Thanks, I think that might be a good fit for me, we'll see.

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KBO_Winston@reddit

Healthcare IT is one of the things I've heard about as being a very good option, if your background covers any piece of it at all.

Not saying much more because it's mostly just stuff I heard second and third hand back when I was hunting and I don't want to talk out of turn, but for sure give it a serious look.

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New-Cobbler6168@reddit

"Oh you must mean the hundred thousand dollar box"

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Robbudge@reddit

I very close to being sent packing from my job of 15yrs.
I’m 54 and have been a programmer for Industrial Control Systems for most of working life.
I earn very good money and have many a sleepless night worried about what I am going to do.

I keep thinking I need a side gig that I enjoy, but that’s the hard part as I have only every written automation code.

I agree it's not socialist, it's also not capitalist. What is holding our country back is operating on a debt based system that ran it's course.

Why do you think you get to tell other people what emotions they feel? I feel fine.

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How long did it take you (school)- was it hard to find a remote job after? Thank you!

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Unlikely-Low-8132@reddit

It took 8 moths to complete, it took me a while to find my first job because it was during the great recession, my first job was with a small mom and pop - they did not pay much, but I learned a lot about work comp, I stayed for a year and then my former teacher was helping staff a new company, so I went there with a lot of my former classmates and I was there for about a year and a half , they let everybody go, then I started with the company I am with now,, they are worldwide and do more than health care, so I have great benefits, I am going on year 11.

You need to fully understand The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 .

And I know I’m in the minority, but the middle schoolers are surprisingly more calm, imo. A lot of people disagree with that. I find them it easier to validate them, but show a different thought process.

I could move to high school, but they’re too aloof for me 😂😂

I have my own teens (17, 15, 12) at home.

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Border-Woman7@reddit

I was trained in high school age and of course I was put in the ‘junior high’ to work my way up to psychology, sociology or anthropology (which were rarely offered.) I taught required 7th grade world geography and 8th grade American history and after two years you couldn’t pay me enough to go back to the high school. 8th graders just turned out to be my beast. They are so smart and get the hang of school, too many seventh graders forgot their pencils-I’m dating myself here. Eighth graders were so smart, they were so interesting! Seventh graders were sweeter and eighth graders were pretty awful, but they were mostly as awesome as they were awful. It was so hard being their age. And now I expect technology has made being that age exponentially harder I’d say all bets are off in comparing them to now. All I know is I spent 30 years in the middle school classroom with no regrets. I will say it’s the hardest job you’ll ever love, however.

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X_Wheeze_souffle@reddit (OP)

That is not something I'm interested in or prepared for, but thank you for your comment.

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Possible-Ad-3056@reddit

What industry were you in? Do you like it and want to stay? Think about what you want. A job that allows for reasonable hours, or a job that you love but requires more than 50 hours per week, for example? What’s happening where you live, and are there other opportunities? My husband was out of work for a year at the age of 60 and eventually landed a role he wanted. I switched industries at 47, and I haven’t looked back.

To quite GenX, but…..

Yeah, this is shitty. I got laid off at 60, took 8 months to find the next gig at 61. It was a friend that started his own business. I worked with him in the past and he was super smart. Several months into this job and he’s asking me to do things I find to be unethical, which I wouldn’t do, I had to work around it to keep customers happy. Then after a few more months we had a talk and mutually parted ways, at 63.

I looked for another 8 months for another job, was a final candidate for a couple, but never landed one. My wife kept telling me to stop looking.

It took a while, but at the end of 2025, I finally said “I guess I’m retired.”

It didn’t end the way I intended to. I was hoping to be one of those people that called their boss and said, “By the way, I’m retiring on xxx date”, but it didn’t go that way.

I started thinking I’d just get a part time job at a hardware store, but I put some much effort into the job searches that past few years, I just didn’t want to held to someone else’s schedule, even part time.

What I was replying to (sorry if not clear) was the concept that getting a job driving a forklift for the first time being "not that hard" when I know people who haven't been able to find jobs in 3-5 years (either in their experienced fields or any others), with clean backgrounds and clean of illegal substances.

