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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not too early for retirement or aibu?

209 replies

Orangeriessmellparadise · 10/10/2023 02:09

Anyone has retired at age 48?
Frugal lifestyle and financially OK. Deciding to retire this year and hope with no regrets, actually cant wait! but friends think I'm too young for this even if I'm able to do it.

What do you do if you are in a similar position? How do you spend your days?
How do you come across people that see you as too young for not being in the workforce? Also health is not the best at the moment and my child is already a young adult so less and less responsibilities in general.
Is it too early or shall I go for it?

Sorry if it sounds like a bit silly question but is a genuine curiosity for your opinions. Thanks!

OP posts:
2jacqi · 10/10/2023 09:58

do you have a couple of million pounds in the bank to allow you to do this????

LegendsBeyond · 10/10/2023 10:02

Go for it. Life’s too short to work if you don’t need to. There’s so much to explore out there. I can’t wait for early retirement.

Maddy70 · 10/10/2023 10:11

I retired early I have to say I loved it for a while. Now I have a very very part-time job (one afternoon a week) as I felt I needed some structure. I was basically meeting friends for lunch or coffee wine I put on a lot of weight as I was socialising all the time.

I love having no alarm set :)

Branwells77 · 10/10/2023 10:13

Enjoy every second of it, If there’s places you have always wanted to visit go see them and if you get bored you could always do some volunteer work there’s plenty of organisations and charity’s that are always looking for volunteers.
Don’t worry about what other people think you’ve obviously worked hard to get in to this position but like other posters have said do check your pension status good luck OP

sleepismyhobby · 10/10/2023 10:20

If you can afford to do it do it , life is far to short get on with living your life . I'm 49 and would love to retire . I've sadly just had a lightbulb moment and wish I hadn't been so foolish with my money. I'm now very frugal and hope buy age 55 I'll hopefully be able to consider retiring

gotomomo · 10/10/2023 10:25

At 48 you are quitting work rather than retiring, sounds pedantic but from legal perspective the earliest date for retirement is now 57. If you can afford not to work then go for it, and you can always return to work later if you want to. Remember though that your right to in work benefits and full state pension will be affected by not paying national insurance contributions so might be worth getting advice on this, you might find you need to pay class 3 I think it is to maintain your entitlements

gotomomo · 10/10/2023 10:28

Ps I'm hoping to be quitting regular work by 52 but plan to take casual work, I'm writing for online publications and doing a bit of freelance accounts work. I need to pay 7 more years ni for full pension!

JuliaLilian · 10/10/2023 10:31

These are very relevant and practical suggestions! No point jeopardising future money that you might need.

TrustyRusty68 · 10/10/2023 10:52

Work to live, not live to work! If you’ve enough money to live the life you want without going to work then go for it!! Sounds amazing!!

TrustyRusty68 · 10/10/2023 10:53

Exactly this!! Sounds like it worked well for you!!

Original poster
Orangeriessmellparadise · 10/10/2023 11:20

Reading with interest. Very helpful and interesting comments. Thank you! 👌

OP posts:
Heb1996 · 10/10/2023 11:23

@cushioncovers but she might not live until 80?? So that would be a waste wouldn’t it?? Nothing is guaranteed so I would go for it! She can always change things as time goes on according to how things go.

KimberleyClark · 10/10/2023 12:00

I retired at 58 four years ago. Have not regretted one second. My DH is 11 years older than me and I wanted us to have some quality time while both fit enough to enjoy it. My parents had a similar age gap, my dad died at 67 when my mum was 55, they had no retirement together. DH is still fit and well and we’ve had some wonderful times with more to come.

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche · 10/10/2023 12:10

I retired at 50 - was wavering as to whether or not. Then my husband suggested looking after our first grandchild rather than her go to nursery. I jumped at the chance. No regrets. She's 7 now and there's been five more grandchildren - I'm childminding (grandchildren) most days.

Love it.

