To wish I could retire at 50?

[AnnieKenneyfanclub]

Im bored of working and I think could easily fill my days with voluntary work and pottering about.

There are lots of hobbies I’d like to devote more time to. The garden could look great and I could exercise more. I could write a novel and be more present for my kids.

I don’t have the best of health and don’t expect to be fit and able by the time I’m 67… AIBU to think that retirement will be wasted on me when I am old?

If only I had enough money WIBU to retire tomorrow? Clearly this is all hypothetical and I shall carry on working to pay the bills - whoopee!

I have been fortunate to retire very young. I still work occasionally, as I don't wish to lose my skill set, but it's so much nicer being able to do it through choice rather than necessity. I spend my time travelling, volunteering and helping family and friends.

I’m late 50’s and haven’t worked for a long time although till recently did voluntary. My ideal scenario would be to become a grandma
in the next few years but I guess that’s not up to me! I spend a lot of time cooking for friends and family but there’s definitely something missing from my life.

Actively wanting to retire has hit my like a bus. I’ve gone from happily beavering away, doing CPD and All The Work Things to Just Not Wanting to.
52 and would walk away after 30 years without a backwards glance
I NEVER imagined I’d feel like this
Fuck knows how to find any kind of motivation or enthusiasm for next decade or so 🙁
YANBU

I'm 56 and would retire tomorrow if I could I wouldn't be bored for a second loads to do both chores hobbies and shopping in the village roll on 60!!

I'm expecting to have to work either until I drop or if something catastrophically medical comes up, being retired on health grounds (if I'm not made redundant and stuck on the dole for however long that still exists).

If I hadn't been so damn poor throughout my twenties and thirties, I'd be aiming for retiring at 55. As it is, 67 - 70 would be good going - not just for finances, but because my father and two siblings were dead before that age.

53 and finally doing a 4 day week. I have been doing loads more gardening and sewing and I love it! Youngest DC is 18 and I'm happy to fully stop doing paid work at 55/56. The new rules regarding pension age comes in April 2028. Even if I don't retire at 55, I only have to wait 6 mths after April 2028 to turn 57. I'm not waiting until 57. I still need to work on DH to retire in the next few years since I would like to do a middle age gap year with him whilst we still have the inclination/energy.

www.fidelity.co.uk/normal-minimum-pension-age-nmpa/#:~:text=The%20government%20is%20raising%20the,spend%20more%20time%20in%20retirement.

We have close family members who died before 65 so we have planned from our 30's to try to be in a position to afford retirement before 60. Honestly, if voluntary redundancy was offered to me in the near future, I wouldn't hesitate to take it.

I recognise this. I was a bit of a workaholic in my younger days. I had an all-encompassing job with long hours and travel. I changed career direction in my mid-40s and thought of it as a mid-career move. Twenty years down, twenty to go. A few years on and I’m pushing 50. Although I’m very happy with my change of direction I feel done with working. If I could retire soon I would. As it is I’m aiming at 56. My daughter will have finished school by then and with a push we will have paid off the mortgage.

I'd like to retire soon (in my late 50s) but worry that I won't have enough money if they suddenly decide to do some kind of means test on the state pension in 10 years time. The thought they might do it makes my blood boil if I'm honest.

I also feel that I need to keep earning to help the children with their lives, given how much harder it is for them than it was for me at their age. To give up a fairly well paid job and do nothing while they struggle just seems wrong.

@dollyblue01 on a private pension? You must be putting most of your salary in then?

48 here and yes would love to retire, not so much stop working but leave nursing. Currently work FT over 3 long days though which I have been doing for 20 years and is the only way I survive the job. Really hoping to go at 57 or go down to 1-2 days a week, having paid into my pension since 95 I can hopefully make it work.

@Seeyousoonboo my friend who was a nurse did exactly that - she took the pension at 57 , did a bit of occasional bank nursing 1 or 2 days a week at most - now65 and has a really great and really interesting part time job dealing with continuous care claims on NHS - there are some really interesting options if you want to continue to work ‘a bit’ - I reckon she will stop when her state pension kicks in but in the meantime she’s providing a great service in an area she knows a lot about and it’s kept her mind sharp

It’s actually a relief to not feel alone in these feelings. I’m early 50s and just can’t be arsed with it all. The corporate bullsh.t is just bonkers half the time when you have already heard all the “new” things several times over the years. I can’t feign enthusiasm for it any more. I’d be super busy without the job as have both my parents been well into their 80s and only slowing now but dad retired at 52. He did lots of odd job stuff when he felt like it but not his stressful career job. My work colleagues just look at me oddly when I say geez id retire tomorrow given the chance.

I retired at 60 (which I thought was too soon as I enjoyed my work and the people I was working with) to enjoy my husbands last few years together. He was much older than me and sadly had Parkinsons. Not an easy time but we enjoyed times together. Mission acccomplished. Now I am on my own and having a marvellous time doing things just for me. Not necessarily expensive things but walking, volunteering (& meeting new people) taking free tours, learning - just LIVING? I am short of cash but have taken in a lodger and spending all that income on travelling on my own. I LOVE it. Retirement is great if you have an active and inventive mind. Retirement is not just sitting and watching tv. It is living with a capital L. Even on a tight budget. If you hate your job . . .move! what are your strengths? Play to those. Live!