A method begins by a processing module determining a priority access level of an encoded data slice stored on a memory device. The method continues by determining a soft failure level for the memory device, wherein the soft failure level includes a plurality of discrete usability levels with a highest usability level representing a maximum amount of usable memory, a second usability level representing a lower usability level than the highest usability level and a lowest usability level representing an unusable level when the usable memory is below a threshold. The method continues with the processing module determining whether to migrate the encoded data slice from the memory device based on the priority access level and the end-of-life memory level. The method continues with the processing module identifying another memory device. The method continues with the processing module facilitating migration of the encoded data slice to another memory device.