Has anyone retired early and regretted it?

[50andup]

I'm in my 50s, have always saved into pensions/ISAs and am now in the very fortunate position of being able to afford to stop work if I want to.

I know lots of people would think - that's brilliant and be off! But I'm wondering if I'll regret retiring early? After all, if I live to 100 , that's 45ish years of effectively being on holiday!

I've got loads of friends, already volunteer and have interests I could invest more time into, but is that enough? No desire to travel the world (done that already) or any very significant plans, so wondering if I'll get bored after a bit...

Has anyone else retired early and then regretted it later?

No. I retired early and don’t regret it at all.

I’d love to retire early and have plans to go at 55ish. My parents retired early & have loved it. They have lots of interests and hobbies, so keep pretty busy.

There’s so much more to life than work. If you can afford it, go for it!

Not for one second.

But the key question is - do you enjoy your job?

I think, personally, if you don’t want to travel then cutting back your hours rather than retiring may be better initially. You get to dial back but still have the stimulation of work.

I would think that a lot depends on how much meaning your work brings you. Do you enjoy it? Does it bring you fulfillment?

What about going part-time?

@amillionmenonmars

Not for one second.

But the key question is - do you enjoy your job?

Good question. I only work 3 days a week and it gives my week structure; I enjoy being with a team/the camaraderie and the feeling that I'm contributing to my local community.

However - on bad days, I dislike the repetitiveness/drudgery, the office politics and working in a pandemic has been particularly hard.

I paid off my mortgage and retired very early [health issues] and haven't regretted it for a minute.
I have a very small pension but it's enough for me, I live simply but have everything I need and can do everything I want to. However I must admit I later had an inheritance which is my financial cushion and security. I get a small monthly return from that.

Can you go back to work if you change your mind?

I work in a sector where people generally retire after 30 years then come back and do a back office job for another 15-20 years.

I'm planning on retiring soon, but will take a staged approach. I'm planning on taking a year off, and seeing how I enjoy it; I have projects that will keep me going for the next year. After that I'm going to see if I want to pick up any new contract work, or if I want to stay on holiday.

@Ichangemynameagain

Can you go back to work if you change your mind?

I work in a sector where people generally retire after 30 years then come back and do a back office job for another 15-20 years.

I don't know how easy it would be to go back to work. I expect I'd have to reapply for any vacancies and my age would probably count against me, after a point.

I'm interested in @LadyofMisrule's idea of taking a year off to see how it goes.

Can I ask @Mariell and others who say they haven't regretted retiring early at all - how long have you been retired? And what do you enjoy about your retirement?

I've recently gone part time and to an easier role, mainly because my job was really stressful and took all my energy, I'm hoping now I'll be able to start doing other things so that when I do retire I have got things to do, as at the moment I don't really.

I don’t think I would retire early even if I could. I like working. I might feel very differently when I am older though and it gets harder to get up and go.

I say go for it if you are lucky enough to be in the position to do it. It’s my dream to retire in my 50’s and I’m saving like mad to do so!

My DH retired 4 months ago. Not regretting it yet.
But I am keeping an eye on him as regards any boredom.
Not really any yet, but I, and to a certain extent him, am thinking he can do another job if he wants to at some point.
We once looked through a newspaper jobs advert page, and he is skilled enough and able enough to do half the jobs on there. So no real worries on getting a job again if he wanted to.

There are supposed to be many job vaccancies at the moment, though dont know how long that will last.

I think you'll know when you're ready to retire OP and it doesn't sound like you're there yet. Maybe start planning things you'll do when you retire and give that new life some structure in your mind? I worry that otherwise you'll drift and be bored, if you're used to the structure of work.

God im 35 and wish I could retire

It's been a year since I stopped work. I have not been bored at all - though I have to admit it was easier in the Spring/ Summer months. Covid really hasn't helped and I think that once life becomes less restricted I will enjoy my freedom even more.

My job was very full. I never had any time for me, my family or my hobbies. Now I can make plans at the drop of a hat. Go out walking if it's sunny, stay in and watch Judge Judy all day if I want. I don't feel sick all weekend at the thought of work on Monday. I don't have to put up with office politics and general nastiness.

I do what I want, when I want. I bloody love it.

I did a pre retirement day course and they advised retiring in the spring not in the winter

My inlaws retired at 50. They had a fun few years, and then ended up as unpaid childcare for both SiLs. As they "nothing else to do" accordingto SiL1.
I felt they got very old very quickly compared to my parents. In laws won't use computers, got reluctant to do new things and generally behave more like 70 year old. It's sad to see how fast their world became very small.

Would you consider a different part time role?

From what you’ve written here, you shouldn’t retire. You could have another 40years - you’ll die of boredom.

Seriously, retirement makes people dull. Which is fine for them, they don’t care. But you just don’t sound ready for a life of dull people yet.

I retired at 56.

No fucking regrets at all. Zero!

I meet friends, watch tv, go for walks, do loads of craft stuff. My only regret is not doing it earlier.

I thought I’d really struggle as l need structure in a day. But it appears l don’t😂

Best move of my life.

I was furloughed during lockdown1 and I saw that as a dress rehearsal for retirement. I'm 58 and have always worked full time.

I found no issue at all filling my days enjoyably despite not being able to travel due to covid, and working to a budget. The absence of stress was fantastic.

I'm working again now, but will stop for good in the next 18 months.

Seriously, retirement makes people dull. Which is fine for them, they don’t care. But you just don’t sound ready for a life of dull people yet.

What an absolutely ludicrous statement

No regrets, but I do help out with my grandchild and I very much enjoy that. I think it depends on how much you like your job. I missed the company more than my actual work. Get a piece of paper, draw a line down the middle and list the pros and cons of retiring. If your work offers a retirement course- please attend it. The courses give good advice. Good luck whatever you end up doing.