‘I’m just so tired of the baloney’: Laid off at 64, stressed, and unprepared for retirement—how do I start planning my next steps?

Hey Moving Diaries, I’m a 64-year-old single woman (turning 65 in July). I’ve been working since I was 14, and I just got laid off. I wasn’t planning on retiring just yet, but now I’m thinking it might be a good idea. My job has always been super stressful, and I’ve been neglecting my health for a while. Plus, dealing with depression and other mental health issues hasn’t been fun, especially with the demands of my career.

Everyone’s always said to wait until I’m 67 to get full Social Security benefits, but honestly, I’m over it. I’m worried about running out of money since I have no family, but the stress is just too much.

I’ve got a small pension coming in (about $700 per month), a decent (but not amazing) 401(k), and whatever I’ll get from Social Security. My current home, which I hate, isn’t anywhere near paid off. I definitely don’t want to retire in Alaska, but I haven’t figured out where I want to go since I thought I had more time to plan. I don’t have any debt except for my house.

Right now, I feel super overwhelmed and don’t even know where to start. I don’t want to waste money on financial planners who try to sell investments; my mom did that after my dad died and lost a ton of money because those guys just churned her accounts into nothing.

Can anyone suggest a good starting point? Maybe a helpful book or website to understand Social Security, Medicare, and retirement planning? And some tips on how to start planning?

I also need advice on downsizing. I have a lot of stuff I’d like to sell so I can move out of state. Craigslist and garage sales aren’t options because there’s a lot of crime here, and I feel vulnerable. Are there services that can sell all your stuff for you? I need to get rid of furniture, books, etc., to simplify my life.

Anything else I should do? I have health insurance, but it’s super expensive—almost $700 per month. I’m clueless about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and need help understanding it. I need good insurance to address my health issues, but maybe I should wait for Medicare? I really don’t know.

As you can see, I’m totally unprepared and have no idea what I’m doing.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please be kind; I know I’m pretty ignorant about all this, but I really thought I had more time to prepare.

Thanks,

Lost in Alaska