Retire at 60 as fed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will only have 22 years as fed, but there’s no way I’m gonna want to stick around until I’m 68 or 70. That’s way too many years sitting at a desk. I plan more of a “downshift” to part time employment than true retirement, at least until SS kicks in.

House in low COLA will be paid for and kids will be out of college. No expensive hobbies.
I am partnered after a divorce and hope to remain partnered but marriage might not be on the table.

I started my career late after being SAHM and my savings got hit pretty hard in the tumultuous period after my divorce, but things are stable, if challenging, now. But I only have about 100k in TSP at age 43 and I can only put 10% in now, and don’t anticipate being able to amp that up unless my partner and I move in together or once my kids go to college and I move to low COLA. I will be 54 when my youngest completes college.

You need some perspective. Most of us have been working “at a desk” since they were 22, so by 60 they will have worked 38 years.

You and the luxury to SAH and not enter the regular workforce until you were 38. I’m sorry for your divorce, but you seem anxious to quit when you’ve barely been working 5 years.

Appreciate the time you did have to spend with your kids and not have to do the working parent grind, and I would work at least to 62 but honestly going to 67 and getting full SS should hardly be a hardship as that will still be less than 30 years in the workforce (plus whatever you did before kids).

I would address why you hate your job, maybe look for a different role. In my office people routinely work till 70, but we all believe in our mission, the work is cool, and our team is generally very cooperative. What is wrong where you are now? Do you have ADHD or something that makes sitting still difficult?

I actually love my work and the people I am working with. I am just noticing the creeping effect on my health that sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day is having on my health. No amount of ergonomics is going to change that.

You’re blaming a desk for the health effects of getting older. I don’t think losing a desk will make you 35 again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am you in almost 17 years - turning 60 in three months with 36 years of service this year. Capped GS-15. Easy answer is stay until, at least 62. You can't give up on that 10% bump. Also, if you retire at 60, you are walking away from COLA adjustments until you hit 62. And just because you don't get COLA for two years, your outyear pension will be that much lower. Don't get me wrong but how come you only have 100k after 22 years of service?

DP: OP doesn't have 22 years of service, she will have 22 years of service at 60. She has 100k now at 43. So she's only put in 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't you wait 2 more years and get an extra 10 percent of your pension at 62?

Didn’t know this was a thing. Maybe I can hold out until 62. But being at my desk is slowly killing me.

You may also need to work until 62 to get federal medical insurance in retirement. If not, you'll have to figure out medical care between 60 and 65 which tends to be expensive without a job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am you in almost 17 years - turning 60 in three months with 36 years of service this year. Capped GS-15. Easy answer is stay until, at least 62. You can't give up on that 10% bump. Also, if you retire at 60, you are walking away from COLA adjustments until you hit 62. And just because you don't get COLA for two years, your outyear pension will be that much lower. Don't get me wrong but how come you only have 100k after 22 years of service?

DP: OP doesn't have 22 years of service, she will have 22 years of service at 60. She has 100k now at 43. So she's only put in 5.

oh careless reading on my part. sorry op

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will only have 22 years as fed, but there’s no way I’m gonna want to stick around until I’m 68 or 70. That’s way too many years sitting at a desk. I plan more of a “downshift” to part time employment than true retirement, at least until SS kicks in.

House in low COLA will be paid for and kids will be out of college. No expensive hobbies.
I am partnered after a divorce and hope to remain partnered but marriage might not be on the table.

I started my career late after being SAHM and my savings got hit pretty hard in the tumultuous period after my divorce, but things are stable, if challenging, now. But I only have about 100k in TSP at age 43 and I can only put 10% in now, and don’t anticipate being able to amp that up unless my partner and I move in together or once my kids go to college and I move to low COLA. I will be 54 when my youngest completes college.

You need some perspective. Most of us have been working “at a desk” since they were 22, so by 60 they will have worked 38 years.

You and the luxury to SAH and not enter the regular workforce until you were 38. I’m sorry for your divorce, but you seem anxious to quit when you’ve barely been working 5 years.

Appreciate the time you did have to spend with your kids and not have to do the working parent grind, and I would work at least to 62 but honestly going to 67 and getting full SS should hardly be a hardship as that will still be less than 30 years in the workforce (plus whatever you did before kids).

