O/T Is It Too Late

John B. · Mar 8, 2015

Is it too late to switch jobs at the age of 55 and in good health? I have the chance possibly to accept a job offer that will be better than the job I currently have. It's in the same field or trade of plant maintenance. It's a big decision to make. But the company I work for there are rumors that they will close our plant. The Prairie Farms president told our shop steward back in October that the board wants to close our plant and he said no! Now they are saying they have too much Ice Cream in the system and they want to get out of the ice cream line. I have a job offer but it's a tough decision at my age now. Just wanted to share this with all of you because I know many of you have been thru similir situations and always have good advice or experiences to share with all of us...

oldtanker · Mar 8, 2015

(quoted from post at 18:07:27 03/08/15) Is it too late to switch jobs at the age of 55 and in good health? I have the chance possibly to accept a job offer that will be better than the job I currently have. It's in the same field or trade of plant maintenance. It's a big decision to make. But the company I work for there are rumors that they will close our plant. The Prairie Farms president told our shop steward back in October that the board wants to close our plant and he said no! Now they are saying they have too much Ice Cream in the system and they want to get out of the ice cream line. I have a job offer but it's a tough decision at my age now. Just wanted to share this with all of you because I know many of you have been thru similir situations and always have good advice or experiences to share with all of us...

John if there is a real possibility that your place of employment is closing and you have an offer on the table from a solid company at your age you better take it. You could find yourself applying at Wal Mart!

Rick

Dick L · Mar 8, 2015

Never to late to take a step up.

showcrop · Mar 8, 2015

The unknown is always scary, but, young fella, your current situation sounds scarier.

danmcdonald · Mar 8, 2015

I agree what Oldtanker said but must add that it is better to find a job when you have one.

Steve@Advance · Mar 8, 2015

I did it at 55, that was 4 years ago, have no regrets. Every situation is different, but couldn't turn down better pay, insurance, air conditioned shop, less responsibility, rid of an ADHD bi-polar @#xx% boss... Need I go on!!! LOL

At the old job things were looking very bad for the company. Many years of having to cut corners because they were broke, having to take a pay cut to keep the doors open. Every day I drive by and see the place open is a miracle, or a curse, depending on the viewpoint.

But, I didn't burn any bridges. When they get in a bind at the old job, they call me in at $80 hour! So far I haven't been stiffed, but I don't let them get too far ahead of me!

Dblair · Mar 8, 2015

you better , it will be hard to get work at 55 if they dump you .

pete 23 · Mar 8, 2015

I switched jobs at 59. Went from CaseIh dealer to John Deere dealer. I knew squat about green and it was tough to leave the red after 37 years but they treated me really great at Deere dealer and it worked out well. Took a little less pay and no 40lK (which I had for just 2 years) Toughest decision since joining the Army and that worked out well also.

JD Seller · Mar 8, 2015

I would check the new job out ASAP!!! It really sounds like your plant is in the cross hairs of the bean counters. They will eventually win.

You would be much better off to switch now over waiting a few years/months and having the local job market have to absorb all the jobs from your plant.

If you are in a vested retirement and it is locked in then run to the other job if the company is solid.

Goose · Mar 8, 2015

You're just a young squirt. You're only old if you THINK you're old. Too many people think they're old and act like they're old because our society tells them they're old at a particular meaningless number. I got the best job of my life when I was 62.

Now, at age 80, I just began a four year term as a County Commissioner.

If your current situation looks a bit shaky, I'd say go for it.

Pajamafied John · Mar 8, 2015

Old tanker nailed it.

super99 · Mar 8, 2015

If'n I was u, I'd be there bright an early to take the new job!!!! Chris

oneshot · Mar 8, 2015

Take the new job, with your maintenance experience you will make an excellent fit. Hard to say for sure what will happen with your old company. But in this day and age you have to look out for yourself first, last and always.

I left one career to go to start an electrical apprenticeship at the age of 35. Worked there for 32 years and retired. Then was retired for a year and got bored sitting home so I took a electrical maintenance job at large nursing/ assisted/independent living facility for six years. Then I retired for the second time and final time.............I think.

