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Original poster

Retire at 55

60 replies

Zighy1 · 27/10/2021 22:13

Hoping to retire next year at 55. I will have worked 39 years by then. Fellow early retirees what are your lessons learned? Any regrets? I am looking forward to being able to exercise, explore, and slow down but am realistic that I will miss the money. How soon do you adapt?

OP posts:
cromwell44 · 27/10/2021 22:18

Bumping as I have a full-on job from which I want to retire within the next 2-3 years. I’ll be under 60 and can’t imagine what it might be like to not have my life filled with work. I think I’m ready though Smile

goingtotown · 27/10/2021 22:20

Why are you waiting to retire to exercise?

Pinkybike · 27/10/2021 22:50

I retired from the NHS at 55, last year.
I was part time, doing three days a week (not shifts)
I now do bank work in a care home, mainly 12 hour night shifts and am better off financially than I was in my previous band 7 post.
I am busy almost every day, meeting friends, dog walking, riding etc.
I love my life now, I chose when to work and don't dread it like I used to.
Go for it!!

FindingMeno · 27/10/2021 22:57

Will you be prevented from doing what you want to when you retire because of money constraints?
If not I think you'll be fine, and can always perhaps do some voluntary work if you want a little structure and accountability in your life.
I always thought I'd like to stop working ASAP, but I've done an about turn in the last couple of years.
I would be very financially challenged and I think I would get too insular and have an existential crisis - so now I intend to keep working well past retirement age if I'm able.

Mossstitch · 27/10/2021 23:15

I did at 58 from NHS but back on bank as quite frankly got bored🤷 Don't regret it though as needed a good rest and now can work as much or as little as I want.

LucentBlade · 28/10/2021 00:52

Did some voluntary work, walk an hour every day come rain or shine, game, gardening, read, watch films, tai chi.

Finfintytint · 28/10/2021 00:56

Retired at fifty and got very bored. I did some voluntary work but am now back full time at fifty four with a job as opposed to a career. Loving it.

LaurenKelsey · 28/10/2021 01:00

I volunteer at an animal rescue, walk every day with my dog, read, garden, watch tv, visit friends, play piano. I thought I’d miss my job but I haven’t one bit. I enjoy doing whatever I want to do on my own schedule!

Original poster
Zighy1 · 28/10/2021 08:21

Just time to exercise consistently. I try to do a few weekend sessions but work days are frantic. One of the thoughts at the back of my mind as I get older is would better health and fitness levels improve my chances of not getting dementia etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Zighy1 · 28/10/2021 08:27

Sounds heavenly

OP posts:
Original poster
Zighy1 · 28/10/2021 08:44

@goingtotown Just time to exercise consistently. I try to do a few weekend sessions but work days are frantic. One of the thoughts at the back of my mind as I get older is would better health and fitness levels improve my chances of not getting dementia etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Zighy1 · 28/10/2021 08:45

@LaurenKelsey that sounds heavenly

OP posts:
ItsAllMumboJumbo · 28/10/2021 08:48

I swim a lot, walk, cook and bake. It's so lovely to have the luxury of time to enjoy life

Soontobe60 · 28/10/2021 08:48

I went part time at 58 then retired completely at 59. December 2019. Had lots of plans to travel until Covid hit!!!
I’m now back working 2 days a week because not working g at all can be very lonely when everyone else is still working.

MyCatEatsPrawnCrackers · 28/10/2021 08:49

I was recently bullied out of my teaching job so resigned at 54 and will take my pension at 55. I'm having what I call my gap year right now. I will never go back to work as I just love having time to do exactly as I please. I have never been defined by my work or felt the need for busy-ness. I am living in the same amount my pension will be and although I won't be going on any round the world cruises, I have enough.

NeedToDiet · 28/10/2021 08:51

I meant to say that while I might be missing the money from working, if I went back to work I would miss the utter freedom, and to me time is more precious.

secretbookcase · 28/10/2021 08:54

I'm partially retired at 57. I work about 15-20 hours a week most weeks. I LOVE it. I do loads of exercise, go out and see friends for walks, go to galleries, theatre etc. DH is also retired and we go off for walks around gardens and NT properties. Makes me feel a bit elderly when we do that, but I enjoy it.

A lot of money can be saved by not commuting, not needing to pay others to do stuff for you, not buying take outs because you are knackered, having time to look for the best deals online for things etc.

But I do recommend doing some work and having some income. Nothing at all coming in except pension would be a bit alarming when you are so young.

squashyhat · 28/10/2021 08:55

I retired at 58 and have never regretted it. It took a bit of adjustment and I slept a lot in the first few months, but my life is so much better now (although it seems to be wizzing past even faster). I have time for exercise classes, 2 volunteer jobs, gardening, book club, days out, studying, zooming around on my electric bike and lovely days just mooching and watching Netflix when I don't feel like doing anything else. Do the financial calculations, attend any retirement courses on offer and go for it!

squashyhat · 28/10/2021 09:01

The other thing I would say (although this is very selfish) is that while Covid has put any grand travel plans on hold for now, and while my job could have allowed me to WFH, I am so pleased that being retired meant the need to mix with the rest of the population was very limited. Both my DH and I have escaped it so far and I think this is one of the main reasons.

BookWorm45 · 28/10/2021 09:02

Very relevant thread for me as I am considering something similar, but worried about becoming old before my time if I have less outside stimulus from work. However my family genetics suggest I may not have a very long and healthy life. So hard to decide with so many imponderables and unknowns.

Igneo · 28/10/2021 09:08

A whole swathe of people at my work have just taken early retirement, from age 58 up.
I think a lot of them got a taste of it during lockdown and when they came back to work it just wasn’t what they wanted any more.
It’s been great for the younger people to finally move up a grade!
But we’ll miss them.

Letsrunabath · 28/10/2021 09:11

I plan on also retiring at 55, possibly sooner.
I’ve had enough of working want more time to do what I want, I’ve traveled lots so plan a low cost lifestyle and enjoying the simple le things in life.

AnyFucker · 28/10/2021 09:18

I flexibly retired at 55 and stayed in the same job 2 days/week.

I love it as I still feel too young to be “retired”. It gives me more time with grandchildren and to be more present for my adult kids that I am very close to.

The weeks whizz but round to my 2 days in work but I feel I still need that challenge (fast moving, stressful job). My sleep patterns are all over the place but I am a chronic insomniac anyway.

AnyFucker · 28/10/2021 09:20

Oh, and bring redeployed to COVID ICU during the worst times of the pandemic pretty much nearly killed me, so that was a factor too.

cptartapp · 28/10/2021 09:25

Following.
I'm going at 55. NHS. Come hell or high water. Luckily looking good to be able to afford to due to investing an inheritance.
Have seen and heard of too many life changing events which mean people who retired later never go to enjoy it. Another colleague this morning whose 65 year old husband whose just had a massive stroke.