5 /5 Linda Brown: I visited with Bob for some much needed financial advice and consolidation of all of my various current and past retirement accounts. I provided him with the my packet of documentation from several different company retirement accounts throughout my career. (I actually gave him a pile of crumpled, coffee stained (is that mustard?) outdated paperwork that had accumulated beside my coffee canister from various employers of the past 20 odd years. You know you all have that stack) Let me first say that discussing investments, retirement and savings in general causes me to go into a semi-conscious stupor; my eyes glaze over and I start wondering if I left my oven on, when my passport expires, where my passport IS and generally pondering various superfluous concepts and ideas in my brain. (How DOES a bird sleep at night?). Frankly I would rather have a root canal. He gave me the initial information I needed in an easily digestible manner; was thorough and engaging and answered all my questions and concerns. He listened as I explained my position, my past experiences with financial planning and my concerns should I not be able to work. Nursing is a tricky business after 65. My plan up to that point was to simply keep showing up for work until either my key no longer worked or I noticed my checks had failed to arrive. I am within 5-10 years of retirement, just turned 65 and woke up last Friday morning in a panic thinking “I have no plan, don’t know where my funds are, don’t know how much I have and does anyone really understand annuities?” I am just a hardworking self-supporting RN. I haven’t really ever thought I would have to or need to retire. Just point me in the direction of the coffee pot and the next patient and I’m off! Retirement? What’s that. The retired nurses I have encountered are few and far between and are either in a multi-earner household or were forced to retire due to health concerns (most not ‘comfortably’ retired). I feel very comfortable with my choice and am relieved to get back to the business of patient care while not having to worry about my retirement plan (and secure in the knowledge that I actually have one). Thanks Bob Vasquez. PS sorry about the paperwork Jenga. I can’t promise I’ll do better in the future.
