Retire (or semi). Thank you for your service, Sir.

If all goes well, you can have a good run to 75. After that, generally you can expect to slowly but surely become a geriatric. Look at our board members. How many post past 75, and if they do, what are their activities?

I have seen many friends and family - guys - take the trip from 55 to 75 and it is profound how fast you go from being able to do anything at 55 to geriatric at 75. Working longer will only accelerate - don't underestimate the job taking away from your ability to get enough sleep, exercise and eat right.

Congrats!

G

I am also on an early retiremnet forum where the question was asked "Did you retire too early" with several options in the poll. The OVERWHELMING results were that they should have retired earlier than what they did, and most of these folks were younger than you.

Manhattan, west of Topeka.

We have a son who lives in Albuquerque, and our daughter lives in Alexandria, Va. We have been tossing around Tennessee and Albuquerque as places to retire in a couple years. So a move is part of the plan regardless of choice, situation. If I decided to go to the Indiana subsidiary, we would be west of Fort Wayne. It is much less expensive there than NY could ever hope of being.

My advice is talk to a financial planner. If you don't have one, ask friends or associates for recommendations. Hopefully you've got another 25+ years to live on your pensions & SS. Plan accordingly.

Matt, here's a thought: If your military pension is tax exempt in NY State (I think it might be) and you are also getting the STAR real estate tax relief on your main residence, it might make staying in NY not too bad if you decide to retire. Stay there, keep your life there, skip relocating for only 2 years. YMMV

And you work in aerospace? I’m not aware of any aerospace companies in Manhattan, and I work in aerospace and grew up in Manhattan.

Manhattan is actually a cool little college town. That section of KS isn’t as barren as you think, it’s actually fairly hilly with lots of trees. Kansas State University is in Manhattan which elevates it above your typical small midwestern town. You get the convenience of a small town but the amenities of a much larger one. With the college you also get sports options, arts, museums, etc. I’m not saying it’s NYC but it’s not a sleepy little bumpkin type town either. Kansas City is also only 2 hours away if you want big city. Biggest downside is that the cost of living, while cheap, isn’t as cheap as many other places in KS.

The first 20+ years of our marriage, my wife and I rode the corporate relocation train. One of the stops was 30 miles west of Ft. Wayne in Warsaw. It is the only town we ever lived in where within 90 days of arriving we were planning our exit.

My brother lives in one of the larger Nashville suburbs. Really nice out there, as is most of the state. And no state income tax. I have been through Albuquerque several times, liked it, but don't know enough to comment.

But no matter what, get out of the snow belt and enjoy all 12 months of the year. :)

Manhattan did not look too bad to us, and it would be much closer to ABQ than we are now ! Kansas gets flatter and more barren as you head west towards Colorado. I have travelled that route many times in the past.
There is a company there that will be absorbing and manufacturing 4 of our product lines. It is still under the same global corporation.

Yes, those 2 issues are true. Unfortunately, my combined taxes (state, county, town and school) even with No tax on pension, STAR deduction, and Combat vet deduction... add up to 6k. Where by in Tennessee it would be @ 1k for the same or comparable house & acreage. Indiana looks to be close to the same as Tenn. and I haven't done enough research yet on Kansas.

After just moving from California to Washington to semi-retire, I think it boils down to a couple of things. First, are you living in your "forever" place? If so, and you are financially able to do so, then retire. If you have no qualms about moving, I would continue to work at one of the subsidiaries, and see where the adventure takes you.

And, echoing the comments of many others, THANK YOU for your service. You have my gratitude forever.

What was it about Warsaw that you didn't like ? I am looking at the Columbia City area.

It started snowing the Saturday after Thanksgiving, as we were moving in. Did not see my yard again until April. Culture shock coming from NC to the mid-west. Bridge and bowling were considered exercise in the winter months. Lake was so cold when I jumped in over the 4th of July, it knocked the breath out of me. Burger Barn was fine dining.

Professionally, it may have been the best job I would have. But the total cost on the family was too great. Took a job in Dallas and never once looked back.

YMMV

Manhattan KS has Fort Riley, means a PX.

Ah...a darn good point ! It is probably much closer than the one available to me now in Ft Drum (3+ hour drive)

Yeah, it’s about 20 min.

I'm from Columbia City/Churubusco....I now live in Indy. My folks still have their farm there. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Brother-in-Arms, retire if you can. Nobody has an expiration date stamped on the bottom of thier foot. I'm 18 months from starting transitional retirement leave (I'll be 52). Can't wait, have not regretted the decision. I'm going to do what my mom always told me to do, "go outside and play." I think the signs are pointing you in that direction, this may be an opportunity to grab onto.

If you have 2 pensions ready to start (and I assume some other investments in place), I see no reason to go forward with the stress involved of moving to a different location, and acclimating to new personel.

Retire, and never look back. It might be a bit thin for a few years until SS, and then Medicare will start, but well worth it in my mind.

Thank you, I definitely want to pick your brain on the area !