It's been a while. the VA came through with a 90% disability rating, and I have my pension. I've given up teaching at Bullis School, where I had to pay the outrageous liability insurance. My pension and disability allowed me to do that. I'm still at Bach 2 Rock, and enjoying teaching there. Why should I leave? I'm having a ball.
At this time, I'm not going to consider retiring and drawing Social Security. I'm going to wait until I'm at least 65, when I have to sign up for Medicare. If I wait until I'm 66, I'll only have to pay Medicare Part B for a year out of pocket, until I start drawing Social Security a year later. I am planning on continuing to use the military medical system until I die. It's been good to me. In January, I had a double heart bypass, and I'm doing just fine. Kudos to the great cardiac team at Walter Reed. You guys are the best!
