Curious if you took a package last year and retired, did you decide to get another job?

I am just curious if it is common for Ford retirees to go back to work after being retired, and if so why. Retirement must be a difficult time.
I have been asked to give several retired ex-coworkers a reference this year.
Their ages range from 62 to 69. All had 30+ years in at Ford. It has been interesting hearing their stories and reasons for wanting to un-retiree.

One had taken lumpsum and was nervous about not having a steady paycheck. She didn’t want to tap Social Security until Full Retirement Age.
One hadn’t anticipated Ford changes to Retiree Health care and needed an income until his house was paid off.
One was bored and missed daily meetings for socialization.
One wanted to get a high caliber job just to show his prior LL5s they had made mistakes not promoting him past GSR8
One wanted and got a contract position in a Ford group that had refused him an interview in JobsOnline two years ago. He worked for two weeks and then quit, his goal was just to prove he was qualified for the job. This guy had been mothballed at Ford for years.
One wanted to make $300k in a year to buy a second home in Florida. He told me his plan was to simultaneously remote contract for 3 companies, he felt he could bill 24 hrs for 8hrs of work and no one would be the wiser. SMH.

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You'll enjoy retirement. Volunteer, if you have grandkids, another plus. Just enjoy life; it really is too short.

Took the package too without any regrets. My advice to anyone considering...Take the package, get out, and run as fast as you can!

I took the package in 2021. I turned on SS and took the pension. So far, it still feels like a vacation. I don’t miss the 7 am meetings at all.

I took the package last year. No need or desire to return to work!! Soooooo glad I am no longer working! Life is good!

My hubby was SRD in 2019 & wasn’t ready to retire. He was unemployed for a little bit but found another job. He did qualify for retirement so we have health insurance & a few other “perks” from Ford. With the change in our health insurance we’re glad he has another job! If he would’ve been older & had more years in he probably would’ve actually retired though.

I took the PRP in 2018 at age 58 (30+ years). I also took the lump sum.
A properly managed lump sum for the last 3 years brought a significant return with conservative investing. It may not always be that way (2022 looks rough so far), but it is the only way to beat inflation.

I have not thought about returning to work at all - not even Home Depot. I did not need my job to define me as many LL6 and above found out when they are at home with no one to manage. Spouses usually don't put up with it!

Thread regarding Ford layoffs

Curious if you took a package last year and retired, did you decide to get another job?

6 replies (most recent on top)

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