When did you realize it’s time to retire?

22 years, 20+ active federal service. Been having a rough go of things lately and I feel like I have nothing else left in the tank. It hasn’t been fun for a while and I guess I am starting to realize that. I’ve been looking at my life and current situation and been feeling some resentment and regret for putting the career first. Missed birthdays, holidays, other life events and opportunities that either slipped by or didn’t happen because I made it less of a priority. I’m not sure how much more of this I am willing to give for my career. Looking for some input and advice. Thanks

 

Well, what's the math on if you leave now?

 

18 months for the retirement process pushes me out to roughly august 2026 at 55% of my base pay plus whatever VA compensation I get rated at.

 

What would be considered a full retirement age or years of service? Do you have an alternative source of income lined up or need one? Do you have family support or is the consensus among friends and family to stick it out? Do you think this is a fleeting thought that will pass?

 

Not military or civil service, but my last day of work I was taken out in an ambulance, seizure. If you can afford to retire, do it, have some fun, enjoy life while you can. Just my opinion. Thank you for your service.

 

What would be considered a full retirement age or years of service?

I’m currently 40 with 20 years of service.

Do you have an alternative source of income lined up or need one?

no but I’d continue to work

Do you have family support or is the consensus among friends and family to stick it out?

I have no support system in place and live alone. Not married no kids.

Do you think this is a fleeting thought that will pass?

no

 

What about a civilian DOD job?

 

Well, don't just listen to some strangers on a truck forum website.... It sounds like you have put some thought into this. I was in a similar situation and listened to this book on audio after my decision and it helped affirm a decision and put things in perspective. Good luck sir.

 

My choice was a simple one. Once my retirement income(net) reached or exceeded my take home pay, it was time to retire. I also realized a 30% cost of living decreae by moving out of state, so my income goes much further.
On the physical/feeling part, I was getting burned out and worn down as well. but in retrospect, that had more to do with my health than the job. I changed my diet to a very low carb/sugar, high protein and fat), and it has improved significantly. bonus retirement gift!

My advice is this;
-Do not retire if it is going to put you in a financial hardship, even a small one.
-Do the math and forcast when it is optimal.
-Pay off as much debt as you can beforehand, and if needs be, look to relocate to somewhere that the cost of living is better.
-If you are suffering from a metabloic issue such as type 2 diabetes, or even prediabetes, change your diet( it will make a world of difference).

 

You’re working for half pay right now since you could be sitting at home doing nothing and get paid, what else would you rather be doing to make that other 50%? Can you cover all your current bills on a 50% retirement check?

 

I am guessing full rtirement age is 55? If so, you have 15 years to go. The retirement you would recieve is very small. By continuing to work, you are basically trading one job with benifits for another, likely without. There will be problems with that one as well. Can you ask for a different position where you are now?

40 years old, you are going through that phase. Unless your job is asking you to do unscroupulous things or you are constantly being harrassed( to which there is a remedy), trading one job for another is a big risk that accomplishes little, and may even set you back further with additional regrets.

Ultimately it is your descision and you are the one that must live with it for the rest of your life, so please take this with that in mind.

 

I'm curious what type of Civil-Service job you have? (Isn't 20 years the min requirement to retire?)

Is your job out-of-state?

Do you feel obligated in the tasks required or pushed on you? (Volun-told)

What sort of things have happened to you that caused your tank to run on empty?

Are you talking about your birthday or someone else's?

Does your immediate family live far away?

You're quite young to have these feelings.

 

Go...I thought I was an asset to the USAF, and I was, but they function just fine without me! I was not as crucial as I thought I was, only to my direct reports did it REALLY matter. 26 years, missed all the things you missed, and wasnt worth it. Been retired for 9 years now..best decision I made!
When it stopped being fun, I "hung on" and shouldnt have but here we are. Live with your past and look back at it better once you get sometime to honestly look back at it...I dont regret it, but I should have retired sooner

 

Since this is posted in the military sub forum I’m assuming the OP is in the military. We have no “full retirement age”, just a minimum 20 years of service. If you join at 18 you can retire at 38 with a full pension and medical coverage until you die. Every year beyond 20 increases that pension by 2-2.5%.

 

I guess I didn't notice that!

Sounded like OP (Who lives in Delaware and I need to meet) was describing a Civil-Service job.

I went 25 years ADSCD and rated at 62.5% from 50% at 20 years (2.5 per year over 20).

Also, I was High Year of Tenure (HYT) retired since E7 was dropped from 26 to 24 years.

Hey OP, I wish you well in your decision and hope we are providing some insight.

 

thanks for sharing

 

I enlisted in 87, had a break in the NG while going to college, got a ROTC commission and went back on active duty. Retired at the end of 2019.

I saw a lot of changes between the Cold War and GWOT, many of which I didn't care for. I knew it was time when I didn't care that they renamed all the FM's and MOS's and I couldn't be bothered to learn the new ones, but the APFT being replaced was the final straw.

Is it a unit thing, or an Army thing? Units are cyclic. I've been in some really good ones, and some "I wouldn't wish this sh*t on anybody" ones (direct quote from a buddy). You can always PCS. If it's an Army thing, I'd give it a couple of years (that's an extra 5%) and see what changes with the new administration.