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#31
Boat Discussion / Re: Propeller has seen better ...
Last post by Godot - February 18, 2026, 09:44:32 PMThere are strategic questions regarding when to retire. A few months can make a real difference. So...airing my financial laundry...
For the past several years I've been working for the US Government. My libertarian nature automatically rebelled against this, but it seems the universe wanted me here. Sometimes sequences of events conspire to place one in unexpected situations. As they say, "Man plans, God laughs."
In September I will just qualify for the MRA+10 pension (Minimum Retirement Age+ten years service, counting my military time) which will cover FEHB (Federal Employee Health Benefit), which I'll be able to keep, for me and my wife, and allow a few dollars of pocket change on top. Health insurance is a big concern for early retirees, and that is a big stressor I don't have to worry about.
I'm a long way from social security. I will be too young (57) to take any penalty free IRA distributions unless I go through the strict IRS rules and complications of SEPP (Substantially Equal Periodic Payments). I'd rather not if I could avoid it. It is an option, however.
I CAN take penalty free distributions from my Thrift Savings Plan (low volatility G-fund) using the Rule of 55. I'll have only been contributing for six years so while it is objectively a substantial amount, it isn't so substantial that I can replace my current income for two full years.
The house is a couple decades away from being paid off. The interest rate on the loan is sub 4%, though, and it costs less monthly than a typical decent one bedroom apartment in the area.
My wife will keep working for the next few years and has her own money. While I could lean on her, I feel that if I make the choice to retire early while she still works, I should maintain my household contributions.
I might choose to wait until April 2027. That will mean working one more winter, but entering retirement at the beginning of nice weather instead of a couple months before the darkness of winter might provide some psychological as well as financial benefits. This also means seven more months of full income (and the ability to squirrel away a few extra shekels), a slightly higher pension, and it will reduce the bridge to 59-1/2 to only 18 months or so which would be much easier to fund. I don't plan to leave in a down market if I can avoid it. There's nothing I can do if it drops right after I leave, of course.
So, September is the earliest possible date to leave without sacrificing my pension and health insurance. April provides some significant financial and perhaps psychological advantages. I am burned out and have already checked out of this job, though, so that seven months might be hard to take. Barring a deep recession or other disaster I cannot see staying past April 2027, no matter what the spreadsheets say.
For the past several years I've been working for the US Government. My libertarian nature automatically rebelled against this, but it seems the universe wanted me here. Sometimes sequences of events conspire to place one in unexpected situations. As they say, "Man plans, God laughs."
In September I will just qualify for the MRA+10 pension (Minimum Retirement Age+ten years service, counting my military time) which will cover FEHB (Federal Employee Health Benefit), which I'll be able to keep, for me and my wife, and allow a few dollars of pocket change on top. Health insurance is a big concern for early retirees, and that is a big stressor I don't have to worry about.
I'm a long way from social security. I will be too young (57) to take any penalty free IRA distributions unless I go through the strict IRS rules and complications of SEPP (Substantially Equal Periodic Payments). I'd rather not if I could avoid it. It is an option, however.
I CAN take penalty free distributions from my Thrift Savings Plan (low volatility G-fund) using the Rule of 55. I'll have only been contributing for six years so while it is objectively a substantial amount, it isn't so substantial that I can replace my current income for two full years.
The house is a couple decades away from being paid off. The interest rate on the loan is sub 4%, though, and it costs less monthly than a typical decent one bedroom apartment in the area.
My wife will keep working for the next few years and has her own money. While I could lean on her, I feel that if I make the choice to retire early while she still works, I should maintain my household contributions.
I might choose to wait until April 2027. That will mean working one more winter, but entering retirement at the beginning of nice weather instead of a couple months before the darkness of winter might provide some psychological as well as financial benefits. This also means seven more months of full income (and the ability to squirrel away a few extra shekels), a slightly higher pension, and it will reduce the bridge to 59-1/2 to only 18 months or so which would be much easier to fund. I don't plan to leave in a down market if I can avoid it. There's nothing I can do if it drops right after I leave, of course.
So, September is the earliest possible date to leave without sacrificing my pension and health insurance. April provides some significant financial and perhaps psychological advantages. I am burned out and have already checked out of this job, though, so that seven months might be hard to take. Barring a deep recession or other disaster I cannot see staying past April 2027, no matter what the spreadsheets say.
#32
Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...
Last post by Frank - February 16, 2026, 08:33:19 AMA pizza party on a remote island complete with live entertainment
Doesn't get much better
Magic moments.....
24ft, 8hp outboard, iPad to navigate and weather
Life need not be complicated
Doesn't get much better
Magic moments.....
