Four working days to go before early retirement! How did you feel at this stage?

itm2

I retired just over a year ago (aged 53), after 35 years in increasingly stressful IT roles (mainly management roles in recent years). The first couple of months were a little odd, in that I couldn't believe that I would never have to work again, but once that wore off I've had a sense of relief, relaxation and elation that hasn't worn off after more than a year so far.

I think I finally came to realise that time had become so much more important to me than money, and that now I finally have the time that I always wanted.

A few months ago I met up with a former colleague from my last employer. He told me that since I left two of my former colleagues had suffered strokes. One had passed away, and the other had only recently returned to work but was still badly impaired. One was about my age, the other maybe 10 years younger. It was a stark reaffirmation that I'd made the right decision.

Since retiring I've had no shortage of projects to keep me busy - I published my first book at the end of last year, finally got around to digitising 35 years worth of old photos, and am now learning guitar as well as writing my first Android app. When I get to a reasonable level on the guitar I'd like to have a crack at the piano as well, but first things first!

It's fair to say that I'm a changed man (and my wife will confirm that it's very much for the better). Having more time has given me more patience, and of course a whole lot less stress.

Congratulations to you melanzana - I think you're going to have the time of your life ;0)

Goldiegirl

I bookmarked this thread, so I could one day comment on how it felt to only have a few working days left before early retirement.


That day has arrived - I now have three working days left before I finish work on 18th December.


How does it feel? Pretty good! :j


At the moment I'm thinking more about Christmas - we go away on 20th December for a weeks cruise and will return on 27thDec. Between Christmas and New Year it will feel quite normal not to be at work, so I think it won't really hit me until January that we've retired.


This year we've practised living on our projected retirement income (pensions we already were receiving) and have lived within that income quite comfortably, so we feel ok about our day to day living. My husband gets his state pension and can draw from other pension pots (if we want to) in October 2016, so we'll be able to have a 'pay rise' within two years.


My own state pension date isn't until 2026, so we haven't even factored that into our short plans.


I feel slightly :eek: about not being able to save much money for the time being, as we have been in the habit of putting a chunk of money away each month. But we have funds to draw on if needed, so I feel secure enough.


It's very rare to meet anyone who says they regret their early retirement, so overall I feel very excited about this new phase of my life. Thrilled in fact:)

ozzage

Well done, congratulations, and I'm jealous

Please do let us know how you are feeling over the next few weeks!

jamesd

Congratulations!

gadgetmind

itm2 wrote: »

35 years in increasingly stressful IT roles (mainly management roles in recent years).

Sounds like me. More the computer/electronic engineering side rather than IT, but I have a large team scattered around the world, and there are lots of other teams and customers to interact with, so it's non stop and there are always at least a dozen fires to fight.

I don't really relish retirement as such, but I won't miss the degree of stress I have now, and I would definitely like more time to work on my own projects.

smjxm09

Well I was included in a mass group email sent a week last Friday about a leavers package. I applied to go and my company will let me know from the 15th December.

The terms of the package is that I have to leave by the end of the year but with outstanding leave I will get only 3 days notice if I am lucky before I am off. If they say no I will just carry on.

As an engineer on the road for a multinational company there will be no send off and nobody to say goodbye to, as all the engineers are based from home so it will be just drop the van off and maybe get a lift home from my manager.

At the age of 57 I can't wait to go and should have enough money in the bank too see me out.

gadgetmind

I'm surprised that any company is letting engineers go as industry is *desperate* for good engineers. We're hiring from all over the world as there just aren't enough in the UK.

We're got quite a few who're in their mid/late 50s, and some do mention retiring from time to time, and we have to keep talking them out of it!

gallygirl

smjxm09 wrote: »

Well I was included in a mass group email sent a week last Friday about a leavers package. I applied to go and my company will let me know from the 15th December.

The terms of the package is that I have to leave by the end of the year but with outstanding leave I will get only 3 days notice if I am lucky before I am off. If they say no I will just carry on.

As an engineer on the road for a multinational company there will be no send off and nobody to say goodbye to, as all the engineers are based from home so it will be just drop the van off and maybe get a lift home from my manager.

At the age of 57 I can't wait to go and should have enough money in the bank too see me out.

Good luck - come back and report your news. Bet you're going up the wall waiting though :eek:.

jem16

Goldiegirl wrote: »

That day has arrived - I now have three working days left before I finish work on 18th December.


How does it feel? Pretty good! :j

I totally agree with this feeling as I'm about to join you!

My last day of work is the 19th December although technically I don't retire until the 5th January. So 10 days of work remaining - those 10 days are going to be pretty hectic as I have a class who have decided they are already on holiday. Keeping them going whilst organising all the stuff I need to handover will be challenging. However I'm immensely looking forward to retiring. Teaching is not the same as it was when I started out nearly 40 years ago. It's all too much paperwork and red tape and children seem to be secondary to the whole process.

So I'm looking forward to doing what I want when I want and not to the sound of a bell! Cruises out of school holidays with my friend who is retiring on the same day will be on our agenda. Visits to my son and daughter-in-law in Canada again outwith school holidays - I cannot wait!

To top it all I became a grandmother 4 days ago!

stormbreaker

gadgetmind wrote: »

We're hiring from all over the world as there just aren't enough in the UK.
We're got quite a few who're in their mid/late 50s, and some do mention retiring from time to time, and we have to keep talking them out of it!

long may this continue. My son graduated this year and got a job in oil and gas but I still worry for his future. Nothing is guaranteed.

I've got 23 months to retirement at 54:D

My OH retired two years ago at 49, but as he was too young to retire and I was still working, he got another job. Pays shitpince but tops up the pension and keeps him out of mischief.

When I retire from full time work, I suspect we will both get something part time.