i got a job.

[barbtries]

Been out of work since 01Feb2019. After applying to almost 100 jobs, one literally came looking for me in the person of a man i worked with previously. It's a contract position and will last 6 to 9 months, pays well, exercises all of my brain cells.

I'm so excited.

I'm 63 and being incapable of imagining a life with no income whatsoever, went ahead and started early Social Security. This job will supplement that nicely. I had severance for 4 months so really it couldn't be much better for me.

I'm so happy.

Between trump, republicans, and being 63 and unemployed, I have struggled with depression. I can't escape the awareness of the degradation of democracy and this rapid slide into fascism, but I got a job! So that's something I can feel very good about.

I'm so relieved.

[Frustratedlady]

1. Congratulations! Onward and upward! n/t

[barbtries]

7. thank you!

sigh. i'm just sitting here at my computer smiling so hard it's making my cheeks ache.

[trueblue2007]

51. C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shenmue]

2. Congratulations

[barbtries]

8. thank you shenmue!

[Tanuki]

3. Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your happy news!

[barbtries]

9. i had to tell someone lol

I'm not posting on FB or anything as I normally would.

but honestly my mood right now is 180 degrees from what it was before i heard from him last week.

[True Dough]

4. You're not

barbtries, you're barbdoes!

Good for you! Hope you enjoy it and, with any luck, your contract will get extended or turn into something else down the line.

[TheBlackAdder]

10. +1

[barbtries]

11. thanks True Dough!

After 20+ years of being barbtries I don't think i'll be changing any time soon, but yeah! she does, she did! yay

[silentEcho]

5. Yep. Good for you.

I was reading a study the difficulty getting hired after 55. That seemed to be the magic numbers. Experience calls one in for the interview. The old face stops the job in its tracks. I think networking and thru someone is the only way it will happen.

I am glad for you.

[barbtries]

16. thank you.

I will not be making more than maybe half, if that, of what I was making at my previous job. But I will have enough to satisfy my needs and even visit my grandchildren, maybe take a vacation from time to time.

yeah. no fun being a statistic, but that is what us old job hunters are. I will never know just why I was skipped over for all those jobs, but I know that I am able to perform every single job I applied to.

[spanone]

6. 👍🏼

[Codeine]

12. Lost my job of 30 years in 2016.

Luckily I’ve dug myself out but what a horrible feeling that is. I’m glad you’re back in the game.

[barbtries]

17. thank you!

I'd love to hear the entire story.

I had been at my job over 11 years when it went kaput. The whole process of finding a job is very different now.

[Aristus]

13. Congratulations!

I'm happy for you!

[barbtries]

18. thank you!

happy dance

[monmouth4]

14. Really happy for you, now rest easy..n/t

[barbtries]

20. i'll do my best.

mcconnell and trump are still destroying my country and threatening my children's and grandchildren's future, but...yeah, today, I celebrate.

[fleur-de-lisa]

15. Yay!

[KT2000]

19. that's great!

Relieved is even better than happy!

[barbtries]

22. i think you're right.

it's almost as if i can breathe all of a sudden.

[littlemissmartypants]

21. Congratulations, barbtries.

I am so glad for you. There is no stress like financial stress. I hope you will see you mood overall improve now that you are going to be working. I hope you have fun while you're at it.

[barbtries]

23. i will.

i do love my work. this also incorporates something new, so i'll be learning all the time, and that's what, to me, makes it all worthwhile. we're more ALIVE when we're learning, right?

[littlemissmartypants]

24. Definitely!

[mahina]

76. Thrilled for you!

Also curious about the field as I am scanning the horizon.

Mahalo and so many congrats!

[barbtries]

79. Thank you Mahina

it's clinical research; I am a clinical research associate.

[mahina]

88. Wow. Well that is one thing I'm never going to be qualified for I am very sure!

Stoked for you sister!

[More_Cowbell]

25. Congratulations! If it ends up being possible, you can reverse your early SS decision

For instance, it's been proven that it's easier to get a job while you're working. So maybe another job will come up, or the one you're in will turn out to be permanent at a higher rate.

