Did anyone encounter resistance from his/her employer about RE?

[MandalayVA]

I work for a huge corporation and my official plan is to retire in 5.5 years at 54.  Since Ginormocorp frequently has its head up its ass about HR matters sometimes I get nervous that when I notify it of my impending retirement (you have to give ninety days notice) HR is going to balk somehow.  I'm vested in both my pension and 401(k) and plan on making it very clear to HR that I'm not touching either until the usual ages, but the whole Ginormocorp-head-up-ass thing concerns me.  Is it a legitimate concern?

[robbyho]

I mean what are they going to do? Get upset? They can't withhold what is rightfully yours.

[matchewed]

Not a legitimate concern IMO. There hasn't been a concrete action they could take that is expressed, just concern. It's like a version of cold feet.

[terran]

Kind of a side point, but since you're planning an 54, you might consider waiting until the year in which you turn 55 (not when you actually turn 55), in which case you WOULD be able to have full access to your 401k without any further hoops to jump through. You have to actually quick that year or later or your stuck with the 59 1/2 age (maybe that's not an issue though).

[mskyle]

This may be ignorance on my part, but is there any reason you even need to tell them you're retiring? Is there any downside to just saying "I'm leaving to pursue new opportunities" (i.e. your standard quitting/resigning) that I'm missing here? Regardless, this is years away! Don't borrow trouble. If you want to worry about something, worry about them laying you off next year.

[Bicycle_B]

I understand your concern.  I have seen situations where once the organization classifies you as about to leave, they automatically classify you as increased risk in their system.  I have seen cases where when you finish a project, they just decide to terminate you early.  Or, regardless of project completion, they "limit risk" by crediting you financially for pending vacation time, but they limit their "risk" by terminating you this week.  So  instead of 90 days, suddenly your retirement date is sooner.

This could be ok, but if I expected to qualify for retirement by working until 90 days from now, it would seem safer to me to work the 90 days and then tell them.  That way, my benefits are locked in.  The worst case is that you are still committed to an additional 3 months.  You have to decide whether the extra safety is worth it.

[burly]

I'm a strong believer in that you owe your company nothing. I work for a big Ginormocorp as well and it is at-will employment for both you and them. I have about 11 years till I'm FI, but I plan on giving 2 weeks and that's it.

[Chrissy]

"Hey, you can't retire!  That's dumb!"

"No you're dumb."

Problem solved.

[Exflyboy]

Hehe...

Boss.. "Why do you want to retire?"

Me.. "cus I can afford it and why wouldn't I want to retire?"

Boss "but you have so much talent, you could have soared at Ginocorp"

Me.. "and I could be dead from stress too"

[Numbers Man]

I'm a strong believer in that you owe your company nothing. I work for a big Ginormocorp as well and it is at-will employment for both you and them.

^ Ditto!

[Catbert]

Kind of a side point, but since you're planning an 54, you might consider waiting until the year in which you turn 55 (not when you actually turn 55), in which case you WOULD be able to have full access to your 401k without any further hoops to jump through. You have to actually quick that year or later or your stuck with the 59 1/2 age (maybe that's not an issue though).

This!  Terran is right.  if you leave before the year you turn 55 or roll it to an IRA with option disappears.  Strongly consider it.

Other than that turn in your notice and don't worry about what HR or your managers think.  You really don't have to explain it to them.

[soccerluvof4]

^+2...your leaving...they cant hold whats rightfully yours. Dont sweat it.

[MandalayVA]

Thanks for the replies, y'all!

The reason I'm leaving at 54 is because my husband, who also works for Ginormocorp, is eleven years older than me and retiring at 65.  Before I found this place I was dreading having to work another eight years (I would have 25 years when I turn 62).  Now I don't have to dread working here that long.