would you change jobs with 10 more years before retirement?

[Anonymous]

I left a government agency after 20 years and am in my early 50’s. My story is very similar to yours. I just couldn’t take it any longer, and I couldn’t find something better internally. I was able to retire early and take my medical insurance with me. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to work, but I’m thinking of doing something else. I sometimes think about returning, but then my stomach churns, and I know that I must look in another direction.

Just a note. I’ve noticed that a lot of government workers have declining health into their late 50s and 60s. On the surface, this seems odd because financially they will soon have a secure retirement. However, I think the last 10 years of government service takes a heavy, heavy toll on many government workers. They are bored and just waiting for retirement. They sit, eat, and complain. It is not a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle. It’s crazy how many people I know who had major health issues just before or after retirement. A good number died.

Happiness and joy are worth more than a government job.

[Anonymous]

10 years is a very long time to be unhappy at work. If you said 6 months before retirement, it would be a different calculation, but 10 years....go find another job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I left a government agency after 20 years and am in my early 50’s. My story is very similar to yours. I just couldn’t take it any longer, and I couldn’t find something better internally. I was able to retire early and take my medical insurance with me. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to work, but I’m thinking of doing something else. I sometimes think about returning, but then my stomach churns, and I know that I must look in another direction.

Just a note. I’ve noticed that a lot of government workers have declining health into their late 50s and 60s. On the surface, this seems odd because financially they will soon have a secure retirement. However, I think the last 10 years of government service takes a heavy, heavy toll on many government workers. They are bored and just waiting for retirement. They sit, eat, and complain. It is not a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle. It’s crazy how many people I know who had major health issues just before or after retirement. A good number died.

Happiness and joy are worth more than a government job.

DP.

Yep. At least for me, taking a little risk to achieve makes me feel like I’m living, not dying. Staying in place feels like dying at the moment and I’m on my way out. My family has enough stability that we can adjust if I swing and miss, but I want to go out swinging. I think this really hit home for me last year, when I had a serious health scare (I’m ok now). Life is too short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I left a government agency after 20 years and am in my early 50’s. My story is very similar to yours. I just couldn’t take it any longer, and I couldn’t find something better internally. I was able to retire early and take my medical insurance with me. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to work, but I’m thinking of doing something else. I sometimes think about returning, but then my stomach churns, and I know that I must look in another direction.

Just a note. I’ve noticed that a lot of government workers have declining health into their late 50s and 60s. On the surface, this seems odd because financially they will soon have a secure retirement. However, I think the last 10 years of government service takes a heavy, heavy toll on many government workers. They are bored and just waiting for retirement. They sit, eat, and complain. It is not a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle. It’s crazy how many people I know who had major health issues just before or after retirement. A good number died.

Happiness and joy are worth more than a government job.

Judging from the building my agency had a decade ago, I’m pretty sure sick building syndrome is killing those retirees. The asbestos, mold, lead, etc was awful.

The older workers in my office are very healthy and lead by example, using the gym facility during lunch, take long vacations (they have enormous leave balances), but we are an operating national security agency, so maybe we experience less fluctuations in budget and less politics than other groups

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I left a government agency after 20 years and am in my early 50’s. My story is very similar to yours. I just couldn’t take it any longer, and I couldn’t find something better internally. I was able to retire early and take my medical insurance with me. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to work, but I’m thinking of doing something else. I sometimes think about returning, but then my stomach churns, and I know that I must look in another direction.

Just a note. I’ve noticed that a lot of government workers have declining health into their late 50s and 60s. On the surface, this seems odd because financially they will soon have a secure retirement. However, I think the last 10 years of government service takes a heavy, heavy toll on many government workers. They are bored and just waiting for retirement. They sit, eat, and complain. It is not a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle. It’s crazy how many people I know who had major health issues just before or after retirement. A good number died.

Happiness and joy are worth more than a government job.

DP.

Yep. At least for me, taking a little risk to achieve makes me feel like I’m living, not dying. Staying in place feels like dying at the moment and I’m on my way out. My family has enough stability that we can adjust if I swing and miss, but I want to go out swinging. I think this really hit home for me last year, when I had a serious health scare (I’m ok now). Life is too short.

Yeah, risk is fun as long as it doesn’t leave you homeless or divorced. Your kids are grown so what’s the worst that happens is early retirement

[Anonymous]

Yes I would

[Anonymous]

DH did and is so much happier. Makes more too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH did and is so much happier. Makes more too.

How much more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I left a government agency after 20 years and am in my early 50’s. My story is very similar to yours. I just couldn’t take it any longer, and I couldn’t find something better internally. I was able to retire early and take my medical insurance with me. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to work, but I’m thinking of doing something else. I sometimes think about returning, but then my stomach churns, and I know that I must look in another direction.

Just a note. I’ve noticed that a lot of government workers have declining health into their late 50s and 60s. On the surface, this seems odd because financially they will soon have a secure retirement. However, I think the last 10 years of government service takes a heavy, heavy toll on many government workers. They are bored and just waiting for retirement. They sit, eat, and complain. It is not a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle. It’s crazy how many people I know who had major health issues just before or after retirement. A good number died.

Happiness and joy are worth more than a government job.

DP.

Yep. At least for me, taking a little risk to achieve makes me feel like I’m living, not dying. Staying in place feels like dying at the moment and I’m on my way out. My family has enough stability that we can adjust if I swing and miss, but I want to go out swinging. I think this really hit home for me last year, when I had a serious health scare (I’m ok now). Life is too short.

