Will the "new normal" and WFH delay your retirement plans?

freedomseeker

I'm approaching 55, almost have enough in the pension pot to retire on. So getting older but not old yet, bored with my job and would rather be doing other things so early retirement seems to be a possible option in the near future. How many people on here in a similar situation, that is ready to take the plunge but may delay their retirement plans OMY or more because their boring office job is now "work from home" and that makes things so much more manageable, no commute, no boss parading about showing their importance (except on Zoom) and no office politics to deal with, cheap meals and coffee and can pop out to the shops or go for a cycle during the day. 

Cus

The WFH change has definitely reduced the daily stress of the commute etc, and has made me feel like I could carry on longer.

Scrudgy

Yes, this describes me almost perfectly, except I don’t own a bike for the cycle bit.

Yankee24

Identical situation…. 3 years till 55.  The pandemic wfh has been a good transition.  I won’t go crazy….   But though the work is more bearable, for all the reasons you state, it has firmed up my resolve to leave at 55.  I have submitted my magistrate application today.  

drummersdale

If anything WFH has only served to reinforce the fact I don’t miss the office nor is the work riveting enough to make me want to continue to work full time - so taking partial retirement at 59 (3 days a week, pension plus lump sum) and eking it out until my wife is ready to go seems even more attractive than ever.

freedomseeker

I found the pandemic actually gave me some thinking time after getting off the merry go round for a while and realising there is more to life than my job. So created my retirement spreadsheet, found this forum and starting hatching my escape plan.

sheslookinhot

Not for me, I handed my notice in a few weeks ago. I had been WFH, tho company are encouraging staff to return. This is even after latest WFH if you can guidelines. I reckon I’ll have at most a few days of working in the office but could easily retire whilst WFH.

atw_uss

I think I have to agree with the last three posters. I did enjoy being back in the workplace but wfh definitely made me think about retirement options more (and OH retiring). No commute, time to do other fun things, cheaper lifestyle …

Albermarle

drummersdale said:

If anything WFH has only served to reinforce the fact I don’t miss the office nor is the work riveting enough to make me want to continue to work full time - so taking partial retirement at 59 (3 days a week, pension plus lump sum) and eking it out until my wife is ready to go seems even more attractive than ever.

I also travelled around as part of my job . Nothing exotic - Derby , Manchester , Coventry, Ireland , Brussels, Dusseldorf etc
I thought I might miss it but lockdown made me realise I was not missing it . So was a push to make the decision.

ex-pat_scot

I know quite a few who were/ are planning on retiring soon, but have paused plans.
Their thinking is that their current WFH arrangements are not too onerous.
If they stopped, then they can't yet do the travelling and adventure they have planned, and would be sat at home wasting time on t'internet except not getting paid for it. They will retire, but only when things emerge post Covid.

I'm 2.5 to 3 years away, by which time I rather expect we will have some sort of comfortable rhythm, even if not full "pre Covid" normality.

Chickereeeee

On the other hand, Covid has put a bit of a crimp in my post-retirement travel plans. It has also made other, typical post- retirement purchases, such as motorhomes and boats, a lot more expensive/difficult to get hold of, as well as more difficult  to use (travel restrictions, more crowded UK sites etc). 

If I was working, I think I might be giving it omy until things settle down, if they ever do.