Good for you!!!! 30 days start tomorrow.

It's difficult enough to stay motivated when you are a short-timer and it's probably almost impossible to be motivated to deal with the chaos associated with a massive layoff. Just be sure you get your retirement before you get laid off. I'm not saying you would be cut in the layoff, but better to be safe than sorry.

You made reasonable plans with them. Their plans should not alter your plans.

PS Are you sure you want to retire completely? If they are having trouble finding a replacement and are in disarray, maybe a PT gig? I am so happy I still work, albeit only 1 day a week on site and another remotely.

There is nothing wrong with telling them you are at the point where you want to set a date.

I think you gave them more than enough notice. Retire already. If they want to pay you as a consultant to advice a new person, then set a rate that reflects your value.

Well thank you all for your quick response! When I reread what I wrote I sound so polite and diplomatic but I'm really rather pissed off which isn't my nature. I have been a leader and inspiration to the people I work with. If I were staying I would lead and inspire those that are left to get through this. However I just can't muster what it takes to do that when I'm leaving "soon". The thought of being around for any more of this than absolutely necessary makes my skin crawl.

I'm resigning, not getting laid off and there is no "retirement" here. I'll get COBRA and paid for any vacation I haven't used. That is all well and good as I've been paid well both in compensation and equity so no complaints there.

It's definitely time for me to move on - no interest in a part-time gig. We own a business - if I want to work I'll work there. For now I don't want to work at a paying job - many, many other things I want to spend time on. Maybe a year from now I'll think differently.

Ugghhh.....things often don't go quite as planned.....

Just retire already. You’ve been more than reasonable and considerate.

Go.

Go, and don’t look back. It is beyond your control.

Do it now for you and avoiding the drama the budget cuts will cause. Besides with layoffs in the offing, you might save someone else’s job.

Yep, you've already gone way above and beyond. Now it's time for YOU.

Them keeping you dangling to train a replacement sometime in the indefinite future while simultaneously laying other people off seems dumb. Make the decision for them and make yourself happy at the same time. Go.

Yes, go. Spend some time doing things you’ve been putting off and then consider working, even if it is at your own business. Congrats!

I agree, you gave plenty of notice, now you need to do what's best for you. (not burning bridges, of course). I've never seen it work out well for the person who gives an extended notice. At some point people will see you as not part of the future and you may find yourself an outsider. I've seen this more with resignation or changing jobs than with retirement. But, still......

Run don't walk.

Reacting in a way that is out of character for you is a clear sign that it is time to go now. You offered a generous transition plan, but your employers neglected to avail themselves of it. That failure is not your problem. And, yes, it's a difficult position to take when you are good employee who cares about co-workers and doing a good job.

Document what you think will help co-workers, give the minimum written notice that is customary for your employer and leave on cordial terms. You owe them nothing more. The longer you stay, the harder it will be to hide your feelings. That's not good for anyone.

I went through something similar when I retired earlier this year. As time went on it was really hard to avoid breaking my don't-burn-bridges-rule! My manager had a strong need to control everything and yet didn't get around to transition activities until a couple of days before my last day. The new task owners were not available, so meaningful transition to them didn't happen.

Ever the rule-breaker-monkey, I had quietly worked through my own private transitions with trusted co-workers weeks before I even told dingbat-manager I was leaving. On my first day of retirement, one of those co-workers wrote to say that I was probably still in my exit interview with HR when the first panic attack hit. When she heard the commotion, she was able to explain that work was proceeding apace and there was documentation, etc.

Being retired felt a little weird for a week, but after that it was a relief!

Succession planning is management's responsibility. Don't let them make you feel guilty for retiring now. Four months is plenty of heads up and remember, there's never a good time.

DH (software consultant) retired in September. He had told the project manager earlier in the year he would be retiring sometime in 2018. He had unexpected surgery August 1st and during his two week recovery he decided to retire at the end of September and gave the manager written notice at the end of August. They did bring someone in and DH trained him for a few weeks and DH offered to take calls and help if they needed it after his retirement. They have only called to say hello....no work questions.

Somewhat akin to your impending workplace chaos due to layoffs, he knew his next assignment was work he had done before and dreaded doing again. They tried to talk him into staying until the end of the year but he was ready to leave and stood firm.

No regrets at all....he loves retirement and does not miss work one bit. So, I say go before the chaos hits.....you are ready, have already given them plenty of notice and 30 days now is fair and reasonable as is the offer to advise if necessary during the transition. Do it! And don't give in to pleas to stay on!

