Bold leap into retirement

NormalNorman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81870038#Comment_81870038

I often walk to the shops or walk round the fields beside the house whilst attending Teams meetings. £10 Ali Express wireless earbuds are my best friend, lol!

glass_half_full

Love this thread. I always aimed to stop at 60. Now 59 and will be 60 in November this year. OH has applied for her pension and will finish at the end of August. I am also going to finish at the same time, I will hand in my notice at the end of May. The main problem is managing this rather strange period where I know I am going but noone else does. I have used guiide.co.uk to model the finances since we have mix of DB and DC pensions plus the state pension.

How much is enough? Its interesting how my mindset has shifted from that question to thinking, well this will have to be enough as I am going now :).

HUSKYPAL

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81870417#Comment_81870417

I'm sure the time will pass pretty quickly, planning on going end of Apil 27, it would be possible to go earlier, but tied in with bonuses and want a comfortable retirement, so just have to suck it up and get on with it. At least I know my exit date, ~15 months to go, head down and dig in old chap!

kempiejon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81873673#Comment_81873673

One more year, a little more safety, indeed how much is enough it can hold some in so well done for getting there at the right time and sticking to your timetable. I had a 2 year interrupt around Covid, thinking about getting ready to go 2019, that would have been a tough time I reckon; I was lucky to keep my job and once things were post pandemic I had a rethink. I hadn't set a date but I reached a good number in a year or so.

pterri

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866657#Comment_81866657

cool… i'm 9mnts in. just returned from two weeks in vietnam, sunny, interesting, great food and cheap as chips. ive booked a week in Girona for sm ecycling in September. Not an especially cheap break but looking forward to that. money is fine, ive been careful not to go too nuts. i can afford more but waiting for the DB to kick in in July 2028. at that point the SIPP/ISA will be freed up for treats and bigunexpected spends. the DB will take care of day today stuff with some left over. not missed work one bit.

NormalNorman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81879641#Comment_81879641

Fantastic. Love the idea of Vietnam. Sounds similar to our plan. SIPP/ISA will do the treats and initial lifting then many DBs kick in 60, 65, 67 and SP to cover all ordinary expenses.

Currently assisting with care in the last days of my mum’s life. Can’t take it with so it’s the time to enjoy life having contributed to society. Get it spent, lol!

GenX0212

Well it's done! Resignation submitted, 3 months notice. Will leave at the end of May.

Really strange psyching myself up to send the email even though I've been running the numbers for the past couple of years and even more certain than ever.

Feels a bit like this:

Smudgeismydog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81879865#Comment_81879865

sorry to hear about your mum @NormalNorman

Smudgeismydog

I completely understand your emotions @GenX0212 , the next 3 months might be strange while word gets out in work and you hand things over

Do you have any plans for your first few months in retirement?

katejo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81880321#Comment_81880321

I am also finding it hard to psych myself up to announce a date, let HR know and to let colleagues know even though I have been planning for some time and have already reduced to 4 days a week and then 3. I have just booked a 1 week holiday in May to take just after I finish. I only have to give 1 month notice so don't need to do it until late March