# I have decided to retire! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 20, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981 "2023-04-20T18:40:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![X.L.Lent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a5b964/32.png) [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/1 "2023-04-20T18:40:59Z")
After doing a few calculations I determined it was doable so I called the Social Security department yesterday and set up an appointment. In the last year or so have made me realize that what time I have left is limited. Several people I know have passed a way - a neighbor at age 57, the brother of a friend at 59 and my father about 7 weeks ago. Also the pain in my joints seems to be spreading to my hands. I’ll have to pay my own heath insurance for about 9 months before I qualify for Medicare which I’m sure won’t be cheap. But I am so tired and stressed right now it’s sometimes hard to concentrate on work. I also need to sell the house and move to someplace that will be easier to take care of. I was hoping retirement would be fun - taking a few nice trips, enjoying some hobbies (like drawing and building models) but with the joint pain the future looks really scary. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/2 "2023-04-20T18:46:59Z")
Congratulations! I retired last year, and although we’re dealing with some health issues that were decidedly not in the plan, once I revised my expectations a little, I’m enjoying the heck out of it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/3 "2023-04-20T18:57:19Z")
Yaay! Get while the gettin’ is good. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/4 "2023-04-20T20:01:03Z")
Sorry you are dealing with health issues, but congratulations on retirement. I retired almost seven years ago, and dea with some health issues, but I am really enjoying retirement. Best decision I ever made! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/5 "2023-04-20T23:25:57Z")
Congratulations! You might want to use the time before you pull the plug to address your physical issues. One more week for me! Last day is next Friday. StG ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/6 "2023-04-20T23:27:37Z")
Welcome to the club ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/7 "2023-04-21T00:33:36Z")
X.L.Lent! I am 3 weeks into retirement. Like you, folks around me dying too young factored into my decision. Do you have your Medicare sorted out? I’ve become an (ahem) expert on the topic. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/8 "2023-04-21T01:22:42Z")
Congratulations and welcome to the class of 2023. Two weeks in myself. Seems to be a handful of us here that have decided it was time. Now that I have my taxes done, I feel the stress slipping away. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/9 "2023-04-21T17:40:21Z")
Retiring, eh? I’m sure you’ve been [nowhere near Canada recently](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/21/gold-heist-at-canadas-busiest-airport-estimated-at-14m)? A likely story! 😁 But more seriously, I’m hoping your retirement will be better than you think and that you can have some good times. ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/10 "2023-04-21T20:53:25Z")
4 months into it, myself. Still don’t really know what to do with myself but I was burnt to a crisp and OVER it. Still may go back contingent… I wonder if the lifting of the stress of working might help your pain…crossing my fingers for you! Congrats! ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/11 "2023-04-22T04:32:08Z")
Congratulations! 🥳 ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/12 "2023-04-22T12:25:05Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Do you have your Medicare sorted out? I’ve become an (ahem) expert on the topic. This could start a dozen threads, easy! How do we avail ourselves of your expertise? I have about a week or two left before I finish my career obligations and figuring out this and SS and tapping my investments are my remaining tasks before retirement. I turn 66 in a month and was going to get an account at Consumer Reports today… ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-decided-to-retire/982981/13 "2023-04-22T13:25:17Z")
I’m not really an expert, but I have learned a lot about this complex issue. I direct you to [this thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146), built by @JohnT , which I always cite as the all-time MVP of SDMB threads. This is where I began my journey. The thread is now two years old, but still contains a ton of great info. Very short summary: Do not try to get by with just Part A & B. Do not get Medicare Advantage if you can afford the monthly cost of a Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap). Spring for Part D (meds), even if you don’t have many prescriptions; you will one day. Dental/vision/hearing is often a toss-up, go for it if you have more than routine needs/expenses in any of these areas. With Supplement plans, there are a number of confusing lettered plans. Research them and see which fits your situation. I determined that G was best for me, followed by N. Top rated plans are UHC (through AARP) and BCBS (which I went with, plan G). Oh yeah, get yourself a Certified Finanical Planner. Make sure they are a CFP so they will have your best interests in mind and not try to sell you something. The key word is fiduciary. It does not need to be an ongoing relationship; I found one for a one-time consult. Not cheap, but not doing this can be very expensive long term. This is some of the smartest money I’ve ever spent. mmm