Nowadays it seems reserved for old timers in semi-retirement. Maybe get a small source of income in your twilight years.
Back in the day these guys were rarely impartial, often pretty heavy guys that had their own crews.
I think you have it backwards.
The traditional idea of the consigliere was an older, semi-retired guy who has largely independent of the boss and weighed in on major matters, looking out for the interests of all family members, etc.
In more recent times the consigliere has often been tight with whoever is running the family and still very much involved in the rackets, even running their own crews and operations.