I would address why you hate your job, maybe look for a different role. In my office people routinely work till 70, but we all believe in our mission, the work is cool, and our team is generally very cooperative. What is wrong where you are now? Do you have ADHD or something that makes sitting still difficult?

I actually love my work and the people I am working with. I am just noticing the creeping effect on my health that sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day is having on my health. No amount of ergonomics is going to change that.

You’re blaming a desk for the health effects of getting older. I don’t think losing a desk will make you 35 again.

I'm not OP but there are tons of studies about how sitting 8 hours a day is extremely detrimental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will only have 22 years as fed, but there’s no way I’m gonna want to stick around until I’m 68 or 70. That’s way too many years sitting at a desk. I plan more of a “downshift” to part time employment than true retirement, at least until SS kicks in.

House in low COLA will be paid for and kids will be out of college. No expensive hobbies.
I am partnered after a divorce and hope to remain partnered but marriage might not be on the table.

I started my career late after being SAHM and my savings got hit pretty hard in the tumultuous period after my divorce, but things are stable, if challenging, now. But I only have about 100k in TSP at age 43 and I can only put 10% in now, and don’t anticipate being able to amp that up unless my partner and I move in together or once my kids go to college and I move to low COLA. I will be 54 when my youngest completes college.

You need some perspective. Most of us have been working “at a desk” since they were 22, so by 60 they will have worked 38 years.

You and the luxury to SAH and not enter the regular workforce until you were 38. I’m sorry for your divorce, but you seem anxious to quit when you’ve barely been working 5 years.

Appreciate the time you did have to spend with your kids and not have to do the working parent grind, and I would work at least to 62 but honestly going to 67 and getting full SS should hardly be a hardship as that will still be less than 30 years in the workforce (plus whatever you did before kids).

I would address why you hate your job, maybe look for a different role. In my office people routinely work till 70, but we all believe in our mission, the work is cool, and our team is generally very cooperative. What is wrong where you are now? Do you have ADHD or something that makes sitting still difficult?

I actually love my work and the people I am working with. I am just noticing the creeping effect on my health that sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day is having on my health. No amount of ergonomics is going to change that.

You’re blaming a desk for the health effects of getting older. I don’t think losing a desk will make you 35 again.

I'm not OP but there are tons of studies about how sitting 8 hours a day is extremely detrimental.

Absolutely, but OP's answer is that she wants to retire early even if she may not be financially in a position to do so.

She was fortunate to be a SAHM for so many years, but is now in the position of playing catch-up due to her divorce and the extra stress of life as a single parent.

[Anonymous]

You need to do workout videos on the youtube like the rest of us poors.

Sydney Cummings.
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/health/g35139467/best-youtube-workout-videos/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_opr_md_pmx_us_urlx_18434562852&gclid=CjwKCAjw04yjBhApEiwAJcvNoZ5RKigKkP-I83RAjlpIOEmVrGX_bICBM7zSe4C78W6LyNrQEOVJLhoC4t4QAvD_BwE

Or join an online yoga studio.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't you wait 2 more years and get an extra 10 percent of your pension at 62?

Didn’t know this was a thing. Maybe I can hold out until 62. But being at my desk is slowly killing me.

You may also need to work until 62 to get federal medical insurance in retirement. If not, you'll have to figure out medical care between 60 and 65 which tends to be expensive without a job.

I don’t think so if OP is MRA + 20 and holds FEHB for last 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't you wait 2 more years and get an extra 10 percent of your pension at 62?

Didn’t know this was a thing. Maybe I can hold out until 62. But being at my desk is slowly killing me.

Spend the last two years doing as many 1/2 days as possible and have extended vacations. You should have the annual leave to do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't you wait 2 more years and get an extra 10 percent of your pension at 62?

Didn’t know this was a thing. Maybe I can hold out until 62. But being at my desk is slowly killing me.

Millions before you have done it. Not sure what makes you so special.

[Anonymous]

My husband retired at 58 as a fed and has not worked a day for pay since then. If your TSP is well funded and you have a good handle on your budget, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will only have 22 years as fed, but there’s no way I’m gonna want to stick around until I’m 68 or 70. That’s way too many years sitting at a desk. I plan more of a “downshift” to part time employment than true retirement, at least until SS kicks in.

House in low COLA will be paid for and kids will be out of college. No expensive hobbies.
I am partnered after a divorce and hope to remain partnered but marriage might not be on the table.

