Now what?

nuancedream

Yesterday, I received notification that my position was being eliminated and I will be separated from employment effective 6/2/25. I have a severance package and will have health benefits through 6/30 Needless to say, I am devastated, angry, and anxious about having to search for a new job in a highly competitive job market at age 63. I have stopped Pilates and will cancel my gym membership to save money. Stopping the gym membership is tough because i've been learnimg to swim, and that will be paused. Life has been "lifeing" hard over the past several years, and it has been exhausting phyisically and emotionally. On the other hand, I am remarkably resilient and stronger than I give myself credit for being. Bend but don't break.

7 months ago

Off Topic

26 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

cat2

Veteran

Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. I think I will get banned if I share what I think about our current situation. A couple of practical things: does your spouse have an insurance plan you can switch to? If so, you can switch now even though it’s not the yearly open enrollment. Second, if you can’t get insurance that way, you can do a Cobra extension that keeps your insurance in place for about a year. Look for the paperwork for that, it needs to be done promptly. Third, this varies by state, but you can file for state uninsurance benefits. They need to know why you were terminated, so document what you have been told about a RIF, loss of grant funding, etc.

7 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm so sorry, Nuancedream. That's stressful and very disappointing. My heart goes out to you and I wish things were different.

cat2 offers very good practical advice. ALL worth investigating. Best of luck, and feel free to DM anyone in this community who you think can be of assistance.

7 months ago

nuancedream

Veteran

Car2: Thanks. I'm reluctant to pursue COBRA because of the cost. I used it for one month about 5 years ago and it was almost $800 for one month! My husband is on Medicare. Maybe the ACA is an option for me.
I'll apply for state unemployment benefits and will use outplacement services for job searching. I need a day to process what has happened and do some Swedish Death Cleaning.

7 months ago

LJP

Veteran

I’m really sorry this happened to you. It’s hard enough to deal with the workplace at our age let alone have to pivot to a different job or career . However …..I’ll tell you this as a bit of encouragement : the pandemic helped me end my sales career at the age of , what , 58? And I moved into a completely different career that has proven far more rewarding and easy to manage than anything I’ve ever done . I kept my expectations modest and have been pleasantly surprised by the change . I can’t comment on the benefits / insurance issue as it’s very different here in Canada , but I do hope you can figure it all out . Swedish death cleaning is an excellent form of therapy

7 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Nuancedream - I am so sorry. That's awful news, and so stressful! Like LJP, I can't offer practical advice about insurance, etc. because our situation is different in Canada, but I will add my voice to hers with respect to job change later in life. I've had multiple shifts since 2012 when I was in my early 50s...and on the whole my experience has been positive and quite surprising. You are an incredibly youthful 60 plus and your warmth and positive energy will impress any prospective employer -- not to mention your years of experience. Wishing you a safe landing...

....and hoping for your sake and the sake of many, many others that the winds of change begin to blow in your favour sooner rather than later.

7 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Really sad to hear this Nuancedream. How upsetting and hard. A virtual hug from NZ.

7 months ago

nuancedream

Veteran

LJP: Thank you. I have hope that I can land in a career that I can enjoy until I"m ready to retire.
Suz: I think I was in round 1 of layoffs. I'm almost positive there will be more to come. My organization is in healthcare, and it is having to prepare for tariffs as well as descreased Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.
Sal: Thank you. A virtual hug is always appreciated.

7 months ago

cat2

Veteran

Oh, and I don’t know about your area, but in ours there are usually a lot of county and city jobs going unfilled. They can be frustrating because their hiring processes are leisurely compared to private industry and so I think they lose a lot of applicants.

7 months ago

avicennia

Veteran

I’m so sorry to hear this ND. I found @Suz’s words encouraging. It’s hard to face job loss at any age, but at middle-aged it can feel difficult to bounce back. Another virtual hug this one from AZ.

7 months ago

JAileen

Veteran

I’m so sorry. I had been on my husband’s insurance when he retired, before I was eligible for Medicare. I asked him to not retire and he refused. Anyway, I signed up for the ACA (Obamacare) and it was fine. Good luck in your job search.

7 months ago

Echo

Veteran

I am so, so sorry. And, like Cat, I cannnot say what I am thinking without being banned.

I understand your concern with COBRA, as when my DH switched companies years ago, we could not have afforded the interim COBRA coverage without his new company's reimbursement.

