Post: #26

(07-19-2017 10:15 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  I'm taking an early retirement, and need some advice. I'm in my late 40s, and I'll be collecting a small government pension. Not as glamorous as the ingenious location independent businesses some of you have created, but it's something I've earned. Not enough to survive on in America, but it's something that could carry me pretty far some places with the wisdom of my fellow Rooshtafarians.

Would love to do Thailand if I can, but they're getting tighter with the visas and I'm not sure if it will work out. I would probably end up teaching English or something to keep a work visa going, at least until I can find something better.

If I can't make it work there, where else would you guys recommend that's easy on the visas for americans, and inexpensive? I love martial arts, would love to stay involved somehow (one of the reasons for Thailand) but at this point in my life, my number one goal is survival and comfort.

Pension "earned", there is no such thing as an earned pension.

Post: #27

Two things about Asia.

Firstly it's not as cheap as some people make it out to be, especially if you want western standards of food and accommodation. Anything thats good quality and imported always costs more than back in the West.

I spend less in parts of Europe than Thailand.

Secondly, how are you going to fill your days? I work online so have a reason to get out of bed and still get bored in Asia after a couple of months. I am into the outdoors but the national parks generally suck compared to the USA, Europe and Australia/NZ. It's too hot and humid to enjoy as well.

I see many older guys just wandering aimlessly around malls all day and then sitting in bars at night. I figure they spend most of their other time online in their apartment. Not much of a life and you can't even own property outright in most of Asia.

I like Asia but I would not want to retire there as there is not much to do outside of what you'd do on vacation e.g drink, shop, eat and sleep. Different for younger guys perhaps, but most of them probably get bored.

Post: #28

(09-03-2017 11:17 AM)soltopia Wrote:  Two things about Asia.

Firstly it's not as cheap as some people make it out to be, especially if you want western standards of food and accommodation. Anything thats good quality and imported always costs more than back in the West.

I spend less in parts of Europe than Thailand.

Secondly, how are you going to fill your days? I work online so have a reason to get out of bed and still get bored in Asia after a couple of months. I am into the outdoors but the national parks generally suck compared to the USA, Europe and Australia/NZ. It's too hot and humid to enjoy as well.

I see many older guys just wandering aimlessly around malls all day and then sitting in bars at night. I figure they spend most of their other time online in their apartment. Not much of a life and you can't even own property outright in most of Asia.

I like Asia but I would not want to retire there as there is not much to do outside of what you'd do on vacation e.g drink, shop, eat and sleep. Different for younger guys perhaps, but most of them probably get bored.

Not really an issue for me, I love martial arts, as long as I can train I'm happy. If I can get a job teaching, I'll be thrilled.

Post: #29

If you're ok with never getting laid then I would recommend Rep. of Georgia. They'll give you a 360 tourism visa that you can reset and opening up a $USD bank account is super easy so far (but they might change this in the future. Other countries like Hong Kong used to be like this but aren't anymore).

I live here and apartment and food prices are laughably low.


Your other option is Mexico which is 180 day tourism visa but it can be reset by a border run. Mexico you will get laid and have access to good healthcare / dental but it's a moderate crime society.

Post: #30

(07-23-2017 04:12 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 03:57 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 03:15 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  If I get the the full "On Duty" injury jackpot, it will be an untaxed pension of around 60K a year. However, they're fighting me on it and I'm not likely to get it, so I'm trying to prepare for the worst. I also have a 10K a year Child Support liability (and my kid genuinely needs it to get by) so I'm trying to figure out a way to survive on a much smaller, taxed, pension. My ex already moved far away, so I'll probably see my son more if I'm financially secure and semi-retired in a foreign country than I am now.

OP, did you hire a lawyer to help you get the 60k/yr pension? I would if I were you.

I have a lawyer, he's the one advising me I'm unlikely to get it. We're certainly going to try, but it's an uphill battle. I'm trying to have a back up plan that will keep me together worst case scenario. Best case scenario won't require nearly as much planning

I don't know the full details of your story but it kind of seems bullshit that a 50 year old (who isn't bed ridden) can get an unlimited pension of $20,000 - $60,000 for life. Where can I sign up for that equivalent of winning a lottery?

