URS Retirees Share Their Stories | Craig Greenberg

A Retirement of Fairways, Family, and Freedom

He watched coworkers undervalue their URS benefits -- but didn’t make the same mistake.

“I appreciate the work URS does to help us get there.”

Throughout his career, Craig Greenberg often saw younger coworkers jump to other jobs for quick pay bumps — often without realizing what they were giving up. “Younger employees only care about what they have in their pocket,” he says. “They’ll go down the road for 50 cents more an hour and give up their retirement. They don’t think about the cost of benefits or what they’re losing.”

 It’s a mindset Craig tried to challenge throughout his career — and now, in retirement, his own experience speaks volumes. After 30 years in the Department of Corrections, Craig retired in 2024 at age 59 with a pension that allows him to maintain the life he worked hard to build. “I’m able to live the same lifestyle I lived when I was working,” he said.

That stability didn’t come by accident. Craig took full advantage of URS planning tools, meeting annually with a retirement planning advisor for the last 10 years of his career. “It gave me a better idea where I landed,” he said. “They made suggestions about changing my savings plan, 401(k) contributions… it kept me on track financially.” He also attended one of URS’ Early to Mid-Career Seminars, which, “gave me some ideas where I was at.”

Practicing What He Preached

He shared that knowledge freely, mentoring coworkers and encouraging them to plan ahead for their own retirement. “One of my employees got an estimate and said, ‘I don’t know how to read this.’ I showed him how to use the online tax calculator and figure out what his actual take-home would be.”

Craig’s commitment to planning and saving set him up for a secure retirement of his own. That financial stability gives him peace of mind when unexpected expenses arise. “We just had an emergency with our dogs, and we were able to pay cash instead of putting it on a credit card,” he says. “We have more savings, and we’re able to do things.”

Golfing, Skiing, Volunteering

Now that he’s retired, Craig’s calendar is full — in a good way. He volunteers nearly every day at the Masonic temple, golfs regularly, and skis when the snow’s good. “I golfed 32 times last summer and skied seven or eight times this winter,” he says. “I’m reading books more, spending more time with family, and looking forward to helping with my first grandchild, who’s on the way in April.”

Looking back, Craig knows how much URS helped make this possible. “Every interaction I had was positive,” he says. “I appreciate the work URS does to help us get there.”