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Original poster

Anyone else slightly obsessed with retirement?

146 replies

LittleBoost · 07/08/2025 11:21

I've got about 10 years left until I take early retirement.

I can scale down in those 10 years moving to doing the absolute bare minimum for the last few years (still full-time though).

I'm conscious to not wish my life away but I'm also ever so slightly obsessed with retirement, and very very much looking forward to it.

I track finances each month and model different scenarios. I have plans for my retirement including just doing absolutely nothing.

DP's also excited about retirement but not quite as obsessed as I am, so I try not to wang on about it too much to him 😂

Anyone else slightly obsessed with retirement? Please help me feel less alone in this!

OP posts:

Shedmistress · 08/08/2025 16:46

Bathingforest · 08/08/2025 14:49

It's not going to be black on white....more like colourful ....don't get too excited. Life happens

I dont understand what this means.

SiobahnRoy · 08/08/2025 16:55

I’ve just retired early (55) after 30 years of teaching. I like the job but I’m not enjoying the daily grind anymore. I can’t wait to have time to do what I want when I want to, not to be dictated to by the school day. It won’t really feel like retirement until the schools go back though. Can’t wait!

justanotherdrama · 08/08/2025 17:04

I’m aiming to retire at 60, but it will depend on mortgage rates and our investments, we’re careful now but don’t deprive ourselves of anything - still have holidays and days out etc….
I’d absolutely go at 55 if I could tho and I really wouldn’t be bored!!! I could think of loads of things to be doing but sadly I don’t think financially we will be able too as alot of these things involve having money to do!!!!!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Retirement & pensions

BG2015 · 08/08/2025 17:05

SiobahnRoy · 08/08/2025 16:55

This is exactly how I feel.

user764329056 · 08/08/2025 17:12

Have just hit age of 66 and first pension payment on its way, can’t retire as helping family members but it’s a great feeling that there’s money coming in at last, having worked since the age of 13

Wrenjay · 08/08/2025 17:19

Before retirement I was worried about finances and social activities. I had to retire at 60 (now 77) and had no opportunity to save apart from contributions to pension schemes.

Finance has been better than expected as expenses are less. Socially it is great: Gyms have lots of activities for me, but really U3A is a really great self help organisation. It is well worth looking up in your area. Lots of different subjects/activities, all are areas are individual but come under one umbrella. It is member led and each one is run differently but with one aim: Enjoyment. Also joining a choir is a great fun activity as well.

Do not fear retirement: It is yours to enjoy and you have earnt it.

LouisaMayAlcott · 08/08/2025 17:19

This is a constant topic in our house as we can both retire in the same month next year. My H can’t wait but I can’t think of anything worse! Admittedly I am self employed and love what I do but I can’t imagine not working. Even the week between Christmas and New Year I’m getting angsty sitting around doing nothing. I think I need to keep my brain busy. I already do everything I enjoy as hobbies and I will carry on working when we go on extended holidays but I won’t be retiring for a long while yet!

RaininSummer · 08/08/2025 17:35

I am getting more obsessed with less than five years to go. I actually spent time this afternoon modelling pension income.

singthing · 08/08/2025 17:57

I am in my forties and through a lifetime of being absolutely anal about retirement saving (and a naturally frugal personality/lifestyle), I'm in a strong position as well. I also have a lingering dream of a second mini-career doing something about as far removed as can be from my current profession till I retire - the reduced salary would be liveable, and would be instead of doing my current work part time. But almost for the sheer love of it as well.

I will also be in the ghastly fortunate position of receiving at least one, possibly two, significant parental inheritances in due course, which means my own pension drawdown can be front loaded or accessed sooner.

Sailawaysally · 08/08/2025 18:56

I’m retiring at Christmas, at the age of 57. DH is already semi-retired.
I’ve had enough of commuting and office politics.
I’ll have more time to see my children, grandchildren, parents and friends. And I can finally take my holidays when I want to! No more covering work colleagues, when they are on holiday. Can’t wait!

declutteringmymind · 08/08/2025 19:44

@user764329056happy happy retirement!

NaneePolly · 08/08/2025 19:53

Be careful what you wish for. I didn’t expect to be looking after a 93 year old father and two grandchildren under 3 . Things have a habit of changing.

Curlygirl06 · 08/08/2025 20:54

I've got 19 months until I've worked the qualifying period to keep a significant benefit when I leave. I might leave and take my work pension then, stay until my holiday in the summer so I'm paid to go on holiday or stay until November 2027 when I get my state pension.
However, what ever happens, I'm thinking "2 more Christmases!" I work in retail, say no more.

Oscarsmom71 · 08/08/2025 21:00

No not at all.
Mid 50’s and not even thinking about retiring yet as work keeps me motivated and I enjoy my down time more.
I want to continue to work and challenge myself whilst I can.
I have quite a stressful management role but it’s in a sector that helps improve peoples lives so great job satisfaction.
Why would I want to sit around all day bored ?
Not fur me but everyone to their own.
Ill know when I’m ready to retire.