No wonder taxes keep going up and up in western countries.

Post: #31

(08-31-2018 02:43 AM)BaatumMania Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 04:12 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 03:57 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 03:15 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  If I get the the full "On Duty" injury jackpot, it will be an untaxed pension of around 60K a year. However, they're fighting me on it and I'm not likely to get it, so I'm trying to prepare for the worst. I also have a 10K a year Child Support liability (and my kid genuinely needs it to get by) so I'm trying to figure out a way to survive on a much smaller, taxed, pension. My ex already moved far away, so I'll probably see my son more if I'm financially secure and semi-retired in a foreign country than I am now.

OP, did you hire a lawyer to help you get the 60k/yr pension? I would if I were you.

I have a lawyer, he's the one advising me I'm unlikely to get it. We're certainly going to try, but it's an uphill battle. I'm trying to have a back up plan that will keep me together worst case scenario. Best case scenario won't require nearly as much planning

I don't know the full details of your story but it kind of seems bullshit that a 50 year old (who isn't bed ridden) can get an unlimited pension of $20,000 - $60,000 for life. Where can I sign up for that equivalent of winning a lottery?

No wonder taxes keep going up and up in western countries.

Certain govt/public service careers deserve that pension. 25-30 years in policing, emergency response, fire fighters, paramedics or military etc., can break a body/mind pretty hard, and it's often a life or death to protect your ass kinda job. A dude at a desk doing a bureaucratic job maybe not so much. Regardless the OP asked for advise not jealous sniping.

Would be good to read an update on this thread from DarkTriad IMO.

Post: #32

I would second Simeon Strangelight's advice.

Eastern Europe is a great option - you'll live like a king (well, middle - upper middle class) solely with a pension of 20-30 thousand dollars yearly. The average salary in my country is about $12000 per annum... anything else you earn brings you upwards. You can be a martial arts teacher and work 10 hours a week, or a security consultant for a large corporation.

Great women, great food, drinks, people. Friendships are more meaningful, men are more manly. Personal safety and risk of revolutions, military juntas, deathsquads, mafia, muggings, etc. are also significantly better than in, say, Asia or South America - I heartily recommend EE over them.

Post: #33

OP, do you have any honorable US military service? If so there is a VA hospital in Manilla, the only one of its kind located overseas. If not, SEA countries still have affordable health care options versus what you're probably looking at in the US.

I too am a bit skeptical - if you have a career ending injury, how do you plan on actively participating in martial arts? Or maybe as a coach it'd be a little less hands on. Would be curious to know your status since your last post.

-------------------

This was as surprising as it was disappointing:

Quote:If you're ok with never getting laid then I would recommend Rep. of Georgia.

Is it that bad, BaatumMania?

As far as affordable locations, Portugal made this list of four countries, the others being Malaysia, Peru and Vietnam. Thanks to an earlier poster about Peru, BTW. Spent 14 weeks and had enough already? Good thing you did not retire there.

Post: #34

(09-02-2018 07:18 PM)SlickyBoy Wrote:  OP, do you have any honorable US military service? If so there is a VA hospital in Manilla, the only one of its kind located overseas. If not, SEA countries still have affordable health care options versus what you're probably looking at in the US.

I too am a bit skeptical - if you have a career ending injury, how do you plan on actively participating in martial arts? Or maybe as a coach it'd be a little less hands on. Would be curious to know your status since your last post.

-------------------

This was as surprising as it was disappointing:

Quote:If you're ok with never getting laid then I would recommend Rep. of Georgia.

Is it that bad, BaatumMania?

As far as affordable locations, Portugal made this list of four countries, the others being Malaysia, Peru and Vietnam. Thanks to an earlier poster about Peru, BTW. Spent 14 weeks and had enough already? Good thing you did not retire there.

