Why not wait to set your retirement date till AFTER the monthly bids come out? Your first check may be delayed a few weeks but you will still get all pay. Even if you tell the co the day before retiring its a six week delay. If you cannot handle that then a little belt tightening might be in order. I DO want to know the answer to your question, Corkscrew. It would be nice if any recent retirees would jump in.