[USER]

I need some perspective. After spending my entire 29 year working career with a large company, I was recently laid off.

My wife and I are 52 and 49 respectively and had been planning to retire in June 2026.

We were both hoping to work until then and exit the workforce on our own terms.

My wife is still working, but I am left with the dilemma of what to do next.

Do I get a low paying / low stress job, look for a higher paying / higher stress role in the energy industry similar to what I had, or just call it quits early?

I haven’t been without a job since I was in college and am struggling to come to grips with my new reality.

My preference would be to get a low stress job or just not work, but my wife is encouraging me to get a higher paying job.

She is much more conservative than me and struggles to accept that we are actually FI.

We have approximately $4.2MM in investable assets (80% in equities and 20% in fixed income / cash) and annual expenses of approximately $120k.

Our assets are split between pre and post-tax accounts. We have access to enough funds in after tax brokerage accounts to bridge the gap before gaining access to our pre-tax accounts and SS.

I guess this is like one more year syndrome, but I am struggling.

What would you do? If your answer is not work or get a low paying job, how do I get my wife to support?

[Zeb]

Break out of the mindset that those are the only options. Consult part time? What is your expertise in the energy field? I might be able to give you some ideas.

I consult in the energy sector.

[Viv]

Tell her you’d rather work a few years longer at a less stressful job.
Then in 2026 reassess your net and test out working less hrs.

Ease into retirement so it’s not as scary for her/yall.

[Walter]

This may be a good opportunity to ask her if the two of you can see a financial advisor for 3rd party advice. $120k/yr is 2.8% of your portfolio, so both of you can retire today if you wanted to.

In parallel, I would search for a higher paying position since that may take longer to obtain and appease her in the meantime.

Agree to revisit you situation after talking with the advisor.

You may be able to pivot to the lower paying job without saying “I told you so”, and it will give the two of you some time to think about what comes next during retirement.

“Drawing down” funds may feel a bit weird after so many decades of doing the opposite

[Cecile]

On a serious note, I got laid off 7 years ago from a company that I loved. I took a year off and used that time to just be – ended up volunteering for my 2 younger kids’ sports and activities, helped out family and did a little bit of traveling.

A recruiter contacted me a year later for a role and from there, I worked almost 7 years but with a different mindset towards retirement and financial independence.

The answer will come to you.

You have to give yourself time to figure out what’s next.

[Brian]

I think you’re ready for FIRE financially. I will note that working as we age is great for the mind. My grandmother worked handing insurance until a few years before she passed of heart failure at 87.

She never lost a step, even towards the end.

So anecdotally I strongly believe there to be value in keeping our minds challenged and busy as we age.

If you don’t have a concrete plan of how to do that in retirement, do some sort of work until you do.

I recently had a friend in their early 40’s inform me that they are terminally ill.

Super healthy individual their whole life, fit, etc. and it came out of nowhere. Life is short and precious.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor while you’re healthy, it’s a blessing!

[Katrin]

And, I’m over here thinking …. are you sure your wife just doesn’t want you around the house all day?

I work from home and that is the only reason my husband can’t retire.

[Godfrey]

It doesn’t sound like a financial issue, but more an emotional one.
Maybe consider seeing a coach – whether that’s a life, money or career coach.

They would all bring some perspective (e.g. would you want to go through your first external interview process in 29 years for a high-paying job you don’t need?).

Whatever you decide, make sure your wife is part of the conversation.

[Cecile]

What is she concerned about? Healthcare? Mortgage? Having you in the house full-time with nothing to do?

On a serious note, I’m with Walter Phillips ‘ recommendation to see a financial planner to provide a 3rd-party review of your finances and plan.

[Tamara]

Sometimes enough is exactly that … enough.
Relax, take some time off and reassess .

You don’t need to work but if you feel you want to you should. Step off the hamster wheel for a bit.

[Melicia]

If I was in your shoes, I would go for the low paying/low stress job.

[Malea]

Two considerations – meet with an advisor so she can hear someone other than you (someone impartial) reassure her you’re (more than) okay.

Have a plan – retirement is fantastic when you’re running towards something and not running from (or staying put) because of fear.

If you choose not to return to work, how will you adjust to your new normal?

How will you redefine yourself when there isn’t a title attached? How will your wife adjust to the new balance?

What are the nuances that may impact your relationship (good, bad, indifferent)?

Consider your responses and then ask yourself if the answers are emotional, knee jerk, or reflective of who / where you’re moving towards.

And consider asking your wife how she saw retirement playing out in another 15-months?

How would that change if you chose not to go back to work? What are the *specific* impacts as she sees them (good, bad, indifferent)?

Be open to the responses and get curious as to whether her responses are emotional, knee jerk, or reflective of who / where she is moving towards.

Best of luck in whatever path you choose. Remember, you can always pivot and change your mind as often as you need / want – it’s your life.

[Jacob]

I’d split from the workforce if I knew I was set like that.

[Debby]

Take a little time to grieve the loss of your job. It is like a death to you.

What were your plans?
You are young. What were your future plans for when you retired at age 54??

It’s never good to just retire from a job, you must retire to something. How will you now fill your 40+ hours every week??

[Author]

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