Well it's official, in 3 months I'll be a RETIRED geezer

[hobbit709]

I just finished my online application with Social Security

[jobycom]

1. If they give you a gold retirement watch, give it to your nephew.

One watch to bind them all...

[jehop61]

2. Welcome

to our club! You'll be sorry you didn't do it sooner and wonder how you ever had the time to work! Enjoy.

[TexasTowelie]

3. Congrats.

I hope they treat you well until you leave. These days, some employers take advantage of the situation and treat the worker like crap until they exit the building.

[KansDem]

4. What?!! You're going on welfare??!!!

Just kidding...juuuuuust kidding!

Congratulations! It's time to party!!!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

5. Also contact your local

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) office so you'll have a reason to stay busy as a retired person. Congratulations!

[Snake Alchemist]

6. As soon as that happens with me, I'm outta here. nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Congrats, my dear hobbit709!

I hope that you will find retirement to be a better place than you ever imagined!

[shraby]

8. Do something you enjoy doing. You'll have all the time in the world to do it.

[madokie]

9. Welcome to the fold

[mysuzuki2]

10. I retired FROM Social Security last year. I've never been happier.

Now if I could just have figured out how to retire without putting in all those years of work ....

[southernyankeebelle]

11. Congratulations. Come Sep am going to apply for my medicare. I retired early at 62.

[Bigmack]

12. Best job I ever had is this retirement gig....

... busier than I ever thought I'd be.

One small thing, tho. You should have gone in to the SS office. A friend advised me to do it, and I was glad. You make an appointment, and they let you right in. There follows the easiest interview with a government functionary that you will ever have.

They want to make sure you get every last dime coming to you, they tell you how to handle the checks, they get you set up online.... just great.

Friendly people... no sour faces and harried-looking clerks.

It's been described to me that way by others in other states, too.

"I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.".... Remember when Ray-gun mocked government services?

It's real with the SS people.

[RebelOne]

15. I did an interview with a social security person over the phone,

She advised me on everything that you have pointed out. Even to getting my checks electronically posted to my account. No need to go into the SS office.

[CTyankee]

20. I got great service over the phone and I was extremely pleased!

I was skeptical but that SS office really came through for me! I was completely satisfied with the assistance I got.

Since I was still working at the time I called (which was before my office hours in case you are wondering), I would have had to take time off to go the SS office building in my city to do this at an extra expense of time and money for me. Doing this in the privacy of my home on my day off was great! I was a little worried at first but it was terrific. Don't let that stop you from calling and getting your benefits set up over the phone. It wasn't scary like I thought it would be...

[angstlessk]

13. Get my first check next week...put it off so lost a buncha monies for not applying

Early retirement..they will take back $2.00 for every $3.00 I make, but it is still worth it...better then nutin!

[RebelOne]

16. Why would they take back $2.00 for everything $3 you earn?

I applied for social security benefits while I was still working. And they did not take back $2 for everything I earned. But I did have to file taxes for the years I worked, but social security is not taxed. I only had to pay taxes on my salary.

[angstlessk]

21. After I earn $14,900 for the year..they take back $2.00 for every $3.00..sorry I did not convey the

message correctly....

[dogknob]

14. Just don't go out on any "special assignments" with new recruits and you should be fine.

[a kennedy]

17. Hey hey, good for you....and so glad you're going to be getting it...

I'm terribly nervous for the young ones out there....I'll be on lining for mine in July.

[DavidDvorkin]

18. Welcome!

Retirement is the best job I ever had.

[Raven]

19. Welcome! I retired in 2003

and moved to NH...got bored and went back to work in 2007...got pissed and retired again in 2011 and now i'm getting bored again. Enjoy!

[onethatcares]

22. I only have

469 days to go, not that I'm counting but if you want to know how many hours/minutes/ or seconds that is send me a self addressed stamped envelope.

Gaud, I can't wait. Been working since I was about 12 in one thing or the other.

[hobbit709]

23. Update: In 33 days I'll get my first check.

I got a call from Social Security Wed. Morning and since I'm widowed I get the survivor benefits-which is $300/mo more than mine would have been starting on May 23. Bad news is. I could have filed two years ago when I turned 60.