Checking out at age 40? Start a new career?

[Cassius King]

Let your current employer "finance" you while you explore these other options.

This is absolutely wonderful advice. This is what I'm doing currently.

 

[Coffee Mavin]

It sounds like you (and a couple others) just don't enjoy managing people. If you are getting good reviews and are generally valued at your current employer, why not pursue getting moved into an Individual Contributor, high level role? I bounce back and forth between Management and IC roles and the pay is in a similar range, but IC typically pay a little better and are a lot less stressful.