good morning thread

[zankoku]

VA appointment this afternoon at 1 PM . No food for 4 hours so only had a light breakfast. (bowl of cheerios) at 4:45 AM.

[julix]

good luck Jim, let us know!

[zankoku]

already got a call back. they didn't find any old C Rats or bullet casings. 

They found no abnormalties either.

[julix]

Good news!!!!!!!!!!!Let's celebrate with French Toast!!!

[zankoku]

Had Dr appt today for teh business insurance requirements.  Took all of my blood tests from the VA with me which was good. she is sending me for a blood tests (one vial of blood) and retested in 3 months.

She also told me that i have a heart murmour . Apparently there was a small notation in the records from the cardiologist in 2007 but THEY DIDN"T THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO TELL ME. Ain't that special. Of course it took them three requests for tehm to send teh records to my primary.

[julix]

wow, just wow!!!

[Dawg]

Had Dr appt today for teh business insurance requirements.  Took all of my blood tests from the VA with me which was good. she is sending me for a blood tests (one vial of blood) and retested in 3 months.

She also told me that i have a heart murmour . Apparently there was a small notation in the records from the cardiologist in 2007 but THEY DIDN"T THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO TELL ME. Ain't that special. Of course it took them three requests for tehm to send teh records to my primary.

When you get to be our age, that's not terribly uncommon. A little stiffness in a valve, and it usually doesn't mean anything.

I had a hard-boiled egg for breakfast this morning, with my oatmeal.



I am
Dawg

[julix]

ok, Dawg, if we have to be good then oatmeal it is!

[zankoku]

I have a real problem.

I was give a Voluntary early retirement package yesterday and have 45 days to accept. They will pay 2 weeks for every year that I have been here (25 Years) plus medical, dental and vision for that time.

Two drawbacks.

1. there are 4 eligible and 2 slots. Problem is there is one person who may have senority but is only 57 so if I do accept, there is no guarantee taht I will get it.

2. My wife is 62 and I would need to find insurance to cover her for 2 years. I would plan on using the 50 weeks to find a job that has benefits for at least 2 years until she can go on Medicare. I have Medicare part A plus VA but that doesn't cover her.

Any ideas on how to convince her that I should accept teh package and see what playss out?

[julix]

wow Jim,

I am sorry you have been put in that decesion.  I am not sure what to tell you and i don't want to advise the wrong thing.  These are very important decesions.  I will tell you to look into to COBRA which is a coverage for your work insurance that continues after you leave employment, when John got laid off we went on that until he got his new job.  i believe it can cover 18 months but it can be very expensive.  We were luckly, at the time president obama had a plan that helped lower that cost due to the bad economy, I think it was part of the stimulus plan.  I know in general how people feel about him and I am not his biggest fan either but it helped us so much.  I am not sure if it is still in place or not.  I also know there is private insurance you can buy, again expensive, so look into that.  What happens if you don't take it?

[zankoku]

Have to meet up with HR today to ask some questions and then try and set up an appointment with SS/Medicare to get the answers to some more questions.

the main thing is that do I have to take Medicare part B while I am still covered by my insurance? The brochure I have says I need to sign up for part B when my insurance stops or I am no longer actively employed. Technically I still will be actively employed at my part time job, even though my insurance is not thru them.

If I get the correct answers, I will turn in my acceptance. I do have 45 days to decide. Will also be updating my resume and looking for a job, maybe closer to home and with benefits.

[Dawg]

You do not need to sign up for Medicare Part B if you're covered by other insurance. Mrs. Dawg opted not to since I am still working and we've got decent insurance coverage through my work.

You do have to be careful with early retirement, but it can be a real good deal if you have your ducks in a row. Take a good look at your SS benefits.

One option might be to accept early retirement - the go out and get another job!

Good luck, Jim - and keep us posted!

I am
Dawg

[zankoku]

Thanks Guys.

Dawg, that is what I plan on doing. The biggest issue is the language on the SS/medicare stuff.

WIfe says that since my insurance is with my job and ss says that I need Plan B if insurance stops or not actively employed and that means activevly employed by the company that provides the insurance. So I would need a new job with benefits. If I don't take medicare B at the time, I will pay a 10% penalty every month.

Apparently the fact that I am working part time doesn't cut it. Waiting for a call back by benefits department, my financial advisor and have to contact SS in the morning

[julix]

Good Luck Jim!  It sounds like getting all the answers is key! 

[zankoku]

Just found out some good news.

Only 4 eligible are eligible to retire in my department but only 2 people can retire and it goes by senority. One is 13 days older than me and has been her 30 years.

One is 58 and been her 23 years

I have been her 25 years leaving the question about the 4th who is 57 and has been here longer. Just found out that she had a break in service so since they start from the last hire date, she has only been here 24 days and she feels that she is too young.

Wife wants me to ask if there is a way to extend my insurance  a year and a half longer so she would still be covered. I am sure that the answer is no but I want to keep the peace.

Hopefully this will be the last roadblock.