Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

If you could afford to retire comfortably at 55, would you?

201 replies

QuickGuide · 05/05/2023 18:55

There's nothing wrong with my job, I quite like it. I certainly don't feel the dread on Sunday nights.

I sometimes feel it would be nice to have more time but I don't really have any burning desires to spend it on.

I'm widowed, which I think is relevant on 2 counts. 1. I am aware how short life can be. 2. I don't have anyone to do things with. All the travel/ gardening etc that people usually cite can be done alone, but it's not the same as having someone to share it with. E.g I used to.love the garden but there doesn't seem a lot of point when it's just me in it, it was something we did together.

My friends would mostly still be working.

So, I could retire, I'm not desperate to give up my job, but I feel like there should be more to life than work.

OP posts:
helpfulperson · 05/05/2023 19:08

Absolutely. You could find new ways of doing what you love. For example our local botanic gardens run sessions for people with dementia, physically and intellectually disabled, parents and toddlers etc and are always looking for people to help run these. Or travel there is a company who run trips for visually impared people, pairing them up with a sighted person.

LetUsPonce · 05/05/2023 19:09

Not in a million. I need the mental stimulation, structure and company.

Plus, much as I love DH, I wouldn't fancy having to spend so many hours a day with him 😁.

Heinzbakedbeans · 05/05/2023 19:11

What you need is an adventure, not retirement. Could you take a years sabbatical from your job and do something you've always wanted to do? Then reassess

wendywoopywoo222 · 05/05/2023 19:16

I thought I would do that but when I got to 55 the idea scared me. I change jobs so work 3 days a week now which is perfect for me.

Beenaboutabit · 05/05/2023 19:16

Absolutely would retire, and plan to when I’m 55 (in 2 years)
I have lots of things I enjoy doing and work gets in the way of doing them as much as I would like.
Ill stay more active by not working, and that will allow me to live actively for longer iyswim.
i can’t wait!

DucksNewburyport · 05/05/2023 19:16

Not at 55 I don't think, but in your position I would definitely start thinking about how I wanted to spend my retirement and making plans, as I'd be aiming to retire in the next few years.

HauntedPencil · 05/05/2023 19:17

If money was no object I actually would as I'd have the money to do stuff. So I'd keep busy.

As it goes I plan working right up to the bitter end beucsee id rather work and have spending money than go early and be skint

Batalax · 05/05/2023 19:17

I do three days now and I would love to retire, however I think reducing it to two days would probably be better for me. I’d still have structure to the week and it would make me appreciate my larger chunk of the week when I’m off more.

No scrub that, I’d absolutely love to retire!

Radiohorror · 05/05/2023 19:17

I have just retired as DH is terminally ill. For now we don't do very much (& I am actually quite bored, which sounds awful). When the inevitable happens I will take some time to get used to the idea, hopefully go back to some of my hobbies, do some voluntary work & TRAVEL. I wish I wasn't going to have to do it on my own, after saving for, and planning our retirement together, but that is the hand I've been dealt.

Paperbagsaremine · 05/05/2023 19:17

Could, did.

For the first year or so my OH was still working, and intermittently there were lockdowns, so I put a decent bit of effort into arranging things with friends (mainly outdoorsy ones due to regulations!) and finding things for myself to do.

And I would see working friends out of working hours as ever.

I did go away on my own for about a week. Stayed in a women's room in a hostel to keep costs down, wasn't even the oldest there! There was a lady from the US seeing the world... With a good 10 years on me at least!

COVID and other things have put a temporary spoke in travel plans but I am still enjoying myself, trying out things I never had time to before, going on local trips out (it's surprising how much of our own areas we never see), and generally enjoying not being stuck at a desk and having time to do things.

I do of course get what you mean about being just you, and being widowed is a terrible blow.
Just on the "doing stuff on your own" side of things though, I reckon I had as much fun when I was out and about alone with OH stuck doing 8 hour days at his desk, as I do now. To an extent anyway it's up to us to make our own fun.

