort. But even a GS-12/Step 9 salary is not enough high-3. I'm still waiting to see what happens to NSPS in Nov 2009 and then I may make a move back up for a last look at the top before I go for good.

Total Comments: 36
Page 2 of 4

« Previous | Next »

Add a Comment about this Article

** All fields are required.
Note: Your comments will not show up right away. FedSmith.com selects the most insightful comments from our readers for posting. If selected, your comments will show up in the comments section after they have been reviewed and approved. See our terms of use for more information.