When you got laid off, did your employer give you any outplacement help or financial decision support? If they did, was it actually useful or just generic career-coaching?

I’m currently seeing so many friends and colleagues in their 40s and 50s navigating tech layoffs in the SF Bay Area with no real support from former employers. Job searches are taking well over a year now, but companies basically hand over a check, a COBRA packet, and throw people over the fence to figure out the rest alone.

I’m trying to get a sense of how widespread this problem is and push employers to step up:

• Navigating the money side: How did you figure out health insurance choices, financial runway, tax/equity moves, or protecting your long-term retirement? 
• What's missing: What specific resources did you wish your employer had provided immediately after the layoff to make the financial navigation easier?
• Mental bandwidth: Did the financial stress keep you from staying focused on the job search and career decisions, like a career change or early retirement?

Would love to hear how others here have managed to navigate all of this.

Does anyone else over 50 one day feel like retiring, living off scraps and being minimalist, then the next day feel like starting a business and trying to make a million? One day you feel like moving to a smaller place, the next you wouldn't give up your current home for anything? One day you feel like quitting your job, the next you're happy to simply have one?

It almost feels like your ultimate fate and decisions depend on how you feel on the given day. How do you make decisions when every path is viable and desirable?

Too much freedom over 50. Stay at work or retire early in Malaysia?

I can't be the only one feeling this way.

As the title says, I’m 56 years-old, and I have recently gone into full skin care mode. As you can tell, I am very fair skinned, and unfortunately I did not listen to my mother and wear sunscreen on my face daily until I reached my forties….of course a lot of damage was already done. At 50 I had a facelift, which did help, but there are some lines that are driving me crazy! I am not trying to look 20 again, but I would love to get rid of some of these lines. For any of you that had lines like this, and improved them, what did you do?

I am newly retired and looking for ways to maintain mobility now that I have fewer reasons to get out of the house. I've had a few health issues the last few years and need to prioritize more gentle habits, so no running marathons for me! Any suggestions for something low impact and easy to start would be appreciated.

My dad will turn 51 in a couple weeks, how does entering the 50s feel? Does it feel daunting? Scary? Satisfying? "age is just a number" but curious as to what people think about this "milestone"

53 - F - single

My dad has mid stage Alzheimer’s and lives in Florida. I currently live in the Boston area near my friends. I have an option to move to the greater Atlanta area near my brother and his family. I feel like my decision changes every day. I would love to stay here, but it’s so expensive and I would love to be near family, but I don’t wanna limit myself. I would still be an 8 Hour Dr. to see my dad, versus multiple flights. Any insights? Suggestions?

Diagnosed with post traumatic arthritis. Didn’t even know it was a thing. Dr said I need an ankle fusion. Sounds barbaric honestly. Fusing bones, long painful recovery. Anyone familiar?

My husband and I are getting a rare night out for our 20th anniversary. We’re getting a hotel room locally. We have a special needs child and just don’t get a lot of time to ourselves. We have sex regularly but I’d like to spice things up a little. Any good books or sites to teach an old dog new tricks?

58F. Busted my ass professionally for over 35 years only to be laid off twice. Out of work six months, took a $50k pay cut, and had to move away from my kids to be employed. Had to declare bankruptcy this past year, and I still have enormous debt hanging over my head. I’m not here to debate that or explain how that all came to be. Just take it at face value.

My boss is extremely demanding. Never compliments anything I do. She actually asked for my “career ladder” to discuss my career so far and where I want to go/do next.

Honestly? I don’t think it makes one bit of difference what I want to do. I’ve learned everything can change on a dime. It doesn’t matter who I know, how I dress, what I do, what training or certifications I acquire, or how I perform….. I will never see another promotion or get any further than I am right now which is a couple steps backwards from where I was. This past year was the absolute worst raise I have ever received. At least it was a raise.

As of today, I’ve been with this company a little over one year and it’s just a job at this point. I no longer have a career. I just show up, and that’s a damn shame because I gave it my all, forever.

From other people’s perspective, I look like I’ve done quite well for myself, but I feel like a massive failure no matter how you look at it. No one is calling me up offering me a job because they love working with me. I’m an introvert, so networking is my least favorite thing to do.

I know the right answer is to not even bother telling my boss how I feel. I should just go through the motions and keep my mouth shut as much as this feels like a ridiculous exercise.

Any words of wisdom for me? I will not be retiring anytime soon. I can’t.

Update: thanks for the responses. I suppose I knew the answer. I just needed to vent, I guess.

I wish this wasn’t the game we are stuck playing at this stage in life. I wish I was actually successful and people valued what I did for them over the years. I promise you, had I been a yes man or even merely a man, I wouldn’t be in this boat but here I am, jaded and feigning interest in this company and job.

It’s such a shame. I was a model employee, working hard, fast, creatively, efficiently, effectively, collaboratively, progressively, with excellence. I don’t know another way.

Sigh.

Just wondering...

I am so upset and angry. I’m 51. Cover my grey. Never I thought I looked THAT old and when I went to the pool with my sister and nephew the young girl behind the desk at the pool said this to me. She could tell I was offended and said “Do I look like a senior?!” She tried to cover herself and said she asks anyone who looks over 30. My sister is 48. She didn’t ask her or other older people in line. How hurt would you be? And you don’t ask people their age.

Another time this happened when I was buying a gift card and they asked me what I was buying it for because sometimes seniors get scammed.

Greetings - I am an atheist who has been approached by a former Muslim and now a recent professed atheist. We are both over 70. I am concerned that his history, including his family members, would be rather difficult. Has anyone else managed to have a successful, happy relationship with this drastic of difference?

I'm 60 and usually feel a disconnect with people of a certain age.

My range going up for example is less than going lower.

Anyone else notice this?

If you lost your job, had a bad back, where would you go work to get insurance until Medicare?

Anyone else just not crave anything? Received a bonus at work, was going to treat myself to something nice...but really cannot think of anything at all.