Retirement Plans on Hold

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I am 52 and on Permanent Disability. My husband has taken on a 2nd job to make ends meet. The subsidy from my job for health benefits was taken away for retirees. (Which is what I am considered after being on LTD for 30 months) It is very hard to pay for health benefits since my husband is not eligible for Medicare.
If I could, I would have had to continue working thru retirement because my 401K has shrunk so much. I probably would have taken on another job in nursing.
We have cut down on everything to make ends meet.
I don't think it is fair for companies to take benefits away after someone starts workng. When you take a job you look at the benefits and they should not be able to change them. If they want to change the benfits, it should only apply to new hires so they know what they will have in the future and plan accordingly.

Debbie of OH 2:01PM February 02, 2009

I am a divorced woman, 59 years old. I am a registered nurse, which, as you can imagine, is not only stressful,but physically challenging for someone my age (for anyone, for that matter). I had planned to retire at 62, receiving the fraction of pension I received from my ex, my investments and savings. Guess what? It's all dwindled down to less than half of what it was. Am I supposed to work until I drop dead? It's just wrong. We toil all our lives, and then the fatcats reap it all. The big companies get bailed out, and us working folk, just keep on working. What happened to the "Golden Years"? I'd better die young, or else I will outlive my money. Pretty dismal way to think, but these days, I'm sure it's common.

Lenore of FL 4:23PM January 30, 2009

Yes I really need to work during retirement, this economy is so bad and I start getting early retirement but I still have to work It's like more month than money

Gwendolyn Smith of NY 11:35PM January 21, 2009

I retired from my job of 37 years on May 31 and began working my post retirement job full time June 6. My husband retired from his job of 21 years on March 23 and started his post retirement job March 26. He received health insurance with his retirement. I, on the other hand, did not, so I am working to have health insurance which my present job has.
We are not certain when we will retire and not continue working.
We have been blessed with finding our post retirement jobs, so quickly.

Helen of PA 6:58PM January 19, 2009

I am 57 years old, am in foreclosure and now have 3 jobs. Hopefully 2009 will be a better year than 2008. I plan to work at least until I am 70 yrs old.

Judy Lynn of IL 12:24AM January 17, 2009

I thought I was fine. My house was paid off in my forties and I am a single woman, who was disabled in a work accident fifteen years ago. Am not capable of working fulltime and should not be working at all due to disability. My 401 is currently at the same balance as it was in 1889 due to the market disaster. Am trying to locate part time job that I can stay at for for next twelve years, til I'm 62. Am applying at starbucks and I have a PHd. Still things could be much worse. Have great friends, a roof over my head, food on the table and health insurance.

elizabeth of FL 6:43PM January 16, 2009

I don't worry about my retirement years. I have been retired for 14 years now and I know God will take good care of me. Why worry? What is to be will be.

Connie of NE 4:04PM January 15, 2009

Yea.....I'll prob have to work til the day I die to pay for food stamps, welfare, medicaid, more than my share of taxes, because of all the D___ Illegals that our government is letting sponge off of the working class,,,,,,just PISSSSSSSSSSSses me off BIG TIME.
I have too many medical bills,,,because I had Crap insurance (United HealthCare)
When I DID have a house, I needed help once....but since I am white & had no children, I got NOOOOOOOOOO Help!!!!

T of NE 6:53PM January 14, 2009

there's not doubt that I won't live long enough to pay all my bills. Particularly my mortgage. I'm considering selling the house, but times are tough in the Real Estate market. My wife met a Realtor that has not had a paycheck in the last eight months.

Ira Shoff of PA 5:11PM January 14, 2009

I would like to work for pleasure and income after I retire. I am only 42 years old with young children. However, do think about retireing in about 25 years. At that time I would like to work for an airline so that I can travel around the country.

Ang of PA 2:37PM January 12, 2009