Ok, Now it is my turn...
 

Last week corporate decided to let us know that we are going to be closing. The transition team which is redistributing our product line to other subsidiaries, will start in Jan 2020.
I turn 60 next year and will start receiving my Army pension on top of the DoD pension I am currently collecting.

I just wonder if I should try transferring to one of the subsidiaries that is picking up our product line for a couple more years, or if I should just bag it and retire at 60. My wife and I had planned on 62.

I am curious to the input the PPBT can provide.

Thanks,
Matt

I highly recommend retirement. Especially if you have other interests to indulge in. It sounds like you have a well deserved pension so if finances are secure go for it!

I say transfer and see if you like it, if not, you know what plan B is.

First, thanks for all you did.

The best advice I have read concerning these transitions is to expect change, to make adjustments as you move into retirement or working less than full time.

Goeth with the floweth.

As I have mentioned a few times before, we use retired folks all the time as 1099's in NC. The main reason they want to 1099 is not boredom or money, rather being involved in cool projects with both young and old engineers.

The skill sets are amazing. We have one guy who sold his circuit-board company in Florida for a lot of money...he works maybe 5/6 hours a week, unless he wants to work more, and loves. He is very skilled and has a great sense of humor.

The one piece of advice I got from a good friend of mine, a retired USMC LtCol, that I found invaluable when I retired from the military was to not do anything for at least six weeks, unplug, get some of the go, go, go out of your system before making any decisions on the future.

Best of luck and thanks again!

The part that stinks is that I actually enjoy what I do now. I am the Final Quality inspector for a wide range of military and commercial aerospace instrumentation and mission systems. It really dove tailed nicely into my previous military and DoD experience. Do I follow the ASW to x or instrumentation line to xx, or just say its been a helluva ride ?
I have been at my position for 3.5 years and I am the only person with aviation experience. This has served me very well. I have finally gotten used to the civilian company mentality (at least at work). I think Biosurfer had a good point....transfer and if I don't like it, I already have plan B.

At least there is plenty of time to decide...

If you love what you do and you'd be doing the same thing by transferring, I say transfer. If you're financially able to retire and work keeps you from doing things you'd rather be doing, then hang it up. That's how I'd approach it.

don't ask me, I tried to retire twice and it didn't take.
All I can say is, do what you enjoy. Whether that's work or leisure is up to you.

^^^^ It's your call :)...

Nicely done!

What does transfer mean ? Transfer locally ? Or you have to sell your house and move ? Big difference . Only you and your wife can decide if retiring now vs. two years from now is the right decision . I retired almost a year and a half ago at age 60 .......... I love being retired ! But I do stay very busy ....... too busy actually . My wife is also retired . Good luck with your decision and thanks for your service .

Can’t help ya but greetings from another pelican local to you. Didn’t know of any here except one other guy from Fairport

I just want to say thanks for your service to our country, Matt.

Whatever you decide, you'll be fine, I'm sure.

All the best to you, sir!

Baz

Two words: severance check

They would put you on COBRA also.

Thanks everyone ! I appreciate the input !
To transfer would mean a substantial move, either Indiana or Kansas. I was hoping for something to open up in the UK, but alas it is all staying in the US. At the very least I do not have to make an instant decision. I appreciate everyones thoughts because someone might hit on an area or idea that I hadnt thought of

Indiana and Kansas being the choices seems to make the decision pretty easy. :D

You could live like a KING in Indiana or Kansas. Housing cost is pennies from what I pay in Portland.

LOL...I'm bettin' Skytrooper's name ain't Toto....and he doesn't seem like a racing tire brand either ;)...

Enjoy, congrats, and thanks! Whatever you opt to do...

At a recent retirement dinner for one of the Captains and my station got to talking to several retired guys and they all said they should have done it earlier. Nobody said they should have worked longer....if you can I say do it.

If you can, retire. My wife retired last year and I am soooo jealous (she was 49).

Are any of the new positions in a different location? Like closer to where you want to retire?

Where at in KS?

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 !