Republican States Move To Revive SAVE Lawsuit: What It Means for Borrowers
Republican States Move To Revive SAVE Lawsuit: What It Means for Borrowers
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Court Refuses To Pause Dismissal Of SAVE Student Loan Case
Key Points
- A federal judge denied Missouri’s request to pause the dismissal of the SAVE plan lawsuit while the states prepare an appeal.
- The court said the case no longer presents a real dispute because the parties are aligned and the policy is already being phased out by law.
- For borrowers, nothing changes right now — the Department of Education still controls the timing of any repayment plan transitions.
A federal judge has rejected an attempt by several Republican-led states to pause the dismissal of their lawsuit targeting the SAVE student loan repayment plan, marking another procedural twist in the long-running legal fight over income-driven repayment.
The decision (PDF File), issued March 4 by Judge John A. Ross of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, denies the states’ request to temporarily halt the court’s earlier order dismissing the case while they pursue an appeal.
The ruling keeps the dismissal in place and the states can decide to seek review from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
For millions of borrowers currently affected by the SAVE plan’s uncertain future, the order does not change the status of their loans or repayment obligations. However, it does give hope that there may be at least short-term relief.
Editor’s Note: The plaintiffs (GOP States) have filed a notice of appeal as of late Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
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Why The Judge Refused To Pause The Dismissal
To receive a pause (known legally as a “stay”) the states had to show several things, including that they were likely to win their appeal and that serious harm would occur without the pause.
Judge Ross said the states failed to meet those standards.
In the order, the court wrote that the states had not made a strong argument that their appeal would succeed. The judge also said the lawsuit no longer presented a real dispute that required the court’s involvement. Courts generally require two sides actively disagreeing about a policy or action. In this case, the judge said that condition no longer existed.
When both sides effectively agree on the outcome (in this case – both agreed that SAVE should end), federal courts typically decline to continue the case because there is no longer an active controversy to resolve.
Judge Ross said forcing the parties to continue litigating would place the court in the position of deciding a “hypothetical” dispute rather than an active conflict.
Congress Already Changed The Policy, It’s On ED To Enact It
Another reason the judge rejected the request involves legislation passed by Congress.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act already requires the federal government to transition borrowers away from the SAVE plan and into other repayment plans..
Because that law sets the direction for the program, the judge said the states’ argument that borrowers might begin applying for SAVE relief again was unconvincing.
In the court’s view, the federal government still has authority to carry out the transition away from the plan without additional court orders. The ruling also notes that the Department of Education could have already begun planning borrower transitions after earlier court orders and after the legislation became law.
What Happens Next
The states still have the right to appeal the dismissal. The likely next step is asking the the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to review the district court’s decision.
They will also likely ask the appeals court for a stay of the dismissal — essentially the same request the district court just rejected.
If the appeals court grants that request for a stay, the previous injunction will be “reactivated” and everything will be blocked again. If the appeals court denies it, the lawsuit would remain closed while the appeal proceeds – meaning borrowers would be entitled to the benefits of the SAVE rules.
Appeals cases often take several months before a ruling is issued.
For student loan borrowers, the ruling does not immediately change repayment options or timelines.
Borrowers currently in the SAVE plan should continue monitoring announcements from the Department of Education regarding future repayment plan transitions.
Until the department issues new guidance, loan servicers and borrowers remain in a holding pattern.
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Editor: Colin Graves
The post Court Refuses To Pause Dismissal Of SAVE Student Loan Case appeared first on The College Investor.
Retirement Is No Longer a Fixed Milestone for Older Americans, Survey Shows
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on LiveCareer.
Retirement is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve as economic pressures reshape expectations for later life.
The Retirement Reality Check Report from LiveCareer, based on a survey of 878 U.S. workers aged 50 and older, highlights how rising costs and financial volatility are altering how people prepare for life after full-time work and address the complexities of retirement planning over 50.
Many older workers are now adjusting plans, delaying retirement, and rethinking what financial security will look like in practice.
Despite relatively positive investment performance in recent months, a full 75% of respondents say they are delaying retirement due to stock market volatility. The substantial impact of inflation on retirement planning is evident, with 91% reporting that inflation or tariffs have impacted their retirement plans.
Key Findings
- The rising cost of care is the biggest financial concern among older workers. 55% cite healthcare costs in retirement or long-term care expenses as their top worry.
