Originally Posted By Goofyernmost LOL...that's the one recurring theme I have heard since I retired. How could you do that, right in the middle of these bad economic times...will you have enough money to get through the rest of your life? I don't know, I guess it depends on how long I live. Based on the way I have, or in this case haven't, taken care of myself, the chances are that my small stash will outlast me, if I don't go crazy and spend it all on wine, women and song. I hassled with it for quite a while. Should I stay on a little while long and put a little more away, should I wait until I was old enough to collect full SS benefits? I had outside incentives in that my family had moved 900 miles away and I wanted to be with them and the only way I could take advantage of that was to retire and join them. At my age, I didn't want to have to rely on getting another job in another state. So I took the BIG step and decided that somethings were worth more than money and pulled the plug. I retired on a Friday...on the following Monday morning my entire department, of older people, were removed, very unceremoniously, and replaced by a new younger crew. I don't for a minute think that they were motivated by my retirement and I would have been caught up in that "clean sweep" with the rest of them had I not left when I did. Timing is everything! I understand the need to feel secure and doing new things in new places is very stressful, but, unlike it was when I first started down my career path, there is no two way loyalty anymore. You must be loyal to them and they must treat you like disposable property. In other words, there is no job security. It is all hinging on the whim of upper management and their philosophy. That is why I say to people...always keep your eyes open for other ventures, because there are no guarantees that the one you have today will be there tomorrow. If you like what you do and you are not afraid of the possibility of moving on...then one should stay where they are, but to stay just because of an imagined security would be harmful, especially if you stayed too long.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I retired on a Friday...on the following Monday morning my entire department, of older people, were removed, very unceremoniously, and replaced by a new younger crew*** Good timing, indeed! Do you think you may have sensed the writing on the wall somehow and incorporated it into your fortuitous decision, or was it simply a matter of incredibly good luck?
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Oh, I sensed that there were problems, but certainly not to that extent. The timing of my retirement was strictly mathematical based on final paychecks and a new year coming that could affect my SS. Luck had pretty much everything to do with it.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost In fairness though, I think that the general overall atmosphere had something to do with my deciding that retirement would work for me. It wasn't a fun place to be in the last months.
Originally Posted By queenbee <<You must be loyal to them and they must treat you like disposable property.>> This just can't be said enough. Loyality is no longer a two-way street in corporate America.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^It hasn't been for a long time, its just getting to the point where the Corporatists are no longer ashamed of screwing their loyal employees and practically brag about it.
Originally Posted By Mr X Why not, when some half the population support it wholeheartedly (most against their own financial interests).
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^Those zealots won't be happy until the bottom 95% are making less than $10/hr. Since half of the US work force make less than $500/week we are on well on our way.
Originally Posted By queenbee <<its just getting to the point where the Corporatists are no longer ashamed of screwing their loyal employees and practically brag about it.>> Yes, I hear quite often, "It's just business" to justify morally bankrupt behavior.
