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

kidmugsy

"Four working days to go before early retirement! How did you feel at this stage?" I was quite cheerful, all considered. It was Christmas.

badger09

4th July 2006 husband & I got back from 2 week holiday following my absence from work for almost 3 months with job related stress. Husband was early (only 9 months early) retiring 31 July after 40 + years and I was returning to work for another 4 years.

Brown envelope greeted me with news that I'd been granted early retirement on 31 August, after almost 35 years :T.

I cannot begin to explain the mix of emotions, but the overwhelming one was of relief. I can honestly say I have absolutely no regrets. I live a simpler, but much less stressful life. I haven't really noticed the drop in income as it has been balanced by a reduction in outgoings - especially the self medication of shopping as retail therapy, in which I no longer indulge

I keep in touch with some colleagues, just as I keep in touch with some college and school friends - ie those who mean something to me. I do some voluntary work and travel, but some days I do absolutely nothing

Its another phase of your life - grab it with both hands and enjoy!

kidmugsy

If your garden is on heavy clay soil, consider moving to a house on a light loam. Then you'll be able to garden for many extra years. There's an awful lot of satisfaction to be had from gardening, and from eating its products.

brewerdave

atush wrote: »

I too would be bitter.

But you had the option of early retirement ( I assume thru a FS pension)

Many dont and have to go ont he dole if they can't find another job.

But in my experience with 2x 19 yr olds at uni, you.d get the job before they would as you aren't a temp. Plenty of work here for those who are not temps.

Yup, I was extremely grateful that I had an FS pension from a previous employer:) .... but as to finding gainful employment -I tried for over 9 months ,but aged 58 in 2008/9 I didn't even get an interview!:eek:

MABLE

melanzana wrote: »

Hello everyone.

On Friday 25 July I will leave my post of 36 years.

It was an amazing journey. I am elated about my decision, but a bit emotional too.

I handed in notice early in June for the early retirement package. Hand on heart I have not had any misgivings. It's right for me.

But I have had messages, and emails, and cards by the bucketload over the last week, and it is quite emotional.

But when I'm gone out the door, that's it. And we will all move on.

I am really looking forward to a new adventure.

Just wondered if anyone out there had similar feelings coming up to the last day at work?

I worked in a complaints dept for 9 years prior to my retirement
and for me I could not leave quick enough.
http://static.moneysavingexpert.com/images/forum_smilies/redface.gif
Never been happier and I do not keep in touch with anyone I worked with. Made some really good work mates but I do not want to visit the past and this is what would happen by keeping in
touch with them.

Mr_Prudent

Hi. I retired/took voluntary redundancy four years ago after working for a large telecoms company for 36 years. I have not regretted one single day, as the pressure and bullying management style that was adopted in order to get us older (but knowledgeable) engineers to s*d off became intolerable for some.
I have lived off the redundancy and am now using my savings. By far my best investment is the Final salary pension that is growing with inflation very nicely.
While interest rates remain poor I will continue to spend my savings to live on. If rates rise significantly and inflation drops away then I may take the pension a few years early and invest the lump sum.
I still keep in touch with old work colleagues who tell me that things are even worse since I left which reaffirms my decision to leave. I also keep in touch with friends that have left catching up for a chat & a beer most weeks. Life is good, something I could not have imagined a few years back!
Good luck to all early retirees, you have just made one of the best decisions your likely to make.

Colin_Hunt

Mr_Prudent wrote: »

Hi. I retired/took voluntary redundancy four years ago after working for a large telecoms company for 36 years. I have not regretted one single day, as the pressure and bullying management style that was adopted in order to get us older (but knowledgeable) engineers to s*d off became intolerable for some.
I have lived off the redundancy and am now using my savings. By far my best investment is the Final salary pension that is growing with inflation very nicely.
While interest rates remain poor I will continue to spend my savings to live on. If rates rise significantly and inflation drops away then I may take the pension a few years early and invest the lump sum.
I still keep in touch with old work colleagues who tell me that things are even worse since I left which reaffirms my decision to leave. I also keep in touch with friends that have left catching up for a chat & a beer most weeks. Life is good, something I could not have imagined a few years back!
Good luck to all early retirees, you have just made one of the best decisions your likely to make.

I could have posted that ! Apart from I finished eight years ago.
Great innit ?
The company have since closed the FS scheme, but there are still people there older than me, they must be working for about £50 a week.

System

It's not a clear cut-off point for me, as a director of a small business with responsibilities for ensuring a smooth transition to new management.

I've had different pensions cutting in at different ages, and I am shortly going to reduce my working week (currently 4 days) down to 3. I might keep it at that for a few years, or drop another day. At present I can't really envisage a clean break point, I'll probably just fade out as others pick up the reins.
Or I might suddenly get the urge to go back to full time at 75 and have another bash.

snowgo

melanzana wrote: »

I am really looking forward to a new adventure.

Just wondered if anyone out there had similar feelings coming up to the last day at work?

I took early retirement about four years ago. I worked in the same job for 30+ years and I loved it. The bulk of my working days were spent in conversation so, like you, I was concerned that retirement would be a considerable shift in social contact. I left work with a plan of doing some freelance work, but as time has gone on I have preferred to spend my time on other things. I have also lost contact with most of my former work colleagues - but I don't really mind too much about that. I've other things now.

I have developed lots of other interests and occupations. I spend more time with my family and help them with making their lives a bit easier. That gives me a lot of satisfaction. I go to more social activities - theatre, film, outings, etc. I grow the bulk of the vegetables that we eat and I bake a lot. I give a lot away. I agree with an earlier poster that there is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from gardening. Some might think it sounds 'sad', but it's not - it works on a lot of different levels. It's not just a case of something to fill the time.

The main thing that is different now is that, whereas my 'previous life' was focused mainly on looking after others - both at work and as a mum - I now have the chance to focus more on looking after me. More choice in what I do, treating myself from time to time, and just lounging about doing nothing much if I feel like it.

Enjoy your retirement!

mariner2

I took early retirement 8 weeks ago after 40 years in the same job. The last few days were quite emotional, especially the last day, but as soon as I left the building on my final day I felt so content and I have done every day since. I have many hobbies/activities which I enjoy so time has just flown by and every day has been a joy.

I was fortunate in that my colleagues organised a leaving celebration for me the day after my final day - I had been a little apprehensive about this but because everything felt so right immediately after I had left, I was so glad I had agreed to this celebration as it was one of the most wonderful evenings of my life and we shall never forget what my colleagues and friends did for me.
To the OP - look forward and enjoy - kind regards mariner2