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X_Wheeze_souffle@reddit (OP)

I've already researched ACA insurance, I will look into EBT. Thanks.

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Fresa22@reddit

Also look into SCSEP. The wages don't count against EBT and it's an in to a new network of people. We are relocating and I'm going to apply as soon as we get settled.

In my case it was 5. What a way to end my working days, eh?

curious as to why, especially when you hit 40 or even 50 that you didnt take stock into your position for a possible ageism issue? did you feel secure enough about your retirement plan if you had possibly gotten let go at 50?

I ask because I have some coworkers who are just a few years older than I and were let go last year. Some found work at almost a higher pay others kinda sat numb for a few months until they eventually landed a job.

Don’t despair too much. I recently hired 2 staff members over 50 (53 and 55). Both had so much more experience than anyone else interviewed and I immediately connected with them (also a GenXer). I am grateful they applied. For so many employers, finding skilled workers who are not looking to job hop in 1-2 years is very difficult.

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X_Wheeze_souffle@reddit (OP)

Thanks, I will check out opportunities in that area.

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Top-Pudding-4139@reddit

Same advice. My municipality hires all ages and backgrounds. It can be competitive so apply for as much as possible. Once you're in, it's easier to apply for other roles because now you have government experience.

Can confirm. At my agency, employer health care, days off, pension, etc cost us 60-65% of salary. There is no way a private corporation is spending that on your benefits coverage. I’d take a public sector job at $60k with a $36k benefits package than a $70k private sector job with a $12k benefits package.

It costs me $350 a month pre-tax for health, dental, and vision for my son and I. I haven’t paid a dime for dental work except for that partial crown back in 2014. And the copay on that was cheap. Vision exams are free, and then I can use a glasses credit at Costco Optical. Copays at my GP are $15 or $0. Prescriptions are between $5 and $11. ER visits are $50 if I go home and $0 if I’m admitted. Hospitalization is $0. When my son was born and spent almost 2 weeks in the NICU for low blood sugar from gestational diabetes, it cost me $12.75 for three prescriptions for my ex-wife. Uninsured, that stay for her and my son would have been $145,000 according to my billing statement.

I’m 56 and the health care component of my job is worth everything. Also, we have retiree health care that supplements Medicare when that starts after retirement. My dad also retired from his government position and his cancer treatment at the university medical center was $0 on retiree health care (he was 64 at the time and not Medicare eligible).

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ManageConsequences@reddit

Just don't go federal right now, it's a bloodbath.

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_ChristmasSunday@reddit

Agree!

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freeshivacido@reddit

Lawyer up and sue for age discrimination. It might be your only way out. If you think you have too much honor for that, just think about how they didn't care one bit about you. Just dropped you like a sack of potatoes. You don't even have to win really. They might settle out if court with you. You could get enough to at least give you the time to reorganize.

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_ChristmasSunday@reddit

She was a part of a layoff with workers of multiple ages. And discrimination is extremely difficult to prove even when it might be a component.

If people haven't had to search in this market, their recommendations are probably going to be pretty irrelevant, even when well-meaning. I did a job search during the Great Recession after grad school. That was a liiiiiiiittle tough. Today is like that on steroids and bath salts. It just is.

BUT there are good resources out there.

1) Get the book Never Search Alone ASAP. I found the book at the library. It is worth owning. There's an online community that is free and really, REALLY helpful. Do the steps in the book. Be honest about where you are and what you want. Talk to people more than you may want, especially when you don't want to.

Following the steps in this book AND doing a hell of a lot of work got me a job. I ended up in a totally, totally new industry where I can apply my generalized skills as I build my knowledge in more specific areas. I am making HALF of what I used to BUT I'm probably 6 times happier. I can bring my dog to work, the people are nice, I get to use my brain. I'm doing a little better than "making do" financially. The country is crazy - "making do" ain't bad.

