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Default Oct 24, 2021 at 05:28 PM
  #1
I'm thinking about retirement. I could work 20 years or decide to strictly live off disability in 4 years.

I'm leaning towards planning to retire in 4 years and just be disabled. my debts should all be paid off, I need to quit trying to live like a normal person. I'm having a hard time.

maybe I'll rethink it in 4 years, see how I feel. I used to aspire to get off disability. not anymore, my job in my field of study is soooooo demanding. it's really too much for me.

my health is starting to waver, I just want to chill and be at peace. but than I might get bored and try to work for fun. maybe I should do that now, but not quite ready for that yet.

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Default Oct 25, 2021 at 02:32 AM
  #2
Hi Aviza. I hope you enjoy your planning for retirement, and I hope you have an exciting retirement transition!

Here's some thoughts and my own personal reactions to your post, which may or may not help. If it's too much or doesn't help, you can ignore the following. I just thought that some of what I say might shed some light on whether you are ready for retirement.

Going on disability or retirement is tough when you've been working even part-time or attending college. I remember the transition back in the early 2000s from working full-time to becoming homeless and then going on disability about 6 months later (thankfully, the SSDI accepted me right away, which is unusual). I remember feeling bored and without purpose in life - once I found somewhat of stable living conditions, though it took a while from moving from living in my car to living in various roommate situations to finally getting assisted housing. I was able to get off of assisted housing about 15 years later, when I received VA benefits that I didn't know I had.

During my 15 years of disability, I tried to spend 5 of those years self-rehabilitating in college. Initially, I started out part-time and then worked my way up to full-time status. I earned two undergraduate degrees and some awards. I got to volunteer in research labs. I tried my best to work toward the stamina it took for grad school and at least a part-time career in research. But then my health deteriorated over time. Something happens in our 40s and beyond, which doesn't really help our preexisting conditions (mental or physical). I worsened all around and could barely volunteer 5 hours a week in the end. I had no choice but to go from academic life to bedrest and being homebound. It was horrible. It was like forced disability and forced retirement in one. I have enough to live comfortably, but I have no legacy to leave behind. It also happened so quickly that I didn't have time to prepare for a transition, like most people who transition from the workforce into retirement (with hopefully a legacy of good work and a good name for themselves before retirement).

As a disabled person most of my life, I have no real work-based or even volunteer-based legacy to leave behind. My PTSD and DID got in the way of relationships, which is to say that I have no true social capital that would make my legacy attempts worthwhile before or after death. I wanted to make a difference in the world, but instead I became a burden to some and hated by others. If I had an inheritance or substantial money to travel in a pre-pandemic world, I might enjoy doing that - but not alone. I had no one to share any good news or accomplishments with when I received awards as a disabled undergrad student. I graduated nearly alone, with only one friend showing up at my graduation. The other friend was too late. My family never showed.

There's a lot to think about before going on disability or on retirement. The earlier you plan, the better. If you plan for a transition into a new life, that will help you with your mental health. You could keep up the momentum of "work" by finding volunteer opportunities in the future, once you retire and/or go on disability. You can also make a "bucket list" or "legacy list" of things you want to do (such as traveling or sky diving). Maintaining certain friendships and being open to new relationships are key to a successful transition from work life to retired life, IMHO.

I'm still struggling with the desire to rehabilitate, go to grad school, and then work part-time. But I'm now approaching my 50s (I'm in my late-40s), and this pandemic has set me back so much that I don't think I could rehabilitate now. I have so much working against me. So I have to weigh the pros and cons of that. I'm in the opposite situation, and my fear is exactly what you are feeling and describing. I keep telling myself, "If only I had just completed a Master's degree before I became too disabled to rehabilitate." I wanted at least that legacy - to feel somewhat "normal" and self-actualized. My potentials do NOT match my accomplishments or life's history at all. It will forever bother me.

So, if you are ready - you will know that you accomplished what you wanted to in life, that you can always continue contributing to society in some way, and that you can truly enjoy the world for the rest of your life (even if disabled and not full-functioning). For some, the risk of Covid-19 was enough to stop the disabled from working and/or rehabilitating; they've instead decided to simply live off of disability and consider it an "early retirement." For others, career losses meant transitioning to a different field or simply retiring early, even though their legacies weren't fully satisfying. Of course, I'm only speaking about the margins - not the able-bodied or high-functioning disabled who can still work and/or who are willing to risk their lives to continue to work - for whatever reason.

That said, do assess your readiness for the transition into retirement. Also consider your new social routine and social networking. If you prepare well, you might actually find it really healing and enjoyable!
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Default Oct 25, 2021 at 02:46 AM
  #3
Hey @Aviza correct me if I’m wrong but where are you going to have surgery? And were there other financial obligations or something that you recently were taking on? I can’t remember I know that you struggle with certain decisions and The path you want to take in life I don’t know how old you are either. I urge you to consider finding another job or to keep working if you are not closer to retirement age. when you say going on disability do you mean Social Security benefits? The kind you actually get when you reach retirement age? Or are you already disabled and you’re going to apply? Or do you mean SSDI for very very low income people? if you’re not on disability the idea of “going on disability “ sounds like it makes sense but most people get rejected by the way. Most people have to appeal. And some people hire lawyers and not really eat into whatever they are awarded. They’ve gotten much stricter since I applied and I tell you when I did apply years ago it took me 10 months and lots and lots of paperwork. And I just had a review about two years ago and that was crazy. I swear to God they wanted every little paper on me that I’ve ever ever had written. It’s just not that easy. And if you try to retire early you lose a lot of money and benefits. My mom retired and she started using Medicare I don’t know if you know about that but it is so different than Medicaid. She pays more now for medication that she ever has before and she’s two drugs.

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Default Oct 25, 2021 at 04:51 AM
  #4
Aviza is on disability but she continues consistently working part time, demanding jobs, which is very commendable. She considered going full time and giving up disability but that appears to be too difficult to handle. Part time seems to make more sense.

By retiring I think she means to stop working.

Personally, Aviza, I’d suggest you keep your job as long as you can but it’s not that unusual to stop working all together when on disability. Especially if it becomes too much

I’d contact your psychiatrist and case worker and discuss what’s the best option here
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Default Oct 25, 2021 at 05:31 AM
  #5
Quote:
Originally Posted by divine1966 View Post
Aviza is on disability but she continues consistently working part time, demanding jobs, which is very commendable. She considered going full time and giving up disability but that appears to be too difficult to handle. Part time seems to make more sense.

By retiring I think she means to stop working.

Personally, Aviza, I’d suggest you keep your job as long as you can but it’s not that unusual to stop working all together when on disability. Especially if it becomes too much

I’d contact your psychiatrist and case worker and discuss what’s the best option here

Thank you so much for clarifying that @divine1966. I wasn’t sure if she got part-time disability or SSDI or still had to apply. I also don’t know how old a visa is or if she receives assistance with medication. But helping my mom figure things out it’s been very eye-opening. I can’t believe she pays more money when she is making less money it just baffles me. I wouldn’t want her to end up in a similar spot or lose out on a significant amount of money from working for Social Security you know what I mean? I just misunderstood.

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Default Oct 25, 2021 at 08:49 AM
  #6
yeah I'm on Medicare and ssdi. I have some insurance program through the state Medicaid I think. everything is covered. I'm working disabled. I'm looking for something less stressful and demanding. my current job is just too hard.

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Default Oct 25, 2021 at 03:08 PM
  #7
Maybe like you said just look for less stressful job if you can
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