Within the first year of taking early SS benefits, you can reverse your decision if you can pay back the benefits you received. Just something to think about.

I'm really happy for you!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

30. That's what I did, paid back my past SS payments.

Instead of collecting at age 62, got a contract and paid back the payments. One job led to another, finally retired at 69. So I started Social Security at 70th birthday. Big difference.

If you can defer Social Security, the monthly benefit just keeps rising (until 70).

Congratulations on the job!

[barbtries]

35. But over time (with my life expectancy),

the actual dollars are not that different.

I'm ready to be done with working full time and traveling 75% of the time. This has only become clear to me since I stopped working.

I think I'm doing the right thing for me, and I did my homework. Thank you!!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

37. If I die "young" (given that I'm over 70), then I chose poorly.

If I live to be 100, then I chose wisely.

If I die young, my spouse will collect my bigger SS.

Of all the decisions I've made, this one will probably not be questioned by St Peter at the pearly gates.

I see your point, though. "Work" can get in the way of many better things. And travel for work, well, I've seen many manufacturing facilities in many places. They all look the same after a while.

[barbtries]

39. lol, yeah.

ugh. i smoke, I'm obese, my parents died young. I don't think I'll be around to see my 80s by a long shot. Of course I could be wrong and live to 100. In which case i chose poorly.

[barbtries]

31. Thank you.

With this job it is unlikely that I will make more than the allowed amount under SS. I'm happy to be in a semi-retired place. I'll still have time to do things that I don't do when working full time, like cooking and so on. The amount of money I have saved by not eating out since I lost my job is a LOT.

If I can get a string of gigs like this I think I'll have a good work/life balance for where I am in my life. I feel like it could not be more perfect if I designed it straight out of my imagination.

[Wounded Bear]

26. Congrats, but be careful about your SS payments...

working while on early SS can lead to them withholding payments. I'd suggest you get some good advice from a pro.

[barbtries]

27. i've checked it all out.

and discussed with my CPA before I did it. For this and other reasons, I do expect to have a hefty tax bill next year, but am planning carefully to make sure it doesn't hurt too much when it comes to pass.

[Wounded Bear]

52. OK. Glad to see you're on it!

[nitpicker]

87. I take it your CPA may have suggested

Filing a W-4 to increase your withholding from this new job, and/or making estimated tax payments, so you will have paid just about all your taxes by April 15 and won't get a penalty for owing $1000 or more at tax time (if the exemptions from penalties don't apply).

[sheshe2]

28. Congratulations!

[Bigredhunk]

29. :-)

Congrats!!

[barbtries]

32. thanks Bigredhunk!

[PatrickforO]

33. Congrats! and may this turn out to be the best job you've ever had! n/t

[FakeNoose]

53. Maybe this will turn into a regular gig

You never know! Congrats and good luck in your new position.

[mnhtnbb]

34. Congratulations!

That's fabulous news!

[lunatica]

36. That's great news!

Especially the part where you really love the challenge of your work. We’re never too old to keep learning, to keep meeting the challenges!

[barbtries]

40. Absolutely not.

just put me in a box when that day comes. and when I can't laugh.

[lunatica]

45. I retired when I was 69 but only because that's what I wanted to do.

It made all the difference to leave on my own terms.

[barbtries]

46. good for you!

I don't have that option, but in this scenario I can leave work in steps. I'm okay with that.

[Phoenix61]

38. Congratulations!

Exercising brain cells is important.

[barbtries]

41. especially at my age!

eek. my sister was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year. It's like a phantom stalking me. I may never get demented, but then again maybe I will. This should help keep me vital that much longer.

[IronLionZion]

42. Congrats!

I've always had contract jobs and managed to turn out OK. It's great that your network connections came through for you and you're getting some supplemental income. Good for you!

[True Blue American]

43. Congratulations!

[Demovictory9]

44. ...

[underpants]

47. Congratulations

😁

[barbtries]

48. thanks underpants

love your sig line.