2) Check out programs in your area/State for retraining workers. Check out your State workforce department. If you happen to have a disability (physical or otherwise, maybe your knee?) or are a veteran, look at those programs. I had to get a mortgage forbearance for a minute. Wells Fargo connected me to a job search counselor for free. (If you have a bad mortgage servicer, like Shellpoint or NewRez, don't do this.) Goodwill has job placement services that aren't working in their stores - they work with other community organizations, local govts, and businesses that are hiring.

3) For real, get the Never Search Alone book. Even folks that are employed should get this book and follow some of the steps because anyone can land in our positions. I need to do a tune-up myself.

4) Tara Brach's book "Radical Acceptance" was helpful psychologically and got me through a lot of the anger, shame, hopelessness, etc. It sounds 'woo-woo' but I don't think it actually is. Woo-woo is not my bag and this book changed my life.

Of course while I’ve been doing this and using settlement money to pay cash for the degree, I was able to tuck away a bit I retirement accounts that I didn’t have before. It isn’t nearly enough to just retire now so I’m in the have to work until probably 72. I’ll probably go longer than that just because I’m a workaholic.

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Prestigious-Fig2334@reddit

I’m trying to get on with MoCo.

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Sad-Corner-9972@reddit

You did great; but, honestly, it shouldn’t be this hard for any of us.

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gunjacked@reddit

Congratulations on the career change, I’m attempting the same thing at a local community college in my late 40s. Got laid off last year from tech job I had for 9 years

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steffi309@reddit

I got fired from a job I'd had for 15 years in 2015. I was 40. I was a trained medical coder but uncertified. I went college. I used some of my grant money to get certified. My degree is in health information management.

In 2020, I worked as seasonal help at Walmart. I then went ro work at family dollar for about eight months and then a beer store. I finally got a job in medical coding in 2023. It was all rough in the times when I wasn't working.

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Apart_Trick_1916@reddit

Start your own small business. This is the way.

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CheapTechnology6193@reddit

Ah, I find entrepreneurship is either in your DNA or it's not.

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Prestigious-Fig2334@reddit

A consult with a professional recruiter might be a good place to start. They can teach you newer interview skills, re-write your resume and the like. When I found myself without work after 50, the recruiter I used was invaluable in my search. Good luck to you.

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mydoghank@reddit

I am late 50s here with a teenager. I am in no position to stop working. My long-term goal is to turn a section of my house into an apartment to rent out. I’m not quite ready for that yet.

In the meantime, I’m managing and sometimes cleaning vacation rentals when needed and I also have a busy pet sitting business. I have a bachelors degree but never really ended up using the applicable industry because I realized I hated it once I got in there.

Got laid off at 55, fortunately with generous severance and some "outplacement" services. Not ready or able to retire at that point so I took advantage of training opportunities.

Outplacement classes basically taught how to update your resume to minimize your age and emphasize current skills, customize per job etc. Also how to use LinkedIn to best advantage, get your detailed resume on there, maximize contacts and use contacts where possible.

I also pursued a certification that I had never needed but has become important in my field. I would have been eliminated from a lot of opportunities without it.

A consulting firm contacted me based on my LinkedIn profile and offered a job. It wasn't ideal but it met my basic requirements so I worked a few more years, maximizing 401k contributions and building equity in my house. Consulting can be a possibility for people with general management experience.

Ita not easy but if you aren't ready to retire, do what you have to do and hang in there.

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InsignificantRaven@reddit

Reinvent yourself and maintain a positive attitude. What are your transferrable qualifications/experience? Good luck. It is going to be different.

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shitshatshatted@reddit

I started at USPS at the age of 45. Best job I ever had. I’m a mail carrier making 81K this year before overtime. It’s also one of the last places with a pension. Good luck to you!

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Lizzie_001@reddit

I tried this. I was put on the biggest route at my station because (finding out later) that no one else wanted it. I was completely overwhelmed and ended up quitting after about 3 months. I was encouraged to reapply at a later date when a smaller route might be available or apply for a clerk position should one come open.

