Returning to full time work at age 42 as a single mother (I'm now 50) has been a tough road. Even though the ex paid his court ordered support, 4 of us were forced to live on (with my salary) less than half of what had previously supported 5 of us. Needless to say, with high school and college and the cost of living in New Jersey, I've remortgaged my house to the hilt and have very little in the way of retirement funds. The reality is, I'll never be able to retire in what I considered the traditional way. When I hear my ex bought a condo in Florida, and is retiring there with his new live-in in two years, it just makes me sad. So, now, I'm trying to do those things (whatever I can afford) I put off to raise the kids, while still having to work full time and carrying a whole lot of debt. boy, now I know what my father meant when he said he was worth more dead than alive - that may be the only way it gets paid off! Has anyone else suddenly realized that retirement will not be an option?