Bold leap into retirement

Smudgeismydog

Just back from being in the office. I was only there a few hours and I’ve got a terrible headache!

Morale is low and it felt so depressing, I couldn’t wait to get out. Unfortunately I’ve got to go back in again tomorrow, but I’m really hoping I can limit how often I go in until I leave.

How is everyone else feeling on their countdowns?

AliBee16

This is my last full week. It has taken 6 months of working out but I finally decided to stick to 'semi-retirement' and go in once a week to keep one foot in the world of employment, just in case. I cant wait to leave behind the 5.30am wake-ups, the heavy delivery that apparently noone else can do, the 8 hours on my feet, my aching legs, back, knees, feet and everything else. Ill still be able to catch up on the gossip and chat with work friends on my one day but so looking forward to freedom and fun (and sleep)

cloud_dog

eastcorkram said:

cloud_dog said:

Eight and a half months to go....just saying.

Nine months to go here. Though I haven't decided that's definitely the decision yet! I'll decide in August or September. 
Is your date definitely settled?

Apologies @eastcorkram, I must have missed your post / Q.

It is settled insofar as that is the earliest date I am projecting that we will be comfortable to stop. We have planned on a £4k pm net income (£48k pa), with a £10k travel budget (although we may supplement this form the monthly cash flow if required)

Our date has moved forward as finances have improved over the last 12 months.  We originally had a July 2026 date.  What I know for certain is that my partner will stop in another 8 months, and I am very likely to join them.  Prior to the November 2024 realisation, I had envisaged working through to the end of March 2025 just to finish at the end of the tax year and commence retirement at the start of the new tax year (my OCD side keeping things nice and neat).

Despite all of my spreadsheets the closer we get the ever so slightly more nervous I am getting; it is the age old issue of going from a focused accumulation phase to a (nervous) decumulation phase (despite knowing I could simply get some part-time work if I wanted / needed to).  And that is despite me knowing that post SP age the vast majority of income will be covered by guaranteed incomes, so the only risky aspect will be the 8 years before SP etc kicks in.

Anyway, the planning goes on 

QrizB

I had a business contact who would, if asked, say he was "three bad days away from retirement".

The day came when I asked to speak to him and he'd left a few weeks earlier. I guess he had his three bad days!

I'm not quite there yet, but I'm close ...

cloud_dog

QrizB said:

I had a business contact who would, if asked, say he was "three bad days away from retirement".

The day came when I asked to speak to him and he'd left a few weeks earlier. I guess he had his three bad days!

I'm not quite there yet, but I'm close ...

I know the feeling.

I am finding that my bullcarp senior management frustration threshold seems to be getting lower, which is disappointing for me. 

Ciprico

I gave my notice on Wednesday and haven't even had an acknowledgement from my director. I work from home, am well paid, was the only employee in the UK and had minimal contact with head office so was a tough decision to cut the rope. I gave my notice about a year ago citing a medical issue as one of the  reasons, and my director refused to accept it. I resigned this time citing lack of interest and enthusiasm as the reason.. They are nice people  and I feel guilty. I'm 61

SouthCoastBoy

How can somebody refuse to accept a resignation? 

FIREDreamer

SouthCoastBoy said:

How can somebody refuse to accept a resignation? 

Number 6 has entered the chat - be seeing you! 😀

Ciprico

I worked for a foreign company from a place where it is almost impossible to fire or let people go, and many companies from this country have ghost employees who refuse to work for whatever reason but can't be gotten rid of. 

(In the UK we have same issue but the state supports them).

I think it was such an alien concept to just leave giving health as a reason my management didn't understand or thought I didn't understand the situation.

Ie a native would have refused to work and just taken the salary. That wouldn't sit well with me.

barnstar2077

Ciprico said:

I worked for a foreign company from a place where it is almost impossible to fire or let people go, and many companies from this country have ghost employees who refuse to work for whatever reason but can't be gotten rid of. 

(In the UK we have same issue but the state supports them).

I think it was such an alien concept to just leave giving health as a reason my management didn't understand or thought I didn't understand the situation.

Ie a native would have refused to work and just taken the salary. That wouldn't sit well with me.

Sixty one is a good age to retire, I am sure you will look back on it as being a great decision!