And the Saga Continues...

So now we are about halfway through this class and I don't know if I feel any better about getting older.

Although Social security was enacted to give seniors an income after they retire and Medicare was brought about to give them healthcare in their "golden years" I want to know what's going to be around by the time I retire?!?

I've paid into these two programs all of my working life and if the "experts" are to be believed, by the time I need them, social security is probably not going to be around and Medicare will be so costly I won't even be able to afford it.

So what are my options?? Well, I retired from the military---I intentionally did my 20 years because of the benefits of retirement, the most important of which are my healthcare and pension.

Yes, I will be the first to admit I am fortunate to have access to very good healthcare at a very reasonable price. Which brings up a sore spot for me--many people complain to me because my healthcare is so "cheap." My healthcare may be inexpensive but it is also considered a "payback" to me for serving my country for 20 years with an income most individuals would be hard-pressed to get by on, let alone a family of four.

My pension is nothing to write home about--I certainly can't live on it by itself but it does provide some assurance that at least I can make the house payment every month. AND technically its not a pension--it's "reduced compensation for reduced services." Why? Because I can be recalled to active duty at any moment even though I put my 20 years in and retired. I guess you would say I am "on-call." Permanently.

So I do feel very fortunate to have these two things going for me as I inch closer to those upper age limits. My advice to the younger generation? Plan for your tomorrows while you are living in your today. You won't regret it.