The Foreign Service Journal, May 2016

the Foreign Service journal | may 2016 23 With any luck, you will spend longer in retirement than you did in your working career. Health Insurance. As long as you are enrolled in a federal health insurance plan for the five years prior to retirement, you may keep that coverage after retirement. The government will continue to pay its portion of the premium just as it does while you are employed. Take Charge of Your Retirement With any luck, you will spend longer in retirement than you did in your working career. To prepare for that crucial transition, review online guidance like what the Office of Retirement offers at https://RNet.state.gov. Pay special attention to guidance on steps to take from one to five years before retirement to ensure that your final retirement processing goes smoothly. And during your career, please make time to take the Foreign Service Institute’s excellent retirement planning courses: the two-day Mid-Career Retirement Planning Seminar, when you are more than 10 years from retirement eligibility, and the four- day Retirement Planning Seminar within 10 years of retirement. Once you do retire, maintain your AFSA membership to sup- port the association’s efforts to protect your hard-earned Foreign Service retirement benefits from potential future cuts. Live Long and Prosper This article has focused on the financial aspects of retirement, because that is what most pre-retirees consider to be the key to a happy retirement. By contrast, surveys of current retirees show that they consider health care to be the most important factor. After all, having lots of money can only do so much for someone who is in chronically poor health. Obviously, little can be done about genetics or bad luck with accidents and diseases, but steps such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, keeping fit and not smoking are keys to a longer, healthier retirement. Here’s wishing you a happy retirement! n