Got an interview...in a couple of weeks..

[Xolodno]

..at first was intrigued, its in a northern central California area...an area I like to travel to. I let that get to my head. The cost of living is higher, but the salary listed would make up for that.

But today, took a harder look at the company....and I have some concerns. From the look of things, they do not have a matching 401k...but really promote "employee ownership" of the company via employee ownership of stock, apparently from the sound of things, the company helps facilitate this considerably. Now that wouldn't bother me too much...but reading on Glassdoor, its 6 years before you can diversify that....now I'm concerned. Now I have further questions, is this the company's only "retirement plan"? Do they have a pension to supplement? etc.

Company I work for is freezing the pension in December and opting to contribute an additional 3% pre tax to the 401k with or without company match to the 401k, current match is 6%...I'm grandfathered into the defined benefit plan, so I'm losing out. Of course, I'm under no illusions in five years they change that....with that being said...here's my main issue;

I'm probably going to work professionally for another 8-9 years then "semi-retire". Having your retirement stored into one basket...does not make good sense, even for an insurance company, could make some bad moves and go belly up and since you can't move your shares out of the company for awhile...end up with a lot of worthless shares...and then I'm not "semi-retiring".

Next, time off. In 2019 I get another week of PTO...up to 7 weeks off. Don't know what they do, some say they are PTO...others say Vacation/Sick....but even the PTO versions say the first year is only 2 weeks.

Benefits...currently similar. That may change in a few weeks, Company I currently work for is moving away from one health company with several plans to a plethora of several companies with multiple plans. Don't know if this is a good thing, If you ask me, its their way of hiding significant rate hikes.

The final thing, the position is in a "new department"...to help with their growth. I've been around the block and seen what happens, they fail...department is unemployed...if successful, but company issues arrive, they find "synergies" move some into the departments they work with...the rest, well, you know.

So I guess what I'm asking is, am I being a bit paranoid? I know I'm basically talking out of myself of this, but hey, I'm not young anymore. Next, do I go through with the interview? Thinking I shouldn't and save both our time and money. Probably ask the HR Rep about Retirement options to get clarity, as well as time off considerations.

What does everyone think?

[Upthevibe]

1. I wish I could offer some insight but only you know

what your situation is and what you really need. I think it wise of you to be looking at things so closely. I definitely think you should go to the interview. It will help you fine tune your interviewing skills. Also, you never know what could happen during the interview - maybe something good. I don't think you have anything to lose by going. Good luck and please keep us updated...

[Xolodno]

3. Yeah, I should probably hear them out.

The reviewers on Glassdoor could be a bit disgruntled and skewing things. I've been hounded by other companies before and flatly refused, for example, a company located in NC, I thought cool, if its near the coast. Found out it was smack dab in the middle of the state and was its "Bible Capital".....all I could think of was....shit, I might not be able to buy beer on Sunday.

[RLC1]

2. Probably interview?

You asked if you should interview. I would at least do that, unless you have to fly there and it really cuts into your time. And, I don't EVER think your paranoid for asking questions. Go into the details with HR. Try to talk with someone who has been there a long time, preferably the head of HR (if possible).

[Xolodno]

4. Won't have to fly.

But it will require a 5 hour drive...if they offer a plane, no thanks. Getting through LAX would chew a couple of hours.

But yes, I need to be specific on my questions with HR when I get there.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Do The Interview

You might be over thinking this some
Also, does ESOP include profit sharing, not just voluntary buy in? Getting equity share as profit sharing made a lot us here quite comfortable retirement $
This is especially true if there is market dominance or international growth potential.