Obviously I can't do the same things closing in at 50 that I did at 20, but I've been a gym rat my whole life, have decades of training and experience, with some impressive competition credentials from both my students and myself. Also it's a huge part of my life and the number one thing that makes my life happy and balanced.

I'm not a military vet, so no VA for me, but it turns out we get a cheap, quality medical plan that I'm going to have to keep paying for anyway so my kids are covered. I guess something basic overseas and come back home for "medical tourism"?

I just finished the official retirement process, but I'm stuck in America till December while we continue to do medical evaluations and hearings to determine whether my injuries are line of duty or not, and it will be another 6-8 months before they make a decision, but even the regular pension for my decades of service is better than I thought it was. It's around 40k a year and my Child Support obligations are only around 10 so I'll have 30 to live on. According to some of the guys here, this can carry me in Eastern Europe, so I'll probably do Thailand in the Winter and EE in the Summers.

Does that sound doable to you guys on my budget?

Post: #35

(09-02-2018 07:18 PM)SlickyBoy Wrote:  This was as surprising as it was disappointing:

Quote:If you're ok with never getting laid then I would recommend Rep. of Georgia.

Is it that bad, BaatumMania?

http://adultnomad.com/tbilisi-georgia-city-guide/

Probably 90% of dating blogs about Georgia say it's a conservative hell and most women are not on the market. Maybe a 10% underdog minority insist it's not true but when they admit to the numbers then it still looks bad (if you're spending 3 months unemployed and only getting to screw 2 women as an experienced PUAer then it looks bad compared to how much tail one could pull in Africa, Asia or other areas of Europe).

It's a decent country for making tax free money (unless you're working locally) but for women it's arguably as bad or worse than Turkey. You don't see any international PUAers staying for 3 months in Turkey because they'll be reduced to incel status like a lot of local Turkish men.

Post: #36

(09-02-2018 08:22 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  

(09-02-2018 07:18 PM)SlickyBoy Wrote:  OP, do you have any honorable US military service? If so there is a VA hospital in Manilla, the only one of its kind located overseas. If not, SEA countries still have affordable health care options versus what you're probably looking at in the US.

I too am a bit skeptical - if you have a career ending injury, how do you plan on actively participating in martial arts? Or maybe as a coach it'd be a little less hands on. Would be curious to know your status since your last post.

-------------------

This was as surprising as it was disappointing:

Quote:If you're ok with never getting laid then I would recommend Rep. of Georgia.

Is it that bad, BaatumMania?

As far as affordable locations, Portugal made this list of four countries, the others being Malaysia, Peru and Vietnam. Thanks to an earlier poster about Peru, BTW. Spent 14 weeks and had enough already? Good thing you did not retire there.

Obviously I can't do the same things closing in at 50 that I did at 20, but I've been a gym rat my whole life, have decades of training and experience, with some impressive competition credentials from both my students and myself. Also it's a huge part of my life and the number one thing that makes my life happy and balanced.

I'm not a military vet, so no VA for me, but it turns out we get a cheap, quality medical plan that I'm going to have to keep paying for anyway so my kids are covered. I guess something basic overseas and come back home for "medical tourism"?

I just finished the official retirement process, but I'm stuck in America till December while we continue to do medical evaluations and hearings to determine whether my injuries are line of duty or not, and it will be another 6-8 months before they make a decision, but even the regular pension for my decades of service is better than I thought it was. It's around 40k a year and my Child Support obligations are only around 10 so I'll have 30 to live on. According to some of the guys here, this can carry me in Eastern Europe, so I'll probably do Thailand in the Winter and EE in the Summers.

Does that sound doable to you guys on my budget?

I budgeted $20,000 USD a year for my lifestyle. When I checked my expenses on my internet banking I think I will hit that target.

I bought a Gaming laptop, been eating out everyday at sit down restaurants, Gym pass, prepaid for 4 international flights, Georgia Airbnbs, prepaid 2 months of future hotels / airbnbs in Ukraine / Asia and so on.