[underpants]

59. 😁

👋

[MLAA]

49. 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏻👏🏿👏🏼👏🏾👏🏻👏🏿👏🏼👏🏾👏🏻&#

[Anon-C]

50. Congratulations!

[irisblue]

54. I am very happy for you

[secondwind]

55. This is wonderful news for you, and it makes me very happy for you! I took early SS and

I don't regret it one bit, have been collecting for 13 years now.

[barbtries]

58. thank you!

i don't think i'll regret it. I have a mortgage, and if nothing else I can rest easy knowing we have a place to live. that was my biggest consideration for doing it. i gave it til mid-May to apply hoping to get a job, but i didn't and didn't and didn't so.

[The Mouth]

56. Congrats.

[sdfernando]

57. Congratulations!!!!! /NT

[Bayard]

60. YIPPEEE!!

Congrats!

[Hortensis]

61. That's so great. Now that sick feeling can go away.

The plight of older workers who become unemployed while still needing to work is so underdiscussed.

And it's past time to connect some dots to discuss:

1. The disappearance already and very soon of millions of skilled and managerial jobs, including: Postal workers and managers, computer programmers, computer operators, farmers and farm managers, bookkeeping and accounting technicians, legal technicians, ranchers and ranch managers, agricultural technicians, mega numbers of clerical workers, correctional officers, pastry cooks and decorators, truck drivers, executive and administrative assistants, fast food cooks, food service managers, lathe operators, electrical assemblers, factory jobs at all levels in every industry, cashiers, petroleum refinery operators, florists, loan interviewers and processors, bank tellers, inspectors and testers, purchasing agents, travel agents, telecommunications installers, switchboard operators (still have 'em), printing industry technicians, and many others.

2. The Republicans' refusal to develop new jobs, training, and alternative sources of income, along with adjustment to financial and other systems, to meet this crisis; as well as specific blocking of Democratic Party efforts.

3. The Republicans' moves to cut funding to college-level education and what constitutes college education itself to focus more on turning out workers who meet the needs of employers. And the shift away from standardized public schooling.

4. The Republicans' plan to deport millions of underpaid and often low-skill workers.

You know, last year the east coast crab industry was in big trouble because the visa lottery cut out 40% of the seasonal workers who come up every year to stand at tables shelling crab all day. Maybe the Republicans jumped the gun on that one. Turned out ex- equipment inspectors and loan processors didn't flood in to fill the vacuum. Yet.

[TNNurse]

62. Very happy for you.

[pazzyanne]

63. I retired at 67 and got bored with myself.

I went back to work 10 months later and worked until I was 73. I never regretted continuing to work part time. Extra money and being able to use my skills learned over a lifetime of work. Congratulations, and happy working!

[barbtries]

64. thank you pazzyanne!

[DFW]

68. Brava! I feel the same way!

I just turned 67 this year and can’t even imagine retiring. I’ve been with the same outfit since I was 23. Yes, the Jason Bourne/James Bond travel schedule gets tiring at times, and I probably have enough money saved to lead a modest life for the rest of our days (though there is never any guarantee of that).

But we all have to die of something, and I’m not going to let my demise be caused by boredom. If I’m going to keel over somewhere, I’d rather it be in a café in Barcelona or Zürich or Provincetown rather than on a couch in Texas.

[AllaN01Bear]

65. eggscllent.

best news i have heard in a while .

[Fritz Walter]

66. Empathy includes celebrating successes like this!

Five years ago, my 39-year career with a NGO came to an abrupt end. Applied for so many different — carefully selected— jobs and heard nothing. Nada. Zip.

Did some gig-work for a federal contractor, with decent pay, but no benefits, nor a guarantee of hours per week. It helped make ends meet, but I decided to start drawing SS benefits. Keeping a roof over my head, and health insurance (for someone in his 60s, those monthly payments were higher than housing) were the proverbial wolf at the door.

After a few months, a friend hired me on for part-time work. Still no benefits — other than a 401(k) match — but helped me survive. In addition to the gig-work.

Today, I got a nasty-gram from Social Security: they overpaid me last year. $500. That will be deducted from my September benefits. So be it. Considering how last year’s Social Security monthly checks kept me alive and (relatively) healthy during that time, I can now afford to swallow that bitter pill. Pardon the pun.

