I'm gonna hit official retirement age!

[BrotherBart]

What you have is a future of not worrying about "being in network", referrals and crap like that. And as to the "lots of doctors don't take Medicare", forget about it. Never has happened and they all send you notes reminding you it is time to come back in for a chat/billing. And they will want to send you to every friend they have in the business for tests and treatment.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I too have not yet run into any doctor or hospital that will not accept Medicare.

Also don't forget about Part D. It is not a complete fix but it does help a little.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

Congrats at retirement! I'm not quite to your age yet but I do think about it along with wood burning. I wonder if I'll still have the same enthusiasm and enjoy the work like I do now.

 

[Paulywalnut]

Aging is not for the weak. Keep cutting and splitting to stay in shape.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

wife walked in last month and said 'im officially old' she got her AARP card in the mail, day before her b-day, i guess im " collaterally old as i got one too, but im not 50 yet

 

[fossil]

Wife & I actually were paid-up members of AARP for a couple years some years ago. We talked about what, exactly, our membership payment was doing to enrich our lives. Answer appeared to be "apparently very little, if anything". We dropped our memberships. I still get the"Member Card Enclosed" and the "You're Pre-Approved" BS junk mail from them. Rick

 

[BrotherBart]

Yeah. AARP is pretty much just an insurance sales outfit anymore.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

In one week I will be 59 1/2

That means I can take money out of my IRA with no penalty...well, except current taxes!

Still can't get senior discounts at most places though...

i'd be jealous but then i'd have to be 12 years older to be there, i'll take the 12 years

that said , congrats at getting there , enjoy my friend

 

[Paulywalnut]

They start sending AARP stuff to you when you're 50???? Makes you feel older when you are 65.
It's only a number. Sometimes I feel like I'm in my 20's. Less and Less though. I just keep stackin and splittin.

 

[Woody Stover]

Aging is not for the weak. Keep cutting and splitting to stay in shape.

And in the meantime, look for a firewood dealer that offers a senior discount.

 

[nate379]

Why do they make that so easy but to get a damn card for my CDL (don't ask... they wanted the SS card?!) I had to make a 100 mile trip to Anchorage, wait in line for 3 hours, fill out about 14 forms and then I'd get my card in the mail in 6-8 weeks. Well it's been 3 months and I still don't have it.

I don't know how they could make it any easier...you can apply for Social Security anytime after something like three months before you turn 62, and you'll get your first check a month after your birthday. You do this all online. No visit to anywhere. If then, you are receiving Social Security, a couple months before you turn 65 you'll receive your Medicare card in the mail. You will be automatically enrolled in Part A (in-patient) and Part B (out-patient) unless you opt out of Part B. You'll get Part A premium-free, but pay a premium for Part B, which will be deducted from your Social Security payment each month. I've never been in a Social Security office, and don't imagine I ever will be.

Start here:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

Then go here:

http://www.medicare.gov/index.html?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

[Woody Stover]

Back when my head actually worked this stuff would have been a cake walk. Now....

One thing that will work to my advantage is that I was never all that smart; I've had decades to hone the skills needed to effectively navigate with limited mental resources.

 

[BrotherBart]

Why do they make that so easy but to get a damn card for my CDL (don't ask... they wanted the SS card?!) I had to make a 100 mile trip to Anchorage, wait in line for 3 hours, fill out about 14 forms and then I'd get my card in the mail in 6-8 weeks. Well it's been 3 months and I still don't have it.

Ha. They make you wait sixty-five years for SS. Three months? Pfffttt.