Well, that's it

last year

I worked my last shift last night as a nurse. They let me take two days of leave. I asked for the whole week because no one else was on leave this week. At first, my manager said no, not enough people. But there are more people than we have ever had??? Anyway, the next day they gave me two days off. Retirement lunchoen Wednesday for me and another coworker going out later this year and then I outprocess Friday.

Youtubers on Federal retirement weren't kidding when they said to make sure you got all your paperwork in your file. I thought I did, asked questions and then turned my packet in. Nope, paperwork not correct, someone in HR years ago didn't put the correct form for my military time buy back, in my personal file. I spent all last week and this Monday calling and emailing half a dozen people. Friday I went into my local HR and they were clueless, giving me an email they sent out saying I "alleged" to have paid my military time back. I spent the weekend angry/frustration crying. Thinking I was going to have to work longer because of the incompetance of HR, to get it straightened out. No proof and my retirement pay would be almost nothing. They only showed me with 19 years instead of 26. So, I would be docked nearly $100 a month for going before full retirement age, no FERs supplement added to get me to social security age, which is over $900 a month! You have to have at least 20 years.

After going to multiple websites for my leave and earning statements to get proof I had paid it, was only able to access back to 2010. I needed 2003 to 2006. Called Mypay and he explained they didn't have paystubs for before 2008 because it was a different entity that had them. The frustration, stress were getting to me. Finally, while talking to him an email popped up from another HR specialist in Tennessee, saying he had loaded the correct form to my file. Only he didn't. I thought he was blowing me off, lying to me to pass the buck. Emailed him and then called when he didn't answer and left a message. A couple hours later he emailed me with a copy of the form and said he forgot to hit submit.

I checked my personal file to make sure it was there and then sent it to my home email and printed it out. I won't have access to my file after I leave, I don't think.

Now waiting for my counselor to get back to me about an estimate I requested over two weeks ago. They did it but, of course, it was all wrong without the military buy back in it.

Sorry for the rant. I didn't start this post to rant, but that's what it turned into, didn't it? lol.

The stress is nearly gone. My manager just sent me a message saying I need to sign another form. So, will go log in and do that in a minute and check to see if my counselor got back to me. I have to turn in my computer equipment by Friday and then go around or call to process out of different places. Then I will be free. I think I'll still worry that they hadn't gotten my pay right, especially if I don't get an actual estimate back from my counselor. A coworker I spoke to on Sunday told me she left without ever knowing if they got it right. She said no one knew what that military buy back form was so she just hoped they had it somewhere. She had called and asked everyone she knew to ask. Three months after retiring she got her first retirement check and it was right. I can't imagine.

Featured Answer

LynnNM

last year

So sorry about all the mindless, screwed up paperwork! I hope it's ALL made right really soon. But, regardless BIG Congratulations on your retirement!!!! And then, enjoy . . . while trying to remember "what day is this now?" (LOL!)

Comments (52)

Kathsgrdn
Original Author
last year
Maifleur, I will still have access to TSP. no life insurance. My counselor emailed me back saying she would contact me today or tomorrow to discuss my case and that she got my email with my proof of deposit. So, that's good.
eld6161
last year
Never a dull moment. So glad you got it all straightened out.
Kathsgrdn thanked eld6161
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lucillle
last year
I am happy for you that your retirement time has come!
Kathsgrdn thanked lucillle
jrb451
last year
Congratulations!
Kathsgrdn thanked jrb451
sprtphntc7a
last year
What a journey!! :( So happy for you that it seems it is all straightened out! Phew!!!

Enjoy your retirement!!
Kathsgrdn thanked sprtphntc7a
nickel_kg
last year
Yay, free at last! So glad you persisted about your military time buy-back. It was a hassle now but it would have been a bigger hassle to process later.

Enjoy! :-)
Kathsgrdn thanked nickel_kg
OutsidePlaying
last year
So sorry about the HR screw ups. I am of the belief that some HR departments are much better than others. I had no issues at all and my federal retirement went smoothly, as did DH’s. Congrats on getting to the finish line, and I hope all your issues are resolved asap.
Kathsgrdn thanked OutsidePlaying
LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
last year
last modified: last year
Congrats Kath and I hope the speed bumps all get smoothed over very soon so you can enjoy your retirement without worries!

Although I'm still at least 2 years from retirement with the railroad, I've already met with the federal Railroad Retirement Board to get the paperwork underway including providing them with my birth certificate, SS card, as well as filling out some paperwork. I have estimates on what $$ I will receive at retirement dates from 62 through 67 years of age. I will meet with them again when I decide on a date.
Kathsgrdn thanked LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
Ally De
last year
Congratulations!!!!!