24ft, 8hp outboard, iPad to navigate and weather
Life need not be complicated
#33
Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...
Last post by Frank - February 15, 2026, 06:33:31 PMIt seems like it has been windier and colder than normal but the last week and a half or so we managed some beautiful days
Had an awesome sale up to take people to show them turtles in a mangrove area
Was doing hull speed frequently on the way back
Fun stuff when it happens..
Had an awesome sale up to take people to show them turtles in a mangrove area
Was doing hull speed frequently on the way back
Fun stuff when it happens..
#34
Boat Discussion / Re: Propeller has seen better ...
Last post by Frank - February 12, 2026, 12:15:17 PMI saw this today and found it extremely poignant...
One of my favourite old songs explained.....
Don't give up on retirement or boating adventure
https://fb.watch/FdMWRqeSaZ/?fs=e
Kinda goes along with this passage from wanderer...
I had it framed on my desk before retiring to keep it on my mind..
"I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.
What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.
The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.
Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? "
― Sterling Hayden, Wanderer
One of my favourite old songs explained.....
Don't give up on retirement or boating adventure
https://fb.watch/FdMWRqeSaZ/?fs=e
Kinda goes along with this passage from wanderer...
I had it framed on my desk before retiring to keep it on my mind..
"I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.
What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.
The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.
Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? "
― Sterling Hayden, Wanderer
#35
Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...
Last post by Frank - February 11, 2026, 07:01:02 AMThe weather this year has been unsettled compared to most
Multiple high wind days and temperatures that were far below average.
It's not often this Canadian walks around with blue jeans and a hoodie, but it happened a lot this year so far.
Last few days have been very nice, and I'm taking the boat out sailing today to head up Island
Will be nice to have the sails up again
Pictures are of the long dock down in Cherokee sound and sunrise and sunset here.
The picture of the church is taken from my boat anchored in town.
Shallow draft is king here, and no other sailboats typically Iker in where I am as it's only about 3 feet of low tide. Love shallow draft.
Multiple high wind days and temperatures that were far below average.
It's not often this Canadian walks around with blue jeans and a hoodie, but it happened a lot this year so far.
Last few days have been very nice, and I'm taking the boat out sailing today to head up Island
Will be nice to have the sails up again
Pictures are of the long dock down in Cherokee sound and sunrise and sunset here.
The picture of the church is taken from my boat anchored in town.
Shallow draft is king here, and no other sailboats typically Iker in where I am as it's only about 3 feet of low tide. Love shallow draft.
#36
Boat Discussion / Re: Propeller has seen better ...
Last post by Frank - February 11, 2026, 06:41:09 AMQuote from: Godot on February 03, 2026, 09:38:52 PMQuote from: Frank on January 27, 2026, 10:03:48 AMHave you thought about GICs once you retire?What's a GIC?
At least it's guaranteed.....
Adam, I sent a PM
#37
Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...
Last post by Jim_ME - February 06, 2026, 04:44:56 PMQuote from: Frank on January 28, 2026, 08:37:03 PMA few random from the last few days...
Quote from: Frank on January 28, 2026, 08:06:03 PMBeauty is everywhere if you slow down and look...
Lovely Frank!
#38
Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...
Last post by Jim_ME - February 06, 2026, 04:41:11 PMQuote from: Frank on January 21, 2026, 07:43:46 AMLanded late last Wednesday into Green Turtle
Good to see you back there, Frank.
#39
Boat Discussion / Re: Propeller has seen better ...
Last post by wolverine - February 05, 2026, 04:24:07 PM"JUST DO IT".
My plan was to retire at 67. That would have given me 27 years of service and I could draw the maximum SS. Things at work were turning ugly, I got my numbers and decided it was doable, so 2 weeks later I retired. It was unnerving the first 6 months. I had been working since I was 12, but then covid hit and I was glad to be home and not inside that state correctional facility with 2600 infected inmates. That was 7 years ago and now, although my pension is less, I don't regret it. Time is everything.
My plan was to retire at 67. That would have given me 27 years of service and I could draw the maximum SS. Things at work were turning ugly, I got my numbers and decided it was doable, so 2 weeks later I retired. It was unnerving the first 6 months. I had been working since I was 12, but then covid hit and I was glad to be home and not inside that state correctional facility with 2600 infected inmates. That was 7 years ago and now, although my pension is less, I don't regret it. Time is everything.
#40
Boat Discussion / Re: Propeller has seen better ...
Last post by Bob J - February 05, 2026, 02:47:31 PMI think change is a bit scary for all of us. Hopefully you won't regret retiring. Best part is if you don't like it you can always go back to work...