Thread: Stoplight's Retirement Story (FERS, Gap in Service, Military Buy-Back)

Originally Posted by Stoplight

Nasa,

Yes, we use Outlook, too. I think I found the problem...I copied a couple of my *.pst folders to a DVD and tried opening them at home...no luck...Outlook said I was not "authorized access" to the files...I figured they were encrypted, and tied into my CAC card certificate ! HOWEVER...once I copied the files from the DVD to my local hard disk, Outlook had no problems importing the folders into my home machine...go figure ! Is that the method your IT people recommended ?

Stoplight...

Yep!! I used a thumb drive (memory stick).

How's This For Timing ?

(Patting self on the back) I have 1 work day left (30 April) until I hit the retirement rolls...as of today, with my last full paycheck contribution, and the Agency match, my TSP balance broke the half million dollar mark !!

Yeah, many have a lot more, many have a lot less...yeah, I "coulda-shoulda-woulda" had more, if I made better decisions along the way...but our "goal" was to retire better off than our Parents, and we're doing that !

Dang, if I and the Wife can't live on our fixed pensions, retirement accounts, and Social Security, then there is something wrong with us !


Stoplight...

Best of luck stoplight

Originally Posted by Stoplight

.....my TSP balance broke the half million dollar mark !!.....

Congratulations, Stoplight! Awesome nest egg and a great example for the rest of us...

Originally Posted by Stoplight

Dang, if I and the Wife can't live on our fixed pensions, retirement accounts, and Social Security, then there is something wrong with us !


Stoplight...

GratZ Stoplight, may you and your wife only want for more time together. Good Job! Good Luck! & Thank you for your service!

Excellent news Stoplight. 3 days and a wakeup for me. Now we can start comparing notes. Good luck.

Congrats Stoplight!

Many Thanks, Talan150, OBGibby, Frixxx, Nasa1974, and KevinD !!! Your notes are meaningful to me, since I don't know you from Adam, yet you took the time to post your congrats !

So today was "it" for me...I ended up going in to work today...the intent was to spend about 2 hours there, on the payroll, making copies of important email and contract files (in case I get called to testify on some future contract claim !), and then saying "good bye" to the co-workers, and turning in my building key and hard hat <g> I ended up being there until 5 PM, because the computer system was running so slow, and I had a stream of well-wishers stop by to "chat" ! That's okay...I need the additional payroll on my last paycheck vs. the annual leave lump sum to carry me through the rest of this year ! I'll be curious to see what, if any, deductions are made from my last (incomplete) paycheck towards health care insurance and TSP...I'm SURE I'll pay Fed tax and SS

Anyway, I'm home now, and looking forward to retirement...gotta admit, it's kinda a weird feeling ! I listened to Jimmy Buffett's song "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" on the way home...pretty darn appropriate !!!

I don't think the retirement has sunk in yet, but the Wife says she's going to cook me breakfast tomorrow morning...something we've NEVER done when we were both working, except on weekends ! We'll see if she lives up to her promise

Stoplight...

Stoplight, What was it like waking up this morning being a retired FED? Looking forward to mine. 1 day and a wake up. How long is the "honey do" list? Good luck and looking forward to comparing retirement notes.

Originally Posted by Stoplight

I don't think the retirement has sunk in yet, but the Wife says she's going to cook me breakfast tomorrow morning...something we've NEVER done when we were both working, except on weekends ! We'll see if she lives up to her promise

Stoplight...

How was breakfast?

I always heard that the sun rise somehow looks different after you retire. How was your's today? Or did you sleep thru it