Tired...Anyone retired this year, how has it been, any issues. Looking at 3 more yrs.

[sfloggie]

QRTRHRS, You did not have to be in the war zone to qualify. I do not like to push anyone toward VA disability, but if you served anywhere, you earned if you need it.
I tied for eight years to get my brother-in laws to request a VA review and they said no because they did not retire military so it was a waste of time. Finally the oldest requested a review. He first got 30% and gradually moved up to 100%. He was in VietNam with the Air Force but staye din four years. It is now allowing him and his wife to have a better life. Agent Organge effects have taken a toll as he actually was in the planes.
My youngest brother in law never left CONUS as his brother was in VietNam. He finally went to the VA and he is now receiving benefits. Actually combat or training for same (in any location) that effected your life and can be supported provides benefits.
I am broken up from Special Forces on the ground years and got benefits because a old Navy Master Chief told me how it would help me and my wife.
So thank you for serving and do seek that which you earned...it is not a handout.
Good day, Jim

 

[jinman]

Since I was disability retired from the US Navy, there are additional benefits through the VA and also the State of Texas. Your state may also have special benefits depending on disability level. In my case because I am 60% disabled in Texas, I get my car tags for $3 per year and free entry into state parks and free hunting/fishing licenses. The VA uses 60% as the point where you can use them as your primary care if you choose to do it that way. Service connected disability and VA pensions are two separate issues. My FIL draws a VA pension because he served in Korea and is 100% disabled (not service related). Anyone who is a wartime veteran can receive a VA pension if they meet the low income and needs assessment. The link has lots of info if you are interested. There are people out there who could get these benefits, but they don't know about them or how to apply. In my FIL's case, the pension allowed him to keep his house and live better because it added significant steady income to his budget.

 

[sfloggie]

Good info Jim. I am 80%. I had not thought of using the VA versus Medicare as one mentioned, so I will have to look into that as I turn 65 in March 2014.

Side-note: A friend told me about the SS Extra Earnings for Active Duty between 1957 and 2001. Congress stopped this in 2002, but one can receive it for up to that point. SS says they automatically add it in, but my friend said it did not happen with him. He had to tell them. It can be a good amount as you can read at this site. I was in from 1968-2000 so I will be mentioning this when I do retire.

http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm

Good day! Jim

 

[jinman]

I was in from 1968-2000 so I will be mentioning this when I do retire.

Retirement Planner: Special Extra Earnings for Military Service

Good day! Jim

Jim, I had trouble with your link, so I changed it as above.

If you were in 1968 and later, that extra earnings benefit is supposed to be automatically added to your benefits, but don't take that as fact. I'd sure check to see if you are credited with those extra earnings. The Social Security Administration is not known for being the most detailed oriented agency when it is not in their favor. Sometimes they have to be reminded.

I don't know if you have VA community clinics in your area, but they are very handy. I have one in my county and there's several around our Dallas/Ft. Worth area. They have contract doctors who do outpatient care. They will do annual physicals and regular care. In my opinion, they represent the difference in driving 20 miles one-way or over 100 miles one-way to get VA benefits. They also schedule you for other VA services like vision and hearing tests at the larger facilities. However, you can get all your blood work and tests done at the local clinic and they will mail you your prescriptions. Of course, flu shots and such are regularly scheduled at the clinic too. All your lab results are available online when you request that. If you have a primary care physician somewhere else, they can see your lab results and save you a bundle in duplicate tests and lab charges. Despite the horror stories you always hear in the media, I like the VA and they have been a great asset to me, especially for orthotics and special needs related to my disability.

 

[dmccarty]

If one even thinks they are eligible for VA benefits, dig deep to find out if you are, what you need to do to sign up, and then sign up. My grandfather served in WWII and we think he fought in the PI based on things he brought home but his Army record does not have any details. At one point, he was eligible for benefits but I can't remember if it was health care or long term care. However, he needed to sign up for it prior to a certain date. After that date the Feds would no longer accept you into the program. He did not sigh up for the benefits and when he needed the benefits he was SOL. This was done years ago and was done to save money.

