Can you retire as a CNA?

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2009

Not a CNA, and not sure if they recieve pensions or 401k benefits but...

You can retire from just about any career depending how well you have prepared in your youth. If you start a 401k or IRA early on in your life, you only have to invest a little each month/year in order to have a reasonable retirement. Either you invest (relatively) small amounts for a long time, or you end up needing to invest large amounts of money for a short period of time.

If you are a planner/saver and know how to live frugally, you could still prepare for your retirement on a modest income.

mochabean · Jan 29, 2009

I wouldn't. Nursing assistants in my area make too little. You have to work a lot of overtime just to live a financially comfortable life. It would also take a toll on your body if you do it for a long time. NA's aren't getting huge raises anytime soon. But different strokes for different folks.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 29, 2009

In every hospital that I have worked (which is several), the CNA's had the same basic benefit packages as the other employees. So, CNA's who worked full time had the same access to put money in retirement accounts, get matching funds from the employer, get health insurance, life insurance, etc. So yes, a person can retire as a CNA.

However, as others have pointed out, CNA's don't make very much money. So, either they have to live VERY cheaply to have any money left over to save for retirement ... or they have to have other sources of income, such as a spouse who also works, etc.

It comes down to what you mean by "Can you retire?" If you mean, are the mechanisms in place for you to retire, the answer is "yes." However, if what you mean is "Will you make enough money as a CNA to live a middle-class lifestyle and have enough left over at the end of each month to save enough to continue that lifestyle after retirement?" the answer is "no." (Not unless you live extremely cheaply and/or have other sources of income.)

catladycac · Jan 29, 2009

There is also social security to think about. The higher your earnings are, the more you contribute to social security, and the more you will draw after you retire. So, if your job is fairly low paying, you will have less in social security to fall back on when you retire.

sonomala · Feb 3, 2009

You can like the others have pointed out but I really wouldn't want too. Its too physically demanding with too little respect with little pay. Cna does open the door to all sorts of other degrees in the medical field which are much better. Its a great starting point, just not a destination in my op.

casi, ASN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

I've known several people who have retired from being CNAs. In my area at least CNAs make really good money for the amount of education they have.

I really enjoy being a CNA, but I don't know if my body could take it for another 40-50 years.

caliotter3 · Feb 3, 2009

Several people I worked with retired as CNAs. For one reason or another, they never went on to become nurses. One that I knew started nursing school but dropped out because she said she couldn't handle the academics. How well these people did after retirement I don't know, only that they stopped working when the time came. I can only think of one off hand who didn't have the income of a spouse to fall back on. I wouldn't want to retire at that job. Just can't make it on low wages and low retirement income.

ctmed · Feb 4, 2009

Several people I worked with retired as CNAs. For one reason or another, they never went on to become nurses. One that I knew started nursing school but dropped out because she said she couldn't handle the academics. How well these people did after retirement I don't know, only that they stopped working when the time came. I can only think of one off hand who didn't have the income of a spouse to fall back on. I wouldn't want to retire at that job. Just can't make it on low wages and low retirement income.

Good point, Colliotter.

The only exception I could think of is some of the guys in the

VA federal system who retired at GS-5 with federal retirement.

Other than that rare exception, I really don't see retiring at

CNA something you would want to do unless life circumstances

dictated otherwise.

NurseLil-lea · Feb 8, 2009

CNA's just do not make enough money I don't think to retire from it and be able to take care of thereselves after retirement. I guess some states pay CNA's different. I just would not want to retire as a CNA!!

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

VA hospital CNAs are paid pretty well, and get a great retirement package. I've known several whom have retired from the VA.

yousoldtheworld · Feb 10, 2009

I think it's possible to retire as a CNA, I know people who have. Of course, it's not going to be as easy as with higher paid jobs, but you could make it work if you wanted to.