So- Have you been reading the news???

And seeing how the Post Office is cutting 7500 jobs???

Well - guess who is one of those 7500.... yep - me.  I knew it was a possibility and figured it would happen.  I even kinda hoped it would... then hoped it wouldn't... but it did.

I have a few options.  One is an early retirement with a $20000 incentive paid over 2 years.  My problem is - is I'm not quite ready financially to retire with the amount they want to give me.  I had it all figured out initially with how much it would be and was ok with it - then realized my math was bad... instead of losing 6% off the amount I'd get at 55, I'd lose 12% - OUCH!  Its 6% off the amount I'd get NOW.... Thats a different of $13000 a year between now and if I retired in 3 years with a full retirement.  I have to keep in mind that the amount I take for retirement has to get me through the next 30 years.  Yea, I can get a job in the interim, but in the long run it doesn't help.  And I DON'T get social security... I'm under the "old" CSRS retirement system (which is good).  I haven't paid into SS since I was 19....  they consider it double dipping anyway and I wouldn't get any anyway...

Another option is to go the "rounds" and see if I'm placed in a job.  If not I can compete for open positions, but most of them are out in Wash DC... not really interested in moving back out there again.  There are some Postmaster positions open around here I can try to go for, but I'm not guraranteed they'll be open for bidding on...  the time frame is very tight...

If I'm not placed by Sept 9th - I lose my job, my health benefts and have NO income...

One last option is a "last ditch effort" early retirement - without incentives - but all the chips have to fall just right and all the i's dotted and t's crossed.  "you can't have turned down a position, etc."  they don't mention if you turn down a job 800 miles away if you're disqualified. 

So its quite a gamble.  Not sure what I'm going to do.  I have to decide by April 25th if I'm going to take the retirement and I'd be retired by May 31st.  So I wait for my "early retirement offer" package to arrive next week and see if the number matches the one in my head....

I have lots of questions to get answered too - making me a BIG list....

Now - on a good note.  When I stress mentally  I want to "stress eat"... but don't because when I'm stressed my restriction is unbelieveably tight!!  Maybe I'll lose these darned 5 lbs afterall - LOL!!

Wow, that's a curveball!  My head is spinning from reading your post.  I don't really have advice to give, but I do have hugs and support headed your way!

 I'm so sorry this is happening to you now.  What a dilemma!  I retired last year at 54, with 32 years of teaching.  What I didn't count on is that even though I was fully vested, I couldn't touch my pension without penalty from IRS because I didn't wait until I was 55.  So far we are managing with me tutoring on the side and except for the money woes I am really enjoying retiring early.  Then again, it was my choice.  I can't imagine how stressful this must be for you with all the other changes going on in your life.  I'm swinging lizards that the right solution will come your way.
Janet

Jody, I'm sorry you got cut...I can understand how hard all the coming decisions can be but remember, when a door closes, a window opens. We just have to trust the parachute sometimes on the way down.

Back in 2007, my husband was employed by Detroit Edison at Fermi. DTE decided to cut costs and to do that, they did a round of early retirements/and buyouts. That was before they did layoffs. My husband was last one hired in his section. He KNEW he would be the first one laid off if the layoff**** the section he was in so we did a LOT of talking and thinking and then he went in and asked about participating in the buy out. Once they made it official, he turned in his application and we waited...and waited.

He was approved. And we got the buy out...and then went thru almost 6 months of under/unemployment before he got another job. I say underemployment because during that time he did have one contract job for 5 weeks.

He landed with GE which was one of the BEST things that could have happened to us. But WE had to trust ourselves and take the window seeing the door closing.

You'll be okay, just sit down and look at all sides after you get as much information as HR can give you. I know it's not much time but things will work out as it's suppose to.

Liz

Jody, I am so sorry that this is happening to you. It is so frustrating to have worked and planned for so many years, only to have the rug pulled out from under you. Lots of (((HUGS))). Not one of us can read the future and you have to make a decision that will affect you for the rest of your life. Darn!!!!

Gail

Oh my gosh, how stressful that must be! I hope that an opportunity comes to you at just the right time to help you with your decision.

 When ATT broke up my Mother got offered  an early retirement package  and  jumped at it ...  sometimes they are  far better  than U expect .   

She and my Dad  had a great time sailing  in Europe for  about five more years than they ever expected to ...  so  don't worry  until U actually  SEE  it ....but DO keep  running those  sugarplums (  numbers )  thru Ur head  ..... 

Something will pop up I think that will  lead U to what U  Really  want ...   big hugs  Jody 

Prayers going up for you tonight. So sorry you're struggling with this right now. There is never a good time for layoffs. 

I wish you all the best as you enter this new journey.

Hugs, 

WOW...look at you!!!   You look Awesome!!!

Jody, I'm sending hugs and prayers your way!  Can't imagine having to make such a decision!

I'm a "safe" girl so I would probably take the early retirement and supplement with a low stress job (my dream job would be a bookstore!).

I pray God leads you to the right situation for you!  Best wishes!!