This. I see so many GenXers standing in McDonalds waiting on an order for McKenzie with beat down looks on their faces.

it's not to win the case, it's to get more money. The litigation is costly for the company.

Ageism cases are very difficult to prove. But not impossible. And companies with deep pockets counterintuitively are predisposed to settle because it's worth making an example of them if they lose.

I could use Rule 72(t)

Ngl I had not heard of Rule 72(t) til now. But when you're right, you're right ✅️ That rule allows you (and requires you!) to take Substantially Equal Periodic Payments, but they have to last at least 5 years or until you reach age 59 1/2, whichever is LONGER. 🤓

I could bypass the 10% taxes that way.

Kind reminder that this rule only lets you bypass the 10% extra taxes from the penalty. The money will still get taxed as ordinary income, which depending on one's tax bracket, could well be taxed at 22% or more.

It's restrictive

And how 🤔 If one dont already have a tax/financial advisor on retainer, this would be a good reason to hire one. Seems like these S.E.P.P. arrangements need to be structured very carefully

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ManageConsequences@reddit

Thank you for this! Just like OP, it's all new to me too. I'm retiring from the federal government on disability, so I was hoping to use this during the year it takes for the adjudication. I'll have to go find out the particulars.

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SushiGirlRC@reddit

Mine says I have to be 59 1/2, 2 months to go...

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What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?

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Ok-Limit-9726@reddit

Australia, so hard to convert with having healthcare.

ricecrystal@reddit

Yessss i almost went this year at 58 but decided to postpone it for a few years. Now I'm planning no later than 62, because I just bought a house, but it could be earlier.

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chopprjock@reddit

Ricecrystal answered correctly, but in my case, yes- my wife was able to claim EU citizenship by descent so she is a dual citizen and I received my visa as her spouse.

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V1per73@reddit

I had to start over after being let go from where I worked for 14 years. Found a job with the state department of agriculture inspecting produce. Definitely check state govt jobs.

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nrauhauser@reddit

Turned 59 last week and trying to stand up again after losing 2007 - 2025 to an undiagnosed immune system condition triggered by Lyme. If you think getting discarded at 59 is weird, imagine having it happen at 39, then trying to stand back up twenty years later.

I am lucky that I had a computer science education and a lot of ISP network operations background. I haven't worked for corporate America since the late 1990s and I've done OK inventing new stuff to do on my own. These days I'm hustling to get some software out, because VCs interested in the mid-seven figures range. Can't get a proper job, just gonna cobble my own together 😄

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NancyEast@reddit

Think about how you can pivot. What new skills can you learn? What skills got rusty that you can revive? Start training. It may take time but there’s no sense in waiting.

Middle managers tend to be very skilled people and project managers. What about HR or project management?

Or / also consider work you may not have thought of. 10 yrs at a public school will get you a pension (and likely have some good benefits).

Use AI. Work it by putting in your specific scenario, resume, interests and ask it for options. You might be surprised by the results.

Network. Go to any free networking events that you can.

Take a breath and give yourself some grace. Good luck.

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tiltedsun@reddit

I spent ten years trying to get a job ( off and on) outside of construction. I realized I was competing with younger folks.

Imho, the best options for folks over 50 is either self employment if you have a marketable skill or government / university jobs.

State, county and public universities hire constantly for various positions. They usually don’t pay as well as private sector.

One friend, recently laid off after 24 years, got an adjunct professor gig.

Good Luck 🍀

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Livid-Technology-396@reddit

For most of my life I’ve been a skilled tradesman, payed for knowledge and experience. I dabbled in corporate many years back. It wasn’t my cup of tea, and I was miserable there. At 59, I’m certainly rolling into the end of my trade career. The technology I maintain is quickly approaching end of life, and I plan on being fully retired by the time the bloody thing goes the way of the Dodo. The financial guy tells the wife and I that we’re going to be well off in retirement, but I’m still a nervous Nellie about the prospect. In the interim, I’ve been offered a rather nice job in project management, but am starting to think that I’d rather wake early in the morning and walk my dog from here on in.

