Retirement age poll

[NorthernPines]

I'm planning on pulling the ripcord in early 2054.

I generally despise the job, but I've always been rather hard-nosed about my finances. I'm geographically locked, for personal reasons, in a place with poor job prospects. I could make more using my degrees elsewhere, but that's not in the cards. I've been hyper-aggressive into retirement savings, and could probably skip off into the sunset when I turn 52, but idle hands, and all that; so 69 it is (Even if I went at 62, I'm a bit older than the missus, and sitting around for 7 or 8 years for her to retire will leave me with way too much time on my hands, and way too much scotch in the cabinet).

Definitely maximize your investments, and don't let lifestyle creep take over, though. My son's college will be paid for, he'll have his own fully funded Roth IRA for life, and in retirement, we should be living incredibly comfortably without ever touching investment account principal balances.

 

[pomastercontrolsmyfreedom]

Much like @Old Fart said, I worked hard at multiple jobs and was fortunate to reap rewards. As soon as life became unrecoverable nasty at USPS, I bailed. I always made certain I had options throughout life. I did make sure to work the 30+ to avoid the penalty. I have 3 pensions from various endeavors over the years. The USPS pays the least. I held on simply for the healthcare...and then they changed that after I left.
My biggest reward for working for feds over the years has always been the TSP. That's what I made certain I took care of for future me. It's really the only truly valuable benefit to govt work long-term.
Regardless of where you work, if you have opportunities to participate in retirement saving - do it.
I do still work a few days here and there to keep up my licensing and credentials. But, not really for income- more as a failsafe should something happen.
I just came back from an all expenses paid work contract in St Thomas. I was there for 16 days and worked 9. I strongly suggest everyone have a paid travel plan

What do you mean you held on for the healthcare and then they changed it? Can you explain because thats literally the only reason I'm still here.....

 

[NorthernPines]

The PSRA (2022), when spalling off the PSHB from the FEHB also added the requirement, for most retirees, to enroll in Medicare Part B.

This was not previously required to maintain your postal health insurance.

 

[blamethesub]

I "retired" early almost three years ago because my husband was in ill health, and I just couldn't be in two places at once. I worked 19 years in my office, but only the last 8 were as a regular. What a shame those RCA years don't count toward retirement.

Anyway, he passed away three months ago. I am grateful for the time we were able to spend together. I will never regret leaving that place to take care of him, in spite of leaving money on the table. The people who matter to you are far more important than any job.

I'm fortunate that I don't have to go back to work. No way I would go back to my dumpster fire PO now anyway. I'd be an RCA again, the only one in the office, and I'd have to get a "new" POV to run most of the routes. Nope. Ain't doing that no more.

 

[DB.Cooper]

I'm planning on pulling the ripcord in early 2054.

I generally despise the job, but I've always been rather hard-nosed about my finances. I'm geographically locked, for personal reasons, in a place with poor job prospects. I could make more using my degrees elsewhere, but that's not in the cards. I've been hyper-aggressive into retirement savings, and could probably skip off into the sunset when I turn 52, but idle hands, and all that; so 69 it is (Even if I went at 62, I'm a bit older than the missus, and sitting around for 7 or 8 years for her to retire will leave me with way too much time on my hands, and way too much scotch in the cabinet).

Definitely maximize your investments, and don't let lifestyle creep take over, though. My son's college will be paid for, he'll have his own fully funded Roth IRA for life, and in retirement, we should be living incredibly comfortably without ever touching investment account principal balances.

2054... Sheezy Louisy.. LOL...

 

[Worve]

Will be done with 5 ish years as career, 2 more years. Have enough skills in other areas I can work if I need to anywhere. Will miss the job itself, not the co workers.

 

[jaymacgthree]

I "retired" early almost three ago because my husband was in ill health, and I just couldn't be in two places at once. I worked 19 years in my office, but only the last 8 were as a regular. What a shame those RCA years don't count toward retirement.

Anyway, he passed away three months ago. I am grateful for the time we were able to spend together. I will never regret leaving that place to take care of him, in spite of leaving money on the table. The people who matter to you are far more important than any job.

I'm fortunate that I don't have to go back to work. No way I would go back to my dumpster fire PO now anyway. I'd be an RCA again, the only one in the office, and I'd have to get a "new" POV to run most of the routes. Nope. Ain't doing that no more.

