Anyone semi-retired?

SMcGill

I’m planning on asking for reduced hours at work and I wondered what other people who’ve already done it would say about the experience. I’m not unhappy at work but I am unsatisfied so I’m hoping that part time hours would give me a bit more time to do other things I really do enjoy. Has anyone here done this successfully or have advice to offer?

RetSol

I did this in my early '40s and it led me to retrain in another career which I started in my mid-50s.  I regard the decision to earn less whilst freeing up time and energy as an investment in myself.  Best investment I ever made! 

soonretire

I left the corporate world rat race in my late 40's and I have never looked back. I set up my own consultancy business working the hours that suit me plus I successfully manage my ISA & SIPP portfolio. I have used my spare cash to improve the house, just got a loft conversion done. I spend more time with my kids and I feel so much more relaxed in life. Good luck, you wont regret it!

Nebulous2

How old are you? What other things would you like to do? 

I’ve a male relative who took early retirement at 60, took a part-time job for two years at two days a week, and that was a useful way of smoothing his way into retirement. He is still going strong more than 20 years later. 

I’ve seen that as a useful model for me. My work offers phased retirement, but it is a demanding role and I’ve watched other people go down to three days but be called on for bits of five, which kind of defeats the purpose. 

I did my sums, having spent less during lockdown than normal, and decided I can afford to go. I finish in about six weeks, but have applied for a different role at two days a week. I’m looking forward to working two days with five off, rather than the reverse. 

So I can’t offer much advice on how it will be, other than to say I’ve gone too far now to turn back! 

Stubod

Semi retired or working "part time"...not sure what the difference is?

I stopped full time working around 55. I initially went part time (3 days a week), then did a bit of contracting, now a bit of bank/zero hours contract work just for something to do. I would never go back to full time, but happy to do the odd day here and there to suit me. Certainly no regrets so far, particularly given the current situation (covid).

If you have done your sums and can afford it and it's what you want then I would certainly go for it....you are a long time dead!!

sheslookinhot

I’m thinking of doing the same and becoming a !!!!!!. Currently 37 hours over Mon-Thurs, will drop the Monday and do 8.5 hours for 3 days. I will wait until there is some lifting of restrictions.  Retirement beckons next year. 62 in August.

Costabit

Cut my days/hours down by 50% two years ago. 
It kept all the benefits of working for a company, wages,pension,health care,travel,social interaction but without any emotional or physical detriment.Best thing I did career wise in over 40 years of work.
I could have stayed doing that for years.
Then made redundant with 50% payment of what I would have got 1 year earlier 
Que sera sera

No issue for me but something for OP to contemplate.

SMcGill

My work offers phased retirement, but it is a demanding role and I’ve watched other people go down to three days but be called on for bits of five, which kind of defeats the purpose

Mine’s a similar situation and that’s definitely something I’ve wondered would happen but I guess you don’t know until you try. 

zagfles

Non work wise I've found cut down hours great. Work wise I've found it more stressful at times as it can be like trying to cram the same work into fewer hours. So you need to make sure that your workload is reduced in line with your hours - this is often harder than it seems and you need to say "no sorry, not got time" a lot more to people rather than just doing what they're used to you doing.

t0rt0ise

I left my full time job at age 60 and took a part time job in a completely different area of work working Saturdays and Sundays. I refused overtime during the week. I loved having weekdays off and was able to do all sorts of courses and things for fun. I loved it.

couriervanman

The older you get.......quality of life is more important than money