Having problems deciding whether to press that resignation button....

Steve182

Saltayr said:

I pressed that button today. I retire on 29th July, a couple of months after I turn 55. I might do some part-time work, I'll see. I think I may get some decent nights sleep now but the sense of relief is huge. I've only had three employers since graduating so I've only resigned twice. My DC kicks in at 60, I have decent cash reserves so the next 5 years should be fine.

This forum has been really, really helpful.

Well done!

I cannot wait to do the same, hopefully 3 years from now.

Right now I cannot take proper holidays, 2 to 3 hours/day spent on laptop when I do, except over Xmas

I only manage to take about half my annual leave entitlement

There is absolutely no point in me going part time, workload would not change, it would just mean less money.

As a reply from a previous poster on this thread, trained as an engineer, now doing mainly admin, don't enjoy it. 

Job gets harder/more stressful every year

I cannot wait until I can jack it in.

ex-pat_scot

Steve182 said:

Saltayr said:

I pressed that button today. I retire on 29th July, a couple of months after I turn 55. I might do some part-time work, I'll see. I think I may get some decent nights sleep now but the sense of relief is huge. I've only had three employers since graduating so I've only resigned twice. My DC kicks in at 60, I have decent cash reserves so the next 5 years should be fine.

This forum has been really, really helpful.

Well done!

I cannot wait to do the same, hopefully 3 years from now.

Right now I cannot take proper holidays, 2 to 3 hours/day spent on laptop when I do, except over Xmas

I only manage to take about half my annual leave entitlement

There is absolutely no point in me going part time, workload would not change, it would just mean less money.

As a reply from a previous poster on this thread, trained as an engineer, now doing mainly admin, don't enjoy it. 

Job gets harder/more stressful every year

I cannot wait until I can jack it in.

Ditto

"holidays" are a hollow laugh. Work piles up and presses daily, whether officially on leave or not.
2 and a bit years to go for me, depending on the whims of the market.
Colleagues are falling by the wayside from stress- one (44yo) massive heart attacks, thankfully caught and now under control. One 55yo series of strokes. Prognosis uncertain.  I don't want to join them as a cautionary tale.
But record profits and growth! How can that be anything but good....

Roger175

Steve182 said:

Well done!

I cannot wait to do the same, hopefully 3 years from now.

Right now I cannot take proper holidays, 2 to 3 hours/day spent on laptop when I do, except over Xmas

I only manage to take about half my annual leave entitlement

There is absolutely no point in me going part time, workload would not change, it would just mean less money.

As a reply from a previous poster on this thread, trained as an engineer, now doing mainly admin, don't enjoy it. 

Job gets harder/more stressful every year

I cannot wait until I can jack it in.

You've definitely got the wrong work/life balance there! You need to address that holiday situation (says the man who did the same for years!) - I know how difficult it can be, but you've simply got to find a way out. In my case I was a director of a small company and just couldn't see the wood from the trees. Good luck!

zagfles

Roger175 said:

Steve182 said:

Well done!

I cannot wait to do the same, hopefully 3 years from now.

Right now I cannot take proper holidays, 2 to 3 hours/day spent on laptop when I do, except over Xmas

I only manage to take about half my annual leave entitlement

There is absolutely no point in me going part time, workload would not change, it would just mean less money.

As a reply from a previous poster on this thread, trained as an engineer, now doing mainly admin, don't enjoy it. 

Job gets harder/more stressful every year

I cannot wait until I can jack it in.

You've definitely got the wrong work/life balance there! You need to address that holiday situation (says the man who did the same for years!) - I know how difficult it can be, but you've simply got to find a way out. In my case I was a director of a small company and just couldn't see the wood from the trees. Good luck!

It's one thing if you're running your own company, but if you're an ordinary employee it's total madness! Particularly if you're coming up to retirement! Work your hours. Take all your leave. Leave your management to sort the workload you don't have time for, that's what they're there for. What are they going do when you eventually leave? They'll have to find someone to do your entire workload, better that they come up with a plan to gradually hand it over. 

