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Thinking about an encore career

Mar 14, 2012
Currently, I am thinking about going back to school for a graduate degree to change my career entirely. It would be hard to do this while working full-time. I think that if I stick out this job for another 15 years, I should be OK to retire. (It's just me -- no husband or kids -- and I owe about $80,000 on my house.) I would LOVE to quit and go back to school (maybe with a loan?) for an "encore" career. It's amazing how much more expensive school is now. It's crazy. I know that I will be able to find a position once I have the degree. It may not be earning as much as I do now, but that's OK. Is this even something I should entertain? Jackie, Columbus, GA

A sliver of good news on retirement

Jan 5, 2012
It's underappreciated how well one large cohort of aging boomers should do financially during the traditional retirement years: the college-educated stalwarts of the feminist movement.

Work ‘til you drop?

Dec 8, 2011
The catchphrase of the hour seems to be "Work 'til you drop." You know the refrain: Work is a social place. It provides a paycheck. An older worker with a job can delay drawing down savings and filing for Social Security. Yet working longer isn't for everyone -- far from it.

So much for the golden years

Nov 17, 2011
Most Americans believe their retirement won’t come early or be particularly comfortable.
In this photo illustration, an old age pensioner checks what is left of her weekly state pension on Nov. 6, 2008, in Conwy, Wales.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images