Odd that people are announcing retirements that haven’t discussed it before… I had my job eliminated and was given the choice to say if I was retiring or not. I responded with “just tell people what you did” rather than deal with colleagues congratulating me on retirement when it is really a termination. Is this a company tactic to make them look better?
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@ph If you've been here long enough to get 2 weeks per year of service and that gets you up against the cap of 52 weeks, it sure as he-l is a win if you want to retire soon anyway. Get paid for your last year without having to work a single day! And you can collect unemployment because you got laid off.
If I was close to retiring and someone offered me a severance package, of course I’d take it. And then collect unemployment….
It doesn’t sound nefarious if you were given the choice. I think that was ok if you were given the opportunity to control the message.
If you ready to retire, a few months of severance isn't a prize and not even a consideration for someone who ready to move on.
If you think severance is special, you might want to save up a little more for a rainy day..
Do whatever nets you more money. Look after yourself. No one else will.
I delayed my retirement because I saw that it was just a matter of time before a layoff.
If you can tolerate your job, ride it out and take the severance package.
Do NOT mention plans to retire as that will disqualify you for severance.
Maybe one could do reverse psychology. If you are worried about getting laid off plant some hints that you are close to retiring (or if younger that you have other opportunities) and make sure people who will blabber to managers hear it. Then maybe you get put on the no layoff list.
I've wondered about this as well. Two retirements in my group in recent months from people who were both near retirement age but not quite there.
A similar thing happened to my own father about 20 years ago. The company announced it as a retirement and gave him a more than generous severance, but it was definitely a layoff.
@ad this is exactly what I’m doing!
You did the right thing, OP. This is the new rock bottom from the bank. Very immoral and unethical of them.
Don’t communicate intention to retire. It clearly eliminates severance.
OP, was it a trap, or in good faith?
I will not announce my retirement until 2 weeks before just in the hope they might lay me off.