So my only expenses left would be November / December housing and buying food from Sept to December 31. I have $4,000 or so for that.

Obviously I spent a fair amount on international plane tickets and even splurged a little (I think I have 4 or 5 nights of $300 - $600 hotels in Asia. Just because I haven't had a non-poverty vacation in years).

Now some things about me: never purchased drugs here nor hired an escort (they charge high prices here).

When you hear about guys spending $30,000+ in Eastern Europe or SEA I am 110% certain there's a fair deal of drugs and prostitutes involved.

Post: #37

Thanks for the update DT. This is an informative thread.

Post: #38

(09-02-2018 08:22 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  I just finished the official retirement process, but I'm stuck in America till December while we continue to do medical evaluations and hearings to determine whether my injuries are line of duty or not, and it will be another 6-8 months before they make a decision, but even the regular pension for my decades of service is better than I thought it was. It's around 40k a year and my Child Support obligations are only around 10 so I'll have 30 to live on. According to some of the guys here, this can carry me in Eastern Europe, so I'll probably do Thailand in the Winter and EE in the Summers.

Does that sound doable to you guys on my budget?

That is QUITE doable in the Phils as well as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam - pretty much all of SEA except for Singapore and HK. Only variable is your lifestyle. I'd keep doing research for now while you wait for your pension question to settle. Also a good time to de-stuff your life through eBay sales or whatever else.

When you're ready, move around and try a few different places - couple of months here, couple weeks there, etc. Then you should have a better idea of where you want to be long term. The guy behind the Life Beyond The Seas youtube channel has pretty much been doing this all over the Phils, living out of a suitcase. He's also coming from a life of not traveling much and now makes up for lost time. If you've already traveled a lot you may want to settle down a bit more; YMMV.

One thing he astutely advises is to not make any major commitments including long leases right off the bat. I'm talking two months, max - no need for that over there. Get your head around the retirement life first - it'll be a bigger change than you think.

I'm going to mention it, even though you don't sound like the needy type at all, but soooo many guys right at retirement age get caught up with the first thing in the Phils that shakes it's ass and it's all downhill from there. With your bankroll, physical fitness and general outlook you are in the top 1% of guys over there - you have all kinds of options beyond description. At least that's how it is in SEA. I don't have enough experience in EE to comment, but financially it sounds like you could manage some locations, and definitely do most of Latin America.

Post: #39

(09-03-2018 10:26 AM)SlickyBoy Wrote:  

(09-02-2018 08:22 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  I just finished the official retirement process, but I'm stuck in America till December while we continue to do medical evaluations and hearings to determine whether my injuries are line of duty or not, and it will be another 6-8 months before they make a decision, but even the regular pension for my decades of service is better than I thought it was. It's around 40k a year and my Child Support obligations are only around 10 so I'll have 30 to live on. According to some of the guys here, this can carry me in Eastern Europe, so I'll probably do Thailand in the Winter and EE in the Summers.

Does that sound doable to you guys on my budget?

That is QUITE doable in the Phils as well as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam - pretty much all of SEA except for Singapore and HK. Only variable is your lifestyle. I'd keep doing research for now while you wait for your pension question to settle. Also a good time to de-stuff your life through eBay sales or whatever else.

When you're ready, move around and try a few different places - couple of months here, couple weeks there, etc. Then you should have a better idea of where you want to be long term. The guy behind the Life Beyond The Seas youtube channel has pretty much been doing this all over the Phils, living out of a suitcase. He's also coming from a life of not traveling much and now makes up for lost time. If you've already traveled a lot you may want to settle down a bit more; YMMV.

One thing he astutely advises is to not make any major commitments including long leases right off the bat. I'm talking two months, max - no need for that over there. Get your head around the retirement life first - it'll be a bigger change than you think.

