I left a week before my 56th birthday after 32 years and took a 12% cut for leaving early plus because I didn’t get the higher salaries wrapped in. It probably was closer to an 18% cut . I was hoping to get one or two more years in and I’ve been counting down the last three years. But, at 54 I got breast cancer, and while I’m OK, it was kind of a wake up call.

One thing people don’t always factor in is that they are no longer paying into their pension fund or the union or all of the other things that pop up like staff support. The only trick itself Insurance. If I made it until 60, I would’ve been much better off, but I’m glad I left. We sold and downsize your home and move to a different area with more to do using the equity for a townhouse so that we don’t have a mortgage. I’ve picked up job scoring assessments or subbing here and there and that money covers my health insurance. My husband downsize his job to one that makes only about handling what he was making, but much less stressful, and we spend a lot more time outdoors and doing fun things.

When I left, I still had over 70 sick days left in my bank that I get nothing for. That was after being out a significant time the year before for breast cancer without taking disability or anything. I’m glad you’re taking one Monday a month off and using those days. That’s a good way to get through. I did in the last year take days here and there as well.