Do I stay or do I go...

Gers

Am on the horns of a dilemma and would appreciate some constructive informal advice please?

I have worked with no breaks since 1976 and for four years before that with a four month point of unemployment when I moved south to England.

I have one year to go before I can collect a deferred LGS final salary pension with a lump sum and annual income.

I am contemplating leaving my employment and moving back north to be with family.

I have sufficient monies to support myself during the next year.

I do not intend to claim any form of benefits during the next year.

My questions are:

- do I leave an increasingly unhappy role? - my heart says 'yes' and my head says 'definitely maybe'
- do I have to keep up NI contributions for that year? Is it advisable or necessary?
- am I a silly fool who should thank her lucky stars that I am in full time employment?

I've been struggling with this for a few months now and would really appreciate some views of people who don't know me and haven't got any personal agenda.

Thanks

getmore4less

Get a state pension forcast, should be OK with over 30 years employment.

Do you have a house to sell that could be the thing that determines timing.

Any ties other than the job, friends other social etc.

How easy will it be to settle back home.
Will there be work opportunities.

if this is to be with elderly family, you only get one chance to be with them in their later years.

if unhappy with work and don't need the job it can be easier to try to deal with the issues to make it better if they fail then at least you tried.

If you would move back at some time in the future anyway, then the question to be asked is whats stopping you doing it now.

McKneff

Grab life with both hands. If you are unhappy in your job the only person who can do anything about it is you.

If you can afford to do it, just do it. Make the decision, yes or no and get on with whatever you decide.

In your shoes, I would do it in a heartbeat.

If you have 35 years of NI contributions there is no need to pay for anymore. But do get a pension forecast from the DWP

Annie

Gers

getmore4less wrote: »

Get a state pension forcast, should be OK with over 30 years employment.

Do you have a house to sell that could be the thing that determines timing.

Any ties other than the job, friends other social etc.

How easy will it be to settle back home.
Will there be work opportunities.

if this is to be with elderly family, you only get one chance to be with them in their later years.

if unhappy with work and don't need the job it can be easier to try to deal with the issues to make it better if they fail then at least you tried.

If you would move back at some time in the future anyway, then the question to be asked is whats stopping you doing it now.

The key here is elderly family - the issue of being desperately unhappy at work and the realisation that time is marching on is the cause of my dilemma. I would be contemplating moving back eventually so it's just coming to the fore a little bit earlier.

Thanks for your comments.

McKneff wrote: »

Grab life with both hands. If you are unhappy in your job the only person who can do anything about it is you.

If you can afford to do it, just do it. Make the decision, yes or no and get on with whatever you decide.

In your shoes, I would do it in a heartbeat.

If you have 35 years of NI contributions there is no need to pay for anymore. But do get a pension forecast from the DWP

Annie

Grabbing life and being with elderly family sound excellent reasons for going.

I am extremely fortunate to be in the financial position to make this huge change, something for which I am thankful.

My next step is to gauge the attitude of those back home! I shall take the bull by the horns (of my dilemma) and see what happens.

Thanks for the postings so far - just writing out the first post really helped crystallised my thoughts for me. Churning it all over in my mind was no good.

Friends and family here will support whatever I decide, but their views are going to be emotionally charged so I needed some clear impartiality.
:T

getmore4less

Not saying this will happen with families where others are working one thing to potential watch is the you become THE carer.

that may not be an issue but if it is not what you want keep others in the loop

If you are going to return at some point might as well do it now and strt the planning.

Do think about the longer term and where you want to be with your life

McKneff

The reason I say 'grab it with both hands'

a number of years ago, my mum, aged 60, spoke to dad,
asked him what he wanted for his tea. She went to the supermarket and never came home. She died of a heart attack whilst out shopping.
It colours your judgement, I'm 63 and look on every day as a bonus.
So do the kids, I keep giving them my money.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

zzzLazyDaisy

McKneff wrote: »

The reason I say 'grab it with both hands'

a number of years ago, my mum, aged 60, spoke to dad,
asked him what he wanted for his tea. She went to the supermarket and never came home. She died of a heart attack whilst out shopping.
It colours your judgement, I'm 63 and look on every day as a bonus.
So do the kids, I keep giving them my money.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I agree with this. Ten years ago I had a telephone conversation with my younger sister aged 35yrs. I never spoke to her again, she stepped off the kerb without looking into the path of an articulated lorry later that day and never regained consciousness.

Now I know what people really mean when they say 'live every day as if it is your last, because one day it will be'.... and I live my life accordingly.

OP if you can afford it, and you feel your life could be better if you change it, then go for it!

Gers

Many and huge thank thanks to the really great comments here - my only sibling dropped down dead one day just over five years ago so that's always in my mind too.

Happily I have now broached the subject with my elderly mother and she was stunned and shocked but delighted too.

:j

When I get back home I shall start plannning.

McKneff

:j:j:j

woo hoo, enjoy your new life. I'm envious to be honest.

dizzyrascal

Yes go for it.
Neither of my parents lived long enough to collect their pensions so if you can afford it, you should do it.

StressedOutMummy

Gers,

I concur with all the other posters - go be free from the shackles of employment and enjoy life. It sounds like you're in the enviable position to do so.I'm in a job I hate and unfortunately going to be there for some time. Be happy and enjoy your new found freedom.