retired at the age of 46!!!?

Question

my dad has to retire from the army at the age of 46..where and how can he be able to find a new job and support his family of 6??at the age of 46,he's not young anymore,furthermore, holding only an 'o' level cert..

Answer 1

Congratulations to your dad! Not many of us are able to draw a pension at 46. Your dad should be drawing about half of his former base pay now -- with no duties. The actual computation is complicated but depending on length of service, a retired servicemember draws between 50% and 75% of former base pay. That may not be a lot of money but it's not peanuts.

US Military Service is no bed of roses but it does pay out handsomely in the long run. Besides retirement pay, your dad is entitled to a number of VA benefits. He may be able to get education, medical treatment, and a home loan. Military service is probably the only way that an 18 year old high school graduate can work for 20 years and retire at 38.

Six kids is a lot -- as another poster noted, perhaps too many in this overcrowded world; certainly an expensive burden. With any luck, some of you will be graduating and getting jobs of your own. It may be time to give back to the family that gave you so much.

Retirement may indeed come as a shock. The Army tells you what to wear, when to eat, what to do just about every minute of the day -- we say it's a highly structured environment. Now your dad has no structure at all; his time's his own. Give him a little time to adjust.

The world now is your dad's oyster. Regardless of his current skills, he's shown reliability and discipline, very valuable in many employers' eyes. He may well want to go back to school now, learn a new trade or build on his existing one.

Tell him not to overlook companies with military ties. Your dad may find it relatively easy to get a security clearance, which military contractors require for some jobs. Another possibility is working directly for the government in a civilian capacity -- perhaps even the Army itself. All Federal jobs and many state and local government jobs give military veterans preference in hiring.

If your dad did well in the Army, he may not be the individualistic, entrepreneurial type. But who knows? He may just have been storing up some big plans -- never really taking them seriously enough. This is the time to encourage him to think big. He may want to open his own restaurant or computer repair service. He'll find it relatively easy to get a small business loan. All kinds of bureaucratic speed bumps are smoothed over with the words, "I'm a recently retired veteran." It's not a big word but it's one that he can use in a lot of places with effect. Many people are fierce defenders and strong supporters of the military and will go out of their way to help your dad.

As a 20-year man, your dad is on another level from those who serve a single term and get out. Be sure he knows how to put his service up front and in the best possible light. You'll all be surprised how many doors are open.

Answer 2

You make it seem like it is somebodies fault that he has to retire. Your dad new for a minimum of 20 years that he had to retire someday and in his case would have 6 people to care for. For you, 46 IS YOUNG. Maybe not to you, but to the rest of the world he still is. There are lots of jobs he can get that will take care of his family. He will get a full retirement check which will be a portion of his pay and the amount depends on his retirement program that he was eligible for when he retires. It is based on years of service and several other factors. So money will be coming into the house, just not the same amount. He also keeps all the medical benefits for his family that he had before. His best bet for a post retirement job is a GS (government) job. Such as a job at the post office where he will be able to work another 20 years if he wants to and get another retirement check from there too. If you live near a military base he can get a GS job there as well be applying online. Depending on where you live he can go to the Department of the Army website and look for goverment contractor jobs. He should be able to find a job similar to his as a civilian. What I don't get is why are freaking out? He should know ALL OF THIS. He went to a class at separation from the Army that told him about all of this. They even helped him write a resume. He just needs to use what he was taught to go get a job. It sucks to have to worry, but he can transition well, but that is all up to him. I hope this helps you and maybe him. Good luck.

Answer 3

The Government had cancel the pensions scheme, I wonder your dad is still under pensions scheme? I was with the Government sector before, and had seem far too many such cases. Most after retired work as a security guard or Taxi driver earning about S$1000 to $1500 per month. Sorry to say, if the children are still in school, the family will have financial difficulty. I foresee that, that's the reason why I quitted from the Police Force 6 years ago and joined private sector.

I believed he still able to find a job, but we all can never lead the life as before. Try to save on unneccessary things, life still go on. The Government will not going to help you even your dad had served the country for 20 over years.

Answer 4

To retire on the age of 40 5 you more beneficial useful start up putting one hundred to 2 hundred aside per week for some thing else of your existence.. or locate a job that allow you to retire on the age of 40 5 my grnadpa is sixty 5 and nevertheless no longer retired a lot of success.. and he owns his own buisness..

Answer 5

Your dad should be eligible for the GI-Bill which will pay for him to go to college or to a technical school. I retired from the Army after 20 years and went to college and got my BS and MS. If anything, your father should be the type of person who doesn't just quit on life. 46 is way too young to call it a day.

So much of the current generation is "allergic" to hard work that employers will bend over backwards for some one who is willing to work hard. Your dad shouldn't have too much trouble finding something to do.

Answer 6

Respectfully... IF he served a full 20 years he should have had PLANS for retirement !! And if he entered at age 18, he would have served 38 years now !!

I was discharged in 1999 after 15 years of service for a hearing-loss that prevented me from continued flight duties... THAT came as a surprise... I had another 5 years PLANNED in the military. STILL, I had money put away and got another job.

Others here have given you sound advice.

Answer 7

I retired at the age of 45. At first I toyed with the idea of opening up my own pet supplies store - then discovered just what the retail world is like. Now I work for a defense contractor making decent money.

Does your dad know that his security clearance is worth $$$?

Answer 8

I'm not sure how it is in the U.K., but in the U.S. a lot of retired servicemembers find jobs working for the Dept. of Defense. Perhaps your dad will do the same thing.

Don't worry. He knew this was coming from the day he signed up. I'm sure he has a plan.

Take care.

Answer 9

Sounds pretty tough. This is one of the down falls to being a career soldier, one day it ends. Hopefully he has obtained some education, skills, or something other than just military training; other wise it will be very difficult to find a proper employment to support such a large family.

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 10

46 is young. I'm 57 and am hirable at lots of places. Just recently got a new job and am looking for another. He could start a small, inexpensive business.