I am finally fully retired. Got the letter today.

Now to figure out all the stuff that goes with it :), i.e. tricare vs VA etc.

 

Congrats Whichman!

Congratulations  Wichman - hope you get a lot of enjoyment and a full retirement!

Woohoo!  There’s nothing like it.

Good for you, Witchman! The VA...at least in this area... has made some great changes in the last two years. I believe @steven newman uses Tricare. He might be able to give some insight.

Perfect!  Enjoy yourself!

8 hours ago, Wichman3 said:

tricare vs VA etc.

Enjoy!

 

My Mom has Tricare for life (My Dad was retired government). She hasn't paid a medical bill in years. Tricare has covered everything- even Medicare deductible. 

Best be careful. Retirement is tough! You never get a day off!! 

Edited July 6, 20197 yr by hatuffej

Congrats! All the years you worked and looked forward to this time. WOW, the feeling is tremendous!  ENJOY!!

Congratulations but I agree with the above for you will rack your brain trying to stay busy. Now there are 7 Mondays each and every week....

You can throw your comb and watch away, keep your britches un buttoned and do away with all the after shave lotion and go meet the guys down a McDonalds every morning. 

Welcome to the used club.    Medicare vs. Tricare--I would strongly suggest going Tricare.  I will respectfully disagree with Gene regarding VA.  Tricare, you can go to a doctor of your choice and like Lew said, no copays.  It's the best insurance plan the government ever came up with.  Federal employees insurance is not always accepted and the copays can get overwhelming.  I worked for DOD for 31.5 years and had to have the insurance the whole time.  When I retired, I could not afford another insurance, although I had to also purchase Medicare Part B.  So, for about $725 per month for insurance premiums and Medicare premiums, I now rarely pay any copays.  But, so much better than VA.  It may be just our facility, but poor doctors, poor treatment, poor scheduling is not what I desire when I get sick.  If I get sick, the local VA will not see me.  But, I can go to my doctor.  Tricare is the way to go.  Now, you get all this time to carve, turn, make incredible things and amaze all members of the family and neighbors.  If you advertise, be prepared to be requested by neighbors to do projects.  

Have TriCare for life, AND Medicare ( once I turned 65)   what one doesn't cover, the other does....have paid...$28 in the last year.

 

Express Scripts for long term meds?    I'll pass....they charge too much to ship the meds....per med. 

Sounds like Tricare is the way to go. The VA + Medicare has treated me well. Since I live so far from a VA hospital, recent changes have enabled me to see any specialist in my area. I've used only one, a podiatrist, so far. All my daily medications are supplied by the VA. By mail, 90 days worth at a time. I'm elgible for dental and vision care but, don't need either, so far.

Ah crap. As usual I'm not being clear.

I am now fully retired, from the military. I retired in 2004 and was transferred to the retired reserve, where until age 60 I could be called back up, extremely unlikely but possible. I turned 60 last month and just got my letter last thursday; yes, you are now retired; yes, you are authorized retirement pay; yes you are eligible for tricare.

I currently use the VA for my healthcare needs. Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but pretty good and cheap. I'm not sure if I "have" to sign up for tricare or medicare.

I am still trying to recover from complications from surgery in April (developed an abscess  in the surgical site, when septic, ER, three days in the hospital, two weeks off work, home health care for two weeks, wound care clinic for two months... all paid for by the VA.)

My only real issue with the VA is the hospital is a 3 hr drive, each way. There is a local clinic, but the services there are very limited. Yeah, I qualify for community care, but as I told them; I do not have the time, energy, or patience to deal with medical prima donnas who either can't or won't answer their phones.

 

 

Thank you for all your kind replies.

Sounds like you're all set. And, thank you for your years of service.

21 hours ago, Wichman3 said:

 

My only real issue with the VA is the hospital is a 3 hr drive, each way.

 

My buddy in Inkom claims spuds cures everything...?!  Welcome to retirement.  That's the easy part:  hard part, about a year from now, is remember what day of the week it is.

42 minutes ago, PeteM said:

My buddy in Inkom claims spuds cures everything...?!  Welcome to retirement.  That's the easy part:  hard part, about a year from now, is remember what day of the week it is.

Yeah, when I went for my first annual Medicare physical, the doctor asked me the day of week, month, day, and year.  Yipes, I had to think about that one.  Luckily, my daughter's birthday was exactly two weeks earlier and I did some quick math.

If it weren't for the 'net, I'd have no idea of the date or, day of the week. But, I've always been remiss in that respect. Retirement just exacerbated it.