- Many fear their savings won’t last. 49% say they’re worried about outliving their retirement funds.
- Confidence is eroding in the face of economic instability. 91% say inflation and tariffs have affected their retirement outlook.
- Volatile markets are triggering action. 41% have made changes to their investment strategy due to stock market uncertainty.
- Retirement savings are functioning as a safety net. 6 in 10 workers over 50 are actively withdrawing from retirement accounts to cover everyday expenses.
Retirement Is Being Rewritten by Uncertainty
Most older workers aren’t stepping into retirement with confidence:
- 55% say their biggest worry is the cost of healthcare or long-term care.
- 49% fear they will outlive their savings.
- 30% cite stock market instability as a major concern.
- 21% worry about inflation reducing their buying power.
Only 2% of respondents said they aren’t worried at all about their financial future.
What this means: The concerns show that older workers are attempting to plan for retirement in an environment where costs and risks feel volatile. This is reshaping expectations for what “secure” retirement means today.
Most Are Rethinking Their Retirement Plan
Given the market uncertainty, many are rethinking their approach to retirement planning in their 50s. When asked how inflation and tariffs have affected their retirement confidence:
- 45% said they’re rethinking their entire plan.
- Another 46% have made smaller adjustments.
Only 9% said those concerns have had little or no impact on their retirement outlook.
What this means: Retirement is becoming a more active, ongoing calculation, where plans must adapt to shifting economic conditions rather than follow a fixed timeline.
Delayed Retirements, Adjusted Expectations
Along with delaying retirement, many older workers are also making significant lifestyle and investment changes:
- 41% have made changes to their investment strategy due to market instability.
- Just 8% said they’re staying the course with no changes.
What this means: Retirement is becoming a gradual adjustment rather than a planned milestone, shaped by evolving financial realities rather than a single decision point.
Most Are Already Tapping Their Retirement Savings
Even as they delay retirement, many older workers are already drawing from their retirement savings, often out of necessity:
- 61% are regularly withdrawing from their retirement accounts.
- 30% dip into savings occasionally, for specific expenses.
- 8% are holding off and saving their funds for later.
What this means: These numbers underscore the ongoing financial strain many over-50 workers face, even as they try to preserve long-term security.
Methodology
This report is based on a survey conducted by LiveCareer in November 2025 with 878 U.S. workers aged 50 and older.
Respondents answered a mix of single- and multiple-choice questions regarding their retirement planning, financial concerns, investment behavior, and perceptions of modern retirement realities.
Yes, judge tells Trump: you have to refund all the companies that you charged with illegal tariffs
In a defeat for the Trump administration, a federal judge in New York ruled Wednesday that companies that paid tariffs struck down last month by Supreme Court are due refunds.
Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade wrote that “all importers of record’’ were “entitled to benefit’’ from the Supreme Court ruling that struck down sweeping double-digit import taxes President Donald Trump imposed last year under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The Supreme Court found tariffs that Trump imposed under the emergency powers law were unconstitutional, including the sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs he levied on nearly every other country.
In his ruling, Eaton wrote that he alone “will hear cases pertaining to the refund of IEEPA duties.’’ The ruling offers some clarity about the tariff refund process, something the Supreme Court did not even mention in its Feb. 20 decision. Trade lawyer Ryan Majerus, a partner at King & Spalding and a former U.S. trade official, said he expects the government to appeal or “seek a stay to buy more time for U.S. Customs to comply.″
The federal government collected more than $130 billion in the now-defunct tariffs through mid-December and could ultimately be on the hook for refunds worth $175 billion, according to calculations by the Penn Wharton Budget Model.
Eaton was ruling specifically on a case brought by Atmus Filtration, a Nashville, Tennessee, company that makes filters and other filtration products, claiming a right to a tariff refund.
All goods that go through U.S. Customs and Border Protections enter a process called “liquidation,” when the agency issues its final accounting of what is owed. Once liquidated, importers have 180 days to formally contest the duties. After that window closes, the liquidation is legally final.
The judge ordered customs to stop collecting the IEEPA tariffs the Supreme Court struck down last month on goods going through the liquidation process. And if the goods were past that part of the process, the agency would have to recalculate them without the tariffs.
