Life is all about change. You make plans, but they have to be flexible. There is little you can count on not to change.

I'm at the tail end of the Baby Boomers. To be honest I've found it to feel like the tail end also.

Those at the beginning are collecting early retirement, retirement and everything in between. I'm at the end so there won't be any left for me. Boo-hoo. Good thing I planned for that.

First Reagan pushed my Social Security age to 67 from 65. Now Maryland!

Maryland has decided that the retirement costs are growing to fast. Baby Boomers are actually retiring and collecting, imagine that. Who could have seen that coming.

Answer, put together a commission to see how they can bring the costs down. Mind you, 3 1/2 years ago my contribution was raised from 2% to 5% of my yearly pay so we could recieve a higher payout. I bet you anything they raise the age of retirement to keep the system solvent. So, first they raise the amount you contribute and then the age. Neat trick!

I am 5 yrs away. By the time the commission presents their finding and suggestions I will be 4 years away. I just know they will grandfather in people 2 or 3 years away. I would miss the date. If the date is changed alot of folks who are eligible will rush to put their paperwork in quickly. That will add more stress to the system. Hiring a 22yr old replacement at 1/3 the pay will mean even less contributions to support the boomers.

If the Union fights it I just might squeeze in. The Union is pretty powerful and I wouldn't need more than a year or two for a grandfather situation.

The funny thing is I knew this was going to happen. I've read reports for years. And math is math. People are getting a 2-4% return and State pension funds are expecting and projecting 7.5-8% returns to fund their pension payouts. Ha-Ha!

What I really wanted was the health insurance. The monthly payout is small.

Oh well, I don't have as much as I want to retire but I have enough if I live simply in a small to medium town or in the country or even a third world country.
I'm kidding, I think.