Yeah, risk is fun as long as it doesn’t leave you homeless or divorced. Your kids are grown so what’s the worst that happens is early retirement

I have a middle schooler but I have talked with my spouse extensively about what life might look like if I fail miserably. We will be ok. Getting priorities lined up is a very important part of the decision making.

[Anonymous]

Op here. I’m early 50s and work in county govt but looking to move to the feds. Also have 2 kids still in school so will be working for awhile.

[Anonymous]

And no, not a govt lawyer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I left a government agency after 20 years and am in my early 50’s. My story is very similar to yours. I just couldn’t take it any longer, and I couldn’t find something better internally. I was able to retire early and take my medical insurance with me. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to work, but I’m thinking of doing something else. I sometimes think about returning, but then my stomach churns, and I know that I must look in another direction.

Just a note. I’ve noticed that a lot of government workers have declining health into their late 50s and 60s. On the surface, this seems odd because financially they will soon have a secure retirement. However, I think the last 10 years of government service takes a heavy, heavy toll on many government workers. They are bored and just waiting for retirement. They sit, eat, and complain. It is not a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle. It’s crazy how many people I know who had major health issues just before or after retirement. A good number died.

Happiness and joy are worth more than a government job.

DP.

Yep. At least for me, taking a little risk to achieve makes me feel like I’m living, not dying. Staying in place feels like dying at the moment and I’m on my way out. My family has enough stability that we can adjust if I swing and miss, but I want to go out swinging. I think this really hit home for me last year, when I had a serious health scare (I’m ok now). Life is too short.

Yeah, risk is fun as long as it doesn’t leave you homeless or divorced. Your kids are grown so what’s the worst that happens is early retirement

I have a middle schooler but I have talked with my spouse extensively about what life might look like if I fail miserably. We will be ok. Getting priorities lined up is a very important part of the decision making.

I assume you’re the DW? Yeah most DH won’t care if their wife quits working as long as that same wife accepts the lifestyle that DH income affords. Happy wife happy life. Not an option for most DH.

[Anonymous]

I left. More money, less headache, better overall work-life balance. I'm staying here until they won't have me anymore or something changes to make it suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I left a government agency after 20 years and am in my early 50’s. My story is very similar to yours. I just couldn’t take it any longer, and I couldn’t find something better internally. I was able to retire early and take my medical insurance with me. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to work, but I’m thinking of doing something else. I sometimes think about returning, but then my stomach churns, and I know that I must look in another direction.

Just a note. I’ve noticed that a lot of government workers have declining health into their late 50s and 60s. On the surface, this seems odd because financially they will soon have a secure retirement. However, I think the last 10 years of government service takes a heavy, heavy toll on many government workers. They are bored and just waiting for retirement. They sit, eat, and complain. It is not a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle. It’s crazy how many people I know who had major health issues just before or after retirement. A good number died.

Happiness and joy are worth more than a government job.

DP.

Yep. At least for me, taking a little risk to achieve makes me feel like I’m living, not dying. Staying in place feels like dying at the moment and I’m on my way out. My family has enough stability that we can adjust if I swing and miss, but I want to go out swinging. I think this really hit home for me last year, when I had a serious health scare (I’m ok now). Life is too short.

Yeah, risk is fun as long as it doesn’t leave you homeless or divorced. Your kids are grown so what’s the worst that happens is early retirement

I have a middle schooler but I have talked with my spouse extensively about what life might look like if I fail miserably. We will be ok. Getting priorities lined up is a very important part of the decision making.

I assume you’re the DW? Yeah most DH won’t care if their wife quits working as long as that same wife accepts the lifestyle that DH income affords. Happy wife happy life. Not an option for most DH.

I’m the DW but out earn my spouse by six figures. So no, that’s not the deal. But we’re okay with me taking the risk while he coasts a while longer. It’s all about timing in our case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I left a government agency after 20 years and am in my early 50’s. My story is very similar to yours. I just couldn’t take it any longer, and I couldn’t find something better internally. I was able to retire early and take my medical insurance with me. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to work, but I’m thinking of doing something else. I sometimes think about returning, but then my stomach churns, and I know that I must look in another direction.

Just a note. I’ve noticed that a lot of government workers have declining health into their late 50s and 60s. On the surface, this seems odd because financially they will soon have a secure retirement. However, I think the last 10 years of government service takes a heavy, heavy toll on many government workers. They are bored and just waiting for retirement. They sit, eat, and complain. It is not a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle. It’s crazy how many people I know who had major health issues just before or after retirement. A good number died.

Happiness and joy are worth more than a government job.

DP.

Yep. At least for me, taking a little risk to achieve makes me feel like I’m living, not dying. Staying in place feels like dying at the moment and I’m on my way out. My family has enough stability that we can adjust if I swing and miss, but I want to go out swinging. I think this really hit home for me last year, when I had a serious health scare (I’m ok now). Life is too short.

Yeah, risk is fun as long as it doesn’t leave you homeless or divorced. Your kids are grown so what’s the worst that happens is early retirement

I have a middle schooler but I have talked with my spouse extensively about what life might look like if I fail miserably. We will be ok. Getting priorities lined up is a very important part of the decision making.

I assume you’re the DW? Yeah most DH won’t care if their wife quits working as long as that same wife accepts the lifestyle that DH income affords. Happy wife happy life. Not an option for most DH.

I’m the DW but out earn my spouse by six figures. So no, that’s not the deal. But we’re okay with me taking the risk while he coasts a while longer. It’s all about timing in our case.

Dang he needs to make more. Where does he work? Burger King?