“This is a great decision for importers and consumers who paid,” said Barry Appleton, a law professor and co-director New York Law School’s Center for International Law. “It will make customs brokers busy. It should make things easier for the courts — and get a process underway for those importers who paid within the last 180 days.”
On Monday, another federal court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to slow the refund process. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit started the next phase in the refund process by sending it to New York trade court to sort out.
Now the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency must come up with a way to process the refunds. Customs routinely refunds tariffs when there’s been some kind of error, but its system was “not designed for a mass refund,″ said trade lawyer Alexis Early, a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. “The devil will be in the details of the administrative process.″
____
Anderson reported from New York.
AP Writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story.
Caesars Rewards Chase Offer: Save 10%, Up to $50 Cash Back Maximum
Caesars Rewards Chase Offer
Chase is targeting some cardholders with a new offer that can save you 10% on your next stay at Caesars stays in Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City. The offer is showing up on some most cards, so check your accounts now if you are interested and save the offer. Let’s go over the details below.
Offer Details
- Earn 10% cash back at Caesars Rewards select properties only in Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City, including taxes and after any discounts, with a $50 cash back maximum.
- Offer expires 5/31/2026.
- Find Chase Offers here.
Important Terms
- Offer valid one time only.
- Offer only valid on purchase made directly with the merchant.
- Offer only valid on room rate and room charges.
- Excludes gift card purchase, pools, lounges, bars, and other amenities.
- Offer valid only at Caesars Rewards select destinations; Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Horseshoe Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas, and LINQ Hotel; Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Tropicana Atlantic City, and Nobu Hotel Caesars Atlantic City; Eldorado Resort Casino Reno, Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno, and Circus Circus Reno; Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe.
- Excludes all Caesars Rewards hotels outside of Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City.
- Reservations must be made directly through Caesars Rewards by phone, online at US website caesars.com/book or individual property websites.
- Offer not valid on purchase made using third-party services, delivery services, or a third-party payment account (e.g., buy now pay later).
- It is possible that the merchant may split your purchase into multiple transactions. Offer redemption awarded as statement credit on the first qualifying transaction amount.
About Chase Offers
Chase Offers are available on Chase credit cards and debit cards. With these offers, you usually get cashback when you use your eligible Chase card to shop at a participating store. You can see your offers in the Chase app or in your account online. Here are a few things worth noting about these offers:
- You can add the same offer to multiple cards, and you will receive multiple credits. The Savewise app helps you add and manage these offers.
- Chase Offers could be targeted to certain accounts, so not every offer will be available for everyone.
- Credits will appear in your account in 7-14 business days.
- Usually the same offers will also show up for US Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Regions Bank, Suntrust Bank, BBVA, BB&T, PNC, Columbia Bank and Beneficial Bank customers.
Guru’s Wrap-up
A nice offer for savings at eligible Caesars Rewards properties in Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City. You can only use this offer once.
You can find more Chase Offers here.
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World Cup safety is in jeopardy due to funding chaos and a lack of security coordination
As yesterday marked 100 days until the World Cup kickoff, some fans wagered on tournament favorites Spain and England clinching the trophy, while others worried about whether North America is even ready to host.
Safety concerns are top of mind for the dozens of crowded events set to take place across the US, Canada, and Mexico:
- The US and Israel’s military campaign in Iran has compounded existing security anxieties related to the cartel violence in Mexico last week.
- Mexico’s government and FIFA assured the games there will be safe.
In addition, there are now doubts about whether Iran’s national team will participate in stateside matches.
Cash-strapped cities
US host city officials warned lawmakers last week that World Cup safety is in jeopardy due to funding chaos and a lack of security coordination between local and federal agencies. Uncle Sam earmarked $875 million to enhance game security, but that cash is being held up by a standoff over Homeland Security funding in Congress.
Mundial has run into municipal hitches…with the Boston-area town of Foxborough threatening to block the matches set to take place there until someone fronts $7.8 million in security costs.—SK
This report was originally published by Morning Brew.
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Mortgage Rates Ease Back Toward 6% Thanks to Oil Assurances From Trump
After a very bumpy start to the week, mortgage rates are falling back toward 6% again.
They jumped on Monday after an unexpected weekend strike took out Iranian leadership and led to a spike in oil prices.
Instead of getting the typical flight to safety in bonds we see after geopolitical events, both stocks and bonds sold off and yields jumped.
That led to a 30-year fixed that appeared to be moving firmly back into the 6s after finally enjoying some time in the high-5s.