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I feel this. Spouse was laid off mid 50's from a company he had been with around 15 years when hundreds of jobs were outsourced. His industry was/is not doing well in our state. To add insult to injury, my steady job and pension are tied to our state and our kids were finishing 8th and 11th grades.

He ended up taking a job 2000 miles away that had a lot of travel to our state, and led to expanding his skill set. It worked out surprisingly well - and with a raise - until that company declared bankruptcy 11 months later.

The second time around in less than a year, he applied to places in 11 states (the market in our area was even worse than before, but he tried), and ended up getting a great job - again in the state 2000 miles away. So we have been making it work with go wild flight passes, video calls, etc. until we are in a place where he can retire (kids are college sophomore and 11th grade now).

I'd say, what can you get creative on? Are you flexible on location, skills, hours, age of retirement? What is your most marketable skill set? What is the biggest need for you (health care, location, income) and in your area? And figure out how to bridge the gap.

We are just out here trying to make it to our next goal post - never thought after 30 years together we would be living in separate states and raising our last teen in this weird set of circumstances, but here we are.

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twas_brillig__@reddit

Worked at the same job for 30 years. They told us 18 months in advance they were closing us down. So at 52 I was unemployed for the first time since I was 15. Thankfully I found a job in two months but other coworkers are still looking.

I was not expecting the toll that the period of unemployment would take on my self-confidence. Even now that I’ve been at my new job a month and I’m doing well at it. Self-confidence is still sorely lacking.

Hey, I hope you're okay. I'm 56, cancer survivor - worked through treatment and was certain I had a recurrence until the results came back yesterday. I was terrified.

You got this.

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Dr_Newton_Fig@reddit

Thank you. I've been treated. I'm under surveillance now.

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Frigidspinner@reddit

I got offered a package at 55 - I could see the writing was always on the wall, just waiting for me to get a few grey hairs. I saved like crazy during the good years and I am hoping I am retired at this point

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Mundane-Force9463@reddit

Gosh, in theory, getting laid off wouldn’t suck so much if I didn’t have to worry about health insurance. For that matter, I might’ve tried the entrepreneur route if I had insurance or not had to worry about insurance premium cost. Like I don’t even know what it is and how it fluctuates, etc. Then catastrophic instances could wipe my ass out of all my savings. I feel like I just have to pray and hope nothing happens and I have enough to survive until I die if I retire and or get laid off.

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FloristanBlue@reddit

Check what your state has for ACA (Obamacare). Do not be lured by lowest premium as annual deductible you pay before coverage kicks in will be very high on those. Any plan likely will be high but you may qualify for subsidies to help pay.

atomic_chippie@reddit

State job, apply for any state job. You may hate it, it will be boring, but the benefits will be good, and the salary good enough.

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Turnips4evr@reddit

This right here. I started with the state at 43 after yet another layoff, and transferred to another department at 50. My dept. just hired 3 new people, all over 45- one is 62. The pay is not great, but the benefits are very good and so is the job stability. There's also satisfaction in working for the public good, even if the public doesn't know it.

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sickiesusan@reddit

I was made redundant at 50, 9 years ago. It took me a while to realise that I was going to have to accept a lower paid job, if k wanted to get back on the market again. 9 years later I’m still not earning at the level I used to - it’s blown up all plans to retire at 60!

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I actually worked for a large company and was 48 when I got my layoff after 25 years at a company that had never laid off in its 75 year history until a year or two prior.

Fwiw I’m 53.

First of all, forget about retiring. It was a nice idea, and it worked out for my grandparents, but thats just not the world anymore.

Second, learn to live like a starving college too broke to buy the name brand ramen, and appreciate the bugs in the generic noodles as bonus protein.

Then find something you can do as a brain in a jar. I’m back in a community college getting a bachelors in cybersecurity. Working construction ruined my back and a motorcycle accident fscked up my leg and kidneys, now diabetes is probably gonna take that leg below the knee.

