Retire?
In the wonderfully arcane public retirement system here in Ohio, there is a marvelous provision that allows you to buy time earned elsewhere in public service, thus resulting in an earlier retirement date. Having taught for a couple of years in New Jersey back in the 70’s, I filled out the paperwork and sent it off into the bureaucratic void to see what would happen.
I had gone through this exercise once before and had never heard anything back. This time I followed up with a phone call to my former employer in the Garden State. The woman I spoke to said that my records were stored off site in a trailer somewhere, and may have been lost in a flood (no—not the Great Flood. I’m not that old.) Buoyed by this cheery bit of news, I anxiously awaited her letter which would surely tell me that my paperwork had been washed out to sea some years ago.
Instead, imagine my surprise when I received a nice note with a copy of my application, saying that she had forwarded my records on to the Great State of Ohio. Then, another heartening piece of correspondence arrived from said State, requesting eleven thousand dollars for 1.8 years of service.
That may seem like a lot of money, but it’s really not. A friend of mine got a bill for forty thousand for six years. I can handle eleven.
But the strange part was my not so subconscious reaction to all this. My brain ricocheted around my head like a cartoon bullet as I struggled to get its smooshy mass around the idea that I can retire in a scant four years.
What does one do in retirement?
Will we have enough money?
Can I keep it together at work for the next four years?
Why do I suddenly feel so insecure?
I would be 63, not the 66 I had originally thought. This is good, right? So what’s wrong with me?
Jeepers! I just realized there are three operations I want to have before my health insurance changes! (The heart ablation my electrophysiologist wants to do, a new pacemaker and oh yes—a knee replacement as long as we’re at it.)
Like Steve Martin’s “Jerk”, all I need is this ashtray. This ashtray and this paddle game. That’s all I need. This ashtray, this paddle game and this ablation. That’s all I need…
posted by agoodlistener @ 8:31 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Wow...four years is a drop in the bucket as far as time goes....you had better start planning some 'old age' activites!!!!!!! Yes, I have been quiet....silly me...
Why does Ohio want eleven thousand dollars? From you or from New Jersey?
Retirement is so confusing these days. Since my 401K got smashed in 2008, I don't know if I'll ever retire. But I hope to shift from full-time work to part-time someday, and work more on my art.
Then there are days when I'm at work, but mostly just to take advantage of the free coffee.
Retire?
Who knows but that thou art come unto the kingdom for such a time as this?
With all the unemployment throughout the country, my impression is that your expertize and compassion may be needed now more than ever before.
And concerning that marketing department mentioned in your previous post, when the publisher fires those guys and they can't find work, guess whose book they will reach for then.
Rebecca-Good to hear from you, finally.
Miriam-Ohio wants 11K from me to buy my 1.8 years of time in NJ. Trust me, it's a bargain. In fact, I'm using my paltry 403b money to pay for it.
John-sounds like the ultimate revenge!
Post a Comment
<< Home