I could probably push for more money if they are so desperate for me to stay but funnily enough money is not really the issue. I've never been driven by money but I have always been sensible with money which is why I can consider retiring at 55. They can't stop me retiring of course but the job that I am doing is quite unique and there is no one else to do it and we have recently lost some key staff. I can sort of see where they are coming from, just walking out of the door will make it difficult for them. I have been there 35 years and my company pension is looking pretty good, certainly don't want to jeopardise that.
Severing the work relationship as a valued professional is very complex and individual. Don’t burn bridges in the process. Going less time, and easing into retirement is not a bad option.
No pension for me, but if you are that valued and follow the rules, your pension will not be in jeopardy.
I understand where you are coming from. I spent a good portion of my career in “burnout”. However for a few years I worked a schedule and the type of work where I was happy to go to work. Just not happy with my “superiors”. Then I worked with a great group but my hours were too long and the work was unusually stressful. In 2014 I found the E-R forum and decided to retire. Well, the very week I was set to retire, I got an offer from the same company for ridiculously easy money, and they were desperate. So I worked independently for contract work for about 2 years, then told them I was “done “ July, 2016. But four months later when our hospital went to an electronic medical record, I took the training and was horrified how disastrous it would be without someone to create templates for our newborn notes. So I went to the hospital every day for 2 weeks , and created templates for all to use. I got well paid for my self-taught computer skills.
In May I got a call from my former director, asking me to help out in the one position in my career that so really enjoyed. Given the political instability of the ACA in spring of 2017, I took the position. I got a contract in December where I’m paid significantly more than I was, much less work, and with cheap benefits.
If you are that valued, make it work for you, not them. And maybe they can hire someone to do your valuable work, and you can train the person the way you see fit. Going part time and controlling your schedule is a huge step toward ER. Mostly I feel like I’m doing what I want with my time.