King County retirement information

Retirees Speak Out

Retiree: Andrea Torland
Home: Kirkland
Former Job: Human Resources
Years since retiring: 6
Life these days: Travel, Working at King County Elections, Chairing my retirement community non-profit organization.

“I’ve always been very busy, but I am just as busy as before I retired, if not more, because I also try to fit in some travel activities.

I belong to the Seattle astronomical society. I have become more active in and am chairman of a small non-profit organization. I also volunteered for a year-long study with Fred Hutchinson Center on breast cancer. Elections called me and asked me to come back and I’ve enjoyed working with the team (on special projects). I’ve always been a really social person.

Since I retired early it’s a long time before social security, so it’s important financially and socially to keep active and be challenged.

Advice? It’s important to plan for your future. Just remember that retirement isn’t like it was for your parents. It’s a completely different world. It could mean something completely different for you.

It’s really important with all of the knowledge and ability you possess that you be able to return some of that to the community. Try to be active and a leader in your community in whatever way you choose.

Join the King County Retired Public Employees Council. We are the watchdog group on your retirement benefits, working to ensure you will have a financially secure future.”

Retiree: Bill Ziegler
Home: South Seattle
Former Job: Solid Waste Facility Operator
Years since retiring: 8
Life these days: Teaching at community colleges, making biodiesel, volunteering

“I did most of the penciling out on my own. I took early retirement and I’m doing fine. But I wish I’d paid closer attention to some things. I wish I’d understood inflation and how quickly it hits your bottom line. Health care, taxes, and utilities all seem to go up faster than my retirement income. Even with Medicare coverage folks still have to pay and supplemental coverage is not getting any cheaper.”

“My advice?
1) Get yourself healthy - before leaving service.
2) Talk to King County retirees as you plan for retirement.
3) Keep your options open – If you had told me before I retired that I would go back to school to get a teacher’s certificate, I would have said you were crazy.”

Retiree: Colleen Boyns
Home: Hawthorne Hills
Former Job: Project Manager, EMS/E-911
Years since retiring: 2.5
Life these days: water color painting, church groups, selling the house/downsizing

“I volunteer at Children’s Hospital and started taking water color classes. We’ve put our house on the market and are downsizing. And I’m also heavily involved with my church.

I participate in a research study on diet and research at the Fred Hutchison Center. I go in 3 days a week and have to exercise. It’s something where I can contribute to the greater good, plus, I’ve lost 35 pounds.”

Advice? “For most retirees, it’s just not knowing where you’re suppose to start. I think folks should think about their emotional preparation. A lot is going to change. Someone gave me a book about how to be prepared. It helps sort through the actual choices you’re going to be faced with. A lot of people don’t think that through.”

“When you come into retirement, often times, you’re just exhausted from all that work. My advice is that it’s OK to have those feelings, to work through them. A little discomfort is to be expected.”

Retiree: Dorothy Kiest
Home: Lynnwood
Former Job: Benefits Administration, BROS
Years since retiring: 2.5

“I wish I’d known that my health would improve greatly after I retired. The year before I retired, I bought a condo and sold my house in Lake Forest Park, and now I miss it. However, selling my house was part of my financial plan. I’ve found advantages to condo living, but I’m looking at it as a transition.

I think the biggest thing is that there’s an adjustment and you don’t know what it’s going to be. It can be good or bad. In my case, it was good because my health improved.

In retirement, it’s not as easy to manage your time. It’s easier to exercise and get your chores done, but it’s easy to procrastinate.

I’ve taken on a complete, new vocation. I’ve become the mother guardian of this Episcopal Franciscan women’s community. I’ve been able to use my organization and management skills. I lived with a monastic community for three to four months and am still working with the sisters to be trained as a spiritual director. When I began public service, it was at the time of Kennedy’s call to public service. This is a natural outgrowth from a life-long interest.

People have choices, and…a tremendous opportunity to exercise those choices. Mine was a continuation of public service, except in a new direction. I’m able to do that because of the preparation and choices I made. “

Advice? “Most importantly: don’t be afraid. There are so many messages of fear. It’s really very doable. We have wonderful tools at the county to help us.”

Retiree: John Chromy
Home: Kent
Former Job: Equipment Operator, Cedar Hills
Years since retiring: 7
Life these days: Volunteering with Catholic Community Services, fishing, snuggling with my wife, having the kids over.

“My wife of 54 years was a stay-at-home mom. She saw to it that we didn’t overspend and it made it easier for me to retire. She originally was worried that when I retired I’d be home and under her feet, but after a month, she bought me a cell phone so she could call and see where I was at.”

