Thread: SkyPilot's Retirement Story

Wow SkyPilot, that is just AWESOME! Congrats!!!

SkyPilot, Sounds like you have done the math. Congratulations. Are you serious about going over to the Ukraine? I hope you will stay in touch.

Congratulations on your future goals. In my opinion, however, you'd be better off building your own portfolio of individual stocks that produce income. I'm on dividend increase announcement #80 ytd and fully expect another 80 or so before the year ends. It's the income stream that really counts - capital gains will usually take care of themselves. Allow capitalism to work in your favor as you move forward.

Originally Posted by SkyPilot

Well, I have learned life comes at you fast. At one point I thought I would stay with the government until 57 as a FLEO, but then I recently decided to pursue other interest. After crunching the numbers, and factoring in several variables it has become clear that it is most advantageous to take the money and run. So, I am retiring at age 54 (turn 55 this year), which is for many the American dream.

I have submitted my paperwork, and based on the experience of some of my colleagues who have recently retired as well, it seems that I should get a final settlement in about three months or less. I only have federal service in the same agency to consider, so not complications with buy backs, etc.

I will move my TSP balance to a company that handles the peculiar tax considerations of chaplains continuing in their vocation in the private sector. The moderately conservative fund they manage produces an average 8% return (after fees and expenses) over the last 7 years which seems to cover the gamut of economic and market conditions.

While we still will have a mortgage, we may liquidate the house and put the proceeds into an investment account, and let it add to the nest egg when we need the cash to rent later on in our 60's. In the interim, we will move to Ukraine and teach at a seminary there for the next decade or so.

Every single one of my friends who have preceded me in retirement say they wish they had done so sooner. I am going as soon as I am eligible, within a couple of weeks. So, the new adventure begins!

Wow, sp. Very happy for you that everything pencils out for moving into the next stage in Ukraine now and not later. We know your passion has been there a long time now. Come back to the forum now and then if you get the urge, let us know things are going.

WOW! About time SP but I want you to think about the safety of you and your family before staying in the Ukraine, helping people is fine but when the idiots are manipulating everything your safety isn't guaranteed! You are a wonderful person, take care of you and yours!

Thank you, and yes, we are committed to a second vocation in Ukraine. I have been taking short term trips to Krivoy Rog for the last 10 years. As we have built relationships with leaders there, it has become apparent that there is a significant need and opportunity that is well matched with my skill set and passion. While Ukraine is a beautiful country full of wonderful, warm and welcoming people, it is not without it's difficulties of course. However, it is also strategically located to allow us to leverage our efforts to reach out from there to all of Eurasia.

Originally Posted by nasa1974

SkyPilot, Sounds like you have done the math. Congratulations. Are you serious about going over to the Ukraine? I hope you will stay in touch.

Originally Posted by Birchtree

Congratulations on your future goals. In my opinion, however, you'd be better off building your own portfolio of individual stocks that produce income. I'm on dividend increase announcement #80 ytd and fully expect another 80 or so before the year ends. It's the income stream that really counts - capital gains will usually take care of themselves. Allow capitalism to work in your favor as you move forward.

BT, you of course are correct. However, I have neither the skill or the time to invest in proper evaluation and strategy to accomplish what you have been able to. I feel fortunate to have been able to build my TSP into an amount that will help meet our projected needs through retirement.

Nnuut, I appreciate your concern for our safety which is a very real consideration. The organization I work with is in more countries than the UN and has been devoted to missions for over 70 years. I am impressed with their care of field workers. Recently, during the uprising in Kiev all staff were evacuated for several days as a precaution. If things continue to deteriorate we may be assigned to another country within the larger region, or be staffed in a different situation entirely. We have a bit of time to see what happens. As we will be self funded, It will probably take about 16 months to raise the funds to meet our annual budget. So, for those of you who are inclined to pray, we appreciate your attention in regard to these details.

Originally Posted by nnuut

WOW! About time SP but I want you to think about the safety of you and your family before staying in the Ukraine, helping people is fine but when the idiots are manipulating everything your safety isn't guaranteed! You are a wonderful person, take care of you and yours!

Just keep your ear on the rail and your eye on the track, trains can move really fast!

Congrats SkyPilot. You won't miss the BOP (I know I don't), just the people you worked with. That's where Facebook comes in. :-)

Ain't that the truth!

Originally Posted by Kaufmanrider

Congrats SkyPilot. You won't miss the BOP (I know I don't), just the people you worked with. That's where Facebook comes in. :-)