How can I successfully transition from an ED visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?

I got my ED visa in the US. Taught 1 year here and then switched to the extended stay retirement visa. Pretty simple if I remember. Just as mentioned above, have money required in bank account here, get Ed visa canceled, then get retirement visa stamp. I don’t recall any issues so not sure what problems some might be having. No police report needed. I got one before coming here (because I thought it was needed) but it was not used. Maybe I seen a clinic here for medical clearance (that was for my DL here) but it wasn’t anything if it was even needed. Anyway, I have my ED visa cancellation in passport followed by the retirement extension stamp.

this is a general idea of what you might need to get a retirement extension it is NOT for a specific office and that's why I said you need to go to your office and get their hand out

You need to have the 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you can "change the reason" for your extension from education to one based on being over 50 (retirement).

You aren't getting a Non-O visa at all, the requirement to get a yearly extension based on retirement is that you previously held a Non Immigrant type visa <- you did it was just an ED type and that's fine, IF you're currently on an extension of stay based on education (read the stamp in your passport)

You would meet the requirements to get the year extension based on being over 50, you would have a paper from your school saying you stop studying on xxx date, you go to the immigration office (a week or so early is fine) you cancel your extension based on education and you immediately apply for a yearly extension based on "retirement" for 1900baht.

okay you're confusing getting a "retirement visa" (an OA) from a thai consulate in YOUR country there before you wing your way here with getting a visa or changing the reason for an extension INSIDE the country at the immigration office