Looking for feedback here. I have a decision to make, and fairly soon. I'll outline the situation ......
I'm in my mid 50's. Married to a woman who expects to spend another 10-13 years in the workplace. Have 4 kids ages 13, 11, 7, and 3. I've been working pretty much continuously since 1971, and will have logged 30 years with my current U.S. Government employer as of Sept. 2008. (which officially makes me eligible to retire) The house should be paid off in about 6 years. My income, after making adjustments that I won't fully go into here, shouldn't change much if I retire. (This is all based on official agency estimates, and the fact that I'm not really working full time, my wife went full time about a year ago, and I was fortunate enough to drop back to part time employment.) I enjoy the place I'm working, and the people I work with. I have a very flexible schedule. I hate the commute.
I could stay, and my employer makes no secret that they want me to stay. I could go.
Pros of staying: Increased income once I do finally retire at a later date. No loss of routine. Security.
Pros of leaving: Increased time with my kids while they're still young. (a rather unique opportunity) Time to pursue other interests that I never seem to have time for now.
Freedom.
A very difficult decision. Anyway, perhaps some of you who read this might have some insight they'd like to offer? Maybe you've already crossed this bridge. I'd like to hear from you. I know the decision is ultimately mine, but I like trying to amass all the information I can before making decisions.
5 comments:
I'm going to respond without thinking - just a gut feeling: retire. What a wonderful, unique opportunity! If you feel like you might be a little lost, you can always do something closer to home that fulfills you - part-time teaching, working at a library or museum, or slinging coffee at Starbucks. Whatever. Plus, financially you will save - think gasoline, wear and tear on your vehicle, your wardrobe, paying for lunches, your TIME spent on the road. And of course, you don't want to be the "fossil" at the office with everyone saying behind your back "Man, when is that old dude going to retire!" Just kidding on that last part. But truly, your older kids are getting to the age where having a strong parent at home could be crucial - why pass up that opportunity if you don't have to? Plus - no more scheduling conflicts when someone has a dentist/doctor/school thing. You'll make all the things at school, every practice, every game, every play. I could go on and on - and I know where you're coming from - I worked in state govt for 14 years before quitting to be an SAHM. Never looked back. I'm not saying it's easy - some days suck. But I feel like I'm in the right place, and it's best for my boys. Good luck!
Thanks for your thoughts on this. One thing you mentioned that I'd forgotten about, commuting TIME and mileage. I shudder to think of how much of my life has been spent commuting.... 66 miles round trip at an average of 1.5 hours x 5 days a week... Ugh.
Another aspect. I've heard that no one on their deathbed ever said "I wish I would have spent more time at work". We've had a couple unfortunate incidents with people I know at work. Both family men, both a bit younger than me, and both died suddenly.
OK, cue up the Clash song on the jukebox first. :o) Tough choice.
Of the variables that you mention, travel time stands out as the biggest negative to me, yuk. I hated commuting too. On my 30th year, I had to get aggressive cancer treatment, and when I got back to work I just didn't have it in me to fight the good fight aainst the system anymore, or else I would have gone a bit longer then 32 years.
If you work part time, can you get hired back as a temp or part-time employee into your same area? They do that in my lab when people retire, due to the unique skill set needed there and the long training curve for new techs. Maybe if you retire you could do that and have one foot in retirement and one foot out, so to speak.
Rebecca's advise also seems very sound.
Thanks for the comments. I'm pretty sure I could -not- get hired back as a temp or part timer. I'm a civil servant and right now do stuff I couldn't do as a contractor. (Many govvies come back as contractors, the classic "double dippers") What makes this especially difficult is that I'm sort of part time already, unofficially, so as not to muck up my high 3 salary years for calculating my retirement pay. I work 31-32 hours a week, 3 days spent at the job, and a few hours telecommuting from home on Mon. and Fri. It's a really sweet deal, but........ it keeps me just involved enough where I really can't have the freedom that a full retirement would offer.
I guess that's what is meant by the horns of dilemma...either way you go, you get a horn, yow. :o)
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