Cappuccino5 · 08/08/2025 21:16

Nope, definitely not! I think that work keeps you young. I’d hate to have nothing to do and honestly don’t envy my friends who spend their days at book clubs and coffee dates. Humans need to have a proper purpose in life, something that really keeps your brain working. The amount of people I’ve known that took early retirement, only to receive a devastating diagnosis years later is shocking.

My own mother worked 9am - 3pm 5 days per week until she was 85! It definitely kept her in good health and spirits - as soon as she stopped it had a very noticeable effect on her both physically and mentally. On the other hand, my sister was like you OP - couldn’t wait to retire at 60. To be frank the novelty soon wore off and she had a very boring existence up until her (unfortunately untimely) death a few years later.

Brendathebear · 08/08/2025 21:31

I think work is impacting negatively on my health, lurching from one stressful meeting to another (NHS). I used to be clinical but now have desk job so spend the day crouched over the PC barely moving. Its not healthy.

When I retire (in 2 years, 9 months & 2 weeks) I will work very part time as a self employed consultancy, Hike loads and perhaps do some volunteering.

singthing · 09/08/2025 08:43

"Why would I want to sit around all day bored ?"

That is a very weird view of what retirement means! No wonder you don't want to retire if that's what you plan to do with yours...

BadActingParsley · 09/08/2025 09:03

I was, for about20 years, absolutely convinced I’d be retired and in control of my own time by 55. I wanted to do something else but wasn’t sure…

now I’m 56 and thinking I’ll fairly happily stay working till 60, with a drop to 4 days a week next spring. My job has changed a lot, I’m senior and not so tied to particular hours. It’s interesting and not as stressful as it used to be. And I have the security of knowing the mortgage is paid off and I’ve got a decent pension. And my health.

SportsDirect · 09/08/2025 09:19

I think that work keeps you young

Definitely something in this but work doesn't have to mean paid work. I think early retirement is often a time when people start something new- a degree, a not-for-profit venture- which offer the benefits of work in keeping you young but without the constraints of a 9-5 (although of course it never is 5). I would definitely keep working longer if I were self-employed. It's the toad work squatting on my life that I want to lose, not activity and purpose.

elastamum · 09/08/2025 09:22

I retired in my late 50's from a stressful senior job with huge travel demands. For many years before I saved like mad into my pension. I was the only one in the senior team who drove an old car and didn't have massively expensive holidays. When I left one of my colleagues admitted that she wished she hadn't spent so much money, as she would be working for many years as she couldn't afford to stop. I have never regretted it and my health is so much better than it was when I was working.

TooHigh · 09/08/2025 09:32

I’ve been playing with guiide.co.uk which is great.

I’m in my early 50s and there’s a big divide in my friends between those who have DB pensions and those who don’t!

I don’t have one and I’m also single (from a financial perspective) which does make retirement harder I think - I’m starting to count down the days though. I would love to be able to help my kids with a deposit for their first flat but that may only happen if I sell the house and downsize so trying to think through all the timing. For the time being I’m still working full time.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 09/08/2025 09:38

I’m 48 and have worked part time since having the dc. I had planned to go back full time as they got older, but unfortunately there’s not funding for that in my role within the NHS and I don’t want to move to a dept that has more funding. Fortunately I don’t need to.

The NHS run Preparation For Retirement courses but my manager has said I’m too young to go - I disagree as I want to be properly prepared!!

We have the the of our mortgage in sight, but university is looming (possibly for 4/5 years) which will clobber our ability to save for a bit. I’d like to think that retirement in 10 years is a possibility, but I’m quite confused by my pension as it’s in different schemes so I really need to understand that better to make realistic plans.

There are so many places within the uk, and further afield that I’d like to visit and I’d like to have a lovely cottage garden to enjoy!

AnotherGreyMorning · 09/08/2025 09:38

No because I will never be able to retire.

WhenIwasyoungersomuchyounger · 09/08/2025 09:51

@AnAudacityofinlaws They should feel ashamed for being so rude and judgemental!

If I thought about it, I would think that current and previous colleagues the same age as you, either like being at work or like having the extra money, and even if they needed the money, no shame in that, that's why most people work!

wimonnz · 09/08/2025 10:01

Hello from the other side 😉Legged it on a much longed for package at 58, now 68 and have loved every single minute of retirement. I am lucky I don't have many expenses, a good income, no mortgage or debts and the best bit - I live on my own so I can do exactly what I want or don't want.

My job was very interesting and I was in senior management, but the young ones nipping at my heels got on my nerves over a year or two, so eventually I was done and let them at it. I know, I know, I was one of those ambitious young things when younger, but every dog has his day and all that.

Don't let anyone tell you that going early is a waste of your life or "what will you do with your time", and all the other things said that often suggest that a life without a job has no purpose blah blah. Believe me it does and it's great.

Get planning, sort yourself out financially and housing wise, make a rough plan of what you want to do, then tear that up because life just flows anyway...

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