504 · Mar 8, 2015

Drive by 18th and Broadway in Quincy IL. The southwest corner is now an empty lot, it used to be a Prairie Farms plant. BTW in the store the other day PF ice cream was $2.25 a gal higher than BB ice cream.

Chuck (CA) · Mar 8, 2015

It worked for me, except I was 57. In 2000, I went to work for Home Depot as a major appliance specialist. Physically and mentally, it was the hardest job I ever had. Anyway, after 4 years there, I was approached by a Mom and Pop store and I jumped at it. Things at the HD were starting to look shaky. They were cutting back at that time and the old time specialists were the first to be let go. I retired in November, 2013 and I never looked back.

Nate V. IA · Mar 8, 2015

They closed the plant? I used to milk cows east of Quincy for an old dairyman. PF picked up milk every other day. Worked at the ADM-Moormans office during the day and milked cows from 5:00 until I got done, usually took 4 hrs but the more years I worked for him the more cows we seemed to have. LOL

Nate

ShadetreeRet · Mar 8, 2015

At the age of 50, I found myself looking for employment. The company that I had spent 32 years with were about to phase out the division where I worked and offered many of us an early retirement package. Problem was, I couldn't find work in my field. It was almost a year before I found a job driving a truck for a drywall firm. That ran out about a year later and I spent the last ten years working behind a parts counter at an automobile dealership before I retired. Bottom line, If a company is willing to hire you at your age, In your chosen field, then I would take it. There are still some companies who realize that experience means more than paying a greenhorn a lower salary.

calf · Mar 8, 2015

My questions:

Are you vested in any retirement plans at your current job, or will you be soon? 401k, Pension?

How long will it take for you to get vest in any of the plans at the now place? If that is even a possibility.

Health insurance? Old vs new.

Is the new place solid? How big? Who owns? If privately owned, how old? If owners are getting close to retirement - that could cause issues?

Recent change of ownership/leadership at the new place could be good or bad. If the new place is in a town that you are not so familiar with, it may be worthwhile to spend an afternoon at the local library, bar, coffee shop, or all three.

Just some thoughts

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

UncleTom · Mar 9, 2015

A year and a half ago i was in the same situation. I am 59 now. I knew the plant could not make it the way they were run. I spent 37 years in that pit and so i went for dinner waiting for a phone call and never came back. I shocked the plant, i never told anyone what i was doing. I wanted to be the first to get a job,on days and no driving. I could also start collecting my retirement if i switched. 6 months later, everyone else is looking for a job and they are working nights and weekends,and collecting unemployment and no insurance.The plant closed. It was scarey,but i knew i had to do it. I am making way more moeny and dont have to put up with a bunch of bs. I have a great boss. I am happy with my decision and that i called it right. All my ex-co workers have said you did the right thing.

UncleTom · Mar 9, 2015

I look back at it like musical chairs, I wanted a place to sit down when the music stopped.

JF in MI · Mar 9, 2015

If there is a 'rumor' your place is going to close then you could probably make book on it. If there is someone willing to offer you a job at your age take it. My company eliminated my department and I was canned at 59. About 80% of the employers wouldn't look at someone already unemployed and 90% of then wouldn't look at anyone over 55. After 2 years I gave up looking. Officially I'm not 'unemployed', I'm 'out of work'.

VADAVE · Mar 9, 2015

The short answer is NO!
When you reach the age where you could collect Social Security you will find it is really hard to find work but at 55 you are fine.
GO FOR IT.
particularly since the new company approached you.

Mike M · Mar 9, 2015

Lucky you have good health and a job offer !

I'd take it since the present place sounds on shaky ground. Anyway to find out if the new place is not ?

Geo-TH,In · Mar 9, 2015

How will your decision effect your pension?

Lazy WP · Mar 9, 2015

I am 52 and am going to do it, but I have always been a Gypsy. Doesn't bother me a bit to pack up and move 400 miles, try a different line of work in a whole new area.
I know there are lots of people that think I have no long term goals anywhere, but I feel just as bad for some of you who have stayed in the same occupation and location all your lives. I enjoy the new challenges, meeting new people, and seeing how the other side does things.
As long as I have my wife, horses and dogs, I am GOOD.

