To dread retirement

I'm retiring very soon, and I'm really looking forward to the freedom. My diary is incredibly full for the rest of the year.
Start planning now, OP - I really recommend volunteering, or maybe some studying (art, music, a foreign language, whatever).
The world us your oyster - make the most of it while you're young(ish) and still able.

By whom?

And saving enough to buy is completely out of the question? Even if you choose to release cash from your SIPP?

I also work for the CS and though I have 15yrs to full retirement age, my situation likely may be same as yours. I don’t even have any friends/family now. However, my ideal to stay active and engaged is to either find a PT job post 67 or just volunteer in the community. Is that not an option OP. Also remember that after retirement age, though you have to pay tax you’ll not be paying NI on your combined CS and state pension. Also, I’d urge you to use the next few years to start thinking of a timetable and possible activities now as you don’t want to get trapped in a routine of boredom and uncertainty and feeling overwhelmed when retirement actually hits - you want to be ready to properly embrace it in 3 years!

Sorry OP, but surely you can think of something you'd rather do with your remaining years, than work an office job? Like, anything else. Volunteering, gardening, pets, travel, new friends, religion, fitness, study, video games, art, swingers club....? There are a million things in this world to do. Try looking at it in a more positive light, and something will come to you.

That’s a silly attitude. Of course you’ll be taxed but good grief!! You won’t pay NI anymore, so you’ll be earning full time money plus your pension! I can’t wait myself!

Can you develop your cross stitch hobby with the aim of making marketable products and sell online, it will keep you busy snd hopefully bring in a little bit of money.

What if you gave up your rented house / flat (or sublet it ) and rented abroad somewhere that you liked for a year or two, it might be cheaper and you would be somewhere different / sunnier

Develop a little baking ( or other) business and sell at a local weekly market, you could also possibly sell the cross stitch at the market

Provide a dog walking service

I don’t know much about this but various financial things will change if you go on working, such as not needing to pay NI, freedom pass, possibly not needing to pay in to a pension. You can defer your state pension and get more state pension later.

Go and see someone who can outline the options for you.

But you don't have to take your state pension just because you reach state pension age. You can defer it and have a larger pension when you do retire. I would also recommend going part time if you can and ease yourself out gradually!

It sounds like work is your whole world and I don't think that is a healthy place to be in. It is time to broaden your horizons. Use these next three years to develop new interests, or join some clubs so you will look forward to spending more time on these. There is also a huge volunteering sector crying out for fit and able people to help out - reading with children in primary schools, charity shops, prison service and school community governors, roles helping refugees learn English etc... If you are civil service, you will have a good pension and should be able to manage on it unless you have some expensive hobbies you've not mentioned! You will be fine.

I would keep working. I am also civil service. I intend to keep going until I’m at least 70 (full time) and older if I can. I’m in the 40% tax band so it may more economic to defer my state pension. I will work it out at the time. I’m 62 now.

@citygirl1961 have you asked for a pension projection? I did before I retired from the Civil Service. It could either solidify your worry about bills, or take away that worry. If it solidifies your worry, you know you have to find some type of work to do. And you've got three years to find it.

my experience was it was the best thing I did, I took actuarialy reduced retirement and had ten wonderful years when I was fit and healthy. I learned to swim when I was 60 and started spending two months a year abroad.

It's not the number of years you've got left after retirement that matters,, it's the number of years when you are healthy enough to enjoy it.

Sounds like you need a spreadsheet. Outgoings and income.

Remember you won't be paying NI or pension contributions out of your income.

Partial retirement is one of the best things in the Civil Service. Do 2.5 days and keep your income up. Ease into retirement.
Why are you fretting about paying tax when you’ll be better off overall?
I am a CS and have colleagues 68-74.

But that said. Retirement needs planning. It’s good you are worrying rather than thinking it will be all one long holiday. Use the next three years to think what you really want to do with your time on earth. If you’re renting that can have a silver lining as you can easily move anywhere.

I’d be wary of retiring completely given you rent

How old are you @citygirl1961 - ah, judging from your user name, a year younger than me.

I thought I'd never be ready to retire but over the last year, I find if we have weekend visitors or go to the theatre/opera at the weekend, I am exhausted the next week. I do ha e a demanding job though, intellectually and emotionally. Add into the mix an 88 year old mother and I'm ready. However, I have been persuaded to reduce to three days a week from the autumn, for another year.

I am looking forward to having time for the garden, to Potter at home, cook more, meet friends in the day time, visit mother every other week. Plus walking, perhaps a book club, a bit of volunteering, etc.

Second this. Pension replaces a wage, so it’s taxed the same as a wage for income tax only. You actually pay less taxes overall because no NICs are due on it.

If you want to work, being taxed isn't an issue as it has other benefits for you.

Structure, purpose and community is a good way to think about retirement. Plus get good financial advice.

My wish was for us to stop having to work asap, which we achieved, never been busier than the last few years. I work if I want to, which is different to having to and do all sorts of different things plus help quite a lot of people.

You won't be "heavily taxed on your pension". You will be taxed on your income. If your income (which can be made up of pension income) exceeds the personal allowance, you pay tax on the amount that exceeds it.

Man next door is still working at 72. He says it keeps him young in his mind.
You don't have to retire carry on until you want to finish.