Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Early retirement

63 replies

googlenut · 20/01/2014 19:04

So I wasn't sure where to put this but I wondered what people thought about early retirement. Me and dh had our children later in life so will probably work into our sixties. But we were watching A place in the sun and they were interviewing a couple who didn't look more than 50 and they had retired to Portugal and there life seemed -well- a bit empty of anything.
At work some of my colleagues are aiming to retire at 55 but this seems very young to me.
Wondered if there were people who have done it and found it wasn't the nirvana they imagined.

OP posts:
Crowler · 20/01/2014 19:14

My father retired early and for the life of me, I can't understand why. He seems pretty bored to me, he spends quite a lot of time researching (for example) the best media streamers or whatever. I think his work anchored him and he's a bit lost now.

maras2 · 20/01/2014 19:26

My DH retired at 60 4 years ago.He also took a very nice redundency package which has enabled us to do the house repairs that we could never previously afford.We've also been able to help DC's out with finances.My pension doesn't kick in till 2015 but after 40 years of ' front line ' nursing I've packed it in and we manage on DH's small but adequate private pension.He is bussier than ever and works voluntarily as a Cathedral guide and is on all sorts of Civic societies.Me,I just sit on my bum,enjoy DGC's and MSnet as often as I like.We are very blessed.

Original poster
googlenut · 20/01/2014 19:26

Yes I think it is easy enough to find things to fill the time but being in the workplace adds something to life and keeps you young.

OP posts:
Original poster
googlenut · 20/01/2014 19:27

60 isn't that early though is it?

OP posts:
Crowler · 20/01/2014 19:28

Maras, that sounds perfect.

JeanSeberg · 20/01/2014 19:29

I would absolutely love to retire ASAP - 46 now. But no chance at all for many many years sadly barring a lottery win.

hootloop · 20/01/2014 19:31

My parents retired early, DF was 55 and DM 53 it has been a few years now and I have honestly never known them look happier or healthier. However, dad had a very good final salary pensiob and so even without working they have double our income and still have 2+ foreign holidays a year, luxury cars and meals out threatre trips etc.
I imagine it would be very different without a hefty income.

SilverApples · 20/01/2014 19:34

My parents retired early more than twenty years ago, they have loved every minute of it. They have very simple needs and their pensions cover what they require with a bit left over.
I'd retire in a heartbeat if I could.

persimmon · 20/01/2014 19:41

My FILLI retired at 55 and had spent almost 2 decades knocking around a big house getting more and more bored and obsessive. Early retirement absolutely doesn't appeal to me.

persimmon · 20/01/2014 19:42

FIL (not dwarf). I wish I did have a FILLI..

maras2 · 20/01/2014 19:48

Hope it doesn't sound too smug crowler.We both worked in fairly low paid but good benefit type jobss and when the kids were young we got by but didn't have much left over for extras.None of us went without though and we were lucky that the kids were of that age where grant's were available for further education.

Objection · 20/01/2014 19:48

my Aunt and Uncle retired at 42 Shock

chanie44 · 20/01/2014 19:50

I'm 34 and can't wait to retire - although the retirement age will probably be 75.

A guy at work is 65, single with no children. He works part time, 3 days a week for interaction with the world. He used his salary to find his living expenses and saves his pension.

Yes, does have a gold plated public sector pension.

everydayaschoolday · 20/01/2014 20:05

Today was my first day of retirement. I'm almost 40.

My contract ended, and I chose not to extend it. I now have a company pension and a lump sum payment. So the mortgage is about to be settled (for a small property, in an inexpensive location).

But I'm not sitting with my feet up Grin. I have 2 DDs (2 & 5) one of whom is disabled. So I'm the SAHP, but really running between hospital appts, therapy appts, nursery pickup/dropoffs and school pickup/dropoffs.

My retirement is not 'nirvana' but makes life easier for me to support the diverse needs of DDs, which my work have kindly given me lots of flex to do over the past couple of years, in order that I could complete my contract. Such 'flex' would have been unsustainable in the long term on their and my part.

Crowler · 20/01/2014 20:33

No it didn't sound smug at all!

alcibiades · 20/01/2014 20:37

DH and I are both retired - but he retired before me even though he's older.

I think it's an attitude of mind, really. It can be quite a difficult adjustment to make. It's the time of life when for many people there isn't too much of a need to follow any kind of timetable - not much difference between weekdays and weekends, not having to get up at a set time in the morning, and so on.

It can be quite difficult to break the habits of a lifetime, and some people can feel quite adrift without the structure that work/children supplied.

WillBeatJanuaryBlues · 20/01/2014 20:42

I agree in that most people I see retire are bored and do nothing.

The happiest older people I see are those with passions like a career in music that does not stop with retirement.

artists and writers, life long vocations.

i would never retire with the view to sit and do cross words, you need a plan somewhere lively to live and so on.

Fancyashandy · 20/01/2014 20:45

Folk I know who are retired play golf, tennis, garden, spend time with the Grandkids, have holiday homes in euprope, travel the world etc. doesn't sound too bad. But yes, many do get bored or at least a bit aimless I'd imagine.

everydayaschoolday · 20/01/2014 20:48

I think early retirement can be nirvana, if you have your health, money and a sense of adventure.

Sunnymeg · 20/01/2014 20:53

My Uncle and Aunt retired at 35!! Following 16 years of long hours building up their own business which they sold. They are now in their 80's. They spent the intervening years voluntarily helping charities with their fundraising and they still do bits and pieces even now. They still have more than enough money, and I believe they have lived a good and purposeful life.

MrsDavidBowie · 20/01/2014 20:54

Dh is semi retired at 54 but spends a lot of time on the golf course.
My brother retired at 52 from teacing, 10 years ago and has a great life.Has an ebay business, gets to go walking a lot and has a much younger wife who works full time.

WooWooOwl · 20/01/2014 20:54

I'd love to think I could retire at about 60. I definitely don't think I'd be bored, and nor would DH. We have voluntary jobs and could think of loads more voluntary things to get involved with, and it would be lovely to have the time to just study random interesting things that would have been no help to your career just for the sake of it.

bunnybing · 20/01/2014 21:05

My neighbour retired at 50, spends his time gardening, doing voluntary work, walking - he is v happy and by all accounts was a miserable sod whilst working!

bigbluebus · 20/01/2014 21:25

My DF retired at 54. He died last year aged 86. As far as I can tell, he and my DM lived a fairly mundane life in retirement, as DM was not in the best of health. 32 yrs on a final salary pension is something the rest of us can only dream of. In spite of her poor health, my DM outlived my Dad and still continues to draw a percentage of his pension

I retired gave up work to look after disabled DD 14 years ago at the age of 36 - although I don't get a pension until I'm 60. I have a very busy and active life and never have time to be bored, with all my voluntary work, caring responsibilities, keeping fit on top of all the other household duties which all get left to me as I don't work!

I am looking forward to my proper retirement when I'm in my 60's and drawing a pension.

Apatite1 · 20/01/2014 21:26

I'd love to retire early, but have compromised by going part time. Working very well for me.