I’m unlikely to live to 65, but with a little luck I can work from home and help keep scammers from hijacking my grandkids student loan disbursements.

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UrWeirdILikeU@reddit

Hey, folks can still retire. I retired 6 years ago and am doing just dandy at 45.

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ConsistentMobile4990@reddit

I know you are being sarcastic but it’s such a bad outlook on life.

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psiprez@reddit

I see no sarcasm, just truth.

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rc3105@reddit

No, no sarcasm required, thats a valid comment taken at face value.

I know it’s not that bad everywhere, UMWELT and all, but I know plenty of folks in far worse shape.

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LetsHikeToTheMoon@reddit

Cybersecurity seems like a great high demand field to get into.

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rc3105@reddit

Yep.

Folks will say AI is going to replace everybody, and if it can replace you then yeah maybe you need a job flipping burgers or stocking shelves somewhere. (both jobs are already doable by androids, but they’re still expensive compared to us peons)

But AI doesn’t have that sneaky supervillain spark of inspiration.

If you can channel that spark and use AI as henchmen you’ve got job security until the end of time.

And many many moons ago I was one of those teenage nerds breaking copy protection on new floppy disk based games before the ads even hit the computer magazines.

I think i can channel that spark. After all, a supervillain is just that asshole who cut you off in traffic who’s gone pro to ruin everybody’s day.

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Clueless5001@reddit

https://www.ketogenicforums.com/

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WildMartin429@reddit

You still might have a case for age discrimination just because they sprinkled into younger people doesn't mean that it wasn't age discrimination related. I would consult with an employment lawyer just to be on the safe side they'll usually do a consultation for free and let you know if they think you have a case.

This is the answer. Without health insurance, you need to wait until 65.

Jobs with pensions and health insurance for life have pretty much disappeared.

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Nephilimn13@reddit

Got replaced last year at 55 - new owner brought in their own guy. Ran the numbers and talked with our FA and called it quits. Took up cooking as a hobby and do part time with the state historical society during the summer and fall absolutely loving it. Retiring from the corporate grind was weird at first (took me 6 months before using that term!) But after a year plus I have no stress, my doc was shocked at how better my bp and blood work was at my annual physical a couple months ago, and just smile every day. Retire as soon as you can, age doesn't matter.

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english_major@reddit

My thought too. I retired a few weeks after my 60th. Not too early at all. I’m still in good enough shape to do the things I wanted to do once I got the time.

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mtngoat7@reddit

Exactly, in my view everyone should retire as soon as it’s financially feasible. I’ve seen too many people retire at 65 either die within a few years, or are in such poor health they can’t enjoy their retirement.

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Historical_Project86@reddit

My ticket's likely getting punched in July, so I will let you know. I'm trying to get back on the horse, applying for jobs using AI to get past the AI resume check. 😄 I think I should get around 20 weeks pay, plus 3 months notice, so I reckon that'll see me to April/May next year before I have to start dipping into savings and company stock. That's when reality will strike, because the further I go past that date, the further I will ever be from being able to retire, seeing as the company stock was always earmarked for paying a big lump of our mortgage.

Honestly it's pushing me further and further towards "checking out" mentally and rejecting the life I have now. I'm determined to look after my health, that's number 1.

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Generally_Tso_Tso@reddit

Do OnlyFans and uber/doordash, grill street corn from a shopping cart.

Or start your own business--

We have this weird notion that "the company pays 85% and you only have to pay 15% (plus copays, coinsurance, deductibles, out-of-network fees, etc.)" out of pure benevolence and goodwill or something.

captainbeautylover63@reddit

My job in Nashville was on the chopping block in 2018. I was 56, our son grown and independent, and my wife fed up with working and dealing with a 90 commute for a daily 20 mile drive.

Long story short, we sold our house and 90% of what we owned, bought a travel trailer and a truck and hit the a road.

We work seasonally at campground across the country and love it. We get paid to work and live where we could never afford!

It’s not for everyone, but we love it. Research “Workamping.”

dudeatwork77@reddit

At least you’re not a fresh graduate in the midst of the AI revolution.

