Contemplating retirement

Northamptonblue

I am always surprised by the number of OPs who state that they have retired and now work part time. Surely if you still work, you haven’t retired?

Silvertabby

Mr S retired at 58 because the CS made him a redundancy offer he couldn't refuse. He then took over all of the housework while I carried on until 60, as planned.

Absolutely no regrets - and we're so busy enjoying ourselves we don't know how we ever found the time to go to work!

Just make sure that your finances stack up.

alanjones60

I also worked for royal mail, 1980 till 2015. I went on my 55th birthday, when the new pension rules came in. Best thing i ever did. Do it. U wont regret it

Wentthedaywell?

Northamptonblue wrote: »

I am always surprised by the number of OPs who state that they have retired and now work part time. Surely if you still work, you haven’t retired?

True, strictly speaking. But psychologically you've made the break, your pension is what you live on and wages are extra pocket/holiday money. It's knowing that if the management rubbish all gets too much, you can just walk takes a huge mental burden away. Work feel very different, you're there on your terms.

Living_proof

I am drawing my state pension at last (third time lucky and the date stuck!) but I am continuing with my self-employment on a part-time basis. Most of my clients are getting on a bit and I won't be taking on many new ones so that over the next few years the work should just wind down naturally. I work from home so I don't lose the social side of things, which just happen a few times a year. What I earn will be put aside to landscape my garden - something I wouldn't have done when my earnings were required for savings, etc.

fly-catchers

Thanks for all your helpful comments. It's funny but the nearer you get the more you start wondering! But while I have enjoyed the job in its time the management has wrecked the job and added unnecessary stress to it. One of my hobbies is growing exotic plants and I was intending to resume selling spares online which I used to do before the change in working hours put paid to that. And now will pay the last few months into my NRA65 and go in either April when I have paid another full years NI. Or May when I will get my long service award. May as well get as much out of them before I go! I did wonder about going PT but RM have a strange habit of making PT rounds even heavier than FT ones! You just lose the inward sorting and go out but with at least as heavy a round. So still end up knackered and stressed.. Exit door here I come...

newatc

After seeing some of my colleagues retire at normal retirement age only to last a year or two I was determined to retire early (55 was my target). That was enforced by growing stress in the job. Fortunately I was made made redundant at 53 and I have able to get a decent retirement/redundancy package. Sixteen years later, I have never regretted it for a single second.
Everyone is different of course but the two key factors I think are do you enjoy your job and can you live reasonably comfortably on your pension. If the answer to the first is NO and to the second is YES then it is a no brainer in my opinion.