voluntary redundancy at 49: should I stay or should I go?!

[Steamroller]

What would YOU do if this was you? Aged 49, been in same clerical job 16 years. No particular skills. There's a good payout (30k) on offer if I take voluntary redundancy. DH has IT job now but it's not secure and (he's already been made redundant 3 times). Got £90k mortgage to pay. One child aged 9. Scared I wouldn't get another job for ages (ever?), and if dh loses his job how would we pay the mortgage?
On the other hand, when else will I ever get offered £30k?
Would be so grateful for anyone else's opinions on this. It's such a big decision that's going round in circles in my head!

[MissisBoot]

Do you have mortgage payment protection for your mortgage?

Is your dh at real risk of redundancy?

I'd be tempted to take the redundancy. You could always temp if necessary as you'll have accrued a lot of skills in your last job that you don't realise you've got.

What would you do with the redundancy money? Pay off some of your mortgage?

[girlylala0807]

I know someone who had her payout cut in half as she was over 50.

That may be something to think about for the future if redundancies come up again.

Dont know if thats a company specific thing though.

[Steamroller]

thanks for your replies. yes we've got mortgage protection but it would be invalid if I was voluntarily redundant.
girlylala - you're so right about the over-50 thing. I don't get why but I know it's a big difference. something to do with pension, I know that much.
Will I be hungry and shivering over a one-bar electric fire in 30 years time because I took voluntary redundancy at 49?
Everyone has said i should go for it. Not one person has said 'oh no, stay while you have a job' even though we're always being told it's a jungle out there!
I wish someone would decide for me!

[MaggieLeo]

Bite their arm off! you lucky thing.

You can get another job in a couple of years when the economy picks up - if you want to /need to.

[MaggieLeo]

ps, I'd use the 30k to reduce you mortgage. 60k would be a small mortgage, much easier to manage.