Oh damn, it's December......again
Monday, December 2, 2013 by Philly0381 | Discussion: Everything Else
Normally I'm not a big fan of the Holiday season and go around muttering Bah Humbug.
Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, my Birthday (Dec 26th) and New Years it just reminds me of all the time that I spent away from family and friends because of the life paths I choose to take.
This time though I will be able to find some good things to remember.
I've finally been around long enough to become a member of the Double Dippers Club. Now for those of you who don't know what that is you must be receiving benefits from two different government programs. I have been retired from the Air Force since 1988 and receive a monthly retirement check. On the first of October I started receiving Social Security and effective with the first of December I became covered by Medicare.
Now more money coming in monthly is nice but Medicare and VA benefits now mean that I should have no out of the pocket expenses for medical services as long as the services are covered by both.
Two things got me here, my decision to serve 20 years in the military and living to see 65. Now the decision on staying in the military and making it a career was directly related to something my father said to me as I was coming up on being discharged from the Air Force. He wrote me a letter and said just come home, that I wouldn't have to work and that he would take care of everything.
It's all about those life choices we have to make that impact our future.
The key is don't let others make your decisions for you, take control even if it turns out not to be the correct decision or path in life you take, you can adjust.
Reply #2 Monday, December 2, 2013 3:10 PM
That is very moving if you think about it,.Your father must have been very concerned about your safety, sound like a great dad.Live long and stay healthy, even with your new coverage!
Reply #3 Monday, December 2, 2013 3:29 PM
Good for you John! I followed the same path as you almost, except that I am 2 years younger. Retired USAF, VA Disability, Social Security... 
Except when I turn 65, I am not even going to bother enrolling in Medicare. As I understand they take some money out of your Social Security if you enroll. As I have Tricare Insurance and VA Disability, why bother even getting Medicare.
Reply #4 Monday, December 2, 2013 3:29 PM
Yep....if you don't know where you're going....or why you're in that hand basket....at least make sure no-one else is holding the handles...
Reply #6 Monday, December 2, 2013 4:34 PM
Things should end up being a bit easier for you John. Good for you getting to this point of your life. I passed that point several years ago. lol.
Reply #7 Monday, December 2, 2013 5:54 PM
Good for you John! I followed the same path as you almost, except that I am 2 years younger. Retired USAF, VA Disability, Social Security...
Except when I turn 65, I am not even going to bother enrolling in Medicare. As I understand they take some money out of your Social Security if you enroll. As I have Tricare Insurance and VA Disability, why bother even getting Medicare.
LightStar when you get to that point that you are about three months away from your birthday month you will get a letter from Tricare. I have Tricare Prime and with applying for and getting Medicare Part A and Part B you then have Tricare For Life. Once you get approved for Medicare you don't pay premiums to Tricare. Yes they will deduct money per month for Part B from you SS check but it is well worth it. I have no disability so I'm not sure how that factors into it. You can contact Tricare and get the information. Not sure when you turn 65 but it is worth checking into early.
Checking into it doesn't mean you have to enroll, that's a decision you will have to make when the time comes.
Reply #8 Monday, December 2, 2013 9:09 PM
Did not know that stuff John, thanks for the information. I actually only have Tricare Standard, but I am fully covered at the 100% disabled level by the VA, so I probably will not need any Medicare at all unless I find out something different. Be the year 2015 when I will turn 65.
Have a great Holiday Season too!
Reply #10 Monday, December 2, 2013 9:46 PM
Good stuff. My husband is military, his brother is military and my father was military. Soon I'll be joining you double dippers. I be getting ss and will continue working for a few years. As long as I can hold out. I'm looking forward to "I don't care if I work or not" feeling, 'cept I probably will..lol. Working in the meantime to be debt free of all but my mortgage in about 2 and a half years. Then drop my 401k into it and hopefully get to skate financially for how ever long God deems fit!! I'm one of the lucky ones. I fear my kids and grandkids will struggle some, but at least they will NEVER have to worry about a roof over their heads.
Reply #11 Monday, December 2, 2013 10:28 PM
That sounds like a plan delve-miller.
I also agree that the next and future generations are going to have a struggle.
Reply #12 Monday, December 2, 2013 11:14 PM
The key is don't let others make your decisions for you, take control even if it turns out not to be the correct decision or path in life you take, you can adjust.
Very true words there..........I recently had an opportunity to reflect on my years on this planet and I can honestly say I've made some good decisions and some not so good decisions........but it's all lead me in a roundabout way to where I am now...........a good career, happy and healthy with a wonderful family...........and I'm going to working till I'm good damn 90 to pay for it!!!!! 
Reply #13 Tuesday, December 3, 2013 11:31 AM
That is very moving if you think about it,.Your father must have been very concerned about your safety, sound like a great dad.Live long and stay healthy, even with your new coverage!
Not doubt my father had some concerns, I enlisted in the AF in 1968, SE Asia was somewhat of a hot spot at the time. Unfortunately for me I was 22 soon to be 23 years old and knew that he could not very well afford what he offered. When I enlisted at age 18 my father was already on Social Security. Out of that he was paying a mortgage on a house and living expenses for him and mom.
Then there was the age difference. It was decision time and no doubt it was a hard one to make but it put me on the path to where I am now.
EDIT: Now here is an interesting point with all of this, I am on only one prescribed medication which if for cholesterol, yes, just one medication. If you could see the faces and hear the responses when talking with SS and Medicare folks. Somewhere in the conversation the question is always asked "Are you sure?". 
Reply #14 Tuesday, December 3, 2013 11:58 AM
Must have been the year John, I enlisted in 1968 too, I went in 11 days after my 18th birthday! I wish I was took only one med too though!
Reply #15 Monday, December 9, 2013 11:38 AM
I had my first Dr's visit under my Double Dippers status, guess what, no more copay. 
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Reply #1 Monday, December 2, 2013 3:10 PM
Now, go take a nap.