Anyone taken early retirement and regretted it?

Eliza_2

whitesatin wrote: »

I usually describe myself as a retired teacher but, you know, that sounds sooooo boring, I rather like the idea of calling myself a free spirit.

I have never been one of those.:cool:

Well you'd think it sounds rather twee, until you saw me and see that I am anything but twee! It shuts people up though, they just think I'm a bit eccentric which I am very happy about. We shouldn't have to define our lives in these terms to anyone so really you could say whatever you like - private means is a good one and truthful.

If you say you're a retired something that just tells people what you used to be, not what you are now - could do better!

pineapple

I wasn't feeing 100% and know too many people who died around 60 so left one month before my state pension kicked in. I did love that job but strangely didn't miss it. I'm too busy decorating, gardening, baking... The difference is I can pace myself and take a nap if it comes to it. The nicest time for me is late night when normally I would be getting my things ready for an early morning commute. I can stay up - it doesn't matter if I sleep in!
I try not to think of the money I would be earning. Yes there are plenty of things I could spend it on but you can't take material things with you. Time is a valuable commodity too.
I'm going to chase up some old friends, walking groups, voluntary work etc - when I get the chance!
I've got an agency chasing me to do some work for them but so far not tempted :T

LeafyBarnet

ericonabike wrote: »

Any suggestions on what to say when asked 'and what do you do...' now?

Yes: "I'm freelancing".

That shifts the emphasis off "working" versus "no longer working" and encourages the idea that you're in control of it.

lilac_lady

I was offered another job when I retired, took a week to think about and said no thanks. There's no pockets in a shroud. Enjoy your free time.

ericonabike

As post #37 - runner up in the job interview [following the application form sift, an initial phone interview and a longlist interview...] so took that as a sign [!] and went for the early bath option. Strikes me there's material here for a book on 'How to retire early' - now perhaps that could be a Grand Project...

anoneemouse

ericonabike wrote: »

Well. At the age of 55 I've sent the forms to my [soon to be ex] employer to confirm that I want to take my pension from them now. Slightly scary, but at least I've made a decision. and of course, if it turns out badly, it's all the fault of MSE folk:-)

Not sure I want to describe myself as 'retired' though, because I'm quite happy to work - just that it can be on my own terms as I can get by on pension. But we're obliged to define ourselves by 'what we do' and I can't say I'm a 'job title' any longer. Seems rather like being a teenager again - that sense of being neither one thing nor another. No longer a 'worker' but too young [in my own mind anyway] to be a 'pensioner'. Any suggestions on what to say when asked 'and what do you do...' now?

Congratulations :beer:

I have to say here - why are we "obliged to define ourselves by what we do"? Who or what says so? I think that is something that is/may be there in some peoples' heads, but that doesn't mean to say that that is how things really are.

As I've said personally before - the thought has literally never occurred to me to define myself by my job and I think this is maybe something that has only been the case for women in very recent times indeed.

There is a "gap" in thinking if a woman cannot "define herself by her job" or by "I'm a housewife and mother" but then it is surely up to the person herself to think "when I can't define myself in either of those two ways then it's up to me how I define myself" isn't it?

Why take other peoples' word for it as to how to define yourself?

Loughton_Monkey

anoneemouse wrote: »

.....There is a "gap" in thinking if a woman cannot "define herself by her job" or by "I'm a housewife and mother" but then it is surely up to the person herself to think "when I can't define myself in either of those two ways then it's up to me how I define myself" isn't it?

Why take other peoples' word for it as to how to define yourself?

In 5+ years of retirement, I've never had a problem. I simply say I'm 'retired'. Those that know me obviously know what I did. Those that don't probably don't care. If they are interested, then I simply tell them.

But the worst problem used to be before retirement and my wife's problem. I worked in the Far East and it is a very natural and rewarding opportunity for wives to join the "British Women's Group" or similar. The trouble comes with every introduction, which 99% of the time comes in the form of:

"..... nice to meet you. So tell me. What does your husband do?

She got to saying all the idiotic answers she could think of like

"as little as possible"
"well... not a lot... he's a man..."
"I don't really know. I must ask him some time."
"he smiles, remains faithful, and has his tummy tickled. Why else would I have him?"

whitesatin

anoneemouse wrote: »

Congratulations :beer:

I have to say here - why are we "obliged to define ourselves by what we do"? Who or what says so? I think that is something that is/may be there in some peoples' heads, but that doesn't mean to say that that is how things really are.

As I've said personally before - the thought has literally never occurred to me to define myself by my job and I think this is maybe something that has only been the case for women in very recent times indeed.

There is a "gap" in thinking if a woman cannot "define herself by her job" or by "I'm a housewife and mother" but then it is surely up to the person herself to think "when I can't define myself in either of those two ways then it's up to me how I define myself" isn't it?

Why take other peoples' word for it as to how to define yourself?

If someone asks the question directly, what do you/did you do, I think it is because they are genuinely interested. I don't really see it as defining myself by my job. I jest when I say I will, from here on in, say I am a free spirit as everyone knows there is no such thing, only pretentious people who spout such garbage.

I spent a long time doing my job, it is part of me, a part in which people are interested. It was/is important to me and, to an extent, enabled me to further develop other aspect of my life and I am happy to talk about most aspects of the whole.

There are lots of things I can say about my life now but my working life certainly defined much of what I am now.

Is it really that important? Just do and say what comes naturally. People prefer you to be genuine, I am sure.

property.advert

Seems there will be vast gap between those whose retirement is within reach and those who are being encouraged to work well into their 60s before official retirement with little thought given as to just how they can do so and remain motivated and physically capable.

I view 55 as "D" day and hope that legislation does not once again move that date farther into the future.

okydoky

I must confess - retiring and then regretting it and perhaps not being able to get a decent job again is something I seriously fear!!

I was 55 recently and have done many spreadsheets, projections etc etc and would dearly love to retire, but I am frightened - a bout of inflation could seriosly damage my plans.

The annuity I could buy with my pension pot might provide half of my required monthly income - and a withdrawal from my savings could provide the balance for some time - but inflation at 3% to 5 % for 10 years could leave my finances stretched by the time I am early to mid sixties, and I do not want to reach 70 with not much more than the state pension to live on.
Am I being overly cautious or do you go for it and live more for today?