The Net You Really Need

     The annual conference of the Georgia Council for Exceptional Children  (CEC) was held last Thursday and Friday. The keynote speaker, Marie Corrigan, addressed the value of seeking and maintaining social relationships in a speech entitled, "The Net You Really Need." She cited some interesting research that suggests that too much time networking on-line may jeopardize our ability to build face-to-face social networks. This struck a chord with me because I see how tempting it would be to let email and blogging substitute for social involvement during my retirement.
     The conference also taught me how important CEC is to maintaining strong professional relationships. With commonality of career (special education) and the traditions and "ways" of a highly structured organization, it is a valuable resource.
      With my first retirement gift in hand, I head into my last month of full-time employment in a public school system.  I intend to use much of this time strengthening, not severing, my ties to the wonderful teachers, paraprofessionals, staff and administrators who comprise my "net."

Retirement Paperwork is Done!

     Yesterday I received a letter from the Teachers' Retirement System. All of my paperwork has been processed and I will receive my first "pension" check on or about April 15th!  My last day of work for my school system will be March 31, 2010.
     My immediate plans are to make plans! I have a number of home improvement projects I want to initiate and some to complete. I also have some tentative work lined up. I am feeling a little more elated each day but I don't know how I will actually feel on the first day I do not have to get up and go to my job.  I have been gainfully employed since the age of 15 (not counting those babysitting jobs) and I want to take stock of what I have contributed. I may also sleep a lot!

Impact of Furloughs on Retirement Income

     Those of us planning to retire under the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Georgia have had questions about the impact of furloughs and other temporary downward salary adjustments on our retirement benefits. The Executive Director of TRS, Jeffrey Ezell, has written a very clear memo addressing the situation. It is posted on the TRS website
http://www.trsga.com/Images/NewsDocs/Furloughs%20and%20TRS%20Earnable%20Compensation_3754/Furloughs_Reporting_Employers_Memo.pdf

This is good news!  I did my application to retire on-line and found the process to be a breeze! I am beginning to get excited about my retirement.