I'm retired - AMA

[Westfacing]

I posted on the first AMA, before they were officially titled AMA, started by the person who worked at a crematorium. It was very informative and I like the concept... so AMA 😊

How old are you?

Did you taper down your hours or just stop working?

What did you work as before you retired?

How are you funding your retirement?

What is your income now you've retired?

How long have you been retired? Did it take you a while to adjust. Are you worried about money?

What do you do all day

I'm 71

I tapered down

In the main, and for the last 20 years, I was a registered nurse

Private pension, full State Pension, plus savings

Approx £20,000 plus savings

Only fully retired about 18 months ago

I didn't suddenly stop working so there was no adjustment as such

My pensions cover day to day expenses, food, utilities, etc so not worried but mindful of increasing cost of living

Various things!

I walk, volunteer, see friends, go to museums & galleries, avoid housework. This afternoon I'm off to see Wuthering Heights with my bestie!

Last night was book club dinner

If you don't mind me asking why didn't you retire earlier. Was it because you couldn't afford to, or was it because you still enjoyed your job?

Also, do you not get a bit bored?

How much do you have to live off each month?

I still enjoyed the job.

It never entered my mind to retire - as mentioned upthread I just tapered down over the years so never officially 'retired'.

I'm active and engaged, but not an energizer bunny with a need to be always on the go, so no I don't get bored! I might get a bit fed up if the weather is bad but not bored.

As I said upthread, approx £20,000 pa, so £1,666 per month

Do you feel this is enough, or do you struggle financially?

£20,000 does not seem a lot pa. Don’t you feel anxious about money, unexpected demands etc?

No, you said £20,000 plus savings

Most posters will be interested in the budget available to you.

Savings could be £200 per month or £1,000 per month. It makes a big difference.

What is the actual monthly budget that you live off?

Does £1,666 cover everything or just the basics?

It's enough for day to day - no, I don't struggle. I never have too much month and not enough income!

No I don't feel anxious about money - but like most people I'd like more!

I have savings to meet unexpected demands e.g. last week I had to call a plumber to fix a leaking dishwasher inlet hose and dripping taps

Okay, thank you. I'm only in my mid 50s and don't plan to retire any time soon because I love my job (self employed) so that's good to hear.

Month to month I live off my pensions which is as I said is approximately £1,666 per month and that covers basics plus entertainment, etc.

If I suddenly needed to buy say a new washing machine that would come from savings e.g. Premium Bonds, ISAs.

Are you married?

Do you have children?

Is there anything you've 'saved up' to do in retirement?
For example - I want to build, decorate and furnish a dolls house but I'm saving this activity for my retirement. I'm 40 😂

Congratulations by the way. I'm planning early retirement and can't bloody wait

Things will be very different for you in 20 years time I expect - I can only recommend that you continue in your self-employment as long as you physically can to build-up a savings pot for your later years

I'm single - divorce in middle age impoverished me a bit! But worth it

I have two adult sons

Older age came upon me all of a sudden - one minute I was 40, next minute 70, so no, I had no particular plans for retirement but building a dolls house sounds a nice thing to do!

I have skin in this game having just reduced from working five days to three. Do you find you now wonder how you fitted in work? Also, do you need to maintain discipline not to pfaff about on MNet?

To be honest, I never wonder how I fitted in work - difficult to explain but think that's because I gradually reduced work over the years, and now I'm retired don't feel the need to cram a lot into every day to justify my existence! I just do what I do, or don't do 🙂

As for faffing about on MN - there is a bit of discipline required but that's the nature of social media. MN has a lot to offer women and I find many interesting topics e.g. News & politics, Food, S&B, Chat, etc., and don't think it a waste of time to engage - no different from chewing the cud with friends or neighbours!

Do you have any advice on how to plan the day to day of retirement?

How important is to you to exercise, be creative, have a project or shared experience of some kind on the go?

Have you made new friends in retirement?

What is the biggest hurdle you have had to jump in terms of settling into retirement and enjoying it?