Conference noted::serp

244.0. "Fifth Anniversary" by RICKS::IVES () Thu May 29 1997 10:32

It seems appropriate to continue this string of SERP anniversary notes, 
even though nobody reads them.  Yes, it's been 5 years since all the happy
retirees left DEC.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, never to be 
repeated.  A suggestion was made at a recent HLO town meeting to provide
an early retirement incentive to entrenched management in hopes of opening 
the ranks and helping retain promising young employees.  It was met with 
howls of laughter and the official response was that we did SERP once and
we won't do it again; we need folks of all ages.  Since then, a steady flow 
of future leaders have gone elsewhere for more opportunity, probably 
including the poor soul who made the suggestion.

My temptation, in the form of Social Security at 62, has come and gone
without a twinge of remorse.  Even though 52% elect to receive early SS
payments at 62, it doesn't make sense if you're still working.  And so, 
after 30 years at DEC and 40 years in engineering, I'll continue to make 
the daily trek to Hudson in hopes of fulfilling the need for "folks of all 
ages."

/dave

P.S. Please excuse my references to DEC.  That was the name of the company 
that hired me and continues to be the stock symbol.

    There are some who still read this notesfile... only to see if there
    are any signs of life in another early retirement program.