JML755 · Mar 9, 2015

55 is the new 40. We're living longer and in generally better health than our predecessors at that age. I switched jobs at 52, got let go at 55, went back to the old company and weathered the recession there. Although, we all took a 10% pay cut AND cut in hours. When things picked up, the owner kept me and another guy at the lower pay/hours. I complained but he basically said "take it or leave it". His attitude was "where is he gonna go at 61?" Well, I just bided my time, looked for a job and left there at 61. Went to an engineering company where I was the oldest guy except for the owner who was retiring. Everyone was skeptical of the "old guy", including the people who hired me. (They were in a jam because 2 key people left. )Well, I'm still here and they've told me they are very happy to have me on board. They've got mostly young kids who've never worked anywhere else (hired right out of college).

I was lucky but I saw the handwriting on the wall at my old company. My advice to anybody is when opportunity knocks, don't say "who's there". You may end up regretting some decisions in life but you'll never know if you don't take a chance. And there looks to be little risk in your decision.

Texasmark1 · Mar 9, 2015

I did at 55 exactly and told my potential employer that I had a lot of good days left in me. He did, I did, we did.

Don't take no for an answer. Something is out there waiting for you.

Mark

HenryO · Mar 9, 2015

Go for it. I changed at 55 and did better than I thought. Better is better no matter how you look at it???? Especially since the closing of your plant could be a fact. I say----- go go go

Dave H (MI) · Mar 9, 2015

Yes, but proceed with caution. Acting on rumor is not necessarily wise. I would look for signs that it is likely to happen. I also would take a long hard look at the new employer in terms of work conditions, longevity, etc. But, yes, lots of folks do it. Some retire in their later 50's and then start new careers. Some of the largest companies in the world were started by older men. Being about the same age I can tell you, you have to fight the perception that only 20-30 year olds have something to offer. You are actually in your prime if you balance life experience, knowledge, wisdom, patience...

John B. · Mar 9, 2015

Where I work now at Prairie Farms I don't have many years invested and the men there that have 30 years in, the union is telling them they have to stay until 62 or 65 (can't remember which) in order for them to receive their pension. The pension is in the red so I have really nothing to loose I have a pension from a job I worked in my 20's and 30's plus a 401k. The new Company Aramark has 273,000 yes 273,000 employees and is world wide. They've offered me a very good package will even send me to school.

oliver power · Mar 9, 2015

It's a different world today. Go For It! I know many people who have switched jobs later in life. Never heard anything but happiness.

JL Ray · Mar 9, 2015

Chin up.
Move forward.
Don't dwell on the past.
Smile.
I changed at 60. Everything got better. Everything. Money, vacation,401K, support, bonuses, my job it's self.
I was the guy to go to for every issue in the plant. I was a professional sky proper upper. It totally shocked my old place and they are hurting since I left.
I did not do it to hurt them but, I am smiling big time.

John B. · Mar 9, 2015

Thanks for all the support folks. I'll let you know how it goes.

Randy in Alabama · Mar 9, 2015

Make your decision based on how this will effect your retirement plans.

redtom · Mar 9, 2015

I have a slightly different view of this. I'm 52 and 25 yrs at my job and would love to switch. But, be warned! I feel after age 50 most are "damaged goods". Yes, age discrimination is illegal but it happens all the time. A place won't hire an old guy if they can get a young guy for less and have him stay longer. They know you may not stay more than 10 years but the young guy 25 plus. Just my opinion.

massey 333 · Mar 10, 2015

ARAMARKS appears to be a minimum wage employer who deals in Gov.food contracts.Look up their problems in the OHIO system.

GregCO · Mar 10, 2015

I wouldn't be too afraid of the change. I changed last year at 52 and was thinking the same thing. It has been nothing but great. Better money, vacation, treated better, paid sick time if I need it and a bonus program that actually pays out. They look to me to help train the youngsters coming in and so far it's been the best job I've had in twenty years.
The other good sign is they approached you.
Your shop steward isn't going to keep the place open if investors or corporate want to close it. He doesn't have that kind of pull. In fact they will pay him allot of money to close it for them and keeping people on to the end gets him a bonus.
I say jump on it.

Greg

O/T Is It Too Late

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