Worked hard my whole life. In my 20's and 30's I worked tons of side jobs after work. Maxed 401k since beginning. Married late at 36. Divorced at 42. No kids.
I've had 3 major lower back surgeries and another cervical. Lots of titanium in me. And nerve damage has retired me since age 51. It's hard right now due to income loss and don't want to touch 401k until 59 and a half. Pain is relentless. But still I fight.
Not the way I thought my retirement would be.
I was in a similar situation. I dont think anyone can prepare for a life changing injury. I had a great job. Didnt make a ton of money but it paid the bills. My wife was working full time as an ER RN. Two kids. House. Car payments. Toys. I was also working on the side for most of my life. Shaping cars, helping a friend of mine doing a little carpentry, even helping the guy that was my best man put up window treatments. Did that for over two years. Best side money I ever made.
In '89 I had L5/S1 issues. Not bad enough to keep me from working. In '08 I had a bit of cancer. The easy one to fix but I was out of action for 3 months due to some healing issues. While I was out I started having issues with my hands burning. I had some neck issues but they were never a big issue. Turns out I had 4 herniated cervical discs. Two with nerve impingements. I worked at a DOE site that had a team of doctors onsite. The docs looked at all the reports and told me I was now a liability and had to go on LTD. That was the most shocking thing that Ive ever been told. I was hoping for a job change that would let me keep working but I was union so it couldnt happen.
I took a 40% loss in pay. My son had just graduated HS and my daughter was just starting. We were sweating. My wife was still working but two years later she got put out due to her own neck injury and eventually having double knee replacements. She also took a 40% hit. In the end we made some serious life changes. Paid the house off as quick as we could. Not much CC debt. Bought two used vehicles that we still have instead of buying new trucks every 3 years. The only great thing about my job was the retirement plan. After I left on LTD my job was still putting money into my retirement until I turned 66 and officially retired.
Now we just move along. We planned on moving to a cheaper and warmer area but those plans are over. Houses are up as high as they are here. Son and his wife are making good money at their jobs. Same with my daughter. Looks like Im staying put. Plus my health issues are a big issue. Neck got worse. Both knees are bone on bone. I feel like an old guy. It sucks. Getting old is not for the weak. LOL