Just my luck...

[justfishin2]

Remember the thread from a while back "When did you retire"? Well, that was me who started it, and I'm sorry to say it ain't gonna happen. I made some comments about how difficult it was to complete all the necessary paperwork just to retire from government employment. Fortunately, I made an error along the way, and in an effort to correct it I had to make some phone calls. One woman who tried to help me obviously did not value her job and basically just blew me off by telling me to "do it online." The next lady, however, not only helped with what I wanted but also found a mistake that they had made in calculating how much I would earn in retirement...several hundreds of dollars a month more than I am entitled to. So, that caused me to rethink my situation and it looked like I'd have to work three more years to earn the amount I need to be safe and comfortable. It also meant I would need another RHD mail Jeep. I hate trying to locate and purchase those. They aren't readily available, and no one wants to discount them as only a few are made each year. I was so looking forward to getting back behind the wheel on the left side. Anyway, I resolved myself to the fact that I would again have monthly payments for 3 years, 3 more winters of my fingers cracked and bleeding and snow up to my...well, you get the picture. I had started marking off the days on the calendar, too. I had just about gotten over having pleasant thoughts about fishing whenever I want and back into the grind of 6 days per week with only Sundays off when I got a letter from the USPS saying that they had made another mistake. I had a brief stint working with the US Forest Service right after college that I had been told would be credited toward my retirement. I actually wrote a check for repayment toward that time soon after I went to full time status. I had also worked 12 years as a sub carrier that I was told I would get partial credit for. When I asked about all of this I was told to produce some documentation of what I had been told and a cancelled check for my contribution. Unfortunately, I went through a divorce about 15 years ago during which most of my important papers mysteriously disappeared. Without any supporting evidence I had no proof of any of this and was denied any credit. Amazingly, someone with some integrity found this and I now have 9 additional months of credit. Not much, but instead of 3 more years I only have 2 years and 3 months. I say all of this to advise anyone who is considering retirement...cover all your bases and start well in advance. Get your finances in order-you can never have too much. If I had done more toward this when I was younger (self-employed) I still could have retired when I planned and avoided this mess. Now, if I could just get all the darn calls wanting me to buy a medicare supplement policy stopped!!!

[Billbob]

hang in there

[RetiredRR]

Bummer for sure. You did however give some very sound advice on getting prepared for retirement. Hang in there, keep a positive attitude and keep looking forward.
Retirement will get here quicker than you realize, then you'll be looking back and wondering where the time went.

[Eager Beaver]

One bit of advise I can offer is when you talk to a live person at SS get their name and extenstion #. When you need to contact SS. Contact that person and it will save a lot of time talking to someone different and them having to go back and research your case #. They will have your case in mind and know what is going on with your case. EB

[Cane Pole]

Don't trust any government agency or any government employee. They know nothing of accountability. They (government) are comfortable about lying or denying.

[justfishin2]

Hmmm, not quite sure about not trusting ANY gov't employee as I am one myself, but I do know what you mean. Those in charge (so to speak) are generally in that position due to incompetence at their former lower level "working" positions and seem to justify their worth by making us underlings pay. I have a real problem with OUR government putting people on the phone lines answering questions when I can't even understand what they are saying...either because of their nationality or because they twist their answer to best fit what the government wants you to hear.

[RetiredRR]

Hmmm, not quite sure about not trusting ANY gov't employee as I am one myself, but I do know what you mean. Those in charge (so to speak) are generally in that position due to incompetence at their former lower level "working" positions and seem to justify their worth by making us underlings pay. I have a real problem with OUR government putting people on the phone lines answering questions when I can't even understand what they are saying...either because of their nationality or because they twist their answer to best fit what the government wants you to hear.

And to think, I understood everything you just said. That incompetence factor is so true in so many different job descriptions. Saw the same thing happen on the Railroad.