We had a major RIF on already understaffed teams prior to an acquisition.

9 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 11:59AM UTC

   Best to find a new role. Don’t stick around while the company dwindles. Get your resume updated and also where did your team mates go to work? Use LinkedIn to connect. Set your profile to Open to Work. One additional thing look at higher ed/colleges as they embrace multigenerational workers. Good luck!

2. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 12:15PM UTC

   I would have hoped you would have already started looking in preparation and possible outcome. So, do that now, if you haven't. Control what you can control. I get it, it's scary, do your best and re-orgs are usually done in stages. good luck.

3. AnonymousMay 15,2025 at 4:22PM UTC

   So much to unpack here, first do look around for other work. It's not too late to have a backup plan just in case. If you have a strong relationship with your Manager find out if you could be affected by this. Yes, speaking openly about things might take some pressure off of you. As for the financial bits there is not really anyone who can give you specifics here because each persons retirement and social security situation is different. The best advice is don't wait for the axe to fall take control and find out the answers now before you have to make decisions in the moment. Good luck.

4. AnonymousMay 15,2025 at 11:51PM UTC

   I was laid off a couple of mos ago at age 69. I'm holding off collecting SS til I turn 70 for max benefits.

   Knowing a couple of months before the layoff, I did ALL my preventive medical & dental appointments (labs, colonoscopy, pap, bone scan, physical, mammogram, dental, eye exam and new glasses, and 90 day supply of meds).

   I have not found a new job yet, and thinking about retiring. Getting my finances in order, as my employer only provided 5 weeks of severance, and unemployment is only 450 per week. It's tough.

   Suggest that you look for a hew job now. I was hired at age 64 with my most recent job. You've got this!

5. Jacqueline CutlerMay 16,2025 at 1:47PM UTC

   I am a few years older and not quite the same situation but I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this and I understand the stress.

   One thing I would recommend is talk to Social Security or to a financial advisor. There is a formula to figure out if the early benefits are ultimately worth it based on life expectancy (grim, I know). I don't know it well enough to explain it.

   If you took early retirement, could you negotiate for the employer to pay your share of COBRA? I would try to negotiate that (and had when I left a job at 57, I did that and then paid on my own, which was outrageously expensive. Each state varies in its state insurance,e so maybe check that as well.

6. Pauline Mosca-CyphersMay 16,2025 at 9:09PM UTC

   But COBRA is only good for 18 months.

7. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 1:54PM UTC

   You can't get Medicare until age 65 so COBRA or ACA until then. As others mentioned, start looking aggressively now.

8. Hella WillisMay 18,2025 at 7:15PM UTC

   Recently I voluntarily retired early. The ACA Marketplace is reasonably priced. I’m single, no dependents.

   Thanks President Obama.

   Good luck OP ?

9. Susan RichMay 16,2025 at 4:20PM UTC

   I was 63yo, in the same situation a few years ago. It really took a toll on my mental health. I worked at the company for over 20 yrs when the layoffs began (based on consultant's recommendations to make the company more efficient). Initially, they asked for volunteers to take an "early retirement deal", but I did not accept. Try to put out feelers to find out if you can accept early retirement in exchange for an enhanced severance package which includes medical until you turn 65. The upside for them is, depending on your state, you may not impact their unemployment insurance experience level (used as a basis for their required contributions to the state's unemployment fund), you waive your right to litigate any employment issues (depending on your state) and you could become goodwill ambassador for letting others outside the company know you, even though you were let go, you were treated respectfully.

   I lasted an additional 3 yrs, so at 63 I was let go. Strangely, I was relieved. I recently had dinner with my old boss, who told me no one know when the next round of layoffs will happen and everyone remains in fear of being let go everyday. She said the atmosphere in the office is high anxiety and horrendous.

   I empathize with you and wish you the best. A wish person, (my old boss), once told me to remember: "It could always be worse."