FusionChefGeoff · 05/05/2023 19:19

In a heartbeat. I love my job but it's demanding and stressful. If I could retire and potter and volunteer instead I'd do it in a shot. I'd volunteer in schools and feeding homeless / foodbank / family support worker type charities

YukoandHiro · 05/05/2023 19:19

No, but I would massively cut down my work obligations so I was only doing the things I really wanted to be doing.

icanneverthinkofnc · 05/05/2023 19:19

Hell, yes, but I can't afford it..I was a stupid idiot when I was young, made poor choices that mean I'll be working until I drop...

CharlotteStreetW1 · 05/05/2023 19:20

At 55 I absolutely would have retired. After almost 40 years of uninterrupted working, I was done. We were planning on 60.

However, at 56 (I'm now 59) I got a new job and I've never been happier in work. It can't be done part time but I have "bought" extra annual leave which makes a difference. Now I can't imagine not working (which is very weird!).

In your circumstances - and I'm so sorry for your loss - like others, I would suggest a sabbatical for a year or so if work allows?

QueenofLouisiana · 05/05/2023 19:20

Like a shot! If I win the euro millions tonight I’ll only go to work next week as my class are sitting SATs and I wouldn’t leave them to do them without me.

ASGIRC · 05/05/2023 19:21

Im 40 and if I could, Id retire today!
I love what I do, but I love not having to do it more.

Oh to have all the free time to do exactly whatever the hell I want (which could very well be sitting on the couch watching Netflix), and have enough money to not worry about it!

HarrietSchulenberg · 05/05/2023 19:22

I would love to but can't afford to retire for years, possibly ever. I'm 52 and sick of the stress of my job.

Theskyoutsideisblue · 05/05/2023 19:22

Yes. I want to do so many other things. Read 1 million books. Walk. Have more dogs. Ride. Play more tennis. Volunteer more. Planning for 54. Can’t wait

JJ8765 · 05/05/2023 19:22

You need to keep your mind active and maintain social interaction. Early retirement puts you at higher risk of dementia. You need to volunteer, or study / learn something new or read alot and keep giving your brain a work out.

ASGIRC · 05/05/2023 19:23

QueenofLouisiana · 05/05/2023 19:20

Like a shot! If I win the euro millions tonight I’ll only go to work next week as my class are sitting SATs and I wouldn’t leave them to do them without me.

I was just thinking about my euromillions win tonight 😂😂😂

Polis · 05/05/2023 19:24

Yes, and I was planning to until the government moved the pension goalposts.

QuintanaRoo · 05/05/2023 19:25

Hell yes. Two of my friends retired mid 50s and are keeping very busy. Gym classes, lunches with friends, volunteering, dog walking. I’m very jealous 😁

MissAmbrosia · 05/05/2023 19:26

I turn 55 this year and dh turns 66. We are both still working FT with dd in first year of Uni. DH plans to work another year I think. We're abroad and I will have worked my required 40 years by the time I am 62 so I hope I can finish by then at the latest. As dh is older I would prefer we could can retire to sun sooner than that, though I think I would have to still some kind of employment, even PT.

3FriendsAndADog · 05/05/2023 19:28

Seeing how hard some people find retiring (for the reasons you describe btw), I’d go part time first.
Find out what you enjoy doing, how you can fill your days etc… whilst still having the stimulation of work, seeing colleagues etc…

TherealmrsT · 05/05/2023 19:28

I did.
I do reading support twice a week with 2 children (via Bookmark charity), cook twice a month with Foodcycle. Have time to enjoy the allotment, to swim, to knit.
Was already a charity trustee and it was a chore to fit in, now I have time to devote and it's more rewarding as a result.
Currently trying to decide what else I want to add in..maybe cat fostering.
Think it is a good idea to transition via part time where possible and also to plan some structure into your week.
I thought I might be bored but I am not.
Appreciate it would be different without DH and I might have had a longer transition.