But the move higher might be short-lived if the situation in the Middle East calms down.
Mortgage Rates Finally See Some Relief After Rough Few Days
As noted, the 30-year fixed was averaging just below 6% by several measures (Freddie Mac and Mortgage News Daily) for the first time since 2022.
Then a joint U.S.-Israeli strike carried out against Iran severely rattled global markets, sending both oil prices and bond yields higher.
The 30-year fixed climbed from 5.99% on Friday to 6.12% on Monday, per MND, then inched up even more on Tuesday before finally beginning to ease some.
Today, mortgage rates made a more decisive move lower, falling to 6.07% from 6.13% as 10-year bonds also came down.
Driving them lower might be news that the U.S. is taking steps to ensure ships can continue to travel through the Strait of Hormuz near Iran’s southern border.
Iran had threatened to close the channel and damage any ships that attempted to pass through.
But President Trump issued a statement on Truth Social saying, “Effective IMMEDIATELY, I have ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide, at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for the Financial Security of ALL Maritime Trade, especially Energy, traveling through the Gulf.”
In addition, he said “If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible.”
It seems the White House quickly realized the serious disruption in the shipment of oil, which could exacerbate inflation at a critical time, leading to higher prices on both gas and everyday goods.
As such, they took immediate steps to assuage any fears on that front before conditions worsened.
Of course, there are still a lot of unknowns and we continue to hear reports of scattered bombings and violence throughout the Middle East, with perhaps more to come.
But it seems the initial sharp reaction in bond yields (and mortgage rates) has begun to unwind.
Where things go next will depend on the trajectory of the war.
Warsh Officially Nominated as Next Fed Chair
In other news, Trump officially nominated Kevin Warsh to be the next Fed chair, replacing current chair Jerome Powell.
Many expect Warsh to be dovish and in better alignment with the wishes of the Trump administration.
That generally means additional rate cuts, which will at least reduce short-term lending rates and could have some effect on longer rates as well.
We know the Fed doesn’t control mortgage rates, but it could prove to be another tailwind (and critically not a headwind) for mortgage rates.
This kind of adds to the momentum mortgage rates have enjoyed since the start of the year and could help get them back on their winning track.
Another big mover comes on Friday with the monthly jobs report from the BLS.
If that comes in cooler-than-expected, mortgage rates should see another move lower, back toward those 5-handle rates.
If it’s somehow hotter-than-expected, we could see rates pop even higher than they were on Monday.
So there’s a lot at stake in that report as it comes at a very crucial time given the news in the Middle East that has investors skittish.
It’s also early March, which is prime time for home buyers to start signing contracts and locking in mortgage rates on their purchases.
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How to Build a “Set-It-and-Forget-It” Real Estate Portfolio Without Owning Rentals
Rental investing isn’t passive. I know firsthand—I once owned 20+ rental properties.
It takes a ton of work to buy them, stabilize them, and manage them, year in and year out. Even if you hire a property manager, you then have to manage the manager.
Rentals, flipping, and wholesaling—these are all business models. They appeal to plenty of entrepreneurs looking to launch a side hustle or full-time business. But make no mistake: They involve starting a business.
I don’t want a side business. I just want the cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits of real estate investments.
So, for those of you like me who want a real estate portfolio without having to run a real estate business, what options do you have?
Entry Level: REITs
Anyone with $10 can buy a share in a real estate investment trust (REIT). You buy and sell them with the click of a button in your brokerage account, just like any other stock.
They’re cheap, liquid, and easy. So what’s the catch? There are several, unfortunately.
First, by definition, you’re paying market value for them, as they trade on the open market. Don’t expect a bargain or outsized returns.
Second, you pay taxes on the dividends at your full income tax rate. And unlike some other ways to passively invest in real estate, you don’t get a juicy depreciation write-off.
Third—and arguably worst of all—they’re too correlated with the rest of the stock market. I’ve written about this before: They act as just one more sector of the stock market, with a similar correlation as other sectors like utilities or consumer staples.
That means they don’t provide true diversification. They trade on public stock markets alongside other stocks and generally move to the same market rhythms.
Goldilocks Level: Co-Investing
To solve all three of those problems with REITs, you need to go up a level and invest in private placements. But that doesn’t mean you have to be rich or invest the typical $50,000 to $100,000 in a single investment.
