Aaaarrggghhhh you edited again.
OK I see your point, which goes all the way back to ....
As there are two proceses both of which are correct even though they are different.
The way that was chosen is quicker simpler and final, the other could be drawn out even further, made far more complicated and still be open for a revisit.
Think of it this way, it is just a typical everyday case of "early retirement" like you find anywhere in the public sector(in the private sector it wouldn't even get a mention even though it is just as common).