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by Jeb Brighouse,
GCC Faculty, Retired
Desmond called to ask if I would do an article for the newsletter on the
subject of retirement. Several of you are about to begin this
adventure, and I hope my own experiences may shine some light on the
road ahead.
I was in the group of 16 retirees in 1992. The budget was tight and
the district made us an offer we couldn't refuse. And we didn't refuse
it. I was age 55 and just eligible to retire early. If I had waited
until now to retire my monthly pension check from STRS would have been
bigger.
But the incentive package the district put together was sufficiently
attractive. We also got our medical benefits paid through age 70. I
had already arranged to become eligible for Medicare through payroll
deductions. So, the money and health coverage were taken care of.
Social Security requires 40 quarters of paid participation to be eligible
for the SS pension. I had only 39 quarters, so I needed one more
for SS. This meant I had to earn $780 in one calendar quarter. What is a
senior citizen with no skills who has been unemployed for 10 years
going to do for $780? Of course—use your political connections
and get a good deal through personal favoritism.
We have been community activists here in Echo Park since 1978. The president
of the Chamber of Commerce is among our associates. She and I are
both devoted to Ireland. And she owns the local Domino's Pizza
franchise. So, through connections and favoritism I was able to
work at Domino's for almost four weeks. This is the American way. I made about 1000 pizzas, and did all the
other work from folding boxes to setting out the cheese and pepperoni. I
didn't deliver because those jobs get tips. I was more than twice
the age of the rest of the workers. They all spoke Spanish and were
pleased that I did too. Some of them also spoke various dialects of
Maya. They told me about the fiestas in their home villages in
Oaxaca and Guatemala. I enjoyed the whole pizza experience, learned
a lot, liked the people, and got my 40th quarter.
My STRS check and my SS check are deposited into my account on the first of
every month. We even get a cost-of-living raise from STRS from time
to time. I have received perfect service from them both, no problems at all. My SS application was handled at their
Glendale Office by
a former student.
Retirees have some options. These include: move away or stay
put, teach part-time or make a clean break, pursue another career or
not, and travel or not.
Freedom to make new choices is a great luxury. You'd better do whatever you
want, while you can. There will be no more excuses for missed
opportunities.
We have stayed put. We like it here in the cultural center of the
world. This isn't "out West" or on "the
coast." The Near East is Washington and New York: the Middle
East is Dublin and Berlin; the Far East is Kabul and New Delhi. Others
move to South Carolina, if you can imagine that. Culture shock!
I wanted to be free from a fixed time schedule. So I have not done any
part-time teaching. I loved teaching, I loved my professional
career at GCC, my colleagues and students. But I gave all that to
John Queen and I am very pleased. I have so much to do that I
don't remember how I had time to earn a living. Every day I can
decide when, or if, I want to get up.
My "other career" has been as a community political activist in
Echo Park in the City of Los Angeles. I have done some significant
things. But now it is time to withdraw from activism to create
opportunities for new and younger people. I have paid my dues as a
socially responsible citizen. I don't want to have my time
scheduled by other people's meetings. And the longer you spend as a
political activist the more cynical you become. I've had enough.
Now we can travel. We want to go to Japan. I spent three years
there in the Air Force and I want to share it with Sandy. We want
to use the 5th wheel RV that hasn't seen much use. The Elder Hostel
tours look good.
The downside to retirement is that getting older includes medical problems. I
was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when I retired. Fortunately this can
be controlled through medication. And I had a kidney-stone scare. We
do have good medical coverage through GCC so this isn't a worry.
Will there be enough money? By the time you retire you already have almost
all of the things you need. If you have made some good investments
they will supplement your regular retirement income. We bought rental
properties that are beginning to show increased profit.
Mere things aren't the same as happiness and personal fulfillment. I
suggest that you decide what fulfillment and happiness really amount to,
for yourself.
Your perspective will gradually change. Your long-time friends look much
older than you remember. Sometimes they die. Their children are
older. There isn't enough time left to keep on postponing certain
projects or personal goals. The new faculty members at the Social
Sciences Division parties don't remember me. That's fine, the cycle
of life is in operation. The Social Sciences Division and Glendale
College are flourishing. Their future is assured. My future as
a GCC retiree is also assured. Your future will be too.
As I ride off into the setting sun, I turn and lift my hat to you, and wish
you well. %
Jeb Brighouse,
Professor of Political Science
Glendale Community College
1964-1992
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