Retirement at 50 yrs anyone? Are you happy? Do you regret it? Absolutely enjoyed?

[Autumnleavesandmoods]

Just that really. Not an aibu but love to hear your experiences.
Got a couple of health issues though under control but I don't feel like working when it won't make a great difference in money tbh. I enjoy simple things in life, particularly love the freedom! No commitments.

But...sometimes I think fifties is too early for a woman to retire these days and times.
Enlighten me please, thank you!

If you can afford it go for it! I’d love to do that. I’d say just make sure you still have a routine / goals in life so join some clubs / do some volunteering.

You could have 50 years left so some structure helps I think!

Go for it. I retired shortly before my 58th birthday and not for a nanosecond have I regretted it. It’s wonderful.

In financial terms what does “not much difference in money” mean? With so long to go until you’re a) able to access any private pension and b) state pension age, do you have adequate savings? Will any private pension last potentially 40+ years? Have you even enough years of NI contributions to be eligible for a full state pension?

I think the cold, hard finances are more of a concern than what you’ll do with all your spare time tbh. Things aren’t going to get any cheaper.

Particularly since once you hit your mid -late fifities it becomes more difficult to find employment due to age discrimination - so it wouldn’t necessarily be as simply as just getting a job in a few years’ time if you realise you do need more money or to bolster a private pension a bit.

Thank you @Mushroo good advice.

I don't think I'll have 50 years, I wish! More on the contrary more than happy with 20 more as healthy as possible. So, yes definitely considering retirement this year. Yeahh

@ComtesseDeSpair Excellent! Glad to hear. Thanks

Sorry I mentioned to say Glad to hear
to @ KimberleyClark!

I meant! I mean
Autocorrect is bonkers! Sorry

I'm 54 and finished this summer. I am in the fortunate position that I don't need the income due to my DH it's wonderful however I have a large group of friends and I am continually busy. But I am only doing really lovely things that I enjoy everyday

I don't live in the UK so I have a beach /outdoors style lifestyle it'll be interesting to see how I feel I'm January when it's colder

@ComtesseDeSpair finances are well managed and I have savings till the pension age.
Just fear to take the leap I guess!

In the past, many people worked from aged 18 to 60, then had a good pension until they died in late 60's

Now, despite financial climate, many people want to study until aged 25, work until early 50's, then expect to live until late 70's or above

For me, the maths doesn't stack up. I don't think most people can earn enough in 25 years to fund a comfortable retirement

Then go for it! I have several friends who have retired or semi retired by 50 - they’ve all done very well out of either selling companies they founded or through very fortunate investments (damn you, friend who invested in Facebook back in 2005!) so pretty much please themselves with their millions and have a ball; although most still take on paid consultant and advisory work for other start-up companies to keep them relevant and focussed.

Retired together before 50 and went to live in the sun then travelled all over Asia and Australia for years. Don't regret it for a minute as 25 years later OH is not in good health and as we have paid into UK pots for all our years we have come back to UK. If we had waited until retirement age we would not have had the good times we did before he became ill.
I wouldn't hesitate to do it all again.

Stopped a year ago at 55. Every day is Saturday!
I do a couple of regular volunteer things to give structure to my week, swim when it's quiet, do gardening when it's sunny, have a walk in daylight and eat dinner at a sensible time.
If you can afford it, and have things to do that make you happy then I recommend it.

One thing to consider - even if you have savings in place to live on from now - don't forget to factor in the cost of house maintenance/renovation, changing cars, etc. In other words, the big purchases that you may have to make over the next 20 years. They will quickly take significant chunks out of money that you may have for day-to-day living.

That said, I retired before I was 60, and 2 years in I'm absolutely loving it, and the freedom it brings. Every now and then I have a wobble about money - especially now, with all the ridiculous Tory shenanigans - but there's no way I'd go back to work, unless I absolutely had to. (Even if I could, as PP pointed out).

I did this - retired from social work at 50. But I then did lots of other part time freelance jobs: photography, pic editor on a magazine, running singing workshops and arts outreach projects - loads of interesting stuff which I really enjoyed and it made me a bit of a income.

I capitalised on my interests and other skills.

Go for it - it gave me a new lease of life!

My dad just died aged 81. One of the things making me smile as I try to write his eulogy is reflecting back on all the amazing things he did since he retired in his early 50s. He had thirty years of travelling and enjoying himself. He lived and traveled very frugally, no posh cars or expensive cruises. I’d do it in a heartbeat if I could afford to.

Never regretted for one minute, although the change of pension age for 50s women was a concern . Spent what I could on travelling , moved to another country. Feel extremely lucky and privileged to be able to do so. My stress levels have improved as has my health. I guess I feel a bit guilty for not carrying on in a socially useful job, but use my energy now to support those that are younger and more able to deal with managing it all.

I can't imagine ANYone regretting it!!! Go for it @Autumnleavesandmoods I wish I could, but I think 60 will be the earliest I can retire. Although I have only worked 2-3 days a week and have done for 25 years, so I can't complain!

@Carpediem15 Very interesting!

@Peckhampalace I love " Every day is Saturday " love it! Thank you

Awww, R.I.P.

@Mischance "it gave me a new lease of life!" Copied!

My Dad worked in hard manual job, able to retire late fifties. Lived to 86 in good health, much of it on a golf course, here or in the sun. Covid spoiled his last year , but was still out walking up to short final illness. He worked to live not lived to work. I too smile that he got a long and well earned retirement,

Love it, no regrets, actually don’t have enough hours in the day. I retired about 5 years ago in my early 50s

If the finances are in place, then go for it! There’s so much to do and enjoy besides work. My Mum retired at 55 and she’s had a lovely, fun filled retirement. She’s now 91, so she’s been very lucky. Enjoy your retirement.