Should I take a Big Job at 64?

[Anonymous]

Have a pretty good cushy job in a smaller company I could ride out next 2 years. Pretty easy. Nice people. Bit boring, good pay. Been there 3 years figured last job.

Out of blue I got contacted by a 10,000 person company for a $150,000 - $200,000 raise and very very senior role. Title I always wanted. But a much more Demanding role. Not the cushy job I have now I could easily do to 67.

They are very interested, only worry do I need this stress, what if I get canned. I won’t ever get another job, and cushy jobs like I have are very near impossible to get.

They know my age roughly. I was honest that I want to retire in 2-3 years tops. But executive in role was asked to leave as need someone stronger to bring it up next level. I can do that in 1-3 years. Then pass it to next person all set up.

[Anonymous]

How much do you have for retirement? I feel like if you have enough, go for it, but then you don't need the money for all this stress. But if the money means a lot, then you can't risk being unemployed!

Id say only if you can afford to retire immediately and feel a passion for this.

[Anonymous]

Do it if you can be CEO. Don't put so much pressure on yourself to pass something perfect, all set up to the next person. Just enjoy the process. Make sure your family is in on this too. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Something to consider is: do you have the stamina for this? For managing a lot more people, tighter deadlines, more cutthroat people, possibly a lot of travel, more hours, etc.

But look, if you can earn $600,000 MORE than you expected to over the next three years without it aging you more than three years (it won't give you a heart attack, etc), then go for it!

[Anonymous]

I’d do it if you are in tip top health and you get some cool travel opportunities m. People get heart attacks from these types of jobs.

Sounds like it would be a great capstone to your career. Some things are worth the challenge and prestige and you won’t get a chance to do this again.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d do it if you are in tip top health and you get some cool travel opportunities m. People get heart attacks from these types of jobs.

Sounds like it would be a great capstone to your career. Some things are worth the challenge and prestige and you won’t get a chance to do this again.

Good luck!

Job is remote. But travel up to 25 percent as I have to go to all the Board meetings, meet with business owners. The lower level people all work from home but senior people fly in for off-sites etc.

I don’t really need money as much as title and level always wanted.

[Anonymous]

My dad died at 67, and he was very happy that he retired early. Do you really need another $100k after taxes each year? Is it worth the stress?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dad died at 67, and he was very happy that he retired early. Do you really need another $100k after taxes each year? Is it worth the stress?

That is a worry. But most of my stress is when I am home. My wife is very type A. Reminds me of my Mom and MIL, if you were home doing nothing, it would be lawn needs mowing, garage cleaning out, take garbage out, go to supermarket, do laundry, paint bathroom. So in college you studied, went to work. My MIL is like that too. My FIL hated retirement. His wife had a "honeydo" list a mile long. He basically, redid laundry room, painted deck, shoveled snow, mowed lawn from 65-77 and died. Zero travel or hobbies. He worked with a bunch of guys his age he liked. They packaged him out at 65 as company was moving. But last 12 years of life was just that. He also enjoyed his job. In fact to be honest, was only thing he liked. 15 minutes from house with a bunch of guys his age he worked with for years. He was the SME with no staff and did interesting projects.

Seen this a lot so worries me. Plus I really enjoy work. The stress and health worries me however.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you want this job and would find it more fulfilling than being at home. I think you should go for it. Congratulations.

[Anonymous]

Noone going to remember your fancy title. Time far more precious vs $$ or stats given your advanced age. Let it go....relax and enjoy your life. 25% travel is a deal killer for me given what a biatch it is to travel for work these days. BTW, I'm 60 male and in the same boat.

[Anonymous]

Is the money (not title raise) going to dramatically change your retirement plans? That would be my only concern.

If not, I’d choose to stay at the current company and retire with them because you know the culture and it’s stable.

If your new job were to lay you off after 1 year would you be able to retire then?If your current company did that (however unlikely) would you also be able to retire then? In that case, take the new role because $150k extra/yr is a good amount of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dad died at 67, and he was very happy that he retired early. Do you really need another $100k after taxes each year? Is it worth the stress?

That is a worry. But most of my stress is when I am home. My wife is very type A. Reminds me of my Mom and MIL, if you were home doing nothing, it would be lawn needs mowing, garage cleaning out, take garbage out, go to supermarket, do laundry, paint bathroom. So in college you studied, went to work. My MIL is like that too. My FIL hated retirement. His wife had a "honeydo" list a mile long. He basically, redid laundry room, painted deck, shoveled snow, mowed lawn from 65-77 and died. Zero travel or hobbies. He worked with a bunch of guys his age he liked. They packaged him out at 65 as company was moving. But last 12 years of life was just that. He also enjoyed his job. In fact to be honest, was only thing he liked. 15 minutes from house with a bunch of guys his age he worked with for years. He was the SME with no staff and did interesting projects.

Seen this a lot so worries me. Plus I really enjoy work. The stress and health worries me however.

I retired from full time work and now do fractional. Dread even thinking about living like your FIL did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Noone going to remember your fancy title. Time far more precious vs $$ or stats given your advanced age. Let it go....relax and enjoy your life. 25% travel is a deal killer for me given what a biatch it is to travel for work these days. BTW, I'm 60 male and in the same boat.

The travel would probably be more stressful than the job.

[Anonymous]

My grandpa was retired by policy at 65. He was the lowest level of senior executive. He lived to 94. My grandma lived to 101. His pension and retiree health care paid for about the same number of years as he worked there.

He hadn't wanted to retire. He liked his job. In retirement, he traveled more, built furniture in his shop, and did independent scientific research.

I'm Iike him. Home chores don't interest me. Nor does golf or lazing around in the son. I'd rather have the challenge of working and trying something new.

[Anonymous]

Go for it! Your current role is not guaranteed and the new role will set you up for board seats or consulting gigs in retirement.

If you get canned from the new role, you’ll be a more attractive candidate for other roles given the experience and contacts you’ll make with all those clients.