The thought that Yertle McTurtle and other RepubliCONs want to raid the Social Security program to polish the turd of corporate tax cuts (and their impact on the federal deficit), makes me more determined to get out the vote next year.

Been there. Done that. Got the scar tissue.
Hang in there!

[barbtries]

67. you've had a rough ride!

I hope that I don't overpay on SS but plan to put away enough to cover if so.

in all this time i've had 2 interviews and no offers. i know i'm luckier than most, because my severance just ran out in June and i already have a job. Other people let go from my company have been looking longer. One friend didn't get a job for over a year. it's rough out there.

[malaise]

69. Enjoy your new job

[Talitha]

70. Congratulations!

When you're happy, we're happy.

[smirkymonkey]

71. Congratulations!

Good for you!

[Fla Dem]

72. Way To Go! Hope you like it and I wish you much success.

[marble falls]

73. Being over 55 makes it hard to find any kind of job not having anything to ...

with burgers. I am very happy for you!

Working at things I am very qualified for was important for me, too. But here in central Texas I am a glut on the market. Fortunately my wife and I planned well and its working out.

A former draftsman and mechanical designer, I teach oil painting at the local craft group's club. Not much money, but tons of satisfaction.

[barbtries]

80. that must be.

I would take your class!

[marble falls]

85. I charge a token $10 month and provide all materials. I don't want anybody ...

buying anything until they are comfortable with their progress.

I make no money, but I am very satisfied with the participation and our output.

Our service project is painting ceiling tiles for Temple VA hospital. Usually we'll paint a canvas or two and then do tiles in acrylic. I am proudest of these. Over the last five years we've done quite a few.

I buy old brushes and refurbish them and pick up paints from garage sales and e-bay, a lot of them are partially used and old but in good shape.

If you're ever out to Central Texas look us up! We meet at the Kingsland House of Arts and Crafts every Monday!

[barbtries]

86. Will do!

If I get a job that takes me to TX that is! lol

[marble falls]

90. Never ever thought I'd end up out here, so don't count it out.

[yardwork]

74. Good for you!

[rustysgurl]

75. Very Happy For You ...

... that you found a job that appears to be both rewarding and financially lucrative for you. However, if you have taken your Social Security early, please remember that until you reach your full retirement age or FRA (for most of us now it's 66), Social Security WILL offset any benefit you receive against the salary you are making, if what you are making exceeds the limit set by them. In 2019, you lose $1 in benefits for every $2 earned over $17,640. The year in which you reach FRA, the earnings limit is $46,920, with $1 in benefits withheld for every $3 earned over the limit. That applies until you actually hit your FRA; past that, there is no earnings limit.

My husband took early SS, and they did indeed offset his benefits against his earnings. Bottom line, you will not be receiving your FULL Social Security retirement benefit if your income is more than the limit.

Again, congrats on the job.

[badhair77]

77. I'm so happy for your good news.

The extra money helps, it’s nice to have less financial stress, plus you’ll be out working with other people which should be good for your mental health. My husband lost his job in his 50s and was fortunate to find a good one two years later, plus it gave him lifelong friends. I wish you well in your new opportunity.

[UpInArms]

78. Yay!

Am glad this has come your way ...

[CaptainTruth]

81. Congratulations!

[barbtries]

82. Thank you!

DU is such a supportive place.

[bluecollar2]

83. Great news!!

Happy for you.

I had to retire early due to a death in the family. Luckily I have a pension to help ends meet.

Can't be easy looking for work at our age!

[barbtries]

84. it wasn't easy

until it just fell in my lap. I got lucky.

[BlueMississippi]

89. Congratulations

I'm sure you'll do well

[magicarpet]

91. Oh goodie for you,...

Be sure you do not exceed the income limits if you took early Social Security.

[LAS14]

92. Congratulations. nt

[BobTheSubgenius]

93. Congratulations!

I will, quite undeservedly, join you in your happiness. As the Era Of The Boomer draws to a close, we have to stick together!

Way to go!

[barbtries]

94. thanks Bob!