Work at present is gruelling and getting more so. Due to its nature there is only really my current employer or similar others geographically further away and the pressure is on everywhere. I'm working 50+ hours a week at full whack - literally it never stops- plus commuting and we are losing staff hand over fist and unable to attract new ones, which of course means work is spread ever more thickly. We are on about one third strength. I've asked for part time but you can understand their answer [NO in giant letters] , in the circumstances.
DH has a decent occupational pension and another pension pot extra he saved, we could live modestly (no fancy holidays, old small car, second hand clothes - but we do that anyway) but sufficiently on it and I have a shedload of interests that don't cost much (or any) money, I'm certain I'd never be bored. BUT
-firstly what about the example to DS1, who is (no longer living at home and) toiling away at a job he's not that keen on either, but is looking for better? I don't want him to feel "huh, all right for some" plus of course the longer I work the more inheritance for him and brother.
-secondly DS2 has SN, we have been saving to buy him a modest flat in an inexpensive but safe area as realistically (I hate saying this but it's true, the job market is not in his favour) he won't be able to afford to buy or rent away from home - he would have no chance of social housing around here for decades, not SN enough for specialist housing, single so no points. We have maybe half the amount needed. Earning means continuing to save and continuing to not have to dip into pension pot.
- thirdly what if DH gets sick of my constant company - we've been married 31 years, so a bit unlikely, but I had a bad example of my mum being forced to stay with unpleasant dad because she had forfeited her pension contributions (the old married women's stamp arrangements) and was dependent on his. So the idea of being financially independent has been a security blanket for me.
Ready to have rocks thrown at me by people who can't even think about retiring (sister has already had a go), but there we are...