“I think we did it just right. We waited and figured out what we had for money – that’s why I retired so late. We waited until she was 65. Now we’re comfortable. My kids still keep coming over and my wife still loves me.”

“Advice? You need to retire with all your bills paid – house, car, credit cards. Big and little stuff. I invested in King County Deferred Comp – that made a world of difference, plus I had an IRA. I think you need about 3 different sources of income – you can’t really do it on one.”

Retiree: Mary Latham
Home: Shoreline
Former Job: Wage and Hour Specialist, Human Resources
Years since retiring: 5
Life these days: supporting my husband, part time work, volunteer church treasurer, support groups, three senior centers, dancing

“The thing I’d wish I’d known before retiring was that our health was going to take a nose-dive – both of us. My husband loves dancing (that’s how we met). He was going to have knee surgery and in the process of preparing for that they found three blocked arteries an infection on his leg. The infection is cleared up but now he’s having bypass surgery. About a year ago he had lung surgery – there was an infection there – so that’s slowed us down and kept us from traveling. When he got better, my Parkinson’s started acting up. I don’t have a tremor but I have stiffness.”

“It was a good thing that I participated in the deferred comp program. I wish I’d started earlier. The compounding is what matters. I started at about 38.”

“Be sure you have some idea of how you’re going to spend your time. If you look around, there are plenty of retirement opportunities. But if your friends still work, it can be hard to see the opportunities.”

Retiree: Wendy Morgan
Home: SeaTac
Former Job: Women’s Program Coordinator, Executive Office
Years since retiring: 5
Life these days: Consulting, synagogue, Highline Botanical Garden board, watching Washington Week in Review every Friday

“I worked with a financial planner in anticipation of retirement and we did a projection of what we thought my bills would be and what my income would be and projected if there would be enough. I think that I didn’t take into account that I am very active and that it costs money to be very active. So, I need to augment my retirement income. “

“I use my time to appreciate my life more than I ever anticipated. Things that took little time before -- because I was in such a hurry – I can now take one and a half times longer, or more. I really appreciate that. I am able to enjoy people around me, see the beauty around me.

I find real moments of joy every day. There is time for me to do a good deed for someone and time for me to actually do something I love doing.”

