Anyone semi-retired?

Marcon

SMcGill said:

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?

Yes. Do it!

cfw1994

SMcGill said:

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. 

The kind of role I have in the tech industry doesn’t really lend itself to reduced hours....& I can imagine the above being the result if it was tried!
Added to which a previous boss tried to go from 5 to 4 days and was flat-out refused.  Chose to go from 5 to 0, & not regretted it at all!

Clearly some more ‘hands on’ types can go contracting, but I will be stepping away completely this spring. 

Croeso69

I went down to a 4 day week in January 2018 and then a 3 day week in July 2019. 

Just do it!!!

ian16527

I have just requested this.
My company, a US owned engineering manufacturer is pushing  flexible working practices, and many female work colleagues only work part time for childcare issues.
I asked yesterday, to go to 3 days, and my manager requested that I step it from 1 day initially then to 2 days after a few months, which I think is fair. HR approval is needed but as my manager is OK there wont be a problem.
I was contemplating going to zero in June and retiring at 56 due to family circumstances and health issues, but this seems a more gradual way to get used to it.
Go for it 

Mick70

 I am working from home and it feels like the same thing

blisteringblue

I contemplated it but have just gone whole hog and resigned.  I leave in May.   I can freelance luckily if I see the need, but I only want a couple of days a week if I do.   At the moment I am retiring, but never say never.   I'm 53 so am going about 18 months earlier than planned.

L9XSS

Initially dropped to 4 days out of 5. Have now negotiated doing 4 days on and 4 days off. Quality of time off is definitely worth it, I see it as easing me into retirement, it feels like part time hours even though I’m 40 hours per week salaried. 😂

cfw1994

Mick70 said:

 I am working from home and it feels like the same thing

Ha!   My thoughts exactly....was originally targeting last spring-summer, then Covid hit, so I carried on....

blisteringblue said:

I contemplated it but have just gone whole hog and resigned.  I leave in May.   I can freelance luckily if I see the need, but I only want a couple of days a week if I do.   At the moment I am retiring, but never say never.   I'm 53 so am going about 18 months earlier than planned.

& I will follow you out the door!  Doubt I will have freelance options, but equally I am a little older, so no desires to head back in.
& I agree 100% with Stubod's sentiment:

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!!

mggftz30

I’m reduced my weekly hours from 40 to 20 last year, no regrets. Long walks with my foster dog and a lot less stress more than makes up for the reduced pay.  If you can afford to do it then go for it! 

NedS

I want to retire as soon as possible. Realistically that is looking like aged 58. I am giving serious consideration to going down to two days per week for the last two years, even if that means working part time to 60. Can't decide which is best - stick it out full time and go earlier, or reduce to part time and have to go a little longer. Two days a week would give enough income to live on and would mean we wouldn't be hammering the SIPP's for a year or two to bridge the gap. I have a few years to decide yet and guess I will just do what feels right at the time, but there's no option in Excel for "what feels right".