My Upcoming Retirement

I can write this journal, because no will probaly ever look at it.  A satisying way to tell your life as a ghost.

Today's topic is on my upcoming retirement.  If I wait till I'm 66, it will be in 9 years, if I wait till I'm 62, it will be in 3 years.  Yes, I am 59 years old/young.  You know there are young 70 years old out there and there are "old" 70 years out there.  I am still young enough in spirit, but not in age. And those wrinkles and skin tags are a whole other topic.

The other day, I looked at my retirement picture and it is sad.  My own fault really.  I depended on a pension earned by a company that is no longer operated-Pan Am World Airways.  I can start collectng my pension this year, I have to get the final evaluation (check's in the mail), but it looks lik $200 a month.  I'm doing well, I have heard some retired United people are getting a chceck for $.99 each month.

I participated in my 401k's with the minimum 3%.  I have upgraded that to 9% now, with matching contributions from my current employers (one of those airlines in the US).  Now is the time to catch up, at least a little bit. 

I don't own a home, I have never wanted a firm committment to any property.  I still lease, it is a beautiful condo.  Though not big enough.

And now the arthritis is settling in my hands.  It's getting harder and harder to do my job as a flight attendant.  Grasping a can sometimes is difficult. 

All of a sudden, my retirement is looming in front of me and I have to figure out what to do. Can I last at least another 3 years in my current profession.?

More to come.

Valerie Brown

Please ignore any mis-spellings, this program doesn't have a spell-check with it.