I'm so sorry the last few days were filled with stress and chaos. It's unfortunate considering you should have been happy and celebrating! I suppose all is well that ends well, but I would have been stressed out if I were you too.

I'm in a somewhat similar boat as you, in that I am contemplating when enough is enough for me and it's time to pull the plug on my employment. On the good days I'm thinking I'll work another 2 years or so. On the bad days I'm not sure I can make it through the end of any given week. Ha ha. All I know for sure is that I'm much closer to the end of my career than the beginning, and so I watch how people handle these retirement transitions with great interest - and I think, "That will be me someday!" And then I smile. :-)

Congratulations again. Enjoy - because it sounds like you earned it!
Kathsgrdn thanked Ally De
pudgeder
last year
Happy retirement!

Hoping the rest of the process is stress free!
Kathsgrdn thanked pudgeder
sjerin
last year
Many Congratulations! Boy, have you earned it. I'm sorry you have had to work your tail off to make sure all i's are dotted and t's are crossed. I wish you good luck with the counselor and a feeling of relief when you finally take that last walk out the door. Do something really nice for yourself!
Kathsgrdn thanked sjerin
bragu_DSM 5
last year
now, on time is when you get there, AFTER you sleep in ... grats and welcome home
Kathsgrdn thanked bragu_DSM 5
arcy_gw
last year
It's tough to think it's sooo important when we are young but it behooves us all to keep close track of our essential paper work and be sure at the time you have all documentation for when you will want it. I still kick myself for not getting references before I left teaching to raise my kids. My time off was a blink compared to how long it seemed when first starting!! Hind sight!!!
Kathsgrdn thanked arcy_gw
lily316
last year
Now your fun begins leaving all that behind you. Have a wonderful retirement.
Kathsgrdn thanked lily316
nicole___
last year
Retirement luncheon Wednesday ....tomorrow?

So is Friday your last day?
Kathsgrdn thanked nicole___
PattiG(rose)
last year
Here's hoping everything goes well and you enjoy your retirement. I'm sure you will!
Kathsgrdn thanked PattiG(rose)
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
last year
Congratulations, Kathy, and kudos to you for your persistence!
Kathsgrdn thanked raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
Elmer J Fudd
last year
Best wishes, you made it!
Kathsgrdn thanked Elmer J Fudd
Jasdip
last year
Congratulations! I know you've had some health problems in recent years. Here's to a relaxed, stress-free future!
Kathsgrdn thanked Jasdip
User
last year
Enjoy your retirement! Wishing you all the best.
Kathsgrdn thanked User
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
last year
Nicole, yes, they picked tomorrow because it was convenient for some people. I also didn't want to do it on the day (Friday) that I had to take my computer back and turn my keys and i.d. in etc..
salonva
last year
Aren't you so glad this will be behind you ((really soon))?

And, even if they still mess up a few things, it WILL get straightened out.

Enjoy retirement. It's a beautiful thing.
Kathsgrdn thanked salonva
maire_cate
last year
I hope it all comes together so that you don't have to even think about paperwork after your leave. You've worked hard and truly deserve a peaceful, relaxing retirement.
Kathsgrdn thanked maire_cate
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
last year
Well, my counselor fixed an error on my outgoing paperwork this morning and sent me another form to sign. She had me going out with only 10 years of service.

I also woke up to my manager and someone else, who's job title I don't know putting in 12 hours of leave for me on the day after I retire. I told my manager last week that I won't be working for the VA that day and didn't need to take leave. Thought that was straightened out, only to wake up this morning to two emails showing they both submitted and okayed leave for the day after I retire!!!! I don't know how much clearer I could have been LAST WEEK!
User
last year
Retiring sounds like a lot of work!
Kathsgrdn thanked User
schoolhouse_gwagain
last year
Sounds to me like they don't want you to leave, making it all so difficult! ha Congrats you've had a meaningful career and deserve to sit back and relax. Altho I bet you'll be up to something after not too long.
Kathsgrdn thanked schoolhouse_gwagain
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
last year
No, Schoolhouse, they just want to torture me before I go.
nickel_kg
last year
Sounds like they have more experience with people quitting than with people retiring. Hearing your experience I'm grateful my place provided "retirement-ready" classes for people within 5 years.
Kathsgrdn thanked nickel_kg
blfenton
last year
last modified: last year
Oh, the snafu's that computers and humans can collectively create. Sigh.... Here's hoping that it's fixed by the end of today and your first pension cheque arrives on time and is correct. :)

Congratulations!
Kathsgrdn thanked blfenton
Adella Bedella
last year
Enjoy your retirement!
Kathsgrdn thanked Adella Bedella
katlan
last year
I am so happy for you! Congratulations!!
Kathsgrdn thanked katlan
yeonassky
last year
It looks like the road to retirement can be a rocky road. Hopefully things smooth out swiftly. Congratulations and enjoy!
Kathsgrdn thanked yeonassky
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
last year
Seems like it's one of the drawbacks of government work - layers and layers of bureaucracy make for snarls, that's for sure.

