Retirement delayed and broke anyway

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

72. Oh, yes. The PBGC automatically contacts everyone getting the pension.

I should have made myself more clear.

I do get a small ($172/month) pension through the PBGC.


It ought to be a bit more than $600/month. Luckily for me, since I worked at that company at the beginning of my work life, I never expected more than a hundred dollars a month. So it's actually more than I'd anticipated. The ones who are truly screwed are the ones who worked 30 or 35 years, assumed the pension would be a significant part of their retirement and then WHAM! Only getting a fraction.

This is why when people complain about 401k plans, I point out that (so long as you don't make or are forced into truly stupid investing decisions) that money remains yours, no matter what.

I am fortunate that I have several other sources of income. And because I've been relatively poor at various times in my life and have never been accustomed to living large, it's not hard for me to live frugally. I do have enough to do various things that matter to me, such as attending my science-fiction things, going out with friends every other week or so.

I really should not complain. Yes, that additional $500 or so would be nice, but it's not the difference between paying my rent or paying the electric bill. It's more like, I'd travel more with that money. It's a loss of luxury money, not necessary money.

I do understand how fortunate I am.