TCro'sWorld

I was attending a retirement seminar today, thinking how wonderful it will be when I can relax and enjoy the fruits of my many years in the work world. I've been looking forward to this seminar, as I had a bit of idea how much I could draw from  my pension if I retired next year, and I am excited about leaving this job and going somewhere new.  I had no illusions about the amount that I have in my pension after 25 years in public teaching, I knew it would not be enough to live on,  but I thought "Hey I'll do something else and it'll be a nice cushion."  Well, it seems that I will be working a lot longer than I thought, as I did not factor in some of the things that I have come to take for granted. Such as, the cost of health care per month (which I now receive free as an employee) and the fact I have to pay taxes on the money I have put into retirement. The calculation did not exactly set me at ease the way I thought it would. But, that's not to say I have to do the same job. It was a little depressing to find out that I was not getting the kind of pension that I had hoped for, and that to get the kind I really want for would require me to work 2 more decades...AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN. Well, let me correct that and say I won't be working at the same place for 2 more decades. But, I will be working , at least I could be working for a long, long time. (sigh)

I do feel grateful that I am able to work and have a secure position, especially in this economy, but I was really very surprised at myself or feeling so down about the fact that I really have to keep working so hard for a long time more. This life is tough, and it would be easier if money were not an issue, but it is. So, we keep chugging along and doing our best.  Chug, chug, chug.