Looks like we both have a touch of insomnia! Normally I'd say go for it, but considering your health, would the new employer understand the sick days you may need to take before you acquire them? Unless it's a small office and it doesn't matter.

Is the only reason you're considering the new job that it would be less demanding/stressful for the remaining 18-24 months that you're planning to work? If I understand correctly either way you would be maximizing the retirement benefits from your long term position. If you leave within 18 months somehow your $ won't be used to contribute to the underfunded liability - is that correct?

I think making a change, especially from public to private sector, after 30 years would be a big change and maybe a bit stressful itself. It's beneficial that you know someone so you can get "insider" information on the company but I would think carefully about whether this kind of change for 18 months would really be worth it - objectively consider all the pros and cons.

Is the new position one where you're not likely to have a lot of competition for the job? If I had an applicant who had worked 30 years at the same place I'd ask a lot of questions about why the change after all this time. How hard it was to fill the position and how that question was answered would have a lot to do with whether or not the person was hired.

Good luck with your decision.

I'm of your husband's opinion, retire and no work. You come first.

I would certainly consider your health issues when moving to a new job, especially for a short period of time. I'm assuming you have some sick hours accumulated in your current position that wouldn't transfer to a new one. If you anticipate health issues in the next few years prior to retirement, consider the health insurance coverage, sick leave you have, and--this one is important--which environment you'll feel more comfortable in taking any time off that you need. How will you be revered by your colleagues if you walk into a new job, knowing you're only there for a few years, and potentially have to take time off?

I don't know the conditions of the new job, of course, but at this point in your career, the environment in which you're working is important to consider. Or would be for me. Saying that, a little less stress with an easier job right now might be what you need.

If it were me, I'd take the new job and see how it works for me. If it affects your health or is not a good fit, you can then retire permanently. I know stress over $$ and health insurance can also adversely affect health. (I don't know what your health issues are).

I would send the resume. What is the worst that could happen? You get offered the job, and have to make the decision then?

Talk to your union or employer benefits specialist to ensure you aren't jeopardizing any part of your pension by retiring early, to ensure you can collect your pension while employed in another sector or to ensure you can defer commencing your pension to meet your time frame (or indefinitely if you like the new gig).

Also bear in mind that you will have to disclose your health situation to your new employer on the application form if you are claiming it as a disability, if you do not disclose, and it is an actual disability for which you want paid or unpaid leave, that can be problematic as well. Bone up on your state's and your potential employer's disability program(s) to see how the coverage stacks up if you think you may be or could be declared partially or fully disabled.

Send in your resume and in the meantime do some more thinking, talking and . researching. Go to the first interview, be honest and do some more thinking.....You can always decline the job if it;s offered.

Will you be able to live comfortably if the new job does not work out?

With 30 years employment will be new bill signed by your governor actually affect your retirement? I know there was a point when my husband’s retirement was ‘grandfathered in’ when his company changed plans.

There is a very big difference between private and public sector jobs. While the difficulty level of the new job might be less, private sector demands to work harder, smarter, faster might not go well for you - more stressful?

I'm eligible for full retirement in July-no penalties or early retirement issues. I'd get the full pension amount no matter if I worked or not-I just can't work for another government agency that pays in to the same pension fund. The 401K I can't start drawing from till I'm 59 1/2-I'd been planning to work at my job till then and then retire 100%, but we'd need to pay for our own healthcare-which I'd get a subsidy through my retirement benefit, but not enough to cover the cost without drawing from the 401K until the house is paid off-in about 5-7 years. We're trying to pay down all our expenses.

Our pension has been under target for years and this new bill will cost people in my age group-those of us eligible for retirement in the next year-the most since it'll take a portion of what would normally go in to our 401k contributions and be used by the pension plan to pay back this 'debt'. So just when we need the contributions the most-they're hitting those of us with the highest cut. Once you're retired, it's not affecting your pension, it's only while you're working-what you're be contributing to your retirement gets deflected.

My current job is very, very stressful and it does require field work-which I have pretty much put off doing due to mobility issues. I can't put it off much longer, I have some sight visits I HAVE to go do-and since I work in Natural Resources-I'm literally in fields, in streams, in bogs and all kinds of undeveloped areas. My current employer is good with me not doing so much field work, but I AM required to do it under the terms of my position. I don't have any accumulated sick leave-what I have saved is to be paid out at retirement-I can't carry any of my unused leave over to a private sector job.

The new job says it's super flexible-allows telecommuting-and would not require any physical exertion. THAT Is important as I have fibromyalgia on top of my mobility issues and strenuous activity really causes flares. The new job would be far, far less stressful-I've got a very complicated job, it requires applying complex laws, having to know lots of science-stream flow and wetland issues and how development impacts them, negotiation, enforcement, investigation, good understanding of construction and stormwater/erosion control issues, and all of this has to be done within statutory deadlines! The only good thing is that the boss from Hell that I had is no longer there so that stress that nearly killed me a couple years ago is over, but I still work too hard.

I sometimes fantasize about taking a receptionist job! Seriously-nothing more difficult than transferring calls and getting yelled at occasionally. But I can't live on that salary!

I think I'll send in a resume and see what happens. I learned today that the Union is going to sue over this law if it's signed (and it's 99% sure it's going to be signed). I do have about 6 months before it would take effect-so I suppose a lot could change between now and then, and it's getting harder and harder to not start developing short timers disease. In fact, today my boss just told me he'd accidently sent a colleague to a meeting for some planning a city is doing that is in my territory-he thought it was in her territory-and they're planning projects for a couple years down the road. I smiled knowing that by the time they get around to that, I'll be gone!

You can certainly look into it. MIL retired two years ago from insurance customer service. She did some seasonal part-time retail at Belk and Macy's, but it's not what she wants to do. Her major complaint is that they do not train the employees well at all compared to what she experienced in the past. And since there is commission involved, other employees were not helpful.

So, she'd like to do something else for extra money but can't really figure out what. She's not that great with computers like Microsoft Office. She would be great in a consignment store I told her.

OTOH, my sister retired from the VA and got Zumba certified, and she's got a few classes she's teaching weekly on a regular basis.

Go for it, neetsiepie, and please report back! Good luck!