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

[QuickGuide]

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.

So true !
I read some of these and feel a bit like, well it's my brain and at the minute it's overloaded, so if it addles when I retire then that's nobody's business except my own !

@Zipps but people do go brain dead to a certain extent! If you're in a mentally challenging and stimulating job and interesting work environment, that's very difficult to replicate once you leave work. The brain is a muscle, stop using it and it weakens without you noticing as it's gradual.

I work in a scientific research organisation, surrounded by some of the brainiest people in the country and even though I don't fully understand the scientific side, as I'm in project management, it's so interesting. I'm always learning something new whether it's medical breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, quantum.

I don't see how I could possibly achieve the same level of mental stimulation and have such interesting discussions outside of work.

Open university
U3A

I'm 33 and would retire now if I could 😂 I'd do unpaid work though, probably volunteering at our local cat rescue. I couldn't give up 'working' completely, need the stimulation.

My dad's a working class guy who's been an HGV driver his whole life. He could comfortably retire now onto his final salary pension, but chooses to continue working. No £150k salary for him!
I wonder if the 'sour grapes' might actually be in the opposite direction - from people who don't like that others enjoy their work.

I was able to retire at 55 and my Oh had already retired a few years earlier it was always planned.

We moved house and I did go back to work part time with a less stressful job than I previously had and had the good fortune to work with some of the best people that I have ever met and worked alongside.

But 7 years ago stopped work completely and moved again to a Jem of a location near the coast to be near family. Have now found many other things to do and my days are not long enough.

I would definitely recommend retiral at 55yrs when you are able to enjoy life!

We retired in our mid 40s, spent 10 years abroad and have been back a bit more than that. Travel regularly and away about a third to half of the year. Brexit has been a pain as it restricts our trips within Europe.
We aren't rich, never have been and had ordinary jobs but never overstretched ourselves mortgage wise so paid it off and took the plung. Never regretted it for a moment.

Oh hell yes I'm 52 and if I could I'd semi-retire today.

What I want to do is move to contract work, so I could pick and choose the odd small project, keep a hand in, but not feel any pressure. I

I'd love to wake up when I want, go to the gym, meet friends for lunch, do a little work, basically not have to have my life revolve around work as it does when you're salaried.

I retired at 57. At 55 I would have said that I'd keep going for much longer, but health and other things meant that I didn't. I thought I would miss work, but I really haven't. I think that if you have a 'stimulating' job, you probably have the sort of mind that doesn't get bored easily. I'm never bored, but I never have been, really. There is always something to do, or to learn, or to get involved in.

I did. Not looked back. Bloody love it. I sodding hated work.

If they’re happy, why does it matter if they seem older?

I did

I guess it depends on what stereotypes of 'seeming older' are being used. If 'seeming older' means not being stressed about work, having time to do things 'just because', and not doing the same things week in, week out, then yes, retired people will 'seem older'. Also, on the whole, retired people are older, which could explain it 😀. And going to the gym and meeting friends are more likely to keep the body and mind younger than would otherwise be the case.

In your position, I'd try to go part-time. Sudden retirement, especially if you live alone, can be really difficult to manage.

A couple of extra days a week would give you a chance to find out what you like doing by yourself/build local networks etc.

That's what I think would happen to me. I know myself how much I enjoy the structure of work and how the demands of it keep me sharp(ish)! One of the many things COVID taught me was that time alone makes me feel isolated, not free.

Yes.

I’m 57 and would love to spend my days walking the hills with my dogs.

I’m tired now- I’ve worked for 41 years and currently have 3 jobs.

If I could also afford to go back to university then yes.

I think your retirement sounds about perfect actually- but I also think I could do all of that and work 2 days a week too 😀

I went to law school and worked FT at the same time; I have three kids, work FT and have trained for and finished 2 triathlons - I am very much someone for whom tasks expand to fill the time allocated. Give me an hour to do something and I'll do it, give me two days and I'll bugger about for two days and then spend an hour on it!

I just like to have structure and be busy...doesn't mean that I "live to work". Quite the opposite- working energizes me and facilitates me doing everything else!

I actually agree with you - and my Dad was an HGV driver too!

Yes, lots of volunteering I would do. Many charities need trustees, more than enough to get your teeth into. My mother in law is still a trustee at 75, in an area she was professionally qualified, she loves it.

I wouldn't, even though I probably could in 5 years. I wouldokt because I know 4 or 5 people who have and they have all suffered a visible or even acknowledged drop in mental health. I think I need the structure and mental stimulation. I'd consider part time probably.

100% yes. I would have time to make the house and garden look nice. Plus time to study interesting and not-partucularly useful things.

As it is, we should hopefully have the mortgage paid off by then, so I'll at least be able to get a part-time, stress-free job. Just 15 years to go. sigh

I retired from teaching at 60. I’ve never regretted a day. It focuses your mind when you lose a couple of good friends in their late 50s/early 60s. What is the point in carrying on working when you can live your life in any way you want? Obviously if you can afford it.

I’m lucky enough to have a partner but I genuinely enjoy every day. The freedom after all those years of routine!

We both do occasional bits of work but we do sport, volunteer, travel, see friends, do courses, read, visit new places. And we have aged parent and grandparent responsibilities.

Eight years in I don’t think we’ve slowed down mentally but daytime TV is banned and we’re careful about internet use.

This is the only life I’ve got and after years of being a wage slave and family focused, I finally feel it’s my time.

I've just turned 56 and my 57th birthday present to myself is to retire.

I'm done. Love my job but I can't work like this for much longer. I'm tired and can't wait to have time to myself and do simple things like have coffee in the lovely town I live in. Walk the dogs, see friends and family.

I'm tired of the responsibilities I've had in my life. My son died aged 18 after a hideous 2 year battle with brain cancer, helping him, my other son and family get through all this was and still is exhausting. My mum died the following year, my Dad was then diagnosed with dementia. My dad passed away 7 months ago. I'm exhausted and want to carve sometime for myself.

I have no mortgage, and just buying a small property to rent out so should have an income before my pension kicks in.

I can't wait to fill my time with swimming, kayaking, camping, visiting friends and family without being constantly exhausted.

So sorry to hear about your son. That's more than any family should ever have to bear. I hope you and his brother are recovering and doing ok.