Quote Originally Posted by KukriKhan
I forget your exact age - I'm guessing upper-30's, lower-40's - at any rate, at least 15 years out of early retirement, and more likely 20 years or more from full Social Security coverage.
Just turned 40 in Sept.


If you're going to make a change, now is the time to do it, career-wise. After 50, changing pay and benny packages becomes more risky, until our fearless leaders make 401(k)'s more portable some day.
One of the reasons I am thinking about it. After 50 its hard to switch - your not as marketable unless you have a really technical skill. For instance my father who is 64 can always get a construction job at a drop of a hat. Not many men can do what he does with heavy equipment. I know a few but most of them are related to me.

At 55, I'm staying where I am to protect the previous 38 Fed years. But I respect and admire guys who follow their dreams - not just the paystub.
I am of the opinion after 50 you have to decide retirement or work until you drop. If its retirement you are doing the right thing in my opinion. I got my dad to semi-retire this year. He now instead of running construction crews only works on a blade. (Scraber blades are the Cat wheeled machines that do several functions in road building, blade for short in the road construction slang.)

So, just to be a contrarian, I vote: "Stay". :)
My boss is going to have a heart attack when he finds out someone is seriousily looking at taking me. I was honest and told them I was going to post my resume and see what happens.

Good luck, whichever way you go.
I like the touring Europe on a Bike idea, but my wife will kill me. LOL