I doubt that there will be any retraining money available for Steve. As he tells us somewhat indirectly, his layoff is more of a job demotion than a true layoff. His union should file an age discrimination complaint, because this tactic of "retitling" a position is often used as way to force out older workers, the ones on the highest pay scales and whose benefits (medical, prescription drugs, health appliances, etc.) are the most costly. Retirement is exactly what zillionaire Mayor Mike Bloomberg would want him to choose. The actuaries long ago figured out how much the city had to set aside to fund his pension at age 62 or whatever. By leaving at 56, Steve will draw substantially less each month, and the city will come out ahead. My advice: Decide for yourself when you want to retire, and don't yield your right to make that choice, even if it means a pay cut. Stick it out. Let them demote you. Then sue the bastards.