Today’s question came from a caller from Alabama during a recent Community Call and is answered by: Laura Berman Fortgang.
Question: 
I’m in the process of training for a new field but I’m also concerned about my retirement. Should I just be thinking of my nest egg instead of changing careers?
Answer:
My father was a first generation American and the first to go to college in his family. He became an engineer and spent 32 years with the same company, only to be fired 18 months short of retirement. Over the years it was clear that he hated his work and I begged him to change jobs. But he felt he had to stay and put the kids through school. So I understand the issues you’re raising about financial planning. It’s certainly not about just throwing caution to the wind, yet sometimes you have to put your soul ahead of your wallet. Who knows how long you’ll be working? And the truth is we don’t know how long we are going to live, either. It’s a matter of balance. You are saying you have 20 years until retirement but maybe you’ll be working even longer, so try out a few things and give yourself some time. Experiment, moonlight, volunteer, and see if you strike upon a passion while also looking at whether that passion can make you money. People are being forced to reinvent and that sometimes includes a bit of their past that was previously overlooked up until now. It may mean taking chances. Did you see the story we ran about the laid off autoworker who turned professional bowler? It’s possible to merge the things you naturally enjoy with your livelihood if you remain open to how that might happen.
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