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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to take my work pension early? What age/point did you decide that's enough for me?

132 replies

Realworld10 · 21/09/2026 20:56

Well firstly, like many of us, realising you've got to an age when you actually are near to retirement and taking it all in. Seems like yesterday I was the young, vibrant teacher who gave everything to my job above and beyond because I cared and I could. The bonds, love, after school clubs and revision sessions, holiday classes, trips away, fundraising evenings and weekends, I was there. Even with my own DC I worked extra hours but reduced the amount of time I was able to put in.

Suddenly, I'm at an age (56) where I can take my pension early and I've done it! Having calculated, I would have to live to about 86 to make the difference of higher amount 60 plus.

I still work as supply but find the suffocating environments of academies unbearable... assigned 5 different classrooms, login, behaviour for 'hey we have a sub' though I do take control of this attitude but it's repetitive and tiring, dealing with behaviour. You've got to get to know your students and unfortunately we can't do this, but I have had some meaningful encounters where I would love to help them more.

I have another job as well, online tutor, which doesn't have these stresses but the sessions are only a couple of hours here and there and I put in a lot of hours for individual learning.

I'm not 'retirement' age but taking my pension early and still working. I get £867, enough to pay my part of bills while DH works FT WFH. With my earnings to top up all is fine financially as I did also get a payout which has been used for us all as a family.

The thing is, a neighbour at age 55 said Im retired now, she's so young and vibrant so I asked what she will be doing and she said nothing. Good for her, her DH has also retired, have a lovely big house all paid off.

So part of me is thinking why can't be the same as this couple? Well, because we've taken on a bigger mortgage and house move (which I didn't want)

Anyway, this is a situation I feel privileged for. Even though I've worked since age 16 and was fortunate to go to university when loans were zero procent, have worked for 30 years plus as a teacher, part of me feels guilty for retiring so early! Yes I'm still working but not in the role I was, suppose the stepping down and back from a career feels strange 🤔

OP posts:
Skibididoo · 21/09/2026 22:56

dootball2 · 21/09/2026 22:08

£867 for 30 years teaching - seems really low considering the first chunk was in very old scheme and only being taken 4 years early!

I was thinking exactly the same, even accounting for many years working part time for childcare etc.

Mischance · 21/09/2026 22:51

I jumped off the wheel at 50 and spent the next 10 years earning freelance from things I love - singing workshops, photography, arts outreach for young people etc.

Yes it has had an impact on my pension, but I am so glad I did it - retirement brought major heart problems and limited lifestyle, but I had done some great tings before that happened.

NotAnotherScarf · 21/09/2026 22:46

I retired at 55 but got a part time job just for beer money. We are savers and whilst we eat out often (paid for by the part time job)we dont really spend a lot. So with my wife working part time we have lived off of savings and don't plan to touch our pensions until i am 60 in 2 years.

I have hobbies but worried that this summer i became a bit of a vegetable sitting watching crap TV and YouTube because of the heat.

We have a camper van and go away monthly apart from August, December and January...been abroad twice this year in it

As I said we are savers, because my parents died way too early we paid our mortgage off and so have been able to save much much more than otherwise would be the case.

My advice...get a good financial advisor. We have had 3 brilliant ones in the 35 years we have been together. In the last 12 months we've made £140k

BigYellowBus · 21/09/2026 22:16

I'm 62 and have taken mine and gone part time. I'm now better off because I'm paying less tax on my wages so I can save a reasonable amount. Best decision I've ever made

dootball2 · 21/09/2026 22:08

£867 for 30 years teaching - seems really low considering the first chunk was in very old scheme and only being taken 4 years early!

Catza · 21/09/2026 21:17

I totally see how you feel and maybe I have no right to comment being in my 40s but I honestly don't think retiring in your mid fifties is something to aspire to. I have an example of two women in their late 80s in my life. One is an economist who retired at the age of 50, another is a lecturer who still works part time and writes books. Both of these women are 89 and the difference between their cognitive capacity and zest for life is immense! The economist is literally "waiting to die" - she told me that herself on a number of occasions. She likes to read but has concentration issues and very little of her thinking power is retained. She has no hobbies or interests and, again, told me many times she has no energy or motivation to start any. The lecturer still travels internationally, enjoys theatre and museums, hosts large parties and has a large network of friends she sees regularly.
Now, I know this may be down to individual differences but the economist was a sharp, independent woman in touch with the world around her so they were not exactly different in that regard. And I can't help but think 40 years in retirement not using your brain, not having anywhere to go or anything to do will do this to a person.
I know I can't conceivably be working into my 70s at the same capacity I do now but I am scared shitless of retirement and very much hope I can carry on working well into my later years, albeit part time.

RosesAndHellebores · 21/09/2026 21:06

I'm taking mine in 9 days. Aged 66. Not early but coinciding with my state pension. I started work aged 20, but had 7 years off with the children, 39 years of work, full-time but for two years.

Your neighbour is better off because they planned their finances better.

Why is the tutoring such a bind? DD is a secondary teacher, albeit she's only 28. She's just reduced her hours to 4 days because she has tutoring coming out of her ears, presently doing 6 hours a week, is writing lesson plans for other tutors and, over summer, schemes of work for academies.

Surely if you pack it in and take your pension, you could earn at least £350pw without killing yourself. DD is firmly plugged into the home school market.

Also, I don't think 56 is close to retirement in 2026. You have another 11 years to go.