When I say “private placement,” I’m referring to passive real estate investments that don’t trade publicly on stock exchanges or get hawked by crowdfunding companies. Options include:
- Private partnerships with investors
- Private notes
- Real estate syndications
- Real estate funds
I’ve invested in all these and continue investing $5,000 every month in a new one or two. I approach it as dollar-cost averaging for my real estate investments.
Yes, operators do typically require a minimum of $50,000 to $100,000—if you invest by yourself. This is why I don’t.
I invest alongside other members of a co-investing club. We all meet on a Zoom call to vet a new passive real estate investment together, grilling the operator with questions. Then we boot them off the call and have an internal club discussion to analyze risk and returns.
We can then each invest $2,500 or more if we like it—or skip it and wait a couple of weeks for the next one.
My current portfolio includes 45 of these passive investments, all spread across dozens of cities and operators. It’s a true “set it and forget it” portfolio, where I just sit back and collect distributions every quarter.
Wealthy Level: Solo Private Placements
Of course, the wealthy could potentially invest $50,000 to $100,000 by themselves in a new passive investment every month.
That said, you’d need a massive income to do this kind of dollar-cost averaging, investing $50K to $100K every month. That’s $600,000 a year, minimum, just in real estate investments.
Granted, not everyone practices dollar-cost averaging. But then you start getting tempted to try and time the market, which adds a whole new risk to your investments.
Tracking Your Passive Investment Portfolio
As you start stacking up all these passive real estate investments, how do you keep track of them all? How do you track returns for them?
You have a few options. I keep a spreadsheet of all my investment accounts, and I list all my real estate investments on it as well, along with my initial investment and the approximate yield. This helps me track my passive income as well for measuring my “FI ratio”: the percentage of my living expenses that my passive income can cover. When that reaches 100%, working becomes completely optional.
As another free option, I also use Credit Karma’s net worth tracker. It’s not as good as Mint was, but Intuit discontinued Mint and imported the data to Credit Karma. The better to sell you other services, my dear.
As a paid option, Vyzer specializes in tracking alternative investments alongside traditional paper assets.
Finally, my co-investing club has an automated tracker for its group investments. It updates with the current yield for each investment.
A Counterweight to Stocks
I want my real estate portfolio to look almost as diverse as my stock portfolio. That includes geographical diversification, property type, debt versus equity, operator diversification, and even timeline diversification.
My stock portfolio provides relatively liquid investments I can sell anytime. They’re more growth-oriented, paying almost no income yield. But they’re easy to put in an IRA, diversify, and automate weekly contributions and investments through a roboadvisor.
Real estate is not liquid and is harder to invest in through an IRA. It requires much larger minimum investments, which makes it harder to buy once or twice a month for dollar-cost averaging.
But it generates high income yields for me and provides built-in tax benefits and true diversification from the stock market. A stock market crash won’t necessarily derail any of my real estate investments.
That high yield on many of these investments will also help me avoid selling any stocks in the early years of not working full-time. I don’t plan to “retire” in the conventional sense, but I will gradually shift from traditional work to writing novels and other not-so-lucrative work. The longer I can delay withdrawing from my nest egg, the better.
If you’re wealthy enough to practice dollar-cost averaging in private placements by yourself, I tip my hat to you. For the 99.99% of the rest of us, consider joining a co-investing club if you want to build a set-it-and-forget-it real estate portfolio like I have, with the full cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits real estate offers.
The New Rules of Work — and Why Professionals Are Rethinking Their Careers
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
The workplace is being shaped by changing attitudes, evolving priorities, and new cultural flashpoints.
From the “Gen Z workplace stare” debate to conversations about going from white-collar to blue-collar in search of better pay, the findings reveal just how much employee expectations are evolving.
The FlexJobs Workforce Pulse Report, which polled 3,063 professionals across generations in August 2025, sheds light on generational differences in the workplace and the economic realities influencing today’s career decisions.
24% Have Received the ‘Gen Z Stare’ in the Workplace
The “Gen Z stare” is a viral workplace phenomenon, often described as a deadpan or unimpressed look younger employees bestow on their colleagues. It has sparked an ongoing Gen Z workplace stare debate, with some finding it rude and others viewing it as a quiet act of resistance.
While the look itself may seem small, its rise speaks to deeper generational differences in the workplace.
