In my position, I feel like the maytag repair man, in that my skills are not being utilized, and there is no indication that they will. You see, I’m a certified specialist in administration and support for AIX 5.3 and my current position became available after accepting a buyout from another employer. The future here is in Solaris, and I’ve learned much, but still yearn for AIX progress, and it’s not going to happen. I’ve striven to justify AIX here, but management feels more comfortable in the Solaris environment. I’ve passed a phone interview with a company which bleeds IBM and has a substantial contract to support a large AIX environment. I’ve got a scheduled face-to-face interview to continue the pursuit of this position. All indications are very positive at this point. My dilemma is, I’m within 2 years of full retirement, but do not plan going into retirement and so far, want this position. Still to be determined is, does this company discourage continued employment after reaching retirement age. Since the potential employer can not entertain questions regarding age, should I address this issue head on, stating my desires to continue working beyond normal retirement at utilizing my AIX skills? Then hopefully, I can step out of the doldrums of the maytag repair man and become a valuable asset to this new company.
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Maytag Repairman
- Thread starter trisco
- Start date
JCreamerII
MIS
trisco,
Are you talking retirement with a pension, or just SS & 401K and whatever. Do you need two years to max out or vest in at 20 yrs? If your not taking a financial hit toward retirement, I don't think anybody is going to throw away a valued employee because they flipped another year on the calendar. Most companies can't discriminate based on age ( police, fire, military can ). Seems like it's just a personal preference, the devil you know or the next adventure?
Jim C.
Are you talking retirement with a pension, or just SS & 401K and whatever. Do you need two years to max out or vest in at 20 yrs? If your not taking a financial hit toward retirement, I don't think anybody is going to throw away a valued employee because they flipped another year on the calendar. Most companies can't discriminate based on age ( police, fire, military can ). Seems like it's just a personal preference, the devil you know or the next adventure?
Jim C.
- Thread starter
- #3
I'm referring to the normal retirement as determined by SS. I wish to continue regular employment and not taking the SS route. I've been close to other employment opportunities, and even with glowing interviews, no offer letter. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but should I bring it up or let things fall where they may?
You can take the SS route and remain at work. The issue will be whether the new company has a mandantory termination.
Retirement disbursements have to start in the year you turn 70 1/2 but you can continue working past then.
And if there is a mandantory retirement perhaps they will let you consult.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
Retirement disbursements have to start in the year you turn 70 1/2 but you can continue working past then.
And if there is a mandantory retirement perhaps they will let you consult.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
JCreamerII
MIS
trisco,
I don't believe that your paranoid, I believe that there is a bias against older workers in the IT biz. I hear stories all the time about older workers getting the bums rush when they apply for a new position. Also you wouldn't want to collect SS while still working, the offset takes all the fun out of it, I haven't looked into it yet, but I believe that you lose $'s from your SS based on the income you make.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this one.
Jim C.
I don't believe that your paranoid, I believe that there is a bias against older workers in the IT biz. I hear stories all the time about older workers getting the bums rush when they apply for a new position. Also you wouldn't want to collect SS while still working, the offset takes all the fun out of it, I haven't looked into it yet, but I believe that you lose $'s from your SS based on the income you make.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this one.
Jim C.
![[monkey]](/data/assets/smilies/monkey.gif "[monkey] [monkey]")
![[snake]](/data/assets/smilies/snake.gif "[snake] [snake]")
<.trisco,
They can't ask you about age and retirement, but there's nothing that says that you can't bring up the subject. If you let them know up front that you may be close to what SS calls "retirement age" but you enjoy what you do so much that you don't see retiring any time soon, that should be points in your favor (it would be if you were interviewing with me!)
-Dell
A computer only does what you actually told it to do - not what you thought you told it to do.
They can't ask you about age and retirement, but there's nothing that says that you can't bring up the subject. If you let them know up front that you may be close to what SS calls "retirement age" but you enjoy what you do so much that you don't see retiring any time soon, that should be points in your favor (it would be if you were interviewing with me!)
-Dell
A computer only does what you actually told it to do - not what you thought you told it to do.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks for all your comments. I think it would be in my best interest if I did bring it up and offer comments similar to what hilfy has made. It can't be proven, but I think previous interviews went south after applications detailed my DOB. Explaining my desire to continue working after in this profession is probable the best point.
Jim C.
The penalty is assessed between any early retirement and what SS deems is full retirement age. After full retirement age, one can still work, draw SS benefits and not suffer any $ penalties.
Jim C.
The penalty is assessed between any early retirement and what SS deems is full retirement age. After full retirement age, one can still work, draw SS benefits and not suffer any $ penalties.
- Thread starter
- #11
Update: The interview went very well. As a matter of fact the hiring manager said that he probably call me that day with an offer. It didn't happen. I mailed him a note of thanks the next day and after a week of no word, I contacted the HR recruiter and was told that it was not a best fit.
Nowhere was this potential employer made aware of my DOB, but the graying hair may have set some wheels in motion. During the interview, I did bring up the fact that I was seeking employment that could utilize my skill set for years to come. I was told that this employer did not have a forced retirement.
Of course they stated that this was not a concern, but I really wonder if the 'maturity' factor did play a part in no offer being made. Guess I just continue playing the part of the maytag repairman. It's not such a bad gig.
Nowhere was this potential employer made aware of my DOB, but the graying hair may have set some wheels in motion. During the interview, I did bring up the fact that I was seeking employment that could utilize my skill set for years to come. I was told that this employer did not have a forced retirement.
Of course they stated that this was not a concern, but I really wonder if the 'maturity' factor did play a part in no offer being made. Guess I just continue playing the part of the maytag repairman. It's not such a bad gig.
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