kenny thomas said:
Since I have had 2 colon surgerys and will have a 3rd later this winter I have considered retiring after almost 40 years as a wildland firefighter. I checked into what my retirement pay would be, and what the insurance costs were since I am only 56. What I found out was I cant afford to retire. Insurance and taxes would take 1/2 of what I would get per month. If disabled I could get $120 per month more. Big deal for 40 years of abusing my body and mind.
I have been on 24 hour a day call 5 months of the year with no pay for the on call time. But have to be available within 30 minutes to respond. I always thought that when time came to retire it would be worth all the extra effort I had always been expected to give. Guess not.
Well back to work soon I hope. I would starve if I retire so gotta get back in shape.
Just had to vent. At least I still have a job. Some of the coal areas here have almost 18% unemployment.
Anyone else have the same issues?
Well 7 years later, 2 more stomach surgeries, a knee surgery, and a massive heart attach where they had to shock me back to life, now this week I was potentially exposed to COVID-19. Still working though and they told me to work at home a few days.
Went to clinic today and will go again tomorrow for Virus testing. Negative today. I work all over the south and was potentially exposed working cattle in my own barn. Maybe time to become a hermit until this is over.