Benefits and Retirement My Benefits Benefits details Retirement Retirement planning Medical and dental costs Medicare and Social Security Retirement Readiness Tools Retirement plans Deferred compensation VEBA Retirees speak out Contact Information New employee Health and insurance Deferred compensation Flexible spending accounts Leave Administration Other benefits Leaving employment Forms Focus on Employees E-mail us or contact us at: 516 Third Ave. Seattle, WA 98104	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT Focus on Employees News and information for King County employees and their families You're in: Focus on Employees » Benefits and Retirement » Retirement » Retirees speak out print King County retirement information Retirees Speak Out Retiree: Andrea Torland Home: Kirkland Former Job: Human Resources Years since retiring: 6 Life these days: Travel, Working at King County Elections, Chairing my retirement community non-profit organization. “I’ve always been very busy, but I am just as busy as before I retired, if not more, because I also try to fit in some travel activities. I belong to the Seattle astronomical society. I have become more active in and am chairman of a small non-profit organization. I also volunteered for a year-long study with Fred Hutchinson Center on breast cancer. Elections called me and asked me to come back and I’ve enjoyed working with the team (on special projects). I’ve always been a really social person. Since I retired early it’s a long time before social security, so it’s important financially and socially to keep active and be challenged. Advice? It’s important to plan for your future. Just remember that retirement isn’t like it was for your parents. It’s a completely different world. It could mean something completely different for you. It’s really important with all of the knowledge and ability you possess that you be able to return some of that to the community. Try to be active and a leader in your community in whatever way you choose. Join the King County Retired Public Employees Council. We are the watchdog group on your retirement benefits, working to ensure you will have a financially secure future.” Retiree: Bill Ziegler Home: South Seattle Former Job: Solid Waste Facility Operator Years since retiring: 8 Life these days: Teaching at community colleges, making biodiesel, volunteering “I did most of the penciling out on my own. I took early retirement and I’m doing fine. But I wish I’d paid closer attention to some things. I wish I’d understood inflation and how quickly it hits your bottom line. Health care, taxes, and utilities all seem to go up faster than my retirement income. Even with Medicare coverage folks still have to pay and supplemental coverage is not getting any cheaper.” “My advice? 1) Get yourself healthy - before leaving service. 2) Talk to King County retirees as you plan for retirement. 3) Keep your options open – If you had told me before I retired that I would go back to school to get a teacher’s certificate, I would have said you were crazy.” Retiree: Colleen Boyns Home: Hawthorne Hills Former Job: Project Manager, EMS/E-911 Years since retiring: 2.5 Life these days: water color painting, church groups, selling the house/downsizing “I volunteer at Children’s Hospital and started taking water color classes. We’ve put our house on the market and are downsizing. And I’m also heavily involved with my church. I participate in a research study on diet and research at the Fred Hutchison Center. I go in 3 days a week and have to exercise. It’s something where I can contribute to the greater good, plus, I’ve lost 35 pounds.” Advice? “For most retirees, it’s just not knowing where you’re suppose to start. I think folks should think about their emotional preparation. A lot is going to change. Someone gave me a book about how to be prepared. It helps sort through the actual choices you’re going to be faced with. A lot of people don’t think that through.” “When you come into retirement, often times, you’re just exhausted from all that work. My advice is that it’s OK to have those feelings, to work through them. A little discomfort is to be expected.” Retiree: Dorothy Kiest Home: Lynnwood Former Job: Benefits Administration, BROS Years since retiring: 2.5 “I wish I’d known that my health would improve greatly after I retired. The year before I retired, I bought a condo and sold my house in Lake Forest Park, and now I miss it. However, selling my house was part of my financial plan. I’ve found advantages to condo living, but I’m looking at it as a transition. I think the biggest thing is that there’s an adjustment and you don’t know what it’s going to be. It can be good or bad. In my case, it was good because my health improved. In retirement, it’s not as easy to manage your time. It’s easier to exercise and get your chores done, but it’s easy to procrastinate. I’ve taken on a complete, new vocation. I’ve become the mother guardian of this Episcopal Franciscan women’s community. I’ve been able to use my organization and management skills. I lived with a monastic community for three to four months and am still working with the sisters to be trained as a spiritual director. When I began public service, it was at the time of Kennedy’s call to public service. This is a natural outgrowth from a life-long interest. People have choices, and…a tremendous opportunity to exercise those choices. Mine was a continuation of public service, except in a new direction. I’m able to do that because of the preparation and choices I made. “ Advice? “Most importantly: don’t be afraid. There are so many messages of fear. It’s really very doable. We have wonderful tools at the county to help us.” Retiree: John Chromy Home: Kent Former Job: Equipment Operator, Cedar Hills Years since retiring: 7 Life these days: Volunteering with Catholic Community Services, fishing, snuggling with my wife, having the kids over. “My wife of 54 years was a stay-at-home mom. She saw to it that we didn’t overspend and it made it easier for me to retire. She originally was worried that when I retired I’d be home and under her feet, but after a month, she bought me a cell phone so she could call and see where I was at.” “I think we did it just right. We waited and figured out what we had for money – that’s why I retired so late. We waited until she was 65. Now we’re comfortable. My kids still keep coming over and my wife still loves me.” “Advice? You need to retire with all your bills paid – house, car, credit cards. Big and little stuff. I invested in King County Deferred Comp – that made a world of difference, plus I had an IRA. I think you need about 3 different sources of income – you can’t really do it on one.” Retiree: Mary Latham Home: Shoreline Former Job: Wage and Hour Specialist, Human Resources Years since retiring: 5 Life these days: supporting my husband, part time work, volunteer church treasurer, support groups, three senior centers, dancing “The thing I’d wish I’d known before retiring was that our health was going to take a nose-dive – both of us. My husband loves dancing (that’s how we met). He was going to have knee surgery and in the process of preparing for that they found three blocked arteries an infection on his leg. The infection is cleared up but now he’s having bypass surgery. About a year ago he had lung surgery – there was an infection there – so that’s slowed us down and kept us from traveling. When he got better, my Parkinson’s started acting up. I don’t have a tremor but I have stiffness.” “It was a good thing that I participated in the deferred comp program. I wish I’d started earlier. The compounding is what matters. I started at about 38.” “Be sure you have some idea of how you’re going to spend your time. If you look around, there are plenty of retirement opportunities. But if your friends still work, it can be hard to see the opportunities.” Retiree: Wendy Morgan Home: SeaTac Former Job: Women’s Program Coordinator, Executive Office Years since retiring: 5 Life these days: Consulting, synagogue, Highline Botanical Garden board, watching Washington Week in Review every Friday “I worked with a financial planner in anticipation of retirement and we did a projection of what we thought my bills would be and what my income would be and projected if there would be enough. I think that I didn’t take into account that I am very active and that it costs money to be very active. So, I need to augment my retirement income. “ “I use my time to appreciate my life more than I ever anticipated. Things that took little time before -- because I was in such a hurry – I can now take one and a half times longer, or more. I really appreciate that. I am able to enjoy people around me, see the beauty around me. I find real moments of joy every day. There is time for me to do a good deed for someone and time for me to actually do something I love doing.”
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	Updated: May 2, 2008