Retreat!

[darkemeralds]

I love how in French, you say on prend sa retraite--one makes one's retreat--for "retirement."

Because I'm tired. I'm tired and re-tired, and re-re-tired, and I would really like to retreat from this accidental career of mine.

I just learned (because I pay no attention to practical matters and the whole subject of finance fills me with loathing and terror, which does seriously make one wonder how I wound up in a finance-adjacent job, doesn't it?) that I could conceivably retire at age 58.

Not only that, but I could retire at the beginning of the year in which I turn 58, which, because I was born in December, means I'll be barely 57 when I'm eligible to make my retreat. That is only sixteen months away.

OMG.

How did I not register this information sooner? Well, the aforementioned loathing of finance. Unexamined certainty that such a benefit doesn't apply to people like me (because when it comes to retirement, there really is an important disadvantage to having always been unmarried). Deep unconscious belief that I've never worked hard enough in my life to deserve retirement. Dark suspicion that the day I retire, the public will rise up in revolt against public-sector pensions and void the agreement under which I've given 21 years of my life to this place.

You know, crazy stuff.

So now I'm registering this information and getting names of financial advisers and signing up for seminars and stuff, and OMG there's this image of me, still young at heart, in good health, with a fab wardrobe and an awesome bike, FREE TO NEVER GO TO WORK IN AN OFFICE AGAIN.

OMG.

Tears of joy. I'm not kidding.

Comments

[tehomet]

OMG! How marvellous!

[darkemeralds]

It's not by any means a done deal yet, but just opening that door in my head has lifted me up something amazing.

[branchandroot]

Sweet! And it sounds like you're in a good place to do it, too!

[darkemeralds]

I hope so! I need to do quite a bit of information gathering, and seek some serious professional advice, but this realization has opened some cracks in what seemed a desperate situation, and I'm enjoying squinting and blinking in the light.

[ruric]

Awesome news!

[darkemeralds]

Yeah! I hope to know more in the next few weeks.

[darkemeralds]

PS You and ravurian have been objects of intense envy and therefore terrific inspiration leading to this new idea of mine.

[ravurian]

Honestly, I've been so busy I've no idea how I ever found time to go to work...

If this comes off for you, I will be delighted!

[darkemeralds]

I know! I don't know how you did either. You amaze me with your level of activity.

I feel like I'm in the magic river now, and my boat is starting to move.

[ruric]

Seconded. The thought of returning to full time work fills me with horror. Part time seems to be the solution!

[ruric]

I'm not sure I've ever been a source of inspiration before! *G*

I do think it is terribly easy to get sucked into the "work all hours" mind set though. Sometimes it takes a number of people who are outside that to give you the push to do something about it!

[darkemeralds]

Precisely! That sort of re-calibration, or re-framing of a problem, by means of multiple data points, is one of the best gifts of the internet.

Today I'm collecting contact information for financial advisers, and reviewing my pension plan. You know, on my coffee break and stuff.

Step by step, I think I'm moving toward something new and wonderful. Thanks again!

[sporky_rat]

That sounds fabulous and lovely! All the best wishes for it!

[darkemeralds]

Thanks! I'm doing my best to be open to the possibilities, even if they don't look exactly the way I pictured.

[executrix]

One caveat: even if they don't raise the Medicare age, you'll have seven years of paying your own health insurance (and, of course, Medicare is far from free).

[darkemeralds]

That's the damnedest part of being American, I swear.

[without_me]

Oh, what marvelous news, and even more marvelous timing!

[darkemeralds]

I am feeling very optimistic. That, and I'm collecting actual information, a radical step for me!

[lyr]

That's fantastic and exciting! I'm so chuffed for you!

[darkemeralds]

Thanks! We'll see what the options are when I've managed to gather up all the papers and bits of data that flow into this decision. Crossing fingers.

[kis]

Here's hoping you can do it! And that you have a decent pension that allows you to do all the things you want. (My pension might just allow me to eat cold beans on the sofa, provided I put neither the heating or lighting on.)

[darkemeralds]

That's kind of what I'm afraid of. I think it should be somewhat better than cold beans, but it's a sad fact that married people with two pensions have the ideal situation, and that single gals like me must plan on Taking Measures.

Happily, I've already given up car ownership, widely acknowledged as most people's single biggest expense after rent. But they can pry my high speed data access out of my cold dead hands.

[kis]

I'm a married person, with a private pension which eats 25%+ of my pathetic salary. Were I employed by someone, rather than freelance, my situation might be different. As it is, we'll be two people living off one pension. But - hopefully (**glares at the power that be**) - it shouldn't be utter destitution. But we have a Tory government, so who knows.

But they can pry my high speed data access out of my cold dead hands.

Hee. Yes. And if they do it before, I might well yearn for the cold deadness.

[darkemeralds]

It was a source of some consternation to me to see signs that the UK and its Tory government are succumbing to Disaster Capitalism. Somehow, knowing that our close cultural relative was thriving and glowing while maintaining civilized working hours and socialized health benefits was a source of comfort to me.

I have hope, though, that the British people will stand up for their quality of life the way the American people have not. You guys seem to be a generation behind in stripping your education system, so there's still a young generation coming up that knows how to think.

That...sounded really old, didn't it?

[kis]

Somehow, knowing that our close cultural relative was thriving and glowing while maintaining civilized working hours and socialized health benefits was a source of comfort to me.

Yeah, I think I can understand that. You feel that there's an alternative, and that with a change of government, the country might opt for a better course. I've been depressed to watch Germany start to struggle.

You guys seem to be a generation behind in stripping your education system, so there's still a young generation coming up that knows how to think.

Give us time. There are already rumblings about not needing qualified teachers in state schools ...

That...sounded really old, didn't it?

Perspective and history, seeing the same things keep happening, is what makes us old and tired, I think. :(

[darkemeralds]

You feel that there's an alternative, and that with a change of government, the country might opt for a better course.

More that the UK has stood as proof that at least some degree of "socialism" results in a prosperous modern society with a strong middle class, and that it's nothing to be afraid of.

Perspective and history, seeing the same things keep happening, is what makes us old and tired, I think.

Hence my devotion to the cause of paying no attention whatsoever to the news. It's part of my growing-old-gracefully plan.

[cat63]

Excellent! Potential escape route scouting! :-)

I hope it works out for you.

[darkemeralds]

I hope so too! I'm beginning to feel a bit Shawshank-ish here at work, quietly chipping away at the wall and hoping the boss doesn't think to wonder about the Rita Hayworth poster.

[cat63]

[hums]"Doot doo, doo doo de doot doo, doo doo, de doo de doot doo dooo..." :-)

[darkemeralds]

Hee! Is that the Great Escape theme?

[cat63]

It is! Hurray! The sad thing is, if you were to hear me sing it in person it probably wouldn't be nearly as recognisable :-)

[llaras]

So happy for you!

[darkemeralds]

Thanks! It's bubbling around in my mind and making me think of my life quite differently. I don't think there's any going back from this idea now.