Older generations often entered jobs with an expectation that they should pay their dues and avoid conflict, whereas Gen Z is more likely to push back on unreasonable expectations, refuse to accept outdated office norms, or point out imbalances in professional dynamics.
In this way, the Gen Z stare is less about eye contact and more about a cultural evolution of workplace values, moving toward questioning authority and prioritizing boundaries.
In the survey, nearly one-quarter of workers (24%) said they have received the Gen Z stare at work from younger teammates.
Generational breakdowns reveal important differences, with Gen X professionals the most likely to be on the receiving end. Here is the percentage of each generation that reported receiving the Gen Z stare at work:
- Gen X: 27%
- Boomers: 25%
- Millennials: 22%
Interestingly, 10% of millennials reported having both received and given the Gen Z stare in workplace settings. Among those, 5% admitted they intentionally directed the stare at older colleagues.
62% Ready to Make the Switch From White-Collar to Blue-Collar
Financial motivations and job security continue to weigh heavily on professionals. In the survey, 62% of respondents said they would consider switching from a white-collar to a blue-collar job if it offered better pay and stability than their current role.
In addition to exploring skill-based roles, many workers reported daydreaming about alternatives to their current careers.
The most common career aspirations included:
- Switching fields entirely: 45%
- Starting a business: 44%
- Early retirement: 40%
- Moving abroad: 34%
- Doing nothing for a while: 29%
- Going back to school: 27%
Why 85% Say Their Career Expectations Have Changed
Most professionals today believe their career expectations have changed since they graduated or entered the workforce.
Over half (58%) said their expectations have changed significantly, while another 27% said they have somewhat changed. Only 15% reported that their expectations have stayed the same.
When looking at the results by generation, millennials were the most likely to report significant changes (62%), followed by Gen X (59%) and baby boomers (54%). Nearly a quarter of boomers (23%) said their career expectations have stayed the same, more than double the rate of millennials (11%).
Here’s the percentage of each generation who said their career expectations changed upon entering the workforce — and by how much:
- Career expectations changed significantly: Millennials (62%); Gen X (59%); Boomers (54%)
- Career expectations changed somewhat: Millennials (27%); Gen X (28%); Boomers (23%)
- Career expectations stayed the same: Millennials (11%); Gen X (13%); Boomers (23%)
The survey also asked whether workers felt their college or training program adequately prepared them for the workforce. Responses were nearly split, with just over half (55%) saying they were prepared for the workforce by their college or training program and 45% saying they were not.
Looking closer:
- 19% felt completely ready
- 36% felt at least somewhat prepared
- 30% did not feel prepared
- 15% said they were not prepared at all
Switching From White-Collar to Blue-Collar Jobs
As the survey revealed, many workers are rethinking what they want out of their careers and are willing to trade desk jobs for skilled trades if it means better pay, greater stability, or more tangible results at the end of the day.
If you’re one of the 62% of professionals considering a change from white-collar to blue-collar work, you’re likely weighing the skills, training, and financial steps it would take.
Making a switch like this can feel daunting, but it’s not impossible. Here are some key factors to consider when going from white-collar to blue-collar work.
1. Skills That Transfer From Office to Trades
A common misconception is that moving into blue-collar work requires starting from scratch. In reality, there are many transferable skills developed in office-based roles that can carry directly into trades.
For example:
- Project management: Professionals used to juggling deadlines, budgets, and multiple stakeholders will find those abilities invaluable in fields like construction, electrical work, or plumbing, where coordinating schedules and resources is essential.
- Communication and customer service: Blue-collar workers often interact directly with clients, homeowners, or contractors. Clear communication and a professional demeanor, honed in meetings and presentations, are just as important on a job site.
- Problem-solving: White-collar jobs often involve troubleshooting systems or processes. That same analytical mindset applies when diagnosing a mechanical issue, installing wiring, or finding safe, effective fixes in hands-on work.
- Tech proficiency: As trades adopt more digital tools, like construction management software, diagnostic equipment, or even drones, familiarity with technology gives career changers an edge.
2. Training Pathways and Certification Requirements
Unlike many office roles, blue-collar jobs often require hands-on training and specific certifications. The good news is that there are multiple entry points depending on your goals and timeline.
Apprenticeships
Many trades, like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work, offer paid apprenticeships where you learn on the job under the supervision of a licensed professional. Apprenticeships might also be found in areas like culinary arts, healthcare support roles, cosmetology, and even hospitality.