And of course the notorious obsolescence of gov't IT systems...
Kathsgrdn thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
OutsidePlaying
last year
SMH, Kathy! I hope you had a nice luncheon today and can put the troubles behind you. Well, that and the seemingly incompetent staff. Good Grief! It almost sounds like you’ve had to shoulder the majority of the retirement work yourself, or might as well have to get it correct.
Kathsgrdn thanked OutsidePlaying
stacey_mb
last year
I'm sure you'll have a big sigh of relief when all this is behind you. Enjoy your retirement!
Kathsgrdn thanked stacey_mb
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
last year
Outsideplaying, yes it was nice seeing everyone after months of working in our own homes. We can chat at work but it's not quite the same.

I do have to correct one of my statements above, I thought they gave me AL for the 14th but it was leave without pay to close out the pay period. I missunderstood the notice I got.

Spent today filling out paperwork and sending it back to my counselor and "signing" off on over 240 notes. 99% of, I shouldn't have had to do, since there was no note for me to sign but I got an alert for and had to go through every single one of them anyway. Anytime someone made an addendum to this one VA system, it auto sent me an alert.

Almost over. Friday going to take my computer equipment back and that will be it.
sealavender
last year
Congratulations! Just 2 more days!
Kathsgrdn thanked sealavender
Zoe 29
last year
Congrats on your retirement. I retired from Federal Government on 1 Jan 22. I didn’t get paid for my unused annual leave until the end of May. I got my first pension check on 1 June for an interim amount. The final amount was finally worked out by 1 Oct. I sure hope your retirement goes smoothly and you don’t have to wait as long.
Kathsgrdn thanked Zoe 29
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
last year
I'm FREE!!!!! A little scary thinking about giving up my salary while driving home from dropping off their computer, keys and PIV card.

Zoe29, I'm hoping I get my leave payment within a month or two. A coworker got hers with her last paycheck but I'm not getting my hopes up. I get my last paycheck next Friday.
stacey_mb
last year
It's a good Friday the 13th for you! Enjoy!
Kathsgrdn thanked stacey_mb
nickel_kg
last year
Happy happy Friday!
Kathsgrdn thanked nickel_kg
girlnamedgalez8a
last year
What a wonderful day, freedom at last!!!
Kathsgrdn thanked girlnamedgalez8a
chisue
last year
Free at last! Let us know if you got more than just your last paycheck today.
Kathsgrdn thanked chisue
happy2b…gw
last year
Oh happy day for Kathy. Congratulations.
Kathsgrdn thanked happy2b…gw
Zoe 29
last year
Kath, my husband got his AL payout two weeks after his last pay check and his first pension check followed two weeks later, then every month like clock work. It’s a long story, but everything about my retirement was a hot mess. It took an inquiry from my senator (thank you Senator Brown) to get them to work my issue and then it seemed to be one problem or mistake after another. I am dreading doing our taxes. They didn’t withhold anything from that vacation payout, so I think that will be a problem. I hope it all goes well for you.
Kathsgrdn thanked Zoe 29
maifleur03
last year
Just a mention about taxes but on my retirement at least OPM takes out so little that I have to have extra taken out or would end up paying, I use the IRS W-2 calculator to provide an estimate for federal withholding although it is not designated for pension.
Kathsgrdn thanked maifleur03
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
last year
last modified: last year
A little scary thinking about giving up my salary while driving home

Oh, I can relate to that! The next day after my last day I kept thinking "What have I done?" and actually cried a bit a few times. But, it wasn't so much about financial anxiety as much as saying goodbye to a long and mostly gratifying career, knowing that it wouldn't be long before my contributions would be forgotten....
Kathsgrdn thanked raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
last year
Maifleur03, I filled out a w-4P form, it was one of the last things I had to do for withholding.
maifleur03
last year
Keep watching each year. I filled out one last year to have an extra amount taken out. Only to have it ignored this month. I have enough federal taken out in other places but the state that was changed may cause problems. As a retiree you have to stay on top of things.
Kathsgrdn thanked maifleur03

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