I also learned from flight doc this week that any surgeries within 6 months of retirement have to be "approved"--not sure what this means exactly.

But if anything creates long term DNIF and you have a retirement established there are two things to consider--one good is that they may not have to run the MEB process if normally required for the condition and one bad in that they can elect NOT to bring you back on flying status if your time left doesn't justify it.

Something to consider if you're the typical flyer and holding off on that bad shoulder or knee injury, etc.