Got the word this morning that tomorrow is my last day. 26+ years of dedicated work is coming to an end. I am happy and sad at the same time. The past two years here have been brutal. Waking up in the morning was a disappointment. I think Monday I will be thrilled. I had planned to retire this September instead of last September, because I thought they had wanted me to stay on. Our new president has promised to double revenue in three years and his first act is to reduce the workforce. We also haven't made plan the past three years.
If something falls into my lap I might take it, but I am not writing a new resume and pounding the streets looking for another job. Time to catch up on past due yard work, and now I have time to work on the TR3 that I bought last year.
Duke
MegaDork
4/4/19 3:28 p.m.
Assuming that you get some kind of severance, this can actually work in your favor instead of retiring last September.
Best of luck making the transition to whatever comes next, even if it is catching up on TV shows.
mtn
MegaDork
4/4/19 3:31 p.m.
Sounds like it actually is a Happy Lay-off day! Did you get a package at all?
My dad went through something similar. Company was acquired, and after about a year they handed him a package that effectively made it better for him to be "fired" than it was for him to work another year and then retire.
Congrats on getting the summer off! Sounds like this will work well with your plans, so no harm, no foul.
Congratulations!?
In my line of work a lay-off means you get one last paycheck. I hope yours is better in that regard.
I find the details tomorrow, but there will be some severance. The pisser is I thought they wanted me to keep working. I would have rather left in my terms, but Duke you are correct. This works out better. One neighbor told me to file for unemployment. Last time I did that (26 years ago), it was so demeaning I swore I would never do that again.
I definitely was not looking to walking property again this summer. I will not miss overgrown briar-infested property. No more filling out that damned time sheet.
Well let’s all hope the severance package is awesome and you can roll it into a comfortable retirement. Mazel tov!!
We are consultants. It won’t be “great”.
Enjoy Monday morning. Wake up late. Do some stuff that you want to do. Smile a lot.
Congrats. I hope I can be comfortable without a job at some point in my life. 
Enjoy your free time.
One of those sad/not sad moments? Either way, if you're going to file for Unemployment benefits you'll need to certify that you're actively seeking employment. Pretty sure a lot of that process has been moved online, so it may not be as demeaning as you remember.
If you're nearing retirement, getting laid off may fall into the category of age discrimination. If you're insulted by the package you could always say you'll consider their offer, or talk to an attorney...based on your circumstances it may be worth a counter-offer. It sounds like you're at peace with the situation, but employers should be extra sensitive of some situations. Best of luck.
In reply to Hoondavan :
One concern about applying for jobs is there is a good chance you will get hired, depending on what you are applying for. Everybody is hiring here for manufacturing jobs. I do not want to start over again and go through training just to punch out in a few months. At 65, I suspect getting hired may not be as easy as I think it is. I was actually offered a job today as a contract worker by a competitor that used to work here.
spitfirebill said:
In reply to Hoondavan :
One concern about applying for jobs is there is a good chance you will get hired, depending on what you are applying for. Everybody is hiring here for manufacturing jobs. I do not want to start over again and go through training just to punch out in a few months. At 65, I suspect getting hired may not be as easy as I think it is. I was actually offered a job today as a contract worker by a competitor that used to work here.
well here is your new interview technique.
Would you entertain the offer of that contract job you mentioned?
Good luck and enjoy some downtime. Been there and this change triggers many feelings. If you can, take some time before making the decision on wha to do next.
I’m not an attorney but your employer will require you to sign a release to get a package. If you can, take your time before signing. You have some leverage being over 40. If you’re the oldest or the only person being let go, you have leverage to get a better deal. This is a business decision for you and them, it’s not personal. Get the best deal you can.
In reply to spitfirebill :
Your state may not be current but here in Minnesota you file for unemployment on line. If you are slow it might take you 10-15 minutes. In your pajama’s, eating Cheerio’s,
frenchyd said:
In reply to spitfirebill :
Your state may not be current but here in Minnesota you file for unemployment on line. If you are slow it might take you 10-15 minutes. In your pajama’s, eating Cheerio’s,
I may look into it. Last time I filed, you did it in person and had to go down and look through the postings. It was humiliating having two college degrees and sitting there with people that did not want a job.
Congratulations on the new opportunity. Sounds like a good time to get out of your current company. My $0.02 having been through this. Don't burn bridges with current firm. You never know when they might need you back, even as a consultant. If you have interest from a competitor, set up an interview asap. Doesn't mean you need to start tomorrow but it does let them know that you are interested and proactive. You can always negotiate a few weeks before starting to focus on yard work projects, etc. As you have already been working as a "consultant" you probably are up to speed on the tax opportunities but I'd still talk to your tax person if you use one. Not sure how unemployment works with consultant status as technically you didn't lose a job, just a gig.
Don't worry about leaving on your own terms. It was just a job and what they did wasn't personal even though it may seem that way. Most likely your direct manager had no option.
Looking forward to seeing updates to build threads!
Sorry to hear? I know the work you do and the hours you put in. Enjoy this early retirement and/or funemployment.
If you feel like continuing this type of work I’m sure you know you’re highly sought after.
In reply to spitfirebill :
I can’t help with your feeling of going to the unemployment office, but do remember that you are kind of sticking it to your previous employer, as they pay for it. Or at least employment insurance. So get what you earned.
Well I am sitting here waiting for them to come and get me. My boss took me out to lunch. When we got back, my bosses boss was here and acted a little apprehensive. I assured him I was fine, that I had needed someone to make the decision for me. It is supposed to be a good package. We shall see.
I'm not burning any bridges.
In reply to spitfirebill :
I essentially laid myself off this year due to my decline in health. One of the things I found in my so-called retirement is that I spend a lot less money than I had originally anticipated while I was working. So to a certain extent though your income will drop likely your outgo will also. Plus your income taxes will go down. Yay!
At 65 I assume you're already on Medicare so at least you don't have to worry about hyper expensive Cobra health insurance.
The big question becomes what do you do about Social Security. Having worked for the Social Security Administration earlier in my career for 12 years I can tell you that taking social security early in most cases you are ahead until you are about 83 regardless. So don't get caught up into I'm going to wait until I'm 66 so I can get the maximum benefit. The money you bring in from Social Security between now and your 66 birthday significantly offsets the reduction. Even if you decide to apply for unemployment, the unemployment does not offset your Social Security payments. Of course if you return to work you might have to suspend your Social Security but the earnings allowances a pretty generous Beyond age 65. It's different for everybody both from the point of view of the Social Security Administration payments and your potential work earnings.
Although my health related early retirement was a bit of an adjustment I can honestly say I'm enjoying it and not worrying too much. Good luck to you and may all good things come your way.
If you want any input on your options with regard to Soc Sec issues or run questions by me your HR dept or SSA aren't allowed to explore, or to just vent feel free to PM me.
In reply to spitfirebill :
I've seen plenty of people at my office retire and wind up coming back as contractors on a part-time or flexible basis. They seem pretty pleased with working the days they want and not necessarily having as much responsibility (and accompanying stress).
