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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:
shivawn · 05/05/2023 20:00

I would but only if my husband could retire at the same time.

GiraffeInABath · 05/05/2023 20:08

My friend is engaged to a retired investment banker, he retired at 43. Seems young but if you can afford it and have other interests/hobbies then why not? Life is for living

Jmaho · 05/05/2023 20:15

Not at 55 I don't think. My youngest would only be 18 then and I hope I'd feel too young. Also don't think realistically we'd have enough in the pot to have a comfortable retirement by 55
But the plan is (but we all know life doesn't go to plan!) for us both to aim for a 3 day week at 60 and retire fully at 65
I am also hoping we can get our mortgage paid off by 55 so we can enjoy some nice holidays together
I like having a plan I just hope things go this way and we are lucky enough to get there

frozendaisy · 05/05/2023 20:22

I could fill my days without anyone else.

But in a position to not need to work gives you a power balance you can ask for better work life balance terms, more cash, more interesting assignments etc etc

So perhaps not retire just have the financial confidence to mould your job to what you would prefer

MeanderingOnTheNorfolkBroads · 05/05/2023 20:25

Hell no.
I like working.
My dad still works a 3-day week, by choice, in a fairly physical role, at 73.
He's full of life and his job gives him structure, a sense of purpose and spare cash to treat himself with.
He's obviously very fortunate (and has put the work in too) to be fit enough at that age.
I mean, sure, if I was rich enough to literally piss about travelling the world between 55 and death, then sign me up for retirement.
But of it were a case of watching the pennies or being remotely careful with money, or bored and struggling to fill my days, then no, no interest at all.

CandyflossKid · 05/05/2023 20:31

I definitely would..... but it's never going to happen

SoonToBeinSpotlight · 05/05/2023 20:52

100% yes.

I don't hate my job, but I'm always tired.

I would LOVE six months to have no pressure at all and just rest. Then, there are so many projects and hobbies I'd love to do. Then after a couple of years of that, I can imagine getting a part time job or volunteer position working in a charity....

But I'd love the years of working primarily for income to be over.

rookiemere · 05/05/2023 20:52

Oh gosh yes in a heartbeat, I'm 53 and my professional job is stressful and exhausting. If I could afford to retire from it, I'd still do something else to meet people - maybe one of the part time jobs I keep sending to DS, like occasional waitressing in our local garden centre cafe.

I'd possibly also sign up for a creative writing course. I've done a few in the evenings but tiring after work, so it would be wonderful to have more energy for it.

Rainydaysgetmedown · 05/05/2023 20:53

Nope no interest. I’m 49 and can retire tomorrow. Can’t imagine it. I plan to work until 60 and take a view but have so much more to achieve work wise, I don’t think I’ve reached my peak yet

EatTheDamnCake · 05/05/2023 20:54

I'd work very part time I think. Two days a week would be ideal (I'd also like to do that right now please)

Solobear · 05/05/2023 20:55

35 and would retire tomorrow if I could 😅😅

TennisWithDeborah · 05/05/2023 20:59

I’d love to and it may be possible.

Chasingsquirrels · 05/05/2023 21:02

I'm nearly 51, also widowed - 6 years ago, where does the time go??? Now in a relationship but we don't live together and he definitely won't be retiring early.

I'm currently thinking I will finish at 55, when my youngest will be competing uni (if he goes) and I'll have got my full 35 years NI contributions for state pension purposes (assuming they don't change it).

I've been part time in one form or another for 20 years since I went back after maternity leave with my eldest. I'm currently contracted 24hrs, 4 x 6hr days, but for the last year I have mostly been working approx 20hrs and using up TOIL and carried forward holiday. I tend to do 3 days in the office and do a bit extra, or do a few hours at home on one of the other days.

I'm quite happy at 3 days, so I may end up continuing past 55, I'll see what happens.

Coffeeandcards · 05/05/2023 21:04

I think I’d go down to 3 days a week first, see how that felt for a few years.

SirChenjins · 05/05/2023 21:05

If we could afford DH to retire at the same time then sure - but it would need to be enough to mean a comfortable lifestyle, I’m not prepared to drop anything.

Chatillon · 05/05/2023 21:05

GiraffeInABath · 05/05/2023 20:08

My friend is engaged to a retired investment banker, he retired at 43. Seems young but if you can afford it and have other interests/hobbies then why not? Life is for living

Keep going. Be choosy. Don't put age boundaries in front of you like fences in a hurdle race.

"We try never to forget that medicine is for the people. It is not for the profits. The profits follow, and if we have remembered that, they have never failed to appear. The better we have remembered it, the larger they have been."
George Merck
https://t.co/qSW6wqagyC

We can retire at any age. Money is meaningless.

Contribution is everything.

https://www.merck.com/about/our-people/gw-merck-doc.pdf

https://t.co/qSW6wqagyC

DustyLee123 · 05/05/2023 21:05

No, I’d be bored. I’d drop to 2 days,

Pollywoddles · 05/05/2023 21:06

Absolutely! I would walk out the door tomorrow.

CelerEtAudax · 05/05/2023 21:08

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 I retired at 57 being in a similar boat to you. It was the best thing I ever did.

hattie43 · 05/05/2023 21:09

I thought I'd retired at 55 but everyone around me was still working and I got bored . Now gone back and WFH it's brilliant. Twas too early for me .

RandomUsernameHere · 05/05/2023 21:10

Would going part time be an option? As you've said most of your friends will still be working, sounds like you might get a bit bored during the week if you retire completely.

BeyondMyWits · 05/05/2023 21:13

I had a health scare, (nothing like a heart attack to make you reevaluate your future!). Took early retirement at 55 and was bored seeing same old people, doing same old stuff. So I work 3 mornings a week in a shop. Leave it all at the door when I go home, low stress, great colleagues, customers always changing. Just the right balance for me.

ChicagoBears · 05/05/2023 21:33

Plan is to switch to consulting role part time at 52 and fully retire at 55.

I’ve been pretty sensible with my pension as I’ve ploughed in as much as I can over the years, have a few buy-to-let properties which will generate a fair bit of income and have decent investments and savings.

My retirement plan is to cycle every day, read copious amounts of books, cook beautiful meals, travel, learn another language, paint, garden and volunteer.

I will never tire of those things and never having to se the alarm - bliss!

Carsarelife · 05/05/2023 21:33

I would. I'm 50 and recently changed jobs from 3 days back up to 5. Gosh I'm so tired. But the new job pays much more and also more job satisfaction. When I'm feeling tired I console myself with earning what I can between now and 55, then retire.
I had a sudden and very upsetting bereavement in December and decided to increase my days to give myself less thinking time and hopefully less upset.

Jellykat · 05/05/2023 21:39

I'm 59, if i could afford to retire i'd drop down to 2 days a week.. the rate i work now means im too tired to get anything else done around the house (i.e gardening, diy etc) in fact i'm usually too knackered to do anything!

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