A "Career Change" is Bullshit for Most in Their Fifties

This is the thrust of this New York Times article from a few days ago.  It isn't a realistic option for most people once they hit past fifty. Age discrimination is rampant. And forget "self-employment" at that age. 

I totally agree with this comment:

The "golden handcuffs" is a major consideration, as is being in your mid 50s and trying a change. I retired as a state worker and have a meager pension (it cut my earnings in half), so my full time job is tightening the belt while my husband still works. Always working at least 40 hours a week since I was 18 I'm burnt out but look to see what sort of work there is available, but there is none for a woman my age and with health problems. The poster may be miserable, but unless they're in an industry that is easy to get hired, I'd stay put.

She is referring to a regular job being paid by an employer rather than striking out on one's own.

At least some people are realistic about options for women over 50:

The questioner considering a career change does not reveal his or her gender. If she is a woman, she should be aware of the high unemployment rate for women over 50. Evidently our society feels women over 50 have less to offer. I certainly found this in my own job search after I lost my position due to a reorganization.

Of course this is referring to a layoff or a firing after age 50.  Unless you to have to work the rest of your life, forget "retraining."  If you are close to being able to retire, ride it out.  You can always do something else after you retire, like work part-time.

Even if I could retire, which I never will be able to, I think I would always have a part-time job in education just to stay busy and focused while pursuing my own interests.  That is the best of both worlds.