Revisiting Retiring Thoughts

Retirement wasn’t an easy decision to make. I worked almost thirty-seven years at the same place and agonized over it for months before I finally chose to call it quits. I made tentative moves to retire six months earlier. So many decisions had to be made. What type of health insurance? How much would it cost? I tried to apply for Veteran’s health care, but I made too much money. Should I find private insurance or because of pre-existing health problems, should I continue under COBRA?

What should I do with my 403 B? When should I apply for my Social Security benefits? How should I select the payments for my retirement pension? It was a frustratingly slow process. If I had a question, I would ask human relations office. They answered my questions, but offered no real guidance.

When you are driving, how do you know what direction to go? Either someone tells you or you have a map.  This was what I was thinking as I went for my exit interview. Near the end of my interview, I was asked if I had any suggestions.

I said, “You now give each new employee months of orientation and shadowing. You give employees who move from one area of the hospital to another and extended orientation period. Why doesn’t the hospital offer a day of “orientation” for employees who are nearing retirement age?

“It would be optional. You could have representatives from the different health care companies, from Social Security office, Veteran’s Affairs, financial planners, legal advisors, retirement communities, activity groups, volunteer organizations, health clubs, etc. The representatives should be able to or schedule appointments for one on one consultation episodes.” I specifically did not include A.A.R.P. They claim to look out for the well-being of the senior citizen population, but whole heartedly supported national health care. I feel they chose national health care so they could make millions by selling supplemental health insurance.

I continued, “If management feels it was important and necessary for each employee to have a thorough orientation at a new position, shouldn’t they feel it’s important to help valued and long time employees make one of the most important choices in the employee’s life? This will be the last orientation class that management would give us. Shouldn’t it be a good one? Shouldn’t the employee leave with a great lasting perception of their employers?”

My interviewer agreed and wrote my comments for others to read.