I got some good news today from my boss' secretary (Kelley). The past two weeks I have been on an emotional roller coaster, hopefully, I'm now in for a much smoother ride.
Kelley called me and told me that she had spoken with our township treasurer and he confirmed to her that I indeed CAN apply for early retirement NOW, and that the township WILL pay for my health benefits for the rest of my life. I thought I had to have 25 years service in AND be 55 year old to qualify to have the benefits package paid for. Come to find out, as long as I had the service time in, it didn't matter how old I was. Guess what, I will be applying for early retirement with an expected date to retire as of January 1, 2006. By then I will have 26 years and 7 months service in.