Work perspective...

UNCatTech

UNCatTech

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I’m posting because I’m at a meaningful crossroads at work and would genuinely appreciate your honest perspectives.

I’ve been with my company for 33 years, and overall it’s been a good run. I’ve enjoyed my career, I’m proud of the product we make (contact lenses), and I’ve worked with some great people over the years. Recently, the company has offered a voluntary buyout, and I’m trying to thoughtfully decide whether it makes sense for me.

Complicating the decision is the fact that my manager was recently promoted, and I’m anticipating a possible promotion myself into that role. On one hand, that’s validating and something I’ve worked toward. On the other, I'm not sure I want that additional responsibility. And I’ve grown increasingly skeptical about the long-term direction of the company, which makes me pause before committing to the next chapter there.

Age is also a real factor. At 57, the idea of starting a job search later in life — especially finding something that’s comparable in pay and stability — is understandably concerning. At the same time, the buyout represents a chance to step back, reset, and potentially make a more intentional choice about what the next phase looks like.

I’m not feeling panicked or rushed, and I’m trying hard not to make a decision based on fear, loyalty alone, or short-term emotion. I’d love to hear what questions you would be asking if you were in my position. What risks would weigh most heavily for you? What opportunities might be worth seriously considering?

I’m not looking for a single “right answer” — just honest, thoughtful reactions from people whose judgment I trust.

Thanks for taking the time. I really appreciate it.
 
I have often read your posts and thought that maybe you and I are the same person, except I wear orange when you wear light blue.

My perspective for what it is worth...

My situation: I am 58 and have been working for the same company as an engineer for 33 years, 34 in October. Like you, I love my company; it is pretty high tech, plows a good bit of money into research and has market leading products that I am proud of. I sorta had my "dream job" from 2018 until 2024 - problem solving, developing and training other engineers, and supervising only two direct reports. That meant less managing and more engineering. We had a reorg in mid-2024 and now I manage 11 engineers, doing far more management and less engineering. A promotion did come from it, but frankly, I'd rather be in my old job with my old salary. I hope to retire in about two years.

My thoughts: Retirement is my goal, so I don't want to do anything that would delay it. Like you said, I don't see getting another job at my age in my town that pays the same, so if I were to leave now, it would make retirement more difficult. I would take a package if it could bridge me to my planned retirement, but that won't happen with two years to go. My company's packages are typically one year severance, so I would consider it in a year, depending on how benefits are handled.
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So... loyalty is absurd when it comes to a company you work for (bc i promise the same is true for them in the opposite).

I would think that your seniority would also afford you the right to decline the promotion to "management".

But, from my pov, you should consider the promotion in a positive way, make more money, and then retire when you are able.

Good luck no matter what you decide!
 
8992Tiger said:
I have often read your posts and thought that maybe you and I are the same person, except I wear orange when you wear light blue.

My perspective for what it is worth...

My situation: I am 58 and have been working for the same company as an engineer for 33 years, 34 in October. Like you, I love my company; it is pretty high tech, plows a good bit of money into research and has market leading products that I am proud of. I sorta had my "dream job" from 2018 until 2024 - problem solving, developing and training other engineers, and supervising only two direct reports. That meant less managing and more engineering. We had a reorg in mid-2024 and now I manage 11 engineers, doing far more management and less engineering. A promotion did come from it, but frankly, I'd rather be in my old job with my old salary. I hope to retire in about two years.

My thoughts: Retirement is my goal, so I don't want to do anything that would delay it. Like you said, I don't see getting another job at my age in my town that pays the same, so if I were to leave now, it would make retirement more difficult. I would take a package if it could bridge me to my planned retirement, but that won't happen with two years to go. My company's packages are typically one year severance, so I would consider it in a year, depending on how benefits are handled.
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Does sound similar.

I currently manage 5, if I am offered, and take the promotion it would increase to 16. I'm not sure that's what I want.

What i really wanted was the position my manger is moving into.

If I were 60 I'd jump at this, but it may be too early.

The package would be 1 year salary plus the 2025 leveled bonus, the 2026 prorated bonus, and health insurance.

I would lose 12% 401k and all other benefits, plus the BPM for the bonus.
 
mpaer said:
If you have the resources to retire Go for it
Many folks I have known-successful folks , have gone that extra few years just to get more retirement comfort
We use to say "Gimme me three bad days, I am out " lol But it kept us old guys going
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If it were not for the situation with my wife, I would have enough. My fear is if we divorce she takes half and I would need to work again. 3 more years and that shouldn't matter.
 
I retired a little early -early 60s
I was kind of shocked at how my income maintained
Get all this down in calculating things
Do some "consulting "
 
Oddball said:
So... loyalty is absurd when it comes to a company you work for (bc i promise the same is true for them in the opposite).

I would think that your seniority would also afford you the right to decline the promotion to "management".

But, from my pov, you should consider the promotion in a positive way, make more money, and then retire when you are able.

Good luck no matter what you decide!
Click to expand...
The first 28 years with the company we had one small downsize, the last 5 years, since we spun off from our parent company, we have had 5 layoffs. This is the first where they offered voluntary acceptance of the package.
 
If I were in your shoes and felt comfortable enough financially with current savings + whatever the buyout number is then I would probably take that and retire.

