Bold leap into retirement

GenX0212

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82104857#Comment_82104857

Just be mindful that you will be retiring when it is cold, dark, wet, outside and you will suddenly have lots of free time on your hands but maybe not a lot to do with it.

On the other hand its the perfect time to b*gger off to the Canary Islands for a few weeks ….

Yorkie1

I think it would be helpful for the company to have someone start to pick up my work the days I'm not there, eventually they will take it all on when I do finally leave

Are sure that this is what your company would do? Some organisations would just soldier on with just you, rather than try to recruit someone part-time who might not then want to upscale to full-time?

cloud_dog

@HUSKPAL, I decided to go cold turkey from day 1. I'd seen a number of my colleagues go down to 4 or 3 days a week and the commentary was always the same re just as much work as before, or critical meetings needing to be attended on their non-working day(s).

If your numbers work, then there is nothing stopping you. If tou are worried about a lack of activity, why not look into expanding any hobbies or passions you have or look at volunteering offerings.

Smudgeismydog

@HUSKYPAL I appreciate lots of people advocate a wind down to retirement, through reducing days in work, and I also take on board the very valid point about retiring in the winter, when it can be more difficult to be indoors. However, my concern for you is that you don’t fall into the trap of being expected to carry a very similar workload to what you have now over a shorter period. It can also be difficult to mentally switch off on the days you are not supposed to be working.

I went cold turkey, and if you have followed my thread, you’ll know I have never once regretted my ‘bold leap’.

AlwaysLearnin

Re the same workload in fewer days issue, I worried about this too. However I was fortunate to be in a strong position where I was prepared to leave, and they wanted me to stay to, at least, see a particular project through. As a result I was able to have some pretty frank conversations regarding expectations before agreeing. Perhaps they were a little concerned/aware that I would/could just down tools, so they generally stuck to their word and it settled in to a fairly reasonable routine. On the odd occasion they wanted a particular 'take', it was recognised that it should be reciprocated with an agreeable 'give'.

If you're fortunate enough to have a very strong hand, make the most of it.

If they do expect too much, then it perhaps reinforces the fact that it's not the sort of place you want to be…

QrizB

FWIW at the start of 2025 I dropped down from a nominal 37 hours a week to 27, split over three days as 3x9. That got me out of sight & out of mind for two days a week so they didn't try bothering me on those days.

This year I've dropped further, to 10 hours split as 2x5, and everyone has finally twigged that I'm serious when I talk about retiring.

Next year (probably May) I'll be dropping those last 10 hours too 🙂

katejo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82104678#Comment_82104678

It worked for me. I dropped to 4 days a week at 60 and did that for 2 years. Then I reduced to 3 days last September. I decided in February to finish and have my notice. I liked the gradual reduction

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82104948#Comment_82104948

I had a customer related job, where I would get calls on days off, holidays etc.from customers ( often at a senior level) /my own customer services / boss/transporter.

I didn’t really mind, as I had generally a lot of freedom and I did not want to walk into a big mess when back at work.

However winding down to part time was always a non starter in that situation.

Cobbler_tone

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82104708#Comment_82104708

I wasn't stressed full time and certainly not stressed part time. I'm still doing exactly the same job in three day, which tells me my full time role wasn't needed anymore. For me it is addressing the transition to retirement whilst still receiving a good income, whilst totally 'switching off' for four days a week. I've been loving my pottering, watching TV, walking the dog, cooking and generally chilling out.

I must be in a very lucky position as have had zero work stress for at least the last 10 years. It hasn't always felt the most fulfilling but it's swings and roundabouts and still enjoyed it most of the time.

Cobbler_tone

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82104827#Comment_82104827

I proactively asked to do '5 days work in 3 days', firstly because it takes me 1 day due to my experience and secondly they keep the full time role when I retire. If someone was dropped in my no experience of the business and role you could easily fill your week.