I'm going to mention it, even though you don't sound like the needy type at all, but soooo many guys right at retirement age get caught up with the first thing in the Phils that shakes it's ass and it's all downhill from there. With your bankroll, physical fitness and general outlook you are in the top 1% of guys over there - you have all kinds of options beyond description. At least that's how it is in SEA. I don't have enough experience in EE to comment, but financially it sounds like you could manage some locations, and definitely do most of Latin America.

Thanks for the advice, sounds really solid. Especially

Quote:Get your head around the retirement life first - it'll be a bigger change than you think.

The reason I'm getting to retire so young is because this is the only job I've ever really had as an adult. And it's the kind of job that's a complete identity and social network all it's own. I have no idea how to do or be anything else. Even the martial arts stuff I always considered an extension of my work.

On paper this all sounds great, but it's a big step to go complete nomad after having only done one thing my entire life. I'm not even a big traveler, was only on this forum because you guys were so knowledgeable about other aspects of life. And a good thing I was, because otherwise I wouldn't have even known this escape hatch existed as a real opportunity. For most ordinary people the adventures you guys have are beyond the pale.

Post: #40

(08-31-2018 02:43 AM)BaatumMania Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 04:12 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 03:57 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 03:15 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  If I get the the full "On Duty" injury jackpot, it will be an untaxed pension of around 60K a year. However, they're fighting me on it and I'm not likely to get it, so I'm trying to prepare for the worst. I also have a 10K a year Child Support liability (and my kid genuinely needs it to get by) so I'm trying to figure out a way to survive on a much smaller, taxed, pension. My ex already moved far away, so I'll probably see my son more if I'm financially secure and semi-retired in a foreign country than I am now.

OP, did you hire a lawyer to help you get the 60k/yr pension? I would if I were you.

I have a lawyer, he's the one advising me I'm unlikely to get it. We're certainly going to try, but it's an uphill battle. I'm trying to have a back up plan that will keep me together worst case scenario. Best case scenario won't require nearly as much planning

I don't know the full details of your story but it kind of seems bullshit that a 50 year old (who isn't bed ridden) can get an unlimited pension of $20,000 - $60,000 for life. Where can I sign up for that equivalent of winning a lottery?

They're few and far between nowadays, but I'll throw up a Data Sheet sometime on some good gov't jobs that still have them. I could have gone at 15 years, the first time I got hurt really bad, and retired VERY young, but I still loved the job back then.

If you genuinely chase criminals really hard, you're almost guaranteed to rack up some significant injuries with the option of large comfortable retirements while you're still young. The legal standard for "Disabled on Duty" is pretty broad for us, and they're pretty good about just letting you walk out the door with money that would carry you very comfortably overseas at a young age as long as it's duty related.

Post: #41

40k is really good for SEA. You will have to put some aside for trips to other places like going back to the US but from all of my travels I never cut and corners and always averaged 3k a month in any SEA or EE country. There is a breaking point where spending a little more money gets you a lifestyle 10x better than scrounging. Most people living on a $1500 budget I've met have had to miss out on lots of things and cut corners even in third world countries. Somewhere in between that and 3k is the breaking point that seperates you from living well and living like a backpacker, obviously it depends on the exact country and the what you enjoy spending money on.

Post: #42

Quote:I too am a bit skeptical - if you have a career ending injury, how do you plan on actively participating in martial arts? Or maybe as a coach it'd be a little less hands on. Would be curious to know your status since your last post.

Actually, there is no requirement for LEO disability pensions to live an inactive life. They are given because the dept. feels you can't perform the duties of a full time officer 24/7. There are plenty of injuries that would get you off the job that wouldn't prevent the receiver from receiving the pension.

[/quote]I have a lawyer, he's the one advising me I'm unlikely to get it. We're certainly going to try, but it's an uphill battle.

Quote:I HOPE he isn't charging you a lot because if the lawyer isn't optimistic then it might not be worth it. They usually push to fight since they get paid regardless if you win or not.

[quote]I'm trying to have a back up plan that will keep me together worst case scenario.

