Anyone who has retired young from a high-paid high-pressure senior job…

[cathyj77]

… what did you do next?

I’m lucky enough to be in a position where I should be able to leave my very busy highly paid job in a few years from now (early 50s) if all goes well.

But I would still want to do something and I can’t figure out what. I do some volunteering already (related to my area of work) but couldn’t make this full time.

Don’t want to do ‘consulting’, would happily do a less well paid part-time job but don’t want to be bored.

any and all ideas welcomed!

Really interesting reading all these - keep em coming!

I’ve done a couple of Ned jobs. They are not without risks - you aren’t really in control, the CEO is and you aren’t necessarily fully across everything you need to be.

Not hugely enjoyable. I’d recommend doing other things if you need to keep your brain busy.

Dh retired at 53:
trustee of a large charity
mentors people through his professional institution
sport- gym, table tennis, swimming
does the accounts for the church.
I am also retired ( but not from
a demanding role! )
Parish councillor
charity trustee
sport - table tennis, aqua fit, body combat, weights
volunteer in a charity shop
invigilate GCSEs, IB and a levels

Thank you! Bumping once for the morning crowd.

I took VR age 53 from relatively high paid Financial services role. I then did a maternity secondment in the charity sector which finished in August. I have tried not working but it means my elderly DPs have subsumed my life which I do not enjoy.
I am starting a part time role in February NHS admin 3 days a week. I hope that will give me the sense of purpose I am seeking. The money isn’t great so if I don’t like it I will give up and try something else. I don’t absolutely have to work financially but I found it hard to adjust to dipping into the VR money when I am still relatively young.

I know lots of people in this position who now invigilate exams- at schools and universities. Seasonal and quite sociable ( depending on the school).

I went down to 1 day a week (and become a governance professional and work paid for my courses) at 50.
i became a trustee of a local charity (now treasurer) and recently one of an industry related one.
Considering magistrate in the future. Did a second degree and masters at 48.
want ned roles in future but have increased data at work to 2 days for a trial period. See how much it impacts my life (as I was doing over tine anyway each week and better to have it planned in advance)

Following. I am in a slightly different position but have spare time on my hands. Used to do a high stress demanding advisory job.

I’m particularly interested in ideas for volunteer roles that are (at least somewhat) intellectually demanding. I already sit on school appeal panels and enjoy that.

So far my list includes

Citizens Advice Bureau
Magistrate
School governor
IPSEA
Possibly retraining / further education , if only I could decide what 😆

Set yourself up as an industry speaker for conferences relating to your career? Not sure if this would come under the ‘consultancy’ option.

Or as a mentor for juniors in your industry if you fancied being more altruistic!

Or… a school governor/ charity trustee?