Today, I attended the retirement seminar in the morning. It was very helpful, but, a lot of information to process! I had already found out some of it, but, it was helpful to have them give an overview, too. I still need to sit down and read the information I was given and absorb it all!
The seminar went on all morning, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Afterwards, I scheduled my appointment for the individual counselling session. This is when the actual retirement application will be filed. etc. Apparently, it will be conducted as a group session where several of us who are planning to retire in the next 90 days will fill out forms, but, there will be one-on-one help with filling out those forms, as well. That is scheduled for June, so I have all of May to get a few "housekeeping" sort of things done, including obtaining copies of the various documents needed.
Afterwards, I stopped at the bank and at the farmers' market to buy some bread and then, came home. I am glad I had taken a day of vacation and not tried to go back to work in the afternoon, because, after I came home, I fell asleep and slept for 3 hours! Guess who was tired?
Later, I called the temple to find out about tomorrow's meditation class, confirmed with friend R that we were going and made arrangements to pick her up, called cousin P and left her a message, and emailed a friend.
Had a long chat with daughter, too; she had received her annual evaluation today, and when she asked for constructive criticism and where she could improve, was told that they couldn't think of anything to say other than list her strengths! LOL. We'll take that as a good evaluation!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Informative retirement seminars
- Being able to take the first steps towards planning for retirement
- Vacation time
- Long afternoon naps
- Daughter received a good evaluation
So, that was another item crossed off my Big Long To Do List! I decided to give myself the evening off to just relax. Tomorrow will be soon enough to get to the rest of the items on my Big Long To Do List!
How was your Thursday? Have you done any retirement planning? What steps did you take/have you taken to prepare for retirement?
Had a long chat with daughter, too; she had received her annual evaluation today, and when she asked for constructive criticism and where she could improve, was told that they couldn't think of anything to say other than list her strengths! LOL. We'll take that as a good evaluation!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Informative retirement seminars
- Being able to take the first steps towards planning for retirement
- Vacation time
- Long afternoon naps
- Daughter received a good evaluation
So, that was another item crossed off my Big Long To Do List! I decided to give myself the evening off to just relax. Tomorrow will be soon enough to get to the rest of the items on my Big Long To Do List!
How was your Thursday? Have you done any retirement planning? What steps did you take/have you taken to prepare for retirement?
I would say that was one excellent evaluation!
ReplyDeleteRetirement is creeping up, but I do not think TheHub will ever completely retire. He is talking about becoming a consultant after he retires, so who knows?
Sounds like he's making plans to keep himself occupied after retirement! That's one of the things they discussed at the seminar, today - what we plan to do after retirement, how we plan to occupy ourselves, fulfill our needs for social interaction, etc. They said that retirement is #10 on the list of 10 most stressful things in life and how important it is to prepare for it.
DeleteWell done to your daughter, it sounds like the best evaluation. You must be proud of her. What is she studying?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the retirement planning.
Thank you, Eileen. Yes, I am very proud of my daughter, like all parents, I suppose. :) She has finished her studies (for now, at least; she hasn't quite ruled out going for a PhD). She has a Masters in Epidemiology and BioStatistics and, currently, she's working as a Research Data Analyst.
DeleteWell done to your DD on her excellent evaluation. Ours used to be linked to a pay increase, is that the same for her?
ReplyDeleteI've not officially retired but haven't worked for 5 years now and I've never struggled to fill my time and I'm sure you'll be the same. I hope that rather than being bored, you'll find that you have more time to do the things you like best in a more leisurely manner.
I've not gone through the retirement process but your company sounds as though they're on top of their game helping everybody through the process. Have you worked there a long time and will you be replaced or will they restructure? xx
Thank you, Suzanne. No, the evaluation isn't linked to a pay increase, just a renewal in contract. However, she is being encouraged to apply for a different, higher paying job at the same place of employment; they are waiting for approval from the parent company which is in control of the budget! So, we'll see how that goes.
