If you could afford to live by working just 3 days a week…

The situation you describe is not what I would describe as 'not needing to'. A mortgage is a huge debt and six months of savings is nothing if you lose your job and take a while to find a new one. So no, I wouldn't cut back my hours if I was you, I would keep working and saving, because anything can happen and ensuring a secure future is the most important thing you can do. Always plan for the worst case scenario - it probably won't happen - but if it does you'll be bloody glad you did.

What about 4 days?

Do it, you only live once!!

If I could afford to live off of the 3 days wages I’d work 4 days and that would give me extra…. Just in case.

i work 5 days just now but considering putting in a flexible working request for 4 days. A 3 day weekend would be good.

I would only do that if my mortgage was paid off and I had substantial savings.

I work 3 days and it's brilliant. I get enough time at work to feel like I'm doing something worthwhile, but I get enough time at home to feel like I'm not completely swamped with home stuff.

I'm 41, 3 young kids and a relatively well paid job I enjoy. I honestly feel so lucky.

I went 1 day a week at 46 or so to do a second degree then masters. Now beck up up to 2 days.

but mortgage was paid off and I was doing 50% of salary into pension (I now sacrifice all down to min wage)

I luckily have a very flexible senior role so can move days around to suit me and the company. I have picked up 2 trustee shops of charities which I enjoy. I can’t imagine going back full time unless it was sone specific project. But I could retire if I wanted money wise. I’d not be doing this without Mortgage paid off and pension pot near the limits.

I want to drop to 4 days as soon as I can afford to.

Only if I had a reason to not work - like if I were starting up a new business or remarkable hobby or looking after children or an elderly parent.

Otherwise, I would prefer to work full time and take more lump time off when it suited for travel or renovations etc.

Nope. 4-5 days, put every spare penny into paying off mortgage and maximising pension.

I’m considering 4 days.

PP made a good point about considering whether a sabbatical would better suit your needs. If you feel fed up and a bit burned out, time off might be the answer.

Fwiw I work part time myself and love it, but worth thinking about all options here.

I currently do this as i have primary kids.

I love it but I'll be going up to full time in a few years. Ive now done my house up and kids will be more independent so I'll expect to naturally have more time to focus on projects.

I also realised the extra hours ar the equivalent of a holiday abroad each year!

I'm never bored, but I'm also not a "relaxing" person so you need to have a realistic expectation of what you like to do on those days. Like imagine you've got 6 months of annual leave for 2 days a week: what would you do?

As long as you've got an emergency fund and know you'll have enough to live on, it's not irresponsible. But think carefully about what you'll do with the extra days. If you have no plans and end up watching daytime TV or mooching round shops looking for something to do, you might start missing work. But if you learn something, do something new, expand your horizons etc, you might see a whole new life (and maybe career?) open up before you.

I would include having a financial safety net in being ‘able to afford to’. So no.

I work part time for no real reason now my kids are older. I love it, no regrets, living my best life. I do two days, compressed so probably a similar number and of hours but with an extra day off.

I worked full time for years, including through having kids cos I was determined to clear the mortgage and put us ahead.
Now I do 4 days 7.45 to 5.15.
Am considering reducing to 3 standard days in a couple of years if they let me.

I agree a 4 day week would be a good compromise.

That's what I do. But I live a simple life with no lavish spending on anything!

I'd go for a 4 day week instead, good compromise, so you'll have that extra bit of money to travel etc.

In your case I'd say it depends on the size of your mortgage and how much slack you'd have with lower earnings, especially if mortgage rates, utilities, food increase faster than your income. Plus whether you expect any big expenses like car replacement/home improvements.

Also how much you earn and the tax effects - if you're a higher grade and working less would mean you pay proportionately less tax and your pension contribution percentage decreases - FT G6s and some G7s pay 7.6% into their pension schemes whereas lower grades pay 5.5% - A couple of years ago I got a £200 pm pay rise and because of this, the extra money I actually saw was less than £50 pm

But I'd definitely consider it, or what about going down to 80% for now and if available in your job, try to do slightly compressed hours and aim for a 7 day fortnight on average? You could further drop your hours in a few years time if it works out. But what you do need to be sure of is that your employer drops your workload accordingly, otherwise you're trying to do the same amount of work but being paid less for it.

I think I would compromise and do 4 days a week for a year or so and see how it worked out mentally and financially.

I did go to 4 days a week for a while when I was under huge stress at home and the financial hit was much more of an issue than I thought it woud be.

Well, life is for living! So go for it if you have the means to still support yourself and not need to scrimp.
I think I’d consider things like if I worked full time for x more years I could pay off the mortgage and then go down to three days. Or go down to 4 days to begin with then reduce to 3 at a later date.

I work 2 days a week, but 12 hour shifts, so about equivalent to 3 normal business days. I have 2 young kids (5 and 3) and it’s been life changing. The work life balance is so so much better, I don’t feel burnt out anymore, life’s not getting on top of me and I feel like I’m around much more for the kids. Obviously only you know if financially you can make it work but for us it’s been so worth the loss of money.

I work three days but I'm 65. I value the time, have no ambition left and am in the twiligjt of my career. Professional role so work about 28 hpw.

At this stage in the LGPS my final pension is based on the highest of the last three years I work. This means I have to retire or take my pension by August 2028. If @Somedreamer you do this now, there will be a significant impact on your pension, if that matters to you.

I had seven years off with the children so have taken a hit on my occupational pension. Three days is equivalent to what my OP and state pension combined will be so it's a good slither into it.

Might it be better op to have a temporary reduction or sabatical if you are burnt out. Perhaps it's a different career you need? I'd advise to play this well, give yourself breathing space and protect your job security for the time being - it's tricky out there at present. FWIW I retrained at 43, going right back to the bottom.

If you change careers or jobs, it's unlikely you will get back into a defined benefit scheme - they are no longer viable actuarially.