Originally Posted by
Koyote
Ain't that the truth. My annual mileage more than doubled when I semi-retired at 54, and I'm now fully retired this year at 59. It was all possible, in part, because I have a younger working wife who carries me on her health insurance.
Nice. I will be 58 in March. Single. I have good, relatively inexpensive benefits through work, including health, dental and vision. That's a tough nut to give up. Assuming I can make it to 60, I am leaving, health care costs be damned. I can receive a full pension at that point, and I will get an enhanced benefit until I am able to apply for Railroad Retirement at age 62, albeit a reduced RR benefit. One thing I have added to my to-do list this fall/winter is look into what health care would cost on the "open market" and what my RR benefit will be because I really don't want to work anymore. Fortunately, I have no dependents and no debt at this time, and don't expect to have any of either in the future.