(Husband does not now that he's been forced to retire through illness. )

TheGoogleMum · 10/10/2023 12:12

I think when anyone retires (whatever the age) they need to keep busy - can be anything such as caring for grandchildren, volunteering, a fulfilling part time job, hobbies etc. The people who don't do much seem to suddenly get old

Norbi · 10/10/2023 12:19

I retired last year at 53. Just had enough and have enough money so why not. If I get bored I will go back.

My day today was waking up around 8.30am, Session at the Gym, breakfast and now I’m say in the garden enjoying the Sun. Dog walk this afternoon and then off to see my grandchild.

Whats not to like about a lazy day like that.

Otins · 10/10/2023 12:41

I'm 49 and would stop work tomorrow if I could definitely afford it. I probably would be OK but the thought of one-off large expenses such as moving house, a new car, house renovations etc scare me a little, and I want to make sure I'm not left short in later life (although expenditure does generally get less as you get older - care home fees not included though!)

I had a practice retirement during lockdowns as my industry closed, and I had no work for nearly 2 years. I LOVED IT. I was in the fortunate position to have some investments due to well managed inheritances so money wasn't an issue so I could enjoy it with no financial stress. Whether there is enough to last to age 100 though...that's another question.

I can happily potter for days without getting bored. I work 3 days a week now, and finding it still a little too much work and not enough play. 2 days would be plenty.

I'm on my own with no children or grandchildren to look after and I would never get a dog to walk so it is really just ME time.

Gardening, cooking nice meals, museums, visiting friends, a few short trips a year, reading, gym/swimming, theatre, exhibitions etc etc would keep me busy enough and happy.

I suggested to my IFA a couple of years ago that I stopped work between aged 50-60 to enjoy life while I was young enough (retirement is wasted on the old) and then I could go back to work aged 60 if I needed to for a few years. He laughed so hard and said I'd never go back if I stopped. I countered that I would if I HAD to.

In summary, if the financials work then do it. I would. I'm just not quite there yet with the maths.

YellowRoses100 · 10/10/2023 12:53

That sounds amazing. I would love to do this.

kiddosbedtimealready · 10/10/2023 13:29

I know someone who did exactly this. It's his 50th soon. He is having it at the local tennis club where he spends most of his time as a volunteer. His wife made a lot of money in their 30s which is what allows it. She still works a bit though! Guess it's not for everyone, even those that can afford it.

kiddosbedtimealready · 10/10/2023 13:30

In case not clear. I would defo retire on zero days notice if my lottery ticket came in 🥳

TizerorFizz · 10/10/2023 13:53

A lot of messages seem to be about folk not doing much. Lazing about. We don’t do that. However if anyone has to think about where house repair money is coming from (believe me it doesn’t reduce as you get older!), a replacement car or big bills you really cannot afford to retire! What about improving your house? Holidays? Going out? If you have to count the £ you won’t enjoy your time.

toomuchfaff · 10/10/2023 14:16

I wonder, do you also consult your friends for other aspects of your life? Shall I wear pants? shall I eat dinner? 🤔 I wouldn't give a flying hoot what anyone outside of my immediate inner circle household thought of my decision to retire. If I felt I was able to achieve it, and it was the rights decision for me then I would do it.

Tell them to butt out, nothing to do with them... are they going to step up and look after your family or interests if you die tomorrow? No, well they don't deserve an opinion on your decision.

Lotus3 · 10/10/2023 14:35

My dear, retirement is wasted on the old as youth is wasted on the young! 😅

Go retire, have a wonderful life and enjoy all the experiences you are still healthy, beautiful and mobile enough to enjoy!!

Life is SO much more than work. (And if you get bored, you can always go work again later on your terms 😇). Enjoy your well deserved retirement!

Walker1178 · 10/10/2023 15:53

My ex in-laws have officially retired but both now do agency temp work, just the odd day here and there if they get bored. I’m 44 and would love to quit work and take up a few college courses but that’s a lottery pipe dream, the way things are going I’ll be working forever!

Just do it OP, it’s not like there is no going back

SeedyM · 10/10/2023 16:14

One thing to be mindful of is that all your similar age friends will be at work during the day and a lot of activities are in the evenings or full of elderly people because everyone else is at work. So it depends very much what you have planned. But no plans may well start to get boring after a few weeks.