It sucks getting laid off but you only need 4 years before social security hits. There’s likely several months of severance and unemployment. So just hang tight for 3 years. Start DoorDash if you have to.

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grandlizardo@reddit

Hey…you don’t think she’s gonna be able to live on SS DO YOU. She needs to plan to work until 68 pr s…saving all the time…and then she might have a chance.

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wanderingdev@reddit

Retirement depends on savings, not age. So whether you can retire or not depends on how much you have in the bank.

But I'm sorry you're in this situation. Hearing it more and more. And the job market sucks, unfortunately.

Good luck to you!

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TJCharter@reddit

I bet they re-hired about 5 of those positions with people in their in early/mid 20's, doubled up their duties and cut salary on the positions by about 35%.

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Common_Scale5448@reddit

And renamed the position.

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mistegirl@reddit

I'm no where near the same age, but have to share.

I was 46 when I was laid off from the company I'd worked for 16 years, the last 12 of them being remote.

The role I had was very niche to that company and does not exist elsewhere. The skills I gained could get me a job, if I didn't live in a place where an office job would be a 2 hour commute and I'd still take a 40% cut in salary.

I cut my living expenses to as low as I could go and went freelance. Now my monthly bills, all in, are about 1400 a month and I make enough to cover them without ever having to interact with another human.

SushiGirlRC@reddit

Must be nice to have 20k...

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Bandag5150@reddit

Shit sucks. I hope you find peace.

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Zen_Hydra@reddit

I'm 50, and cancer/cancer treatment has permanently broken my health, including my ability to concentrate for longer than a couple minutes at a time. I had prepared myself and my family for my death, and then my cancer unexpectedly went into remission (its an incurable form of lymphoma, so it will eventually become active again, but who knows when). I've been on long-term disability from my job long enough that my position has been filled in my absence, even though I'm still technically part of the company. I'm pretty sure that I couldn't handle going back and writing the papers I was before getting sick, even though I'm still technically qualified to do so. I'm too broken to be what I was, but not broken enough to be blissfully unaware of what I've lost.

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OTF98121@reddit

Are you me??? Because everything you wrote is me, except instead of lymphoma I have leukemia.

I was laid off about four years ago. 58 I think. Had been there ten years. There had been a “merger” but it was really an acquisition and down sizing meant getting rid of anyone they could from my side of the company. I felt like I would never work again. On top of that my dad had just died and we had to put my mom in memory care. It was pretty tough.

I had been in middle management and people want actual experience not “transferable skills”. I had a real niche position. I figured I would coast and eventually get something just to get benefits. I did the “three a week” required applications to keep unemployment coming in. I had basically given up. Then I saw a job that on paper I was qualified for. I hit the LinkedIn easy apply and was hired. It’s not bad money but it’s a lot less. The irony is- the benefits are absolutely terrible. I’m happy to have some money coming in as I don’t want to retire into what could be the one big, never happened before , black swan economic collapse.

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SushiGirlRC@reddit

Companies right now are way too focused on niche experience, it's frustrating. Quality is Quality and documents are documents.

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Intelligent_Syrup_26@reddit

When this happened to my wife, she retired. It was significantly earlier than we had planned, but I hear some 40-50% end up retiring earlier than they had planned. I followed suit 6 months later.

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mettaCA@reddit

"AI is triggering a "Great Flattening" of corporate structures, with projections suggesting up to 20% of firms will use AI to significantly reduce middle management by late 2026. Agentic AI now automates tasks like reporting, coordination, and tracking. Key roles at risk focus on oversight, while positions requiring emotional intelligence and strategic, human-centric leadership are evolving rather than disappearing.

