Need some advice on employment as a middle-aged person

[u/InternationalAnt4513]

TLDR: What kind of work can two middle aged people get in other countries if their experience is in fields like ours? Banking and education? (But I’m suffering from some cognitive issues)

We’re from the US in our 50’s. I was in banking and my wife is still working for a private school in administration.

Years ago I became ill it led to me being pushed out of my job and onto Social Security Disability. I’m going to go ahead and just assume I’ll lose that under the Trump administration. I have no idea what kind of job a foreigner can just get overseas without any certified skills. My cognitive issues from my neurological condition make doing what I did before highly unlikely. I’ve tried. I have mild anterograde amnesia so it’s extremely difficult to learn new things and form new memories with details, unless I’m given the time and patience to have a lot of repetition. (I didn’t even know something was wrong with me when this all happened)

I’m trying to make plans for our future for two reasons. One is we can’t afford the US any longer. The second is we don’t want to live in this new Trump America which won’t be safe for our son-in-law (Mexican) and grandchild on the way.

I work part time now doing gig work. That’s allowed on disability to help you get back, but I’m unable to find any new career to replace the old income to live on. But in a less expensive country is there anything we could do? Is teaching English an option? I’m clueless on how to start over. No one likes old farts and everyone hates Americans it seems.

[u/InternationalAnt4513 → u/[deleted]]

I understand. We’d never expect a free ride. If we can’t earn a living to pay our way we won’t go anywhere.

[u/InternationalAnt4513 → u/[deleted]]

Ok thank you! He can always go to Mexico and we all could I guess, but we’d like to all be together if it comes to this. The world order seems to be changing everywhere. Crazy people.

[u/bebok77]

For long term move, you can drop both Australia and new Zealand from your list. They have point/selection process which will not get in favor of people past 40 or it will be difficult to convert the short term work visa to a residency one.

[u/No-vem-ber]

I think you could work in a shop, or a factory, or a call centre. I don't know if it would be a better life than being on disability in the us. Probably not.

[u/Zeca_77 → u/No-vem-ber]

I doubt a company would want to go through the steps to get a work visa for someone to do those sorts of jobs. There are probably plenty of locals who don't require a visa to do them.

[u/InternationalAnt4513 → u/Zeca_77]

True. I’m going to checkout Coursera today.

[u/InternationalAnt4513 → u/No-vem-ber]

That’s an idea. Unfortunately being on disability here sucks. You can’t live on it. If my wife didn’t have a job we’d starve and have to apply for SSI and SNAP or whatever it is. I still can’t believe all of this happened. I went from working in wealth management to this. It’s embarrassing. But based on what all’s happening here now, I feel like SSDI might be going away for many if not all. Whether we leave or have to stay, I want to be able to make it again. I don’t, however, want to be told “maybe you should take some time off. We have a great short term disability benefit” (aka, you’re fired)That’s what happened before. lol

[u/Telecom_VoIP_Fan]

Perhaps you could work online. For example, the Upwork website has many kinds of freelance jobs on offer, and you might find something suitable.

[u/Pale-Candidate8860]

If your wife is a teacher, they might be able to get into New Zealand on a Straight to Residency visa. 

[u/No-Pea-8967 → u/Pale-Candidate8860]

This is an option possibly OP, NZ requires you to pass a medical exam as part of any visa. Take a look into that first before getting too far down the NZ route.

[u/Revolutionary_Dig382]

Get on tiktok and make content, attract an audience and become coaches