It think it’s like suing someone. You can sue whomever you want for any reason but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be successful. If this guy is retired yet keeps all his retirement money in volatile stocks, he’s not going to be successful in retirement.
He started working at a local mechanic in high-school, as engines were interesting; just sweeping up. He asked questions. He applied for his apprenticeship and the school district moved him to the ‘trade’ oriented school where the rough kids seemed to end up completely randomly when catchment overlapped. Did metal shop in his final year and found a funding programme to get through his first courses. Displayed a natural talent for adequate work and straightforward math that was apparently everything people needed when paired with his indomitable spirit and happier-than-sadder mood profile. In short: he hustled, he did his fucking work and he was a net-positive to work with.
Now we fast-forward. The union was good to him, and he moved into jobs where his 5’8 size, nimble fingers and “yeah, I’ll crawl in the slushy muck” attitude got him as many opportunities as his quick wit got him out of shitty politics. He went to a place we call Fort McMoney and was able to exercise his options when bosses were dinks; and he did so very quickly and openly, explaining what’s happening on the way out – “We agreed on this vacation time, but you broke that agreement. I’m still getting on the plane tonight. I got a job with the guy down the road, so that’s why I’m clearing out. I’m sorry it went this way, but we both get to learn from this. Good luck, and have a great weekend.”
At 48 he’d done his 25-plus years at one career and many shops, and the half-pay-for-life union retirement kicked in.
He now rides his donorcycle with his adorable wife or they take the little car on trips to climb mountains or see a lake or something. He got a shitty place in a nice place, made some friends and some of them knew how to fix up his place and needed his own skills, and his easygoing attitude provided the glue to get everything fixed everywhere, and he’s kinda set.
He touches grass and trees a lot, and the pics he posts on his cell phone show some great locations and his beaming face in the dawn light. He’s fucking winning so hard and I’m half jealous and intensely proud of him because he is actually an absolute sweetie and a great and caring guy.
Guys, build better unions or build better labour code. Focus on getting into a work arrangement with a group that pretends to like you better than at-will dot-com fat-cat “we’re a family” pizza-party dickheads think they’re pretending.
I’m really happy for this guy and just absolutely despairing over how weak labor generally is. People don’t even imagine a better world, it feels like.
Don’t worry, he won’t stop working. He’ll spend the next 15 years as a ‘consultant’ in his old position and make 100 times more than he did as an employee.
It probably means that he retired from a job and receives that retirement pay, but he still won’t qualify for social security or other benefits until he hits whatever age they’ve raised it to. Some companies let you retire after 20 years, some even less.
Lol actual pensions are rare in the US these days. Most companies/institutions just do a 401k - the decline of which is exactly what will kill your early retirement plans.
“Victor Fettes, 54, of Georgia, who retired last week”
Fucking hell, you guys can retire at FIFTY FOUR?
It think it’s like suing someone. You can sue whomever you want for any reason but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be successful. If this guy is retired yet keeps all his retirement money in volatile stocks, he’s not going to be successful in retirement.
My cousin retired 2 years ago at 48.
Stock market whiz? Nah: union.
He started working at a local mechanic in high-school, as engines were interesting; just sweeping up. He asked questions. He applied for his apprenticeship and the school district moved him to the ‘trade’ oriented school where the rough kids seemed to end up completely randomly when catchment overlapped. Did metal shop in his final year and found a funding programme to get through his first courses. Displayed a natural talent for adequate work and straightforward math that was apparently everything people needed when paired with his indomitable spirit and happier-than-sadder mood profile. In short: he hustled, he did his fucking work and he was a net-positive to work with.
Now we fast-forward. The union was good to him, and he moved into jobs where his 5’8 size, nimble fingers and “yeah, I’ll crawl in the slushy muck” attitude got him as many opportunities as his quick wit got him out of shitty politics. He went to a place we call Fort McMoney and was able to exercise his options when bosses were dinks; and he did so very quickly and openly, explaining what’s happening on the way out – “We agreed on this vacation time, but you broke that agreement. I’m still getting on the plane tonight. I got a job with the guy down the road, so that’s why I’m clearing out. I’m sorry it went this way, but we both get to learn from this. Good luck, and have a great weekend.”
At 48 he’d done his 25-plus years at one career and many shops, and the half-pay-for-life union retirement kicked in.
He now rides his donorcycle with his adorable wife or they take the little car on trips to climb mountains or see a lake or something. He got a shitty place in a nice place, made some friends and some of them knew how to fix up his place and needed his own skills, and his easygoing attitude provided the glue to get everything fixed everywhere, and he’s kinda set.
He touches grass and trees a lot, and the pics he posts on his cell phone show some great locations and his beaming face in the dawn light. He’s fucking winning so hard and I’m half jealous and intensely proud of him because he is actually an absolute sweetie and a great and caring guy.
Guys, build better unions or build better labour code. Focus on getting into a work arrangement with a group that pretends to like you better than at-will dot-com fat-cat “we’re a family” pizza-party dickheads think they’re pretending.
I’m really happy for this guy and just absolutely despairing over how weak labor generally is. People don’t even imagine a better world, it feels like.
Don’t worry, he won’t stop working. He’ll spend the next 15 years as a ‘consultant’ in his old position and make 100 times more than he did as an employee.
He was senior director of risk management, so I assume more than 100k+ salary a year.
I’m surprised he kept his job so long, seeing how poorly he managed his own risks…
This comment here is excellent - I love it! Thank you for sharing!
ZING!
It probably means that he retired from a job and receives that retirement pay, but he still won’t qualify for social security or other benefits until he hits whatever age they’ve raised it to. Some companies let you retire after 20 years, some even less.
Lol actual pensions are rare in the US these days. Most companies/institutions just do a 401k - the decline of which is exactly what will kill your early retirement plans.
Very very few can. Or do. But yes.
He can’t access that 401k without some pretty significant restrictions or penalties, though.