Key Trends in Middle Manager Job Reductions

The "Great Flattening": Companies are cutting management layers to reduce bureaucracy, speed up decision-making, and lower labor costs.
High-Risk Tasks: AI excels at tasks traditionally done by managers, including scheduling, status updates, resource allocation, and workflow monitoring.
Industry Examples: Amazon has been leading the way in streamlining corporate structures. Top leaders like Jack Dorsey of Block have cited AI as a reason for cutting thousands of roles.
Shift in Value: The value of a manager is moving from task-based monitoring to impact-based leadership. Roles focusing purely on coordination are the most vulnerable. Fortune +4

Evolution of the Role
Instead of total elimination, many middle management roles are expected to shift:

Strategic Focus: Managers are becoming "insight architects," using AI-generated data to guide strategy rather than just gathering it.
Human-Centric Leadership: Emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and employee mentoring are areas where human managers remain essential.
AI Facilitator: Managers are tasked with deploying and managing AI tools within teams, ensuring they are used correctly. CNBC +2

Impact on Future Career Paths

Skill Requirements: Data literacy and AI literacy are becoming critical skills for survival.
Age and Experience: Studies suggest AI will heavily impact mid-career professionals (45+) in managerial positions.
Irrelevance vs. Redundancy: The primary threat for managers is becoming irrelevant by not adapting to AI-driven workflows, rather than immediate job loss. LinkedIn +3

While 78% of executives believe AI will reduce middle management, many experts believe this will force a transition toward more strategic, human-centric roles, rather than the complete removal of the management layer."

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Playstoomanygames9@reddit

Just like commercials, I have already learned to skip AI generated content.

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MaximumJones@reddit

There is really only one option left

I'm in the exact same boat, laid off in December along with others who were being paid too much.

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witch_bitch_kitty420@reddit

Get a security license and look for a concierge security job

It's pays better than most because you have to be the face of a nice building to its rich clients

The state, county, and city agencies and departments hire older workers all the time. If you’re willing to do another 10 years working (at a desk job) then you can likely pull thru with a small pension and some healthcare benefits in retirement.

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Upper-Glass-9585@reddit

I got laid off 8 weeks ago at 50. It happened at 34 and I reinvented myself while was chasing money. I have a part time position that is $30k a year at that is helping. I just got a job offer and accepted but no bennies. I think I'm getting another interview this week for possibly more money and benefits.

If I would've had 2-3 more years at my old company I would've probably just kept the part time gig and retired.

This time around I'm actually tailoring my job skills to a mix of my blue collar jobs, my white collar jobs and my hobbies that I'm super passionate about. It seems to be paying off.

Good luck!

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Routine_Breath_7137@reddit

20+ years calls for a good severance package but don't accept until speaking with an employment lawyer first.

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GWBrooks@reddit

There is no federal (or state, I think... but I'm sure about federal) legal requirement for severance unless it's covered in the employment contract - and then it's a contractual matter, not a labor matter.

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Routine_Breath_7137@reddit

Okay. I'm speaking from Canadian labour laws.

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I met with my new financial advisor recently. I’m about 10 years from retirement. Turns out my “set this up and forget about it for 20+ years” strategy worked out.

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ZweigleHots@reddit

Laid off at 49 after 25 years. I took a PT job to supplement the severance when it became clear I wasn't going to find anything right away. I got four interviews in six months, including the two places that hired me. The other two places just reposted the position. I had wanted to get out of retail, but realized I'm probably going to be stuck with it for at least a few more years. Finally landed a position in a place that pays as much as my previous job with less responsibility - but the commute is expensive. It's the best I can do for now.

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ruxson@reddit

Whatever it takes to survive.

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irishgator2@reddit

I quit corporate and am now looking for non-profit or charity positions - it’s less money but I’ll feel better about what I’m doing.

Firstly, sorry...it's a crappy thing to go through and yes, ageism is real! As you're updating your resume, lose the dates, focus on your skills and experience.

Seriously think about your transferable skill set, when I was unemployed I was able to register for gig sites like upwork. It helped supplement my unemployment and I ended up making valuable connections that directly led to me being a W2 employee after 3 years of self employment doing marketing consulting work.

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HotMommaD4@reddit

Start a business???

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TheDarkRabbit@reddit

Take an easy gig to help with the daily costs. Keep looking.