Al Milspaugh first came to Alaska while serving in the Air Force; he relocated from the Pentagon to Elmendorf Air Force Base in 1980. Although Al retired from his military career in 1985, he stayed in Alaska and began working for the State. Al retired from the State in 2007 and remained in Anchorage, where he lives today.

Al began his career with the State as a PC Technician for the Alaska State Troopers and later worked as a Case Manager for the Attorney General’s Office. He was working as an Educational Adviser for Alaska Student Loans when he retired from the State in 2007. Al says that his work with the State exposed him to a variety of experiences that have expanded his knowledge and added to his previous experiences in the Air Force and knowledge learned from his parents.

Al has continued to expand his horizons during retirement through his volunteer pursuits. He has served as Vice President of the University Area Community Council, as a Delegate of the Federation of Community Councils, as the Commissioner of the Anchorage Animal Control Advisory Board, and as an Ombudsman with State of Alaska Assisted Living Homes. Al says that all of the experience and knowledge he has gained over the years through work and volunteer pursuits have allowed him to accomplish tasks with confidence and authority. “It has also allowed me to better bond with my grandkids by sharing my knowledge with them,” he said.

Although he is busy staying involved in the community, what Al enjoys most about retirement is having no set time schedule and the freedom to choose what he wants to do and when he wants to do it. One of those things he spends his time doing is traveling. “My wife of 47 years and I have traveled to 45 states, 15 countries, visited numerous famous and non-famous sites, met thousands of people from all over the world, and passed on many stories, mostly during our RV trips. Each year we RV someplace in the lower 48 and then head off to a different country for a week,” he explained.

Al says that he has been able to have a comfortable retirement because he saved the maximum allowed by the State of Alaska retirement plans. Additionally, he explained, “I never lived beyond my financial means, I paid my bills in full monthly, and I saved to purchase costly items with cash.”

His advice to members preparing for retirement is this: “Be open with your financial status to your partner, start your retirement program during your youth by working with a reputable financial adviser, get an education to enhance your financial standing, and live within your means, remembering each day brings you closer to retirement.”

If you would like to learn more about how your State of Alaska retirement can allow you to enjoy a comfortable retirement, please contact the Division toll-free at (800) 821-2251 or at (907) 465-4460 in Juneau.

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