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

jimi_man

drummersdale said:

jimi_man said:

I was due to go Part time last year in around April, however the manager didn't get around to dealing with the paperwork and when Covid hit and we were all sent home to WFH (I'm in a branch of the Civil Service) I stopped it as with Covid there wouldn't be any point.

Just had it authorised and sorted so I start three days a week in January. I plan to do that for a year - maybe 18 months, then call it a day.

Hi @jimi_man I am looking to go to 3 days a week (Civil Service too) next year - did you find it a struggle to get approval for 3 days - in terms of someone else taking up the slack for the other 2 days? The concern I have is that if I can’t identify someone who can fill in for the other 2 days then it will either not be approved or, like others have reported, end up working on the days I shouldn’t be!

No, none at all, however I guess it depends what part of the Civil Service you're in and what your role is. In my case the other two days will be taken up by the rest of the team as the team are expanding on a virtually daily basis, this isn't a problem.

As for working on the other two days, I have offered a degree of flexibility, in that I am prepared to swap my days around here and there to help the team (it suits me as then I can also swap them to assist in taking time off, for instance work Mon - Wed one week and Wed - Fri the following week). But there is no question of working five days in three. 

SMcGill

I went down to 3 days a week in May and I think one of the reasons it’s worked so well is that I put forward a proposal that the saving on my salary could be used to pay a member of my team to ‘act up’ on my days off. So for the company they had someone at my level available 5 days a week, for my team member it was more money and career progression, for me it was life as a TWATer

sheslookinhot

jimi_man said:

drummersdale said:

jimi_man said:

I was due to go Part time last year in around April, however the manager didn't get around to dealing with the paperwork and when Covid hit and we were all sent home to WFH (I'm in a branch of the Civil Service) I stopped it as with Covid there wouldn't be any point.

Just had it authorised and sorted so I start three days a week in January. I plan to do that for a year - maybe 18 months, then call it a day.

Hi @jimi_man I am looking to go to 3 days a week (Civil Service too) next year - did you find it a struggle to get approval for 3 days - in terms of someone else taking up the slack for the other 2 days? The concern I have is that if I can’t identify someone who can fill in for the other 2 days then it will either not be approved or, like others have reported, end up working on the days I shouldn’t be!

No, none at all, however I guess it depends what part of the Civil Service you're in and what your role is. In my case the other two days will be taken up by the rest of the team as the team are expanding on a virtually daily basis, this isn't a problem.

As for working on the other two days, I have offered a degree of flexibility, in that I am prepared to swap my days around here and there to help the team (it suits me as then I can also swap them to assist in taking time off, for instance work Mon - Wed one week and Wed - Fri the following week). But there is no question of working five days in three. 

My advice, if I may, is to forget about the flexibility. That was also my thoughts when going to 3 days in May. You need to let your organisation/ colleagues/ other functions know that you will be off 2 days per week and specify what days. Blank these out on your e-calendar as non- working days. Treasure these days as yours. If your colleagues see you available on each of the days over a period of 2-3 weeks they will expect you to be available these days. 

pensionpawn

I teach, and teaching (working) from home isn't fun and a lot more demanding than being in the classroom. Yes, there are positives with no commute (cost, safety, fatigue...) however you can't deliver the practical elements from the spare bedroom. Non contact time comes in contiguous days / weeks and that is where WFH really does help, unless management deem that 'mucking in' to cover something is "more important" than following government (and often their own) guidelines. I'm presently attempting to reduce my hours (from April) and they're dragging their heels citing that I can only expect the days that they are willing to offer me, even though I've illustrated to management how I can deliver the same volume of courses to a schedule more in tune with my domestic life (needs), which after all is the whole point. What they've not factored in yet is that I'm willing to quit (regrettably), although earlier in the year I wasn't shy on reminding management that my pension was growing more than my net pay (sadly not true recently) and that I only turn up because it suits me. The idiots, and they are idiots, will probably end up taking ages to replace me and at a higher hourly cost due to the employees market. I have around 5 years of drawdown in cash so I can go whenever I want, however I would prefer to eek it out a couple more years on reduces hours.

jimi_man

sheslookinhot said:

jimi_man said:

drummersdale said:

jimi_man said:

I was due to go Part time last year in around April, however the manager didn't get around to dealing with the paperwork and when Covid hit and we were all sent home to WFH (I'm in a branch of the Civil Service) I stopped it as with Covid there wouldn't be any point.

Just had it authorised and sorted so I start three days a week in January. I plan to do that for a year - maybe 18 months, then call it a day.

Hi @jimi_man I am looking to go to 3 days a week (Civil Service too) next year - did you find it a struggle to get approval for 3 days - in terms of someone else taking up the slack for the other 2 days? The concern I have is that if I can’t identify someone who can fill in for the other 2 days then it will either not be approved or, like others have reported, end up working on the days I shouldn’t be!

