Some of you know this story, or part of it. There’s really no decision to be made, I have no choice. I was furloughed from my job on Apr. 5., getting unemployment benefits that are 25% of my take home salary... and I’m at the max. rate of benefits. The $600 federal PUA supplement helps but it’s still not my salary, and there’s talk it may end on July 31, or be extended through August. Savings are completely gone. I send my rent payment in chunks over the course of the first 2 weeks of the month. My landlord is a very nice couple who completely understand. But that’s not the point.
On June 25 I got a phone call from my boss and one of the HR directors that my job was eliminated. I am 1 of 6 in my group of 16 who have been terminated. That’s something like 37% of the local IT group. I was the systems admin. plus tech support for the applications development and QA teams. I don’t know what they’re going to do when things that I handled transparently will happen, but oh well,
it’s not my problem. In one 10 minute phone call, almost 23 years on that job was swept away. But they did say “thank you for your service”. In fairness we’re getting a severance package of 1 week per year of service. That will be a big help.
My health coverage was also terminated, of course. They’ve graciously
offered to foot 50% of the first month’s cost of COBRA, but after that I’m responsible for the almost $600/month premium. Yeah, uh, no thanks. Private health insurance is not much better. When my meds run out and I can’t see the oncologist or my internist or pain specialist I guess I’ll let nature take its course. Maybe 63 years has been enough to fulfill my dharma (my duties, reasons for being here).
I won’t find a job in my field, not at my age and in this economic and social climate. I probably won’t find much, if anything, not full time anyway. Part time plus the adjusted partial unemployment would still only equal what I’m getting now. This is what’s happening to older workers. And yes, it’s documented. It’s not just sour grapes. Companies are slick in avoiding allegations of age discrimination but it’s exactly what they’re doing.
So, the only really viable option is retirement and Social Security. I lose $600/month because I’m only 63; at 66 1/2 I get the full SS amount. That’s still only half my salary. But I’m not going to wait, I can’t... I’m tired after over 40 years in IT and corporate in one form or another. I’m tired of the business world bull****, games, politics. I’m not looking forward to a round of interviews, if I even get any, as if I’m a desperate loser begging for a job. It’s time. I still can’t get Medicare until I’m 65; I still have the medical coverage issue. I can get a part time job up to about $18,000/year with SS. Maybe I’ll go back to being a bank teller. I did that in college and liked it.
I almost walked out of the oncologist’s office, phlebotomy line still in my arm because the billing manager came in brandishing a statement showing I had a balance. I said I would check with the insurance company (I still had coverage). She said check all you want but this is what you owe. I said hey, I’m out of work and doing the best I can. She raised her hand dismissively as she left the room and said “everyone has problems”. I called the office the next day, told them what happened and canceled my follow ups. They apologized, said they’d take care of her and please don’t cancel my appointments. I’m not going back [funny thing, I got a call just now as I’m typing this, confirming my next appt.]. I said cancel it, for the reasons I mentioned and because I don’t have the money to get my brakes fixed, so I have no transportation.
Soooo... this is what’s happening to people. I’m not going to give my thoughts on why this is happening; though I will say it didn’t have to. I’ve stayed away from the forums and discussions because I do have a dog in the fight, and feelings that no one, and I do mean NO ONE is going to change. People have their opinions, but they’re not experiencing what we’re experiencing. When they do, we’ll talk.
So there it is... another over-60 being forced into retirement he had no intention of taking for a number of years more. And if I sound angry and bitter, and hurt, that’s very perceptive... I am in ways no one can imagine.
“Frank sits at home ‘cause he lost his job.
He plays guitar all day, drinks and cries a lot.
Many people love him for his happy smiling ways,
But the sadness inside him never goes away.
He thinks to himself ‘I had it all, now there’s nothing left!’
Now his life is changed in a way he can’t accept.”
Maybe one day, hopefully soon, things will change for the better, all around.
On June 25 I got a phone call from my boss and one of the HR directors that my job was eliminated. I am 1 of 6 in my group of 16 who have been terminated. That’s something like 37% of the local IT group. I was the systems admin. plus tech support for the applications development and QA teams. I don’t know what they’re going to do when things that I handled transparently will happen, but oh well,
it’s not my problem. In one 10 minute phone call, almost 23 years on that job was swept away. But they did say “thank you for your service”. In fairness we’re getting a severance package of 1 week per year of service. That will be a big help.My health coverage was also terminated, of course. They’ve graciously
offered to foot 50% of the first month’s cost of COBRA, but after that I’m responsible for the almost $600/month premium. Yeah, uh, no thanks. Private health insurance is not much better. When my meds run out and I can’t see the oncologist or my internist or pain specialist I guess I’ll let nature take its course. Maybe 63 years has been enough to fulfill my dharma (my duties, reasons for being here). I won’t find a job in my field, not at my age and in this economic and social climate. I probably won’t find much, if anything, not full time anyway. Part time plus the adjusted partial unemployment would still only equal what I’m getting now. This is what’s happening to older workers. And yes, it’s documented. It’s not just sour grapes. Companies are slick in avoiding allegations of age discrimination but it’s exactly what they’re doing.
So, the only really viable option is retirement and Social Security. I lose $600/month because I’m only 63; at 66 1/2 I get the full SS amount. That’s still only half my salary. But I’m not going to wait, I can’t... I’m tired after over 40 years in IT and corporate in one form or another. I’m tired of the business world bull****, games, politics. I’m not looking forward to a round of interviews, if I even get any, as if I’m a desperate loser begging for a job. It’s time. I still can’t get Medicare until I’m 65; I still have the medical coverage issue. I can get a part time job up to about $18,000/year with SS. Maybe I’ll go back to being a bank teller. I did that in college and liked it.
I almost walked out of the oncologist’s office, phlebotomy line still in my arm because the billing manager came in brandishing a statement showing I had a balance. I said I would check with the insurance company (I still had coverage). She said check all you want but this is what you owe. I said hey, I’m out of work and doing the best I can. She raised her hand dismissively as she left the room and said “everyone has problems”. I called the office the next day, told them what happened and canceled my follow ups. They apologized, said they’d take care of her and please don’t cancel my appointments. I’m not going back [funny thing, I got a call just now as I’m typing this, confirming my next appt.]. I said cancel it, for the reasons I mentioned and because I don’t have the money to get my brakes fixed, so I have no transportation.
Soooo... this is what’s happening to people. I’m not going to give my thoughts on why this is happening; though I will say it didn’t have to. I’ve stayed away from the forums and discussions because I do have a dog in the fight, and feelings that no one, and I do mean NO ONE is going to change. People have their opinions, but they’re not experiencing what we’re experiencing. When they do, we’ll talk.
So there it is... another over-60 being forced into retirement he had no intention of taking for a number of years more. And if I sound angry and bitter, and hurt, that’s very perceptive... I am in ways no one can imagine.
“Frank sits at home ‘cause he lost his job.
He plays guitar all day, drinks and cries a lot.
Many people love him for his happy smiling ways,
But the sadness inside him never goes away.
He thinks to himself ‘I had it all, now there’s nothing left!’
Now his life is changed in a way he can’t accept.”
Maybe one day, hopefully soon, things will change for the better, all around.
