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I’ve had April 1 on my calendar since last July. Today is the day I can apply for a July 1 retirement date from my university. It also happens to be the date I can apply for Medicare because of my 65th birthday on Aug. 1.
I knew how to sign up for Medicare and what to do because we just did so for my husband, who turns 65 in May. Last week, I reviewed the materials from the retirement webinars I attended at the university so that I’d be ready to go on April 1. I woke up early, all excited. Made myself get on the Peloton bike for 10 miles or so before settling down at the computer.
Finally, I poured my second cup of coffee and sat down to get it done. The Medicare sign-up went quickly and easily. (I was feeling a bit nervous about what I’ve heard about the SSA website with all the staffing and funding cuts, but it was fine.) After reading through the materials from CalPERS (our retirement system that provides our current medical care), we both applied for Medicare Parts A & B but nothing else yet. CalPERS will coordinate our benefits and we’ll have the same plan we have now. My husband’s already received his Medicare card and his IRMAA statement. We can upload those IRMAA forms to the CalPERS portal to be eligible for partial reimbursement.
I then started the retirement application process but sadly hit a snag. I checked a box saying I had reciprocity with another retirement system (I worked for two different state universities), and that meant that my application was automatically bounced to a manual review process by the local office. I can’t proceed any further until they act on it, which should take 5-7 business days. What a letdown!
I have announcements all ready to go–my Facebook friends, the various university offices that need to know…but I’m going to wait until the application is completely submitted. Among other things, on Facebook I’m going to post a clip from the Eagles concert we went to at Sphere last fall. I love the Eagles. “Desperado” is my go-to karaoke song. “Take It to the Limit” is my absolute favorite. But at this particular stage, the third verse of “Already Gone” has been speaking to me, so I made a video of that part of the live performance and will post it along with my retirement announcement:
Oh, P.S. Today is also my “last first day”–my first day of class for spring quarter, which will be my final one. I’m sure I’ll have some nostalgia.
Well happy to have you join the club. Luckily 14 years ago, when I applied for SS and Medicare all went well with the website. Most importantly congrats and enjoy your new gig.
Congratulations Dana. It sounds be like you have well researched and planned the timing which is a first big step to Retirement. Yes, there may be some bumps in the road but dealing with SSA for Medicare Part B is a relatively painless process. My wife retired from the NYC employees system (NYCERS) a few years ago and their knowledge of coordination of benefits for medical with Medicare is impressive as I’m sure Calpers will be. They were very helpful every step of the way when I retired and we went full Medicare plus her retiree supplemental health coverage almost two years ago.
What is your Peloton screen name so we can ride together on the bike? I’m Luvtoride40 and recently rode my 1,500th ride in the studio. I got a nice shoutout from Jess King. Have you been to PSNY? See you on the bike! 👍🚴♂️
That’s exactly what we’re doing—full Medicare with the supplement.
My Peloton screen name is @DrLefty, and I’d love to ride with you sometime! Congrats on 1500. I’m closing in on 1300 myself.
Funny you ask about PSNY. We’ve booked a trip to NYC for my 65th birthday this summer, and I’m going to try to get into a class(es) there. I did a ride at PSL last summer, so I know the process of signing up for classes and already have the key date on my calendar. If I had a wish list, I’d love to do a ride with Jenn or Denis or Matt, a row with Alex, or a strength class with Callie. We’ll see if I can get anything! 🤞🙏
Hey Dana, when I went to add you, I found I’m already following you on the Peloton leader board. I’m sure we’ve rode together many times as your handle is very Familiar. Ride with you again soon. Brian
Congratulations! It’s great out here. You’ll love it. 🙂
Can’t wait, honestly!
Glad for you, Dana. Chris
Thank you, Chris!
Dana, I hope this next phase of your life rocks as great as Already Gone.
Congratulations!
Great song. Deacon Frey, son of Glenn (RIP), is now singing lead on it for the Eagles.
Congratulations Dana! Looking forward to see you at more Giants games.
🧡🖤⚾️
Thanks, Don! They’re off to a great start!
Congratulations and thank you for all of your posts about retirement preparations which have helped me to think through my own retirement fitness and journey. Good luck on your last few months of teaching!
Thanks so much!
I retired in the Summer of 2024 myself, and I wish you luck with your upcoming decisions. My experience with both Social Security and Medicare websites and offices I’ve visited in person over the last year has been nothing short of exceptional. My personal retirement journey includes my wife who also receives a government pension, and is now able to apply for Social Security with the recent elimination of the WEP and GPO. Compared to the fraud, ineptitude and lack of customer service support that DOGE has highlighted, I’ve found exactly the opposite with all of my interactions with governmental Social Security and Medicare teams. Hopefully you will experience the same.
We have also had excellent service at our local Social Security office after hitting 70 and having to apply. I’ve designed databases throughout my career, and I suspect that those outliers of ages 200 or 300 years old in the Social Security systems are edge cases inserted to test the system when it is set up, not real people. That is standard practice when designing databases to test their robustness.
Congratulations Dana!
I hope you enjoy your retirement as much as I do. And I hope you enjoy it as much as you enjoy your work!
(Is it really “work” when you get so much pleasure out of what you are paid to do?
I could never get over that they paid me for doing what I felt was so much fun!)
Thank you! I really have loved my teaching career. I’m beyond weary of toxic administrators and bureaucracy, but I’ve never gotten tired of teaching or of students. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had.
How exciting for you, Dana! Enjoy those last days with your class and you can look back with fond memories. And opportunities to fill in or be adjunct will surely come your way, should you miss teaching.
Thanks! My first day of class went well. I took a picture of the class for memory’s’ sake. The students seemed surprised but good-natured about it. I’m not telling them until the end of the quarter that this will be my last, so I gave a vague explanation (“for my memories”).
I don’t know if I’ll ever do more paid teaching, but I’m already in a couple of teaching rotations at our church, and I could see doing some volunteer-type teaching, workshops and such. But I did learn how to teach writing classes online as a result of COVID, and there are lots of opportunities to do that should I ever feel the itch.
Best Wishes! Looking forward to reading about new plans and adventures.
Congrats! I did the deed (gave notice of retirement) on Good Friday (it was a good Friday!) 8 years ago! Ironically, my last day of employment was on Bastille Day.
I liked the idea that I was filing for retirement on April Fool’s Day!
Congrats on the big step!
Congratulations Dana. I love your Eagles song reference – it’s might be my favorite Eagle’s song. Keep us informed of the journey.
There will always be snags, but I predict that by this time next year you will be happy in your first year of retirement. Enjoy!
Congratulations Dana! Good luck with formalities.
Excited for your success, Dana. Hoping the transition goes smoothly. Don’t let the snag dampen your spirits. You have so much going for you. All will be well.
Congratulations, Dana! Happy to hear that your Medicare signup went well. Here’s hoping the “manual review” of your retirement application is completed quickly.