"I sound so polite and diplomatic but I'm really rather pissed off which isn't my nature. I have been a leader and inspiration to the people I work with. If I were staying I would lead and inspire those that are left to get through this. However I just can't muster what it takes to do that when I'm leaving "soon". The thought of being around for any more of this than absolutely necessary makes my skin crawl."

A bit of a different slant here: reading this, I sense you are still emotionally engaged, especially in your self-perception as a leader and someone who helps make the office team function as a cohesive and effective group.

I'm working through a similar process although I haven't said anything formally to my manager about leaving. However as I've posted a few times, I've been moving through the 5 stages of retirement for a year+ now. You know, anger-denial-bargaining etc ;).

I think it helps enormously if you get to that level where you don't feel upset about what changes may be coming, or how disruptive it might be and how badly it will affect your team. While it sounds harsh, one of the most life changing mind shifts I've encountered is the realization that in the end, a job is just a job, it's not who we are. The people there, the work we do, the company's goals....all those exist to serve a specific function for which we are rewarded in money and if we're lucky in self-esteem and pride of achievement. A wise saying goes that 'the dogs bark and the caravan moves on'. Everyone has their time and place, everyone eventually goes and the work will get done, or not, regardless of who is there and who has left.

Once I got that separation clear in my mind everything else fell into place. I'm genuinely excited about all the projects and plans on what I want to do with my time. I'm even able to joke now about being ignored and disrespected by a much-despised manager, although after being a key senior team leader for many years that caused me enormous pain. He by all evidence seems to be leading my unit right off a cliff (I'm at a university and rumor has it the entire division will be dissolved and reassigned to other deans due to his lack of effectiveness as a leader). I still don't like being insulted and belittled, but now I honestly don't care anymore, and I'm leaving after almost 40 years with a lot of great memories and pride in how I tried to make a positive difference for the students I've supported in that time. Whatever happens in the future is about the job, not about me and that is the way it should be.

So long winded point: allow yourself time to move past anger and resentment before you make that formal retirement date official. It still may be 30 days from tomorrow and probably that's best.

I hope by the time you walk out for the last time you will be doing it with a heart full of joy and eagerness and happy memories, not anger and frustration.

One of the reasons they may be dragging their feet about finding a replacement for you is that you are still there. I agree with the others. It is time to leave.

Moxie, if I had been that co-worker, I would have let that manager sweat it out for a while before I told her it was handled. Wow!

One more thing....why not give 2 weeks and go?

running - today I am not emotionally engaged. My boss is out of the office but I sent him a message letting him know I need to talk to him this week. I have a recommendation for moving forward with my "immediate" pre-layoff departure (not 30 days). It may or may not be accepted but either way I'm not planning to stay through the ordeal. Today I'm cleaning out my office and my computer and by the end of this week I'll be ready to leave anytime. I'll leave with a lot of wonderful memories and relationships and with great joy about retirement. I'm not one to hold onto anger or bitterness. It's just time to get the show on the road.

Really appreciate all your thoughts and insights on this.

When I left my last corporate job, it was not to retire but to start my own business. I was contemplating this move when my company announced layoffs. i spoke to my manager and HR and volunteered to be let go. I saved one of my coworkers jobs and received almost 6 months severance pay. 2 others who were planning to retire did the same. Is that an option for you?

In any case, I think you are right to give a firm date and leave.

If you get let go, would you collect unemployment? If so, is it worth it to you?

I think you have made your decision and just in time.

They are abusing you, I would give them two weeks and not come back on the 15th day.

I know that you have given them advance notice already, but definitely clean out your files and computer as if you are leaving immediately because they might just tell you to go when you move up your departure date. Many employers don't want an employee to stick around when they are quitting. Be sure to copy your contacts list and anything else that might be useful.

I am happy for you that you have come to the point of retiring and leaving the job behind. You are wise to begin to organize your office and computer now. As I was approaching retirement age, someone told me that I would know when it was time. I have been retired 5 years.

OutsidePlaying, she wasn't being kind. The manager has a terrible reputation, but is protected by a VP who is a close friend from church. Left to his own devices, he'd have broken a functioning process, angered people in 3 organizations and caused late delivery. Eventually, she'd have been drafted to lead the clean-up. I am so glad I'm retired!

I just wanted to add that you are lucky that you are leaving at this time. All in all not a good situation to have to put up with.

I can really relate to your post and Running's comment particularly was resonant for me.

I love my job. I love the people I support. My company is dysfunctional.

Go.

Since they know you want to retire, the higher ups probably already have you on the list. And if not, with all the mayhem layoffs cause, you won't be able to effect positive transitions.

When I retired, we didn't have this problem (but before I left, I noticed it in other departments when they underwent layoffs). I however took a few calls post Retirement to answer some operating questions.