I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this—it sounds incredibly frustrating and stressful. The sudden shift to live chat, especially when you’ve had tough experiences with it in the past, is understandably overwhelming. The lack of flexibility and increased monitoring add to the sense of being trapped in a job environment that feels far from ideal, especially with retirement in sight.

It’s perfectly valid to feel upset about the loss of control and the added stress this change is likely to bring. Navigating such uncertainty so close to the finish line of your career can feel unfair. Taking some time to breathe and consider your options, whether that’s waiting to see how things go or exploring alternatives if you feel it’s worth it, might help. For now, venting is a completely normal and necessary response—this is a big and unsettling change. You deserve space to process it.

Would you be eligible for government benefits, if you were not working to bridge the gap until you did retire officially?