February 1, 2010
Congratulatory notes are coming in this week as news of my Feb. 26 retirement gets around. So far, it looks like comments fall into one of two categories: There are the "You Go Girl," fist-pumping cheerleader notes that congratulate my survival in an evolving male-dominated industry for the past 20-plus years. Then there are the more counselor-ish notes that attempt, in one way or another, to reduce my anxieties about an undefined future without a job. These "You're-going-to-be-all-right" notes are mostly from friends who have already entered the murky world of retirement. Here's what they've told me so far: - There's never enough money. - Don't over-volunteer right out of the gate. Take some time off, decompress before sorting out what to do next. - Enjoy the moment. Get a routine going, get some exercise. - Don't worry, you'll be fine. Getting to retirement is stressful...there are a lot of decisions to be made about such things as WHAT TO DO WITH MY RETIREMENT NEST EGG! On Wednesday, I'm diving into Social Security options when I meet with a representative at the agency's Vancouver office on Fourth Plain. I really don't know what my short-term income will turn out to be. I'm looking for a bridge to real retirement at say 66 or older, using some combination of Social Security and part-time work with more time to be with my family, to travel with my wonderful boyfriend, to work on the farm property and hey, write a book or two or three. No surprise, I've been surfing the Web for retirement quotes that suit my mood. Here's what I found today. "There is no pleasure worth forgoing just for an extra three years in the geriatric ward." — John Mortimer.
"You only live once — but if you work it right, once is enough." - Joe E. Lewis
Onward. Julie
