What's A GIrl To Do?

Retirement plans, decisions, discussions.  I feel like Dorothy walking through the forest chanting "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my."  Except my chant is "plans, discussions, decisions, discussion, oh my."

Prior to vacation, after the grand meetings that rocked my world, we got a personalized email that had an estimate of what the VRO package would be.  Since it was based on years of service and other things, each person's was different.  

My first order of business during the holidays was to meet with our financial planner to see if early retirement was even an option for me.  And it was!!!  (As a side note, we have the BEST financial planner ever - he's done a fantastic job for us!)

My husband was ok with whatever decision I made so it came down to what I wanted to do.  On one hand, I really wasn't prepared to be retired yet.  I wanted to work for a few more years and go out on my terms - not someone else's.  On the other hand, things were going to change drastically in the office after the VRO took effect.  Did I really want to be there to deal with the after effects?  Hmmm - something to think about.  

We had to make a commit to being 'interested' by January 9.  If you were interested, then you would get the exact figures for your retirement delivered in mid-January.  With the help of my husband and financial planner, I had decided to at least see what the numbers would be so I committed.  I think most of the 2000 that were offered VRO said they were 'interested'.

Once I got the final numbers and had yet another discussion with my financial guy, I decided to go ahead and take the package.  We didn't have to commit until the end of January but I went ahead and sent my paperwork in the day it was open.  If you're going to jump, jump in all the way!  So that's what I did.  Kinda felt like jumping out of plane with no parachute and no safety net.  But there was a sense of relief to have made a decision.

Now the wait begins!

Retirement Times for Me