Warning: this post may cause a little envy… but only a tiny bit 😏

Very similar here - worked from 21 after graduating until 57 when I retired. I am also very grateful. Live in a lovely rural part of the country. Look after my grandchild, have loads of hobbies, lots of socialising and gardening.

You cant think of anything worse than not contributing to the tax system? What an odd thing to say!

I took early retirement at 58, now 65. The working life was never for me and I'd spend 40 years trying to fit into a workplace designed for the neurotypical, not the neurodiverse as I apparently am. Having beaten myself up for not being good enough for all those years, an inheritance gave me the chance to take time away from the pressures of work and figure out what I was best suited to, and it turned out the answer to that was living for pleasure alone.

So that's what I've done for the last 7 years. I've taken up sports, learned musical instruments, languages, got involved in political causes, embraced dozens of hobbies, my social circle is wider than it has even been and I've finally known true, stress-free happiness which really makes up for all those years trying to fit in in a way which I now know was never going to happen.

My friends are intelligent, interesting and diverse, have non-"mainstream" jobs and no-one works standard rat-race hours, or judges me on my work but rather the person I am. At this ripe old age I have found my tribe and I've never been happier. I finally belong.

Re. the OP's financial question, it depends on how you want to spend your days. Hobbies can be expensive, but some can also be really cheap, or free. Inherited money with no other income doesn't last forever, and I've slowly been tightening my belt as money dwindles. But maybe it's the optimist in me, but whenever things looked dire financially, I'd tell myself that something would turn up, and you know what? Something always did.

I'm getting close to state pension age (to the PP who can't imagine life without contributing to the tax system, yes, I have done this, paid full taxes and NI and have earned a full pension) so I know in future there will always be a fixed amount coming in.

I'd recommend that everyone embrace the chance to lead a happy and fulfilling life in a way that works for them, and remember that no-one's big regret in life is not having spent more time at the office.

I'm thinking of retiring - I'm currently 57 - I work 3 days a week in a job I like

DH already retired and DS nearly 18

I always thought I'd retire at 60 but DH is older than me and we would like to travel so I'm thinking about whether to go next autumn ?

Sounds just lovely 😍 I fear i will be working til 75 to pay the mortgage..but would love to not work :)

When someone says I can't think of anything worse than...really? What the death of a loved one, serious illness, loneliness etc. I can certainly think that not being able to work when you want to, would be damaging but as for making no contribution when actually retirees tend to help with unpaid childcare, they volunteer, they contribute but perhaps these are not celebrated or acknowledged as they should. Anyhow if work is your only validation I think that's sad.

This is my ideal - I have teen DS still at school, but I could happily spend my time dog walking, going to the gym, other hobbies/ crafts, gardening and meeting up with people. Also some lovely charities locally to volunteer at and my DM and DF are livery local - DF has Alzheimer’s so being on hand to help DM would be good.

this is absolutely my dream haha. After my babies, I’m going to climb the career ladder and work towards early retirement

Absolutely not! I need a purpose to get up in the morning and be in routine.just to socialise and see people,even though i struggle like hell with asthma constant colds and b12,fibromyalgia and adenomyosis.plus I need the money.

It's a bit sad if you only think you're valued by work. You can volunteer as I do. Plus enjoy my life not having the constraints brought on by work. Incidentally I still pay tax and have throughout, never been on maternity leave and please this isn't a criticism but I've had to work hard. Therefore I deserve to spend my time as I want. Also hope you can when and if you want.

I have and do

Unless you're on benefits or living on the breadline you still pay tax on whatever income you're getting , working or not

Maybe slightly different scenario but I’m 50 completed retraining studies and got seriously sick so couldn’t work. I’ve recovered now (for the most part) and can’t find work as my retraining ended a few years ago and not recently. I don’t do nothing but I feel so useless and unproductive as if o do nothing. My partner earns enough we can survive but I want my contribution to be more than housewife. I still have kids in school and I’ve signed up to volunteer so it’s not really nothing but it’s not the life I’d want. I think retirement will be so boring, if I live that long I’m dreading the boredom.

Yes! He retired the year before I did

Does your OH love it?

Actually if the husband was a millionaire making millions he would be paying shed loads more in tax than a couple with separate jobs on basic wages !
so I think your basic math isn’t mathing 🤣

Several of my friends; they had high powered local government jobs or nursing. Their pensions are good. I’m an OAP now and they keep asking when I’m retiring?

Because OP asked for information from anyone who doesn't work full time, and has days like this. So it does apply to part time people

thank you. Yes holidays gym hobbies before I get too old!
sorry to hear about your husband. I’ve had cancer and want to make the most of things as no one knows what’s around the corner

Financial services PM

No! £4000 per month. No tax paid!
£16k from per year from pension and tax free cash and the rest from my ISA which is 100% tax free! Seriously it’s not this hard to understand. Get an IFA

Defined Contribution - maybe you need a better financial advisor 😉

@Londontown12 It's basic maths really.

I gave up my career in STEM to follow Dh’s international job, in my v early 40’s. We lived in some fab places and dc have loved it. They are now at uni or last yr sixthform.

I taught/tutored English p-t for a while but stopped during the pandemic and never went back. We sold our London house 2 years ago and bought one in a beautiful but cheaper area. We put the leftover cash in high interest accounts in my name and I pay tax on that. I also have a final salary pension from my working days.

Today I’ve done nothing but grocery shop, walk the dog, plan dinner, laundry, clean bathrooms, buy bits for my hobby. It’s lovely and I enjoy my own company. I do DIY on our new ‘project’ house. It’s 200 yrs old and I’m happily planning the restoration in keeping with a historical house.

I volunteer two mornings and one evening a week with vulnerable adults.

I’m 51 now and never been happier. Dh still works but he’s planning on retiring soon, he’s late 50’s and has enjoyed his career but suddenly has had enough and misses us as he’s away a lot.

I do feel a bit sad about my career but we couldn’t manage that and the life we’ve had so I have no regrets.