Bold leap into retirement

Yorkie1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81888767#Comment_81888767

Well done!

Smudgeismydog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81888767#Comment_81888767

Huge congrats, I’m so pleased for you x

Smudgeismydog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81887880#Comment_81887880

I’m so pleased you were able to bring forward your decision and get out of an environment you were no longer enjoying

Best of luck for your retirement

MayDogsandCoffee

I was due to advise work in two weeks, but the CS pensions are such a state at the moment I am too scared to leave until that is sorted out. So shocking that people are being left without funds with no idea of when they will get their payments.

Julezy101

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81887842#Comment_81887842

Does anyone know if this applies to the Civil Service? I'm going to be leaving next year aged 57 but not taking my pension until 60. I don't want to be telling them I'm leaving if I'm better off saying I'm retiring. Thanks

pterri

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81888945#Comment_81888945

one of the union reps ought to be on top of all the arcane policies, having said that the reps where I was were clueless.

SimonSeys

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81888945#Comment_81888945

Almost certainly not. Most departments moved on to “modernised T&C” a while back (how I miss my half-day Maundy Thursday). I’m fairly sure there’s nothing contractual in there, even if there was previously.

if there was such a benefit then I think it most departments it would be well publicised.

katejo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81888827#Comment_81888827

I really feel for you. I am horrified by what is happening. I wouldn't be leaving now if my pension provider were in the same state.

KintsugiWhippet

I’ve been reading along avidly and have finally plucked up the courage to post. My situation is quite different from many posters here. I’m a 66 year old divorced woman, no kids, and living alone with my dog. I’ve worked one way or another since I was 17, and all through university holidays. I was the first person in my family to go to uni and there wasn’t much money available. I’m still working two-three days a week in a combination of being a ‘junior’ partner in a law firm on fixed drawings (no profit share) and volunteer law-related roles. One of the volunteer roles must end in June. Law is quite high stress and not as well paid as people sometimes assume, except for a minority. I was expecting a comfortable enough retirement until I was 60 when my now ex-husband left somewhat unexpectedly. That’s all I’ll say about that, save that the last 6 years have been grindingly tough. I bought him out of his half share of the house. Managed to get a mortgage, expensive because I’m self-employed and age-related. Liz Truss happened as my fix expired. I had to work 7 days a week to fund the new fix. I finally managed to sell and downsize in late 2024. I’m mortgage free with some savings and a decent pension pot. I’ve managed all this in part by moving to a more rural area within 1.5 hours commuting distance of London(each way).

I’ve been planning to retire, putting it off, replanning for the last year. My first state pension payment arrived in my account yesterday. My extreme worry is what I’ll do when I retire! I read here and elsewhere and everyone seems to be coupled up, or at least have kids, and have lots of travel plans. All my close friends are in couples - I describe myself as a person people see during the week, because weekends are for their partners (someone said that to me once, so not just a self-description). I am comfortable with my own company and I have travelled solo in the past. I’ve no fear of doing cultural events, restaurants etc on my own. I did one solo ski holiday in 2022, and it was ok, the group was lovely, but I felt a bit of a failure (possibly went too close to the split and post-Covid when getting divorced was a challenge). I have hobbies which I could ramp up. I guess I’m scared of the loss of identity and the fear that retirement will leave me drifting without purpose. I mentioned this thread to my counsellor - as I said, the last 6 years have been tough - and said that I was shy of seeking advice because I feel like I should be able to work this out myself. She rightly said that there may be others out there who have useful words of wisdom to offer or who might be worrying about the same issues. It’s a bit uncomfortable making this post nevertheless. My question is, how do I find purpose post-retirement as a single woman, once I’ve got over my sense of failure? Any tips for living a thriving, interesting single life post-retirement? It’s a big question! Hoping to get some courage to make that bold leap! Off to work now …

eastcorkram

For me anyway, drifting without purpose is actually enjoyable. I'm 14 months into retirement. If that feeling changes, then I'll deal with it somehow.