Apprenticeships typically last between two and five years, depending on the trade and state requirements, but they allow you to “earn while you learn.”
Trade Schools and Community Colleges
Shorter-term programs at trade schools and community colleges provide classroom instruction alongside hands-on training in fields like HVAC, welding, or automotive repair.
Many of these programs can be completed in less than two years, making them a faster route into the workforce compared to a four-year degree.
Community colleges in particular offer a wide variety of career pathways, including nursing, medical assisting, culinary arts, and cosmetology. Some schools also partner with local businesses to connect students with internships, clinical rotations, or job placements after graduation.
Certifications and Licenses
Certain fields require state or federal career certifications or licenses, especially when safety, compliance, or specialized knowledge is involved.
For example, electricians must often be licensed by their state, welders can pursue certification through the American Welding Society, nurses need state licensure and sometimes national board certification, and chefs may pursue food safety certifications to advance their careers.
On-the-Job Training
Some employers, particularly in industries like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and food service, hire workers with little or no prior experience and provide structured on-the-job training programs.
This path is especially appealing if you want to begin earning quickly without investing heavily in school upfront.
3. Financial Planning for Career Transition
Switching careers often comes with upfront costs and temporary income adjustments, so financial planning is a major aspect of moving from a white-collar to a blue-collar career. Taking the time to create a clear financial road map now can ease the stress of transition and allow you to focus fully on building your new path.
Here are the expenses you might face:
- Education and training costs
- Decreased earnings while training or at the entry level
- Fees for licenses or certifications
- Gaps in income during the transition
But there are likely financial benefits too, like:
- Strong long-term earning potential in many trades
- Competitive salaries once licensed or certified
- High-quality or even union-provided healthcare, retirement, or other benefits
When planning, take advantage of the resources available to you and plan effectively. You can do this by:
- Researching scholarships, union programs, or employer reimbursement
- Building savings or adding a side income to bridge training periods
- Comparing job offers with an eye on both salary and benefits
4. Physical and Lifestyle Adjustments
Blue-collar work can be rewarding, but it’s often also physically demanding. Unlike desk jobs, many trades require spending long hours on your feet, heavy lifting, or working outdoors in variable conditions. Preparing for this change is just as important as learning technical skills.
Consider these practices to prepare your life, mind, and body for a white-collar-to-blue-collar career change:
- Building a regular fitness routine to support stamina and strength
- Learning about safety practices and investing in proper protective gear
- Understanding work schedules, which may include early mornings, overtime, or seasonal fluctuations
- Factoring in commuting to job sites, which can vary from day to day
- Preparing for physical wear and tear, such as joint strain or back issues, and adopting preventive care habits
- Adjusting your lifestyle to allow for adequate rest, recovery, and sleep
- Balancing work with family or personal commitments when schedules are less predictable
- Staying on top of nutrition and hydration, since physically demanding jobs require consistent fuel
5. Networking and Career Growth in Trades
Just like in-office careers, connections matter in the trades. Investing in your professional network by joining local associations, attending training events, or volunteering on community projects can open doors and connect you with mentors.
Most trades offer clear advancement paths, such as moving from apprentice to journeyman to master or into supervisory and management roles. In fields like healthcare or culinary work, growth often comes through certifications or specialization.
For the entrepreneurially minded, trades can also lead to business ownership. Many career changers launch contracting companies, restaurants, or service businesses, blending their white-collar knowledge with hands-on expertise.
Is Flexible Work the Answer?
The workplace reflects a clear evolution of priorities. Younger generations are challenging outdated norms, while many professionals are reevaluating what they want from their careers. For some, that means trading office jobs for the stability, earning potential, and tangible rewards of blue-collar work.
No matter the path, the themes are consistent. Workers want meaningful careers, fair pay, flexibility, and the ability to shape their future.
The rise of the Gen Z stare, the growing interest in skilled trades, and the widespread acknowledgment that career expectations have changed all point to the same reality: Work today looks very different than it did a decade, five years, and even a year ago.
As professionals adapt, flexibility remains a common thread. Whether that means exploring new industries, retraining for skilled roles, or negotiating for remote jobs and hybrid options, the future of work will belong to those who are willing to rethink what career success looks like and pursue it with clarity and confidence.