But the things Suz said ring true: You are a youthful, energetic woman with a lot of positive energy to share. You WILL find something new that will be right for you and will hopefully reinvigorate you. You're in my thoughts. <3

7 months ago

Joyce B

Veteran

I am very sorry that you are going through that, ND. A person can think they are settled in their job but reality shows otherwise. Things change but sometimes change is good. I hope good things come your way and wish you patience, perseverance and much strength through the process.
I believe you can sign up to Cobra during the first month after separation, I know you may go a different route but it is good to know your options. Cobra can also be extended past the usual year if there is need due to severe illness, hopefully that will not be needed, that helped us when we went through a similar situation but with illness in the family. Having good health insurance through Cobra gave us access to top healthcare which helped the outcome.
Also, it may be possible to negotiate for healthcare coverage as part of the separation agreement.
Wishing you better times.

7 months ago

Dee

Veteran

I am so sorry to hear of your job loss ND, shame about how the current circumstances are impacting you in this manner. I too, cannot speak to your health insurance etc.. as I don’t live in the US but I certainly hope your turn around time will be short lived, and you’ll be able to bounce back quickly.

7 months ago

kkards

Veteran

Gosh I’m so sorry thus has happened to you. Sending you hugs

7 months ago

Helena

Veteran

I'm sorry to hear this Nuancedream. It sounds incredibly stressful and I'm sorry you have to deal with it. What a time we're in. Huge huge hugs and may your next employer be well aware how lucky they will be to have you xx

7 months ago

catherine

Veteran

ND, this is a difficult thing to face even if you are strong, resilient, and resourceful.
Sending thoughts your way and hoping you can figure out the insurance.

I am sorry this is happening to you.

7 months ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’m so sorry to hear this, ND. One of my dear friends shared yesterday that her husband, who has worked for NOAA for over 20 years, is now unemployed at age 55. Our tenant, who has been in contract with Johns Hopkins as a cancer researcher, needs to move out because her position has been eliminated. And that’s just two of many situations of which I’ve become aware. To say I’m angry and worried is an understatement.

I truly hope that you can find a new position that brings stability and peace for the time before you choose retirement. Sending all the good vibes.

7 months ago

Laurie

Veteran

ND - heart goes out to you. As Janet points out above, the DC/VA/MD region has been so hard hit by all of these horrible cuts and other shenanigans that are upending people's lives. We are also not at a great age for any of this to happen.
I hope you can maintain some of the things that help you manage stress...or find low/no cost replacements for exercise options very quickly.
I also turn to extreme cleaning in times of stress. It's the tiniest of silver linings.
Keep us posted, and feel free to vent here!

7 months ago

nuancedream

Veteran

Thank you for all of the support and wisdom. Please know that it is all very much appreciated. My emotions have gone from the boiling point last week to a simmer as of today. It's time to move on. Perhaps this episode is a blessing in disguise, and I will land in a position where my talents are fully appreciated.

7 months ago

Sisi

Veteran

Oh, I'm sorry to hear this. Unfortunagtely I cannot give advice, I live in another country with different job regulations. Wishing you to find a good solution, and more hugs from Italy.

7 months ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Wishing you peace and a clear head for your next steps. Hoping change works out to be better indeed.

7 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nuancedream, that's a GREAT attitude. Inspirational. Upwards and onwards!

7 months ago

slim cat

Veteran

I'm late to this - I'm so sorry. I hope your strength and determination will prevail and the new opportunities will open up.
My ex lives with a lady that got her position terminated last December
( sorta "happy x-mas" in a horrible way ). We are all friends in a way and hopefully will pull through the difficult times helping each other.

6 months ago

elpgal

Veteran

I feel your pain. I am surrounded by many in a similar boat. The job market in the DC/VA/MD has become very competitive. A couple of ideas - can you transfer your skills to a contractor?

6 months ago

Jules

Veteran

I was laid off last year and my package included career transition services from an international firm. They advised to only to put your last 10-15 years of experience on your resume/LinkedIn and that it’s no longer necessary to have dates in your education section. All this to help avoid any age related bias.

6 months ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

ND, I am so sorry and sad to hear you are going through this. You have gotten excellent advice from everyone here and it sounds like you have a good, positive attitude. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

6 months ago

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