<prompt> Human: My dad works in the oil industry for a small service company. He has been with his company for 20 years. Yesterday he was given an ultimatum along with the other service men. They can stay and try to last as long as possible, but if the industry doesnt pick up they will be let go with nothing. Or he can take a package of paid 6 months salary and his boss will pay off their work trucks. My dad could possibly collect SS but hed only be getting less than 2,000month. Seeing that he is older but not quite as old for retirement, what would be the best solution here. Should he take the package and try to find something? Do businesses even hire people that are close to retirement? My parents have been smart and have saved some money in the bank and they will be taking their name off their houses and other items and putting it mine and my brothers name. Im scared for my dad. Im afraid if he takes his exit package he wont find another job. Sorry for the long post, I just dont know how I can help my dad whos giving my brother and I so much.Assistant: Id be tempted to take the package and try to find another job. At his age it could be a problem a lot of workers retire involuntarily like this - lose a job at an older age and cant find another, but probably not an impossibility. But he doesnt have a lot of choices - its a risk either way, and this way at least he has a half year of salary and his truck.Sounds like he may not be able to work in the same industry, though, if the whole industry is depressed and probably getting flooded with people who have left or been let go looking for jobs. Can he leverage his skills to work in another area, or possibly relocate to an area where he can find work in his industry? Does he have other skills that would be desirable or perhaps usable in starting his own small business e.g. handyman, painter, consulting? Human: He just got rid of his class 1 license. I think he might be looking into getting that back.  <response>: Yeah, that would be a good move. 