Bold leap into retirement

bjorn_toby_wilde

stuart746 said:

bjorn_toby_wilde said:

The money cliff edge or the occupying time cliff edge?

For me, the time cliff edge... I am beginning to develop other interests and re-programme the brain a bit, but it's a process. Good advice about going 4 days a week and then maybe down to 3 before moving on... most importantly I want to retire to something and not from something

That’s definitely the right way to approach it. When I retired (2 years ago at 60) I had loads of things on my to do list and I’m working my way through them.

Travel is a big one and we have two long hauls planned already for this year. I also do lots of walking. I hiked two long distance trails last year that I’ve been wanting to do for ages and I’ve taken up two new hobbies. Work is like a distant memory really!

pterri

It’s 2025, all of a sudden it’s THIS YEAR (July). I really want to leave completely, my current project isn’t the type that could work with part time and I don’t really fancy starting something new. My sums say I can go but 57 feels mad. I’ve stated elsewhere, I’ve got a good DB and AVC at 60 and plenty to bridge  between 57-60, it’s a psychological thing. Plenty of decorating and cycling trips planned, I may look for some other random work or some recreational studying. It’s a bit fuzzy but working in a ‘professional’ role? Nope, I’m done with that 

Smudgeismydog

I appreciate it’s a bit daunting @pterri, but if you are confident with your figures, then 57 is not mad, (although I fully appreciate and understand that’s how it feels).

Sounds like you’ve got some great plans about ‘what you are retiring to’.

Very best wishes

pterri

Smudgeismydog said:

I appreciate it’s a bit daunting @pterri, but if you are confident with your figures, then 57 is not mad, (although I fully appreciate and understand that’s how it feels).

Sounds like you’ve got some great plans about ‘what you are retiring to’.

Very best wishes

Thanks, the stories here and excellent advice is reinforcing that I’m in a good place 

NoMore

This is why I think the thread title is wrong, it shouldn't be a bold leap but a gentle step into retirement. If you've prepared mentally, physically and financially for retirement then its neither bold or a leap into retirement.

SarahB16

NoMore said:

This is why I think the thread title is wrong, it shouldn't be a bold leap but a gentle step into retirement. If you've prepared mentally, physically and financially for retirement then its neither bold or a leap into retirement.

Definitely agree.  Retirement should not be viewed as bold leap or a cliff edge (financially nor from a time perspective either).  I am c.10 years away from retirement but am already financially planning for it (thanks to the wonderful opinions on here) and can currently only daydream about what I would do with all that free time.  I have absolutely no worries from a time perspective.  It would not be a case of 'filling my days' but more a case of having more time to do the things I already enjoy doing.    

I was speaking to somebody who is already retired and she was saying in the last 5 years (or more) of your working career it's a good idea to try things that you may wish to do when you have more time in retirement.  For example, if you think in retirement you would like to spend time walking in various walking groups, etc don't leave it until retirement to try this out.  Basically dip your toe into the various things you think you would like to spend time doing in retirement before you actually retire.  Wise words I thought.  

trevjl

pterri said:

It’s 2025, all of a sudden it’s THIS YEAR (July). I really want to leave completely, my current project isn’t the type that could work with part time and I don’t really fancy starting something new. My sums say I can go but 57 feels mad. I’ve stated elsewhere, I’ve got a good DB and AVC at 60 and plenty to bridge  between 57-60, it’s a psychological thing. Plenty of decorating and cycling trips planned, I may look for some other random work or some recreational studying. It’s a bit fuzzy but working in a ‘professional’ role? Nope, I’m done with that 

Most definitely. I had that very much but having a medical issue and going down to 3 days for a year, along with idiot company BS pushed me over the edge last year. Now I find the psychological thing rearing it's head again as I now this month find myself dipping into the ££ I built up over all those years. very disconcerting !!

LHW99

along with idiot company BS

That's the reason any Government initiatives to keep people working longer are likely to fail!

ex-pat_scot

A belated entry to the thread.
My last official date was 31/12.
My plan was / is not to stop, but to switch to a more focused consulting mindset and pick up some direct contracts.
I've already filled my diary up to Easter - with plenty expected later in the year.
It is going to allow me to have a bit of a gentle switch / scale down, but it's going to give me the simplicity and control.

Sarahspangles

pterri said:

It’s 2025, all of a sudden it’s THIS YEAR (July). I really want to leave completely, my current project isn’t the type that could work with part time and I don’t really fancy starting something new. My sums say I can go but 57 feels mad. I’ve stated elsewhere, I’ve got a good DB and AVC at 60 and plenty to bridge  between 57-60, it’s a psychological thing. Plenty of decorating and cycling trips planned, I may look for some other random work or some recreational studying. It’s a bit fuzzy but working in a ‘professional’ role? Nope, I’m done with that 

If 57 is mad, welcome to the madhouse! I’m moving in at the end of March. I’ve had a year of non-working Mondays, yesterday’s job (after gym) was sorting out my wardrobe, and the last of my suits went in the charity bag. I’ve got a couple of face to face meetings before I retire, I shall go smart casual.