Okay. Without going into all the details, here is my situation.
I am single, no kids, and turn 50 next month. I live on the east coast, and am presently in a very volatile work environment. It has some very attractive aspects, but suffice it to say that the stress/frustration level has gotten fairly high. It is a job which is by definition, not stable. But my boss, who in many ways is a good guy, has become personally unstable as well - and has the potential to blow our whole operation up at any time and take all of us who work for him down with him.
My plan has been to ER at 55, at which time I would qualify for a defined benefit pension that would be about twice what it would be if I walked away now and then claimed what benefits I have already earned once I've reached that age. So sticking around (if possible), while unpleasant, would make a pretty big financial difference in my life from age 55 until death. So I've been grinding on, more or less taking it a day at a time for some time now, hoping that the situation would stabilize and that I can get the last 5 years that I need in one way or another.
This week another possible job has come to my attention in the San Diego area. It is with another work unit in the same employing outfit, so my defined benefit retirement clock would continue to keep rolling. It would be no more secure than my current position, but promises to be much more sane and pleasant.
The downsides: It would involve a pretty severe pay cut, it still may not get me the last 5 years I'm looking for either (and would take me away from an existing network of contacts that I could otherwise use if I didn't take this particular job), and while it would put me in an area which I find desirable, it would put me on the other side of the country from all of my friends and family.
I respect the opinions of most people who post here, and since I may be too close to the situation to objectively view things, I would appreciate any feedback folks might want to provide.
Thanks.
I am single, no kids, and turn 50 next month. I live on the east coast, and am presently in a very volatile work environment. It has some very attractive aspects, but suffice it to say that the stress/frustration level has gotten fairly high. It is a job which is by definition, not stable. But my boss, who in many ways is a good guy, has become personally unstable as well - and has the potential to blow our whole operation up at any time and take all of us who work for him down with him.
My plan has been to ER at 55, at which time I would qualify for a defined benefit pension that would be about twice what it would be if I walked away now and then claimed what benefits I have already earned once I've reached that age. So sticking around (if possible), while unpleasant, would make a pretty big financial difference in my life from age 55 until death. So I've been grinding on, more or less taking it a day at a time for some time now, hoping that the situation would stabilize and that I can get the last 5 years that I need in one way or another.
This week another possible job has come to my attention in the San Diego area. It is with another work unit in the same employing outfit, so my defined benefit retirement clock would continue to keep rolling. It would be no more secure than my current position, but promises to be much more sane and pleasant.
The downsides: It would involve a pretty severe pay cut, it still may not get me the last 5 years I'm looking for either (and would take me away from an existing network of contacts that I could otherwise use if I didn't take this particular job), and while it would put me in an area which I find desirable, it would put me on the other side of the country from all of my friends and family.
I respect the opinions of most people who post here, and since I may be too close to the situation to objectively view things, I would appreciate any feedback folks might want to provide.
Thanks.