I started my career late after being SAHM and my savings got hit pretty hard in the tumultuous period after my divorce, but things are stable, if challenging, now. But I only have about 100k in TSP at age 43 and I can only put 10% in now, and don’t anticipate being able to amp that up unless my partner and I move in together or once my kids go to college and I move to low COLA. I will be 54 when my youngest completes college.

You need some perspective. Most of us have been working “at a desk” since they were 22, so by 60 they will have worked 38 years.

You and the luxury to SAH and not enter the regular workforce until you were 38. I’m sorry for your divorce, but you seem anxious to quit when you’ve barely been working 5 years.

Appreciate the time you did have to spend with your kids and not have to do the working parent grind, and I would work at least to 62 but honestly going to 67 and getting full SS should hardly be a hardship as that will still be less than 30 years in the workforce (plus whatever you did before kids).

I would address why you hate your job, maybe look for a different role. In my office people routinely work till 70, but we all believe in our mission, the work is cool, and our team is generally very cooperative. What is wrong where you are now? Do you have ADHD or something that makes sitting still difficult?

I actually love my work and the people I am working with. I am just noticing the creeping effect on my health that sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day is having on my health. No amount of ergonomics is going to change that.

Get a standing or treadmill desk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't you wait 2 more years and get an extra 10 percent of your pension at 62?

Didn’t know this was a thing. Maybe I can hold out until 62. But being at my desk is slowly killing me.

You may also need to work until 62 to get federal medical insurance in retirement. If not, you'll have to figure out medical care between 60 and 65 which tends to be expensive without a job.

I don’t think so if OP is MRA + 20 and holds FEHB for last 5.

My husband retired at 58 with federal medical insurance - this poster is right, if you meet MRA and have had FEHB for 5 or more years, you've got it in retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will only have 22 years as fed, but there’s no way I’m gonna want to stick around until I’m 68 or 70. That’s way too many years sitting at a desk. I plan more of a “downshift” to part time employment than true retirement, at least until SS kicks in.

House in low COLA will be paid for and kids will be out of college. No expensive hobbies.
I am partnered after a divorce and hope to remain partnered but marriage might not be on the table.

I started my career late after being SAHM and my savings got hit pretty hard in the tumultuous period after my divorce, but things are stable, if challenging, now. But I only have about 100k in TSP at age 43 and I can only put 10% in now, and don’t anticipate being able to amp that up unless my partner and I move in together or once my kids go to college and I move to low COLA. I will be 54 when my youngest completes college.

You need some perspective. Most of us have been working “at a desk” since they were 22, so by 60 they will have worked 38 years.

You and the luxury to SAH and not enter the regular workforce until you were 38. I’m sorry for your divorce, but you seem anxious to quit when you’ve barely been working 5 years.

Appreciate the time you did have to spend with your kids and not have to do the working parent grind, and I would work at least to 62 but honestly going to 67 and getting full SS should hardly be a hardship as that will still be less than 30 years in the workforce (plus whatever you did before kids).

I would address why you hate your job, maybe look for a different role. In my office people routinely work till 70, but we all believe in our mission, the work is cool, and our team is generally very cooperative. What is wrong where you are now? Do you have ADHD or something that makes sitting still difficult?

I actually love my work and the people I am working with. I am just noticing the creeping effect on my health that sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day is having on my health. No amount of ergonomics is going to change that.

You’re blaming a desk for the health effects of getting older. I don’t think losing a desk will make you 35 again.

I'm not OP but there are tons of studies about how sitting 8 hours a day is extremely detrimental.

I am an executive in private industry, working about 55 hours a week. I set my watch to beep at me at 50 minutes past the hour so I get up and stretch. I walk with colleagues at lunch. I run three mornings a week before work. My husband and I try for a short walk either before or after dinner. Full time employment does not preclude activity, you just have to work for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't you wait 2 more years and get an extra 10 percent of your pension at 62?

Didn’t know this was a thing. Maybe I can hold out until 62. But being at my desk is slowly killing me.

You may also need to work until 62 to get federal medical insurance in retirement. If not, you'll have to figure out medical care between 60 and 65 which tends to be expensive without a job.

Yeah, this is just flat out wrong. It always baffles me when people who clearly have no knowledge of a particular subject (in this case the federal retirement system) feel compelled to weigh in to try to provide guidance on it in anonymous forum.