My condolences on your recent loss! Nothing replaces a loved one. I have had time to reflect on that myself, too much in fact. What a blessing you were able to focus on your time together and make every moment count!

 

[DB.Cooper]

Will be done with 5 ish years as career, 2 more years. Have enough skills in other areas I can work if I need to anywhere. Will miss the job itself, not the co workers.

How many years were you a RCA??? I suppose at least doing the 5 years will let you claim some retirement cash at 62...

 

[Worve]

How many years were you a RCA??? I suppose at least doing the 5 years will let you claim some retirement cash at 62...

In total sub time 8 years going on 9 that includes Ptf. It’s not about the retirement for me, that is covered from prior jobs and investments/property I have liquidated and or moved to my financial advisor. For reference I will be under 50 by a few years when I go.

 

[DB.Cooper]

In total sub time 8 years going on 9 that includes Ptf. It’s not about the retirement for me, that is covered from prior jobs and investments/property I have liquidated and or moved to my financial advisor. For reference I will be under 50 by a few years when I go.

If you have 5 years of career time, at 62 you can begin drawing pension for your career years... I know a few that have done deferred retirements....

 

[Old Fart]

I retired at 62. I would have liked to work a couple more years but after the rrecs I lost 12000 a year and would have had to work 6 days a week. I’ve now been retired almost 3 years and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Im now just sitting back and watching the postal service self destruct and swirl right down the toilet. I pity those who have to work for these scumbags.

Tired,

You clearly made the best choice for you. That's the most important. You figured that out for you and that's awesome. Congratulations.

I have a piece of cake job. In every respect. Please trust me on this without going into detail. If that wasn't the case, I'd be out in a nanosecond. Goes to show every job is different. Sadly, most are like yours was. I live in a place as good as it gets and it works for me. I'm past MRA and have worked a lifetime to become financially able to retire at any time. I've traveled extensively, been everywhere, lived overseas and all over America, so I've done that bucket. When I want to chill, I have a ranch I can escape to, and management lets me off whenever as I do them plenty to save their a$$es.

 

[Twistofcain]

What age??? I shudder to think what this job might look like in another 16 years...

44 now, leaving at 60

 

[Twistofcain]

What age??? I shudder to think what this job might look like in another 16 years...

If by some reason, the buyback happens(), with 9 years as a sub, I can go at 57. Only 200k in tsp so far...

 

[Shannonboy]

I retired at 62. I would have liked to work a couple more years but after the rrecs I lost 12000 a year and would have had to work 6 days a week. I’ve now been retired almost 3 years and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Im now just sitting back and watching the postal service self destruct and swirl right down the toilet. I pity those who have to work for these scumbags.

Best comment ever....CONGRATULATIONS my friend.

 

[Beanut]

There are plenty of other jobs and careers out there.....don't feel bound to the post office until you're 80....just start another pension or retirement at your next job.....

I wish this were true, but the job market isn’t great out there.

 

[Beanut]

If by some reason, the buyback happens(), with 9 years as a sub, I can go at 57. Only 200k in tsp so far...

It would be ideal if buy back was an option for me as well. I could retire at 57 with 34 yrs (if I could buy back my 21 yrs as RCA).

 

[peekachewbaca]

It would be ideal if buy back was an option for me as well. I could retire at 57 with 34 yrs (if I could buy back my 21 yrs as RCA).

wow, 21 years not credited towards retirement. what a screw-over. I was rcr/RCA for 15 years, was able to buy back 1 and a half years, retired 2 years ago at 66th birthday. Could have gone at 64 with pretty good pension and ss but made a lot of money those last 2 years. sure would like to see backpay for the last 4 or so years I was paid at 48k rate but was really about 5 hours higher but we didn't have mail counts because new system wasn't ready. I know it wont happen but they sure do owe a bunch of us a boatload of money.

 

[Worve]

I wish this were true, but the job market isn’t great out there.

In my experince it’s about finding your strong points/skills. Once you realize what they are finding or creating a niche job with in it. It takes time to build, but well worth it in the end.

 

[DB.Cooper]

For now it seems many go at 62 or 65+... just based on the numbers in this survey...

 

[Gotrope]

I wish this were true, but the job market isn’t great out there.

You can always learn new skills to look for improved opportunities. Or make your own opportunities.
I know of an rca who quit after 11 years to start her fulltime housekeeper business. She makes $100 hour to clean houses on her schedule. And she's in demand. She has 5 employees now.