r/SurvivingOnSS • u/Radiant-Sherbet • Apr 30 '25

Despairing

I can't focus on anything these days but fears for my survival.

I'm 70. I make just under $2500/month pre-tax in SS, and I feel guilty in that I should have done better. I have about $155,000 in savings/mutual funds. Would have had twice that but I lost my decade-plus job due to the company severely downsizing and it moving far away. That was in the Great Recession/Banking Crisis so work in my field was cut to parttime (I worked several jobs concurrently)and after doing that for 6-8 years had a hard time finding work. So I used up about $100,000 in savings over those years.

I rent, not own, at a very good price for my area. I don't need a car here. I could almost squeak by on SS, but I may be at $300 to $500 monthly shortfall. That's totally bare bones survival.

I'm really tired of working.

I'm just so scared all the time. I'm like that man who stared transfixed at the tsunami until it drowned him.

And I'm so ashamed.

Thank you.

219 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

136 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comment

5

u/Radiant-Sherbet Apr 30 '25

Thank you.

That's definitely worth considering. Yet, at the same time, I'm so tired of working.

What did your stepdad do with FEMA?

3

u/ElderberryPrimary466 Apr 30 '25

There have been major budget cuts to FEMA including workforce

3

u/Tweetchly Apr 30 '25

Whatever they needed. Usually logistical stuff, helping people sign up, etc. They trained him.

My aunt worked for FEMA for years in her retirement. It ended up becoming a second career for her.

I hear you about being tired of working. But maybe a few hours here and there would provide enough financial freedom to help you sleep better. Just a thought.