23 replies to this topic

[Mr.Tee]

Removed

[mikefromillinois]

I retired at 58 and was diagnosed at 59.  Insurance has been a big issue for us as we self insure privately.  I still have a way to go to reach Medicare.  I would have kept working (for the insurance) if I had the benefit of a crystal ball.  Oh well.  There is a plus side to retirement, though...

[Yougotafriend]

Can't comment on the financial side since that's based on everybody's individual's needs and situation.
But since I retired 13 years ago I have seen a difference in my health, been able to get sleep and rest I need and less stress did make a big difference on my health
I find it also enables you to take care of yourself better as far as eating and exercise because now you have the time.

[Trey]

If you retire without enough financial security you not be able to sleep for worrying about it, so you will still be tired. 

 

Of course that is tongue-in-cheek, but may be some truth in there somewhere. 

[Gail's]

So glad you asked this question, Mr Tee. I am 62 and have been reading up on application for Medicare. My understanding is that Medicare comes into effect when a person applies for social security disability designation. Even much younger than either of us. In that case, you could then apply to an insurance company for supplemental Medicare insurance which costs far less than carrying total coverage out of pocket insurance.

I would begin the process ASAP. It's a lengthy application process. My husbands case took about 2.5 years to be approved but once approved, you are paid a lump sum for retroactive benefits back to the date of application. Don't be discouraged when/if your application is denied. Approx 25% of people are approved at first request, 50% at 2nd request and 90% at third request. My husbands case was approved at the third appeal level and the resulting retroactive payment was a huge relief of financial pressure. Not to mention the ongoing monthly payments since.

I am waiting to apply for ss disability until I see if this fatigue is due to just starting treatment or will be chronic. Even the thought of walking fast to respond to an urgent patient need is daunting at this point.

Sorry for writing a book here but this is of high interest to me now. Please keep me posted if you decide this is the way to go. I'm interested in your journey.

[Antilogical]

Damn you, Mr.Tee.  Now my husband - a Canadian - is gloating.

[Gail's]

Envious health coverage Mr Tee. I guess I meant to direct my comments to mikefromillinois.

[PhilB]

Hi Mr Tee.  Is there any halfway solution that might be available to you?  I would struggle to do 5 days a week in the office, but have agreed with my employer to do 2 days in the office and 3 days working from home.  I apologise if your job is not one that can be readily done from home such as brain surgeon or lumberjack!

[IGotCML]

I was 44 when I was diagnosed and after a few months on Tasigna I wasn't thinking about retirement but definitely shifting to part time work.  It was for the same reason Mr.Tee, being tough to get through each week.  Waking up every day and getting going would just take a lot of effort and energy.  2 years later it is not as difficult, but my daily energy level or routine is nowhere close to where it was before CML.  The end result is that I don't have a problem performing my work responsibilities, but my quality of life outside work has dropped significantly.

 

I would gladly reduce my income to improve my overall life, but the bottom line is that I need a way to pay for my Tasigna and right now the best option is through the health insurance at my current employer which requires me to be a full time employee.

[hannibellemo]

My husband is retiring in June at 66 and I was thinking of following him when I turn 65 in 2016 although I will probably work one day into 2017 so I can get my vacation for that year.

 

However, now I'm considering retiring in 10 months time because work is becoming no longer fun and I dread Monday mornings. I could retire and COBRA until I turn 65 9 months later. I'm meeting with my IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) rep in June to learn what my options are.

 

If it weren't for insurance needs this would not even be a concern; I'd be gone the same day Steve retires.

 

Good luck to all of us considering these questions.

[Marnie]

Pat, we are on the same wavelength.  I should stay one more year, but it's just not fun any more, so we ran the numbers, and I turned in my retirement paperwork.  I'm not counting down the days yet, but the end of the school year is getting close.  I'm lucky because both my husband and I can stay on my husband's insurance, though we pay the full premium, which is expensive.

 

I figure life's just too short to waste time not enjoying it.  It's important to weigh the cost of living, insurance, medication, etc to be sure that one's retirement income will allow for whatever you want to do, and that your money will last. . .

 

So, Mr. T. . .be sure you do your homework before you make the decision. . .good luck!  I hope it works out for you.

