Early-retirement wannabe

thriftytracey

I gave in my notice on Monday after 41 years of work.

I have been on a continuous high since then. I haven't felt so happy for a very long time. I think it makes you realise how ground down you feel, due to work, particularly in the last few years.

I am so glad I am getting out now (aged 59) in full health.

Slinky

I used to have a target date of 2022 when I'd have done 40 years in work, then a couple of years ago the target date move to this year but not sure when. A faster than expected house sale pinned the date as the end of this month, a fall and broken bones means I've stopped now. Just working on telling customers and winding down the business. A chat with my accountant has come up with a creative (legal!) solution that will allow a substantial part of the business retained profit to go to my pension fund.


Feels odd, didn't want my business to end this way but would have been much worse having this sort of accident if it had happened years ago.

gfplux

tigerspill wrote: »

Well I have now finally stopped work at 53. Tuesday was my last day.
Took 7 years of planning and changes to allow me to do this financially.
My OH will work for another 2 and a it years until she is 55.
Looking forward to a new life chapter.
While I found Monday and Tuesday difficult, I haven't had a smile of my face since I woke up on Wednesday. Can quite believe it.
My plan was actually to stop on my 52nd birthday, but decided to hold out for a release/redundancy package. Was turned down during the summer, but was accepted at Christmas and agreed a leaving date of 30/4.

Congratulations. Have a wonderful retirement. I did it at 52, 22 years ago and has been a great time which I believe has extended my life as I have had the last 22 years to care and manage ME.

Karmacat

Congratulations to all the new (and existing! why not) retirees

Anonymous101

tigerspill wrote: »

Well I have now finally stopped work at 53. Tuesday was my last day.
Took 7 years of planning and changes to allow me to do this financially.
My OH will work for another 2 and a it years until she is 55.
Looking forward to a new life chapter.
While I found Monday and Tuesday difficult, I haven't had a smile of my face since I woke up on Wednesday. Can quite believe it.
My plan was actually to stop on my 52nd birthday, but decided to hold out for a release/redundancy package. Was turned down during the summer, but was accepted at Christmas and agreed a leaving date of 30/4.

Congratulations on the retirement.


Out of interest how did you go about negotiating a release / redundancy? Or did you not have to?

tigerspill

Anonymous101 wrote: »

Congratulations on the retirement.


Out of interest how did you go about negotiating a release / redundancy? Or did you not have to?

My company was looking rid of people and my area was part of this. At my peer level there was a 20% reduction. I put my hand up and was accepted . There were less than 20% volunteered so all those that volunteered were accepted.
I had tried to leave in the summer as well, but was rejected at that time.

The package was set based on pay and service.

MallyGirl

In my dreams this happens to me but I don't think I am that lucky.

cfw1994

MallyGirl wrote: »

In my dreams this happens to me but I don't think I am that lucky.

Me too! Have managed to dodge about 8 rounds of redundancy over the past 20 years.....now, I'd leap at the chance....don't see it happening though :undecided

itm2

tigerspill wrote: »

Well I have now finally stopped work at 53. Tuesday was my last day.
Took 7 years of planning and changes to allow me to do this financially.
My OH will work for another 2 and a it years until she is 55.
Looking forward to a new life chapter.
While I found Monday and Tuesday difficult, I haven't had a smile of my face since I woke up on Wednesday. Can quite believe it.
My plan was actually to stop on my 52nd birthday, but decided to hold out for a release/redundancy package. Was turned down during the summer, but was accepted at Christmas and agreed a leaving date of 30/4.

Many congratulations to you. I retired at the same age (about 6 years ago), and now have the kind of life that I always wanted. I don't know how I ever found the time for work!

Anonymous101

tigerspill wrote: »

My company was looking rid of people and my area was part of this. At my peer level there was a 20% reduction. I put my hand up and was accepted . There were less than 20% volunteered so all those that volunteered were accepted.
I had tried to leave in the summer as well, but was rejected at that time.

The package was set based on pay and service.

Great. That worked out well for all parties then. A family friend also managed to retire in the same way. Fantastic when that happens.

I have heard of people approaching their managers to try and make that kind of arrangement even when there’s not cutbacks currently happening.