If I was about to retire, I would look at my expenses, especially at health care, and TRY to have enough income to buffer any cut in government based benefits. The reality is that the Federal government is broke, and at some point, people will realize that the Emperor has no clothes. Taxes will have to be raised, younger people will not be eligible for SS benefits until much later in life, and benefits will be cut. I would want to make sure I had the money to cover the benefit cut.

Our retirement planning is based on our 401K savings and SS. We are not depending on SS to pay our living expenses with one exception. We figure that health care costs will be so high when we can retire, that whatever money we actually get from SS, will be used to pay for health care. That is all we think we will get out of SS. I have many years to retire both because of my age but also because of SS "reform" years ago that pushed up my retirement age to save money.

On the other hand, we never know what event will take our life or our health. I know too many people that this has happened too. Check the data, make the best decision on the data, and never look back.

Later,
Dan

 

[oldballs]

One does what he has to do. I worked until I was 74 and was laid off with downsizing action. But the wife already had terminal cancer, so it was time to retire anyway. Not having any notable savings, always working at something I enjoyed, , I just kept on working, often times more than one job. My wife had a college degree but became a stay at home Mom with our four kids and I am proud of her contribution and the kids. My six years in the Army Medical Corps as a reservist fulfilled my obligation and I fly the flag daily in honor of all the Americans who make up our country, but especially those that never came home.

As to money, we never had much.........still don't......but we were happy. One of the biggest blessings has been my excellent health which keeps me busy growing veggies, helping neighbors and the kids.

With the house, the cars, and tractors paid for, I just enjoy life living mostly on SS and a few other investments. May you all do as well.

Cheers, Mike

 

[MacLawn]

That's it, old. We do what we have to do. We work, we don't give up, then we work some more. Thanks for wishing us to do as well as y'all have done.

 

[MotorSeven]

Jim how old are you? 27+13+3 more.....if you started at 18 that puts you in the 50 range. I'm retired LE, 27 year 2 months & 16 days.....I retired at 49 in 2007, had been through a divorce that drained funds a few years before. I applaud those that retire with money in the bank and are debit free but that was not my case. Since retirement I have worked for myself, my wife owns her own Real Estate Company in our very small community. We buy and flip land, buy re-hab and flip houses/mobile homes and have made some $ on every deal. We bought more adjoining land & I build our house on it and we have a mortgage that is less then half the value of our property. Not debit free, but working towards that with a 5 year plan.

I could have stayed working in LE and banked a quarter mil in our "Drop Plan", but, like you I was tired, burned out and ready to go. Besides my Dad dropped dead of a heart attack at 63 and he was still working so I guess I wanted to get out there and work for myself for once in my life and not be working for "The Man". Is money tight at times? yes, but we have no regrets and I would not change a thing. Of course being in East Tennessee has added 20 years to my life...love this place.

 

[sfloggie]

All well said...I am 64 MotorSeven

 

[Larro Darro]

I've enjoyed reading this thread. I am only 52, and thanks to the changes in SS, have 14 and a half years before I can get full benefits. But my wife is going to retire in about three and a half years. Or as she would say, three years, five months and thirteen days. I work for a small private, not for profit inc. here in Calhoun County. I don't make a whole lot, and have no kind of retirement. But I like the work. It is 99% stress free, and that is a big deal to me.

My wife makes three times what I do, and she will have a good retirement. For years we have been trying to live on my pay and save the lion's share of hers. Our house and cars are paid for and we have a little nest egg put back. Now we plan to buy any big ticket items we have been thinking of in the next three years while she is still working. We are looking at used 2013 Camry's now. And if the planets align just right, I might even upgrade to a L3200. It would have to be used, too.

I worry about the sudden change in life style more than the money part of it. Her job is as stress filled as mine is not. It is wearing on her now, but I worry about her going from being right in the center of a whirlwind everyday, to having nothing to do but walk out and check the mail once a day. She has lots of hobbies she has put off until then. I'm just hoping they will keep her interest.

Back in my Navy days, I heard of too many chiefs who retired only to die in a year or two. You need something to keep you busy. Both mind and body.