It is called SSD. If you work in a state that you still paid into it you can actually receive SSD by showing them you can't work any other job due to the "alienation and contempt you have in the civilian world" lol. I don't want to give the store away here but LEO , as you said, don't adapt well into civilian jobs and plenty of cases are won by hiring a lawyer(gets %) who specializes in civil service disability. In a large city they win 99% of cases I have heard. If you go this route, however, your freedom will be more limited, so moving away not a good option.

Quote: I also have a 10K a year Child Support liability (and my kid genuinely needs it to get by) so I'm trying to figure out a way to survive on a much smaller, taxed, pension.

That is good that you genuinely think he needs it. If it wasn't the case you could easily go to court and get it reduced to be based on your new pension income amount since it is involuntarily a reduction in income. In addition you are NOW legally disabled according to the state that surveyed you off. It is the same state courts that determine child support(based on Fed formula). You will win!

Quote:The legal standard for "Disabled on Duty" is pretty broad for us, and they're pretty good about just letting you walk out the door with money that would carry you very comfortably overseas at a young age as long as it's duty related.

True and false. They are VERY ready to throw you out the door if it is a non duty related injury but if it is line of duty they fight tooth and nails. That is because of numerous reasons:
1. Better to get you out with the funds being paid by the pension fund while it is a lower amount than risking you getting out with the higher disability amount at a future date.
2. Line of duty disability pensions mean you get your pension contributions back while non line of duty you don't get it back.
In any case pensioning you off frees up budget funds to higher a new officer at half price that will work very hard making arrests/writing,etc. Losing a lazy hair bag (I think you know what I mean by that) being paid from the pension fund is a dream.

Quote:I don't know the full details of your story but it kind of seems bullshit that a 50 year old (who isn't bed ridden) can get an unlimited pension of $20,000 - $60,000 for life. Where can I sign up for that equivalent of winning a lottery?

I assure you it isn't BS . Any large city dept has similar benefits, and certain states are better than others. NYS and Cali have probably the best packages. Cali in terms of %, but NYS in terms of union protections and tax free from state/city taxes. Also in Cali I think they don't pay into SS so they can't collect that in addition but I could be wrong.

Post: #43

(09-04-2018 02:19 PM)jking73 Wrote:  That is good that you genuinely think he needs it. If it wasn't the case you could easily go to court and get it reduced to be based on your new pension income amount since it is involuntarily a reduction in income. In addition you are NOW legally disabled according to the state that surveyed you off. It is the same state courts that determine child support(based on Fed formula). You will win!

What you're saying makes sense....which is why it has nothing to with how Family Court operates. Family Court is separate court that follows (and makes up) their own rules. They don't even have to follow their own precedents, nevermind anyone else's They are notorious for seizing things like Federal Disability benefits that are by Federal Law, not allowed to be taken by divorced spouses. They're on an entirely separate system from the retirement board. There are no easy or guaranteed wins, what I pay is low by the astronomical standards of my state. Based on their previous conduct, it's highly likely they would raise it. Much better risk to just try and live lean for a few years until he's of age. Besides, it's not unreasonable compared to what he needs.

Quote:I HOPE he isn't charging you a lot because if the lawyer isn't optimistic then it might not be worth it. They usually push to fight since they get paid regardless if you win or not

Paid for by my union dues. He's now telling me we'll probably get it, but it will take longer than expected.[/quote]

Post: #44

Quote:I assure you it isn't BS . Any large city dept has similar benefits, and certain states are better than others. NYS and Cali have probably the best packages (while they last...). Cali in terms of %, but NYS in terms of union protections and tax free from state/city taxes. Also in Cali I think they don't pay into SS so they can't collect that in addition but I could be wrong.

I heard the same thing from an older lady who used to be a cop dispatcher in Oakland for ten years back in the 80s-90s. For whatever reason she left it and moved out of state. Years later she's in the shitty position of not having enough service to qualify for the police benefit while also getting much less social security than she would have had she been paying into it.

Sixty three years old and she was driving for Uber and collecting maybe six hundred bucks a month in SS benefits. Just sad, but a worthwhile warning to plan while you can.