I called and spoke to the retirement counselor and made an appointment for 11:30 a.m. Then, I had a cup of coffee, showered, dressed, and left the house by 9:00 a.m. I went to the office, first - I needed to download two additional forms and fill them out and then, make photocopies of everything. I also filled out my time sheets for the next two weeks. People at work told me I looked well and rested! I didn't tell them I had less than 4 hours of sleep, last night! LOL!
I was running just a little behind, so I called the retirement counselor and left her a message that I'll be there at 11:45 a.m., instead, and hoped it was OK. I got to the retirement office at 11:40 a.m. and was told they are sorry, but the counselor was helping someone else and could I wait? I assured them it was not a problem; I was happy to wait. In the meantime, however, I was able to meet with the representative from the health benefits sections to go over and turn in the health insurance forms. There was one additional form to sign as the signature on the old form was too dated, but those forms were taken care of and the representative gave me photocopies of all the forms for my file. I can now discard all the other copies I had made.
Then, I waited for the retirement counselor, who came in a few minutes later. She went over my forms and had me fill out one additional form that she had neglected to forward to me (although I had it from my old package, I filled out and signed the new form she gave me, to make sure the signature date was current). As she went over the forms, she told me that everything seemed completed properly and she wished everyone else was as accurate and thorough. Well, I didn't tell her that I found the forms to be confusing and stressful to complete! But, all that stress was worth it to be told everything seemed to be in order!
Anyway, my papers have now been filed. She will process them and send me copies of the processed documents. There might be some additional papers to fill out, as well, but the initial documents have been filed. I feel blessed that I am able to file for retirement now. It was 1:00 p.m. when I left the retirement office!
I stopped to buy a $5 pizza ($5.48 with tax) on the way home for a celebratory lunch! Not as healthy as my daughter's homemade pizzas which are full of vegetables, but, my favorite pepperoni!
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| Pepperoni Pizza |
After lunch, I put away the laundry, put new dust covers on the family room sofas, and washed the old dust sheets. They are now hanging up to dry.
After tea, I took the trash cans to the curb and watered the garden, both front and back. One of the oregano plants I bought seems to have dried up! But I am hoping the roots are still alive and the plant will regrow.
Later in the evening, I video chatted with daughter.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to retire, in the first place
- Getting all the forms filled out and turned in
- Being told the forms seemed to be filled out properly, without any obvious, glaring mistakes
- A safe drive to the office and back
- What I was able to accomplish, today
Monday's To Do List:
- Call the retirement office to see if I need to make an appointment to bring in the papers - DONE
- Go to the office - DONE
- Download a couple of additional forms and fill them out - DONE
- Make photocopies of all the documents and forms - DONE
- Fill out time sheets - DONE
- Hand in the retirement papers - DONE
- Put away the laundry - DONE
- Launder the sofa dust covers/put new covers - DONE
- Take the trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Water the garden, front and back - DONE
- Renew library books - DONE
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Put away laundry
- Bring in the trash cans
- Grocery shop (didn't buy the eggs, yet!)
- Vacuum the house
- Knitting group in the evening?
How was your Monday? What are your plans for Tuesday?
Wow! Just so much effort has gone into your retirement. I don't remember having to do as much as you have been required to do. In fact, I know I didn't. I had an appointment (I brought my husband with me) with a counselor. She filled out the forms according to the questions she asked me, explaining each option. I was directed to sign different papers during the course of the interview, and that was it. It went very smoothly because she was there to explain everything along the way. I can certainly understand your frustration, but you must be so relieved at this point. You really, really deserved a celebratory pizza. Hope Dancer is okay.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I wish I could have met with a counselor who would have filled out the forms for me! But, no; no such luck! The closest to it was the retirement seminar, where they walked us through the forms, but I changed my mind on a couple of things since then! It really shouldn't have been so difficult, but it was. Or maybe it was just me and I agonized over everything. Anyway, it is done!
DeleteThe pizza was good! I usually eat 2 slices, but I ate 3, yesterday! :D The rest is in the fridge for later.
Dancer is fine, now. He tends to eat too fast, sometimes, and then, can't keep it down!
I am glad you got your retirement papers in and done. Paperwork is the bane of our existence.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great Tuesday. I decided to make no plans for the day since any plans I have made for the last couple of weeks have been foiled anyway. I will let the universe decide what my day will bring.
Thank you, Anne. It feels good to have that task done!
DeleteSometimes, it is good to have an unplanned day. I hope your Mom is OK and things are working out well for you both. Enjoy your day, and whatever comes along.
It must be a big relief to have all the paperwork done especially as it's for such an important thing. Am I mis-understanding or aren't you officially retired yet?
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of today when you had an appointment I think just knowing you don't have to be up and out of the house for a certain time must reduce the stress and worry of not being able to sleep. I know I wouldn't mind what time I nodded off or got up if I didn't have to be anywhere or have to get up to look after anybody else :) xx
Yes, it is a big relief to have it all done! The rush was all mine, but they require a certain amount of time to process everything in order to get the first payment out to me, so I wanted to make sure they had enough time to do that!
DeleteNo, I am not retired, yet! I am still on vacation. My retirement date will be October 15. You are right, it really doesn't matter what time I go to sleep or wake up, unless I have a morning appointment (and I am learning to make afternoon appointments, more and more!). But, on the other hand, I really don't like to sleep half the day, either! I am sure I will find a happy medium, one of these days! :D
I never knew that you had to complete so many forms in order to retire. I'm glad you got it all done. Now you can relax and sleep more. :)
ReplyDeleteIt seemed like the paperwork would never end! LOL. But, yes, it is all done and I feel I can relax. :)
DeleteYour pizza looks really good. Did you enjoy it?
ReplyDeleteYes, I did, Live and Learn. I usually eat two slices, but, yesterday, I went back for a 3rd slice, a little later! :D
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