DeleteThat's what I am hoping for from retirement - more time to do the things I like to do, at a slower pace. I know I won't be bored and, if I feel the need for company, I can invite cousin P over for a chat.
Yes, I work for a big company, so they are very prepared with HR matters. I have worked there for almost 35 years (it will be 35 in July) and my position will end with me. Once there were 5 of us in the same job classification; I am the lone hold out! No doubt the department will restructure.
The fact that your daughter asked for constructive criticism is another example of what a good employee she is. You must be very proud of her. :)
ReplyDeleteI am not planning retirement right now in any way except to listen to the others who are talk about it.
Live and Learn, yes, I am very proud of her. I know how hard she worked to achieve what she has achieved. She was told, at her evaluation, that she will go far and do big things, by someone whose professional opinion she values. :)
DeleteWell, I am sure you will hear all about it as I go through my own retirement, because I'll probably be sharing things as I experience them!
Congratulations to your daughter on an excellent evaluation.
ReplyDeleteI have been increasing my retirement contributions a little by little. No plans to retire yet. :)
Thank you, Nil. :)
DeleteContinue to contribute towards retirement, as you go. My contributions were deducted from my paycheck automatically, so I didn't have to think about it. Once you've worked for 37 years, like I have (almost 35 years with my current employer and 2 years with a different employer, prior to that), then, you may make plans to retire. :)
I imagine that taking in all that retirement information was what sent you home needing a good nap! I'm sure it was all very interesting. That is wonderful that your daughter got a good evaluation and that they couldn't come up with any constructive criticism even when invited to do so!
ReplyDeleteThe ladies came this evening and we bottled nearly 30 litres of syrup. There was one spill but soon got cleaned up. They are such good helpers!
Bushlady, it was like information overload! But they were very thorough and it was all very helpful.
DeleteThank you; I think daughter ended up describing what she thought she needed to improve upon, herself! LOL.
Sounds like you had a busy evening! So nice that the ladies came to help you. I hope you are not doing too much too soon after your surgery. :)
Hi Bless, Sorry I have missed so many of your post.. But excited to hear you are planning [working on your retirement] Congrats..Know you will enjoy the time to do things you enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWish you the very best..
Thank you, Judy. Hope all is well with you. Take care.
DeleteWhat a positive post. You sound so in tune, spiritually. In preparation for retirement, I have paid off my cottage, planted fruit trees and vegetables, and resumed freelance writing. It's something I can do for the rest of my life. I had to retire from teaching dance and yoga after having my hips replaced at age 50. It's good to be prepared for the unexpected.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment. I try to be spiritually in tune! :) I'm sorry you had to retire from teaching dance and yoga due to hip problems, but it sounds like you have done well in preparing for retirement. Congratulations on paying off your home! That is a big achievement! My daughter and I used to take dance classes at one time! I took ballet, jazz, aerobic dancing, and yoga. My daughter took practically everything they taught at that particular dance studio, including ballet, jazz, modern/lyrical, tap, ballroom, and gymnastics! We stopped when the studio closed and then, we tried to take some ballet, but, daughter was in college by then and it was hard to get to dance classes on time due to her college class schedule/congested freeways, etc. She is now taking ice skating and just started gymnastics, again. I, on the other hand, am totally out of shape and can't do a plié to save my life! I am hoping to find an easy yoga class, once I am retired. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
DeleteCongrats to your daughter for a good assessment. The paperwork I had to do for my retirement went extremely smoothly despite people telling me their problems with the paperwork. I get part of my pension from The British Govt as I lived there for 20 years and boy there was a lot of forms, I was told that it could take up 6 months but they did it in 3 weeks!!! As I have lots of hobbies I was not worried about being bored. I hear that people without outside interests from work have a struggle adjusting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. I'm rather proud of my daughter's achievements. :)
DeleteAh, yes, there seems to be lots of paperwork related to retirement! I am glad your paperwork went through without any problems and took so little time. :) I haven't even got around to downloading the forms, let alone filling them! Next week will be soon enough, I think!