If you feel like you need to keep making money for a bit longer then I would try to embrace the potential promotion and start gradually looking for another job in case you don’t love the new role. It’s a tough job market, and if you haven’t gone through the interview process in 30+ years then that’s obviously also going to be a learning curve.

Certainly not impossible to pivot companies this late in your career though. My dad had also been with the same company for 30 years and he ended up unexpectedly finding a different role through a former colleague that he really enjoyed for another 5 years before he retired.
 
Peppers49 said:
If I were in your shoes and felt comfortable enough financially with current savings + whatever the buyout number is then I would probably take that and retire.

If you feel like you need to keep making money for a bit longer then I would try to embrace the potential promotion and start gradually looking for another job in case you don’t love the new role. It’s a tough job market, and if you haven’t gone through the interview process in 30+ years then that’s obviously also going to be a learning curve.

Certainly not impossible to pivot companies this late in your career though. My dad had also been with the same company for 30 years and he ended up unexpectedly finding a different role through a former colleague that he really enjoyed for another 5 years before he retired.
Click to expand...
I interviewed in my late 50s
I walked in the room and they all looked at me like I was a zombie
Now my dad had some early onset likely and was still flying around as a consultant in a niche technical field........
 
Peppers49 said:
If I were in your shoes and felt comfortable enough financially with current savings + whatever the buyout number is then I would probably take that and retire.

If you feel like you need to keep making money for a bit longer then I would try to embrace the potential promotion and start gradually looking for another job in case you don’t love the new role. It’s a tough job market, and if you haven’t gone through the interview process in 30+ years then that’s obviously also going to be a learning curve.

Certainly not impossible to pivot companies this late in your career though. My dad had also been with the same company for 30 years and he ended up unexpectedly finding a different role through a former colleague that he really enjoyed for another 5 years before he retired.
Click to expand...
Yes, another factor, I've not interviewed in at least 10 years.
 
I retired ten years ago at age 60 due to illness. I loved my job and would have worked to 65 if that had been possible. My advice is to follow the course that is best financially. You don’t want to be financially stressed in retirement. There are lots of unexpected expenses (healthcare for example). Get promoted, make money, retire and enjoy.
 
UNCatTech said:
I’m posting because I’m at a meaningful crossroads at work and would genuinely appreciate your honest perspectives.

I’ve been with my company for 33 years, and overall it’s been a good run. I’ve enjoyed my career, I’m proud of the product we make (contact lenses), and I’ve worked with some great people over the years. Recently, the company has offered a voluntary buyout, and I’m trying to thoughtfully decide whether it makes sense for me.

Complicating the decision is the fact that my manager was recently promoted, and I’m anticipating a possible promotion myself into that role. On one hand, that’s validating and something I’ve worked toward. On the other, I'm not sure I want that additional responsibility. And I’ve grown increasingly skeptical about the long-term direction of the company, which makes me pause before committing to the next chapter there.

Age is also a real factor. At 57, the idea of starting a job search later in life — especially finding something that’s comparable in pay and stability — is understandably concerning. At the same time, the buyout represents a chance to step back, reset, and potentially make a more intentional choice about what the next phase looks like.

I’m not feeling panicked or rushed, and I’m trying hard not to make a decision based on fear, loyalty alone, or short-term emotion. I’d love to hear what questions you would be asking if you were in my position. What risks would weigh most heavily for you? What opportunities might be worth seriously considering?

I’m not looking for a single “right answer” — just honest, thoughtful reactions from people whose judgment I trust.

Thanks for taking the time. I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Honestly I would need to know your financial situation

Are you able to retire? Or how far away might you be from being able to?
 
UNCatTech said:
Yes, another factor, I've not interviewed in at least 10 years.
Click to expand...
Would probably take you several interviews to get the hang of it again but honestly it’s like riding a bike once you brush up on it.

When recruiters reach out to me on LinkedIn I usually at least take a screening interview to see how far I can get in the process and just to stay sharp if nothing else. I actually found my current job that way.
 
Maybe asked and answered already but is the buyout a take it / leave it situation? Would it be an option say a year from now? If so I would lean toward staying and seeing how the new role goes. If not, it makes it tougher to decide. Think Peppers has given pretty sound advice.
 
Personally if I was that close to retirement I’d stick it out and make sure your financial situation is as healthy as possible. Tons of mergers in my industry so pretty common during the reorgs for people to be offered a job or a package. I have been offered two packages in my career and both times I took the job and turned down the package. The first time was very early in my career so I mainly wanted the job and career and I liked what I was doing. I ended up leaving on my own for a better opportunity at a different company a year later, so I probably should have taken the package. The second time my wife had decided about three months earlier to quit her job and stay home with our young children, so it wasn’t exactly the time to be taking financial risks. The job was great but we had to move and long story short we ended up moving back to where we were before. So I ended up leaving that job as well but after two years.
 
dcf2 said:
If you were to retire after a few months of unwinding what would you do all day? That's a question I ask myself anyway.
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Great question
I was going to go all in on some volunteer work
Last minute divorce at like 61 ended up with me doing some fun Us travel. hiking etc
 
aGDevil2k said:
Honestly I would need to know your financial situation

Are you able to retire? Or how far away might you be from being able to?
Click to expand...
If not for the marriage situation I would say yes. Currently I'm not confident...

I believe without a recession or some other negative, I should be in 3-4 years.
 
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