I'm now semi retired, and basically did this, I told my management I wanted to go part time, they didn't really like it but they had no choice, they needed me, they weren't going to risk me leaving. We came up with a plan to hand over a lot of the stuff I do, most managers were fine, but there was one who still expected me to do a function I didn't have time for. I simply didn't do it. Declined the meetings etc. He was forced to find someone else to do it. Sometimes this is the way to play it.

A lot of people at my place are the same. The company recruits to replace staff they expect to go part time/retire with an overlap for handover, and so staff are quite willing to discuss their longer term plans with management because then the company can recruit appropriately and job handovers can take place. Rather than being left in the lurch by staff leaving unexpectedly.

If you're coming up to retirement and you're in a job where you're needed and would be hard to replace, you have a lot of power. Use it! Also going straight from a full-on job to complete retirement will be a total shock to the system, I know people who've really struggled with this, even those who hated their job. It took me some time to get used to part time but now I love it.

Albermarle

Also going straight from a full-on job to complete retirement will be a total shock to the system, I know people who've really struggled with this, even those who hated their job. 

An alternative ( but for sure not available for everybody) is to stay full time, but avoid the 'full on ' part . Either by finding a niche, or maybe by moving down the ladder a rung for the last couple of years . If you can also work from home most of the time ( Covid helps with this ) then the transition to retirement can also be relatively smooth.

SMcGill

the sense of relief is huge

This. Last year when I pressed the button the relief was immediate and my perspective on work dramatically different. It renewed my energy and enjoyment of my work - at least for a time! I now find myself much more relaxed overall, but my tolerance for nonsense has dropped to zero. 

I describe my career ambition now is simply to not commit a sackable offence for the next 3 months!

cfw1994

zagfles said:

Also going straight from a full-on job to complete retirement will be a total shock to the system, I know people who've really struggled with this, even those who hated their job.  It took me some time to get used to part time but now I love it.

I don't doubt this last bit is true for many....but I have to say I have had absolutely no trouble enjoying the move from f/t to zero time 🤣

It does depend on what interests you have outside work, I guess.  A few folk I know who have retired have all said they cannot see how they had time to work.  One, however, is a big disappointment, continuing with sometimes 4 and 5 days a week with his more laid-back jobs!   He's happy though, & planning turning that off later this year, I believe.....

Steve182

Roger175 said:

Steve182 said:

Well done!

I cannot wait to do the same, hopefully 3 years from now.

Right now I cannot take proper holidays, 2 to 3 hours/day spent on laptop when I do, except over Xmas

I only manage to take about half my annual leave entitlement

There is absolutely no point in me going part time, workload would not change, it would just mean less money.

As a reply from a previous poster on this thread, trained as an engineer, now doing mainly admin, don't enjoy it. 

Job gets harder/more stressful every year

I cannot wait until I can jack it in.

You've definitely got the wrong work/life balance there! You need to address that holiday situation (says the man who did the same for years!) - I know how difficult it can be, but you've simply got to find a way out. In my case I was a director of a small company and just couldn't see the wood from the trees. Good luck!

You're not wrong. I too am a director of a small company but we just cannot seem to attract staff of a suitable calibre to manage the more complex jobs that we do. Interviewing someone later this week with good qualifications and some experience in the industry. Keeping fingers crossed!  

sheslookinhot

14 working days left. Started a 4 day week almost two years ago, reduced to part- time (3days) earlier this year and now on 2 days due to vacation time and company ramp down. Started the handover process of my projects. I will work my hours and can only do so much within that boundary, no more. From next week I will only be on the sidelines and let my successor take the wheel. 

My view is I’m out, so they need to get on with it. I will spend my remaining time clearing my inbox and any files that can be removed ( I saved everything 😀) from the network drives. 

Bobinyorkshire

One thing I have found useful by going part time is not just ‘road testing’ the finances but also discovering what things I enjoy outside of work. I feel I now only have 2 or 3 days to ‘fill’ rather than 5-6 days, as would have been the case if I had retired from a full time position. 

Out of curiosity, did those who have recently retired map out a precise plan or use the early weeks of retirement to recharge their battery and explore how they would like to utilise their new free time?