I would say retire and start your new career ASAP. I retired a long time ago, but a lot of things are the same. I commuted to flying freight for a year and then commuted to United for a year. I finally got a bid to where I wanted to live. Since the move was farther than domicile to domicile United wanted me to pay for part of the move. I was able to use my AF retirement move and they didn't even charge me for the several thousand pounds I was over weight. I'm now retired and on medicare. Tricare is my secondary insurance which I never understood what a great deal it is. My wife and I are both 69 years old with the usual problems plus she is diabetic. Our medical costs are minimal.