Just got back from my yearly performance review with my Associate Branch Head. The short version: "You're doing a great job, keep up the good work". We talk about work, family, travel, and then during the conversation he hits me with "I think they're going to offer another buyout this fall which will affect you". Now a Government buyout isn't so much a buyout as much as it is a bonus. $25k nominally, but I'd be lucky to see $16k after taxes. Still, for someone already planning on leaving, this amounts to a nice departure bonus on the way out the door. Of course after being presented with this I'm again reminded that I'm doing a good job, and I REALLY don't have to leave...... (we REALLY don't want you to leave).
On my way out of the branch suite I encounter my Branch Head. "Hey young man"! Uh..... I'm not so young. " Well you're too young to be thinking about retirement". And so.......... I get the speech again about doing a good job, we don't want you to leave, etc. I openly discuss the pros and cons of me leaving, or staying. In response I'm presented with "Well, no reason to leave a job you like" (agreed) , and even though you have a very flexible schedule, maybe we can work something out so you'll be off during the summers so you can be with your kids. Knowing these guys .... well....... let me say this is NO empty promise. It's something that will happen if there's ANY way they can possibly arrange it.
Man, this decision just doesn't get easier.........
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6 comments:
OK, the gods are mocking you now! :-O
But seriously...although it is so hard to find a job that you like, maybe with the long haul that you have to do every day on the road, it's time to take the money and run?
But if there is a good chance that another buy-out will come along again soon, you could stay on till then. then again, good buy-outs don't come along every day, and they are fewer every year for most companies. Yikes.
Did you make the proverbial Pro vs. Con list yet? And what does your family think? Try fasting and praying for an answer? :-)
P.S....then again, you do work in the aerospace biz, and it doesn't get much better than that.
You bring up a couple excellent points.
Regarding another buyout (beyond the anticipated one this fall) coming up soon.... I cannot count on that. The last one that targeted me was in 2005. So conceiveably the next one might not show up until 2011... or later... or never.
My immediate family wants me to retire. My parents think I'm insane to consider it. No big surprises there.
I'm leaning more towards leaving than staying.
Now hmmmmm....why would your parents think you are insane to consider retirement? Do they think you'll have financial issues? Do they judge a successful life by the quality of one's work?
I was going to suggest something, but your last comment already answered my question. I think at this point, you just have to follow your heart.
I just re-entered the workforce after a two-year break, but when I broke away, I never had any thought that I wouldn't be returning someday. But my return is on my time, in my own home, doing contract work for an agency similar to the one I left. Absolute best of both worlds.
So maybe the answer isn't just black and white. You're a scientist right? Try not to think like one - there are many shades of gray to consider.
Rebecca, thanks again for your comments.
A quick primer on my parents. They both came from families of VERY modest means. Consider that, and the mentality of their generation in general and you get a very conservative view about nearly everything, especially money. I suspect, in their view, I should work nearly forever so as to have enough money "just in case". I'm not sure they can get past having $$ in reserve to see the positives that could come from me retiring.
My view of retirement is that I have no -specific- thoughts of ever returning to the workplace, unless I absolutely want to and (like you) can name my own conditions. Not that I'd sit around and veg out. I have lots of home projects, kids to take care of and enjoy, and interests to pursue (think music, hobbies, health and exercise, etc)
Frankly I'm interested in more stuff than I could possibly pursue in a lifetime.
Believe me I don't view things in black and white, and that's the problem. I can see both sides and it makes things difficult.
Ultimately my limited amount of time on this earth may be the ultimate tie-breaker. Looking at my life overall, what other things do I want to accomplish, and how much time do I think I have to do that?
That and the desire to be with the kids will probably lure me out of my comfy job soon.......
Sounds like a good plan. :-)
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