[Gail's]

Hi,
I should have mentioned that I am Canadian and don't have to worry about such things, I have never had to pay a cent for health care or medications for CML, don't mean to gloat but it's true. I do have a life insurance plan through my employer that pays 2.5 times my salary if I pass, which would benefit my family should things go wrong before I retire, but it ends when I retire. It is tough to get through each week and I only for see it getting worse in the next few years. Thank you all for your input.

Does anyone know the process of defecting to canada for their health insurance? To COBRA my health insurance, I would have to give up my house. I'm looking at all kinds of options right now but hopeful I can return to work till 65, although 66.5 would be ideal. 4 more years for the latter. Don't know if I'll make it back at all right now.

[hannibellemo]

Gail,

 

My sister was a professor at UBC for many years and while Canada's healthcare sounds wonderful to us the taxes to cover it are quite high. It's not "free". She developed medullary cancer of the thyroid and came back to the states to Mayo for one procedure because all she could get in Canada was a surgery called a "radical neck". When you read about it it is pure physical mutilation, Mayo offered a modified version which involved removal of the lymph nodes but left the muscular structure intact. You can't always get the procedure you would prefer with national healthcare, nor can you always get it as quickly as you need it.

 

So many times I hear that people would retire if it weren't for the fact that they need insurance. Actually, if I retire I can stay on my insurance until I reach 65 and then I have to take Medicare. It probably isn't much different than COBRA except I don't have to pay a fee. Something else to look into.

 

Steve has gone over the numbers with me umpteen million times and I refuse to be convinced. Intellectually I know he's right, but psychologically I'm convinced my disease will send us to the poor home! 

[Gail's]

I'm sorry for your sister's ordeal and hoping she's feeling better now hannibellemo. To COBRA my current insurance would be $800+ per month out of pocket. To have a supplemental to Medicare policy thru the same company is about $300. Not sure what Medicare premiums are right now but I'm guessing my total cost each month once on Medicare will be around $400. I'm 62.5 years and hope to make it at work till 66.5, best case scenario.

[rcase13]

I can't even imagine a life not having to worry about medical. I've spent $12,000 since October of last year on medical bills. Oh and none of it tax deductible because we apparently make too much...

[hannibellemo]

Mr. Tee,

 

That wasn't meant as a criticism of any national healthcare. Just that we generally tend to see it as free and it isn't. Where we pay insurance companies, those with national healthcare pay the government in the form of taxes.

 

Gail, my sister lived with medullary ca for 25 years. It is also considered to be a "good" cancer in that it is very slow growing. Unfortunately, that slow growth meant chemotherapy wasn't an option. I don't know what treatments are available now, I wonder if there is any targeted therapy used for it now.

[Gail's]

The vitamin D discussion was interesting. Basically, it's believed that adequate levels can shrink tumors or inhibit growth in the first place. @hannibellemo.

[Buzzm1]

As it stands now, the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund is scheduled to run out of money in late 2016, at which time, barring new legislation, benefits will be reduced by approximately 19%, limited by the amount of money coming into the program.

 

Social Security Disability http://bit.ly/1eyXmdv

Trustees Report http://bit.ly/H07s9r

[Kittywatkins]

Well, there goes my chances for winning an appeal going on my third try. If I don't get approved I'm going for the quality of life vs quantity of life. I'm one of those who's had every side effect and not getting any better on sprycel. Moving down to 70mg if I don't get approved. If I have to go back to work and suffer like most are an aging by the minute then I'll handle the way I take this medicine myself. I was falling apart working and on this medicine together. I didn't have the energy to do anything else after work just plop myself on the couch and pray I could get up to the bath and bed. I'm too young to retire but I put in a lot of years working and raising three kids. Now with the news that benefits will be reduced, this may affect they're decision on my appeal. They make you feel like you're making all of my ailments up. Such a shame

[Gail's]

Discouraged today. Saw the onc yesterday. I've had great response to the gleevec, now WBC normal. I feel so sick still. I want to continue on gleevec and ride out the side effects. Felt scolded by the dr. She said most people on cml work full time. I can't imagine driving right now much less the complex fast paced job I have. I'm dizzy, nauseous and tired all the time. Crunched the numbers and I can live but not eat if I retire today. Am finding it discouraging. Anyone else have a long adjustment to the meds? How long?