No, none at all, however I guess it depends what part of the Civil Service you're in and what your role is. In my case the other two days will be taken up by the rest of the team as the team are expanding on a virtually daily basis, this isn't a problem.

As for working on the other two days, I have offered a degree of flexibility, in that I am prepared to swap my days around here and there to help the team (it suits me as then I can also swap them to assist in taking time off, for instance work Mon - Wed one week and Wed - Fri the following week). But there is no question of working five days in three. 

My advice, if I may, is to forget about the flexibility. That was also my thoughts when going to 3 days in May. You need to let your organisation/ colleagues/ other functions know that you will be off 2 days per week and specify what days. Blank these out on your e-calendar as non- working days. Treasure these days as yours. If your colleagues see you available on each of the days over a period of 2-3 weeks they will expect you to be available these days. 

I see your point, but in the case of my job it doesn't work like that. Basically if someone is online then they can be contacted, if they are not then they can't. 90% of the time I'll be having Monday and Friday off, but on the odd occasion (generally where it suits me) I can swap them about to assist in going away etc. I'll just set my Out of Office when I'm not about to make it easier for people. If I'm not there then I can't be contacted, irrespective of whether I'm 'expected' to be there.

One of the reasons I like where I am is the work/life balance and the flexibility which is just brilliant. 

mat1964

WFH has definitely speeded up my plans and I handed in my notice a few weeks ago.  I hardly move from in front of my laptop from 8 until 6 - rather be commuting.  I've put on weight, get more headaches - had enough.

I may still do up to 5 days a month work for my current employer, subject to agreement, but I can spread that out over each month.  We could manage just about with our current savings, but the extra money will be helpful.

Northern_Tribe

 I was going to retire about 12 months ago at the age of 58. Covid put back my plans because there was no point in retiring when I could not go out, meet family and friends or travel. 

I live alone, and WFH has made me realise I might be lonely, especially during the winter months if I retire.  I used to walk to work, so the dread of commuting isn't an issue like it is for some. I don't dislike work, I quite enjoy some aspects, but not all. The fact I could hand in my notice at any time has had reduced my stress level.  I don't care about office politics and the usual jockeying for position. Part-time isn't an option due to a final salary pension. I don't know what to do now, whether to stay or go so I am plodding on.

Albermarle

Northern_Tribe said:

 I was going to retire about 12 months ago at the age of 58. Covid put back my plans because there was no point in retiring when I could not go out, meet family and friends or travel. 

I live alone, and WFH has made me realise I might be lonely, especially during the winter months if I retire.  I used to walk to work, so the dread of commuting isn't an issue like it is for some. I don't dislike work, I quite enjoy some aspects, but not all. The fact I could hand in my notice at any time has had reduced my stress level.  I don't care about office politics and the usual jockeying for position. Part-time isn't an option due to a final salary pension. I don't know what to do now, whether to stay or go so I am plodding on.

Some people on the forum would say that you need to get out more /have more imagination/have more interesting activities/create a better social life etc and not rely on work to fill your day.
However I think you are right to think carefully about what retirement will hold for you . I know someone who is retired and lives alone - a similar age to you . The better weather months are fine ( golf, cycling etc ) but they find the winter difficult , especially last Winter due to Covid restrictions, and now a similar one looming.
There are a lot worse things in the world than 'plodding on ' ,especially if you enjoy at least some of it and of course the income always  helps .

german_keeper

Northern_Tribe said:

 I was going to retire about 12 months ago at the age of 58. Covid put back my plans because there was no point in retiring when I could not go out, meet family and friends or travel. 

I live alone, and WFH has made me realise I might be lonely, especially during the winter months if I retire.  I used to walk to work, so the dread of commuting isn't an issue like it is for some. I don't dislike work, I quite enjoy some aspects, but not all. The fact I could hand in my notice at any time has had reduced my stress level.  I don't care about office politics and the usual jockeying for position. Part-time isn't an option due to a final salary pension. I don't know what to do now, whether to stay or go so I am plodding on.

Why are you thinking that going part time is a problem due to a final salary pension? Usually (and indeed this may be always) your pension will still be calculated on your full time equivalent salary. Being part time just means that you will only get the proportionate part time service added to your full time service.  

Dazza1902

Northern_Tribe said:

 I was going to retire about 12 months ago at the age of 58. Covid put back my plans because there was no point in retiring when I could not go out, meet family and friends or travel. 

I live alone, and WFH has made me realise I might be lonely, especially during the winter months if I retire.  I used to walk to work, so the dread of commuting isn't an issue like it is for some. I don't dislike work, I quite enjoy some aspects, but not all. The fact I could hand in my notice at any time has had reduced my stress level.  I don't care about office politics and the usual jockeying for position. Part-time isn't an option due to a final salary pension. I don't know what to do now, whether to stay or go so I am plodding on.

All of my interest s rely on the weather . I am unable to do my work from home, I think that unless I find new interests, the winter months in retirement would be lonely.