Warning: this post may cause a little envy… but only a tiny bit 😏

[Flowerofdestiny]

Does anyone in their 50s actually exist who does nothing all day?

I feel a bit silly asking this, but I’ve been wondering…

Does anyone in their 50s exist whose kids are grown, who doesn’t work full-time, and literally has days completely free of obligations?

I’m genuinely curious: is it as boring as it sounds, or actually a little paradise?

I feel a bit nosy for asking, but I’d love honest answers 😅

I have over 40 years of contributions

I will have 52 years of contributions as my state pension age is 68 and remember the contributions threshold is not particularly high. It's really not unusual.

This. Everyone around me is retiring and acting like they feel sorry for me because I cant do the same. The truth is I could retire tomorrow, but honestly cant think of anything worse.

I thought it was my dream, too. But if you have the opportunity to have a successful career doing something you love, or at least where you feel you are contributing to society, feel grateful. It's not much fun to feel under-educated and of no use, even if that does mean endless free time.

@5128gap I replied to a post stating most people have worked since their teens asking if there was statistics to prove that. You interjected to tell me that because 70% of people left school at 16 blah, blah which I then replied saying this doesn't tell me anything. You then went off an a tangent about the majority of 16-18 yr olds doing something in the adult world which may or may not be work. I agree that the majority of 16 yr olds in the past did something, I just disagreed it was was full time work 😆

i know a few. i couldn't imagine it myself, i enjoy the simulation of working. In my experience people brains start to pickle quite rapidly if they don't use them.

Took a package at 56, walked out the door of a high end job and never looked back for one minute. I don't have kids, and I don't live with my partner of twenty years either (recipe for a great relationship I can assure you!), so my life's my own. Financially secure too with no mortgage or debts. I am lucky and thoroughly enjoy the indolence of it all.

I started working at 13 in a Saturday job, worked every Summer from 14yrs old on until I finished school. Straight to work, then to various college degrees through evening study, then looked after Mum and Dad through their illnesses, taking time out from work for that. I've done my bit now and make no apologies for a life of pottering, eating, gardening, walking, travel, and scrolling the internet. No TV or radio here, as I don't surround myself with bad news that I have zero control over, or watch crap either. I do keep up with current events, and am rivetted by Andrew's shenanigans, but generally I keep away from it.

I have no fear of judgement by anyone. If someone walked in my shoes they would know why.

I am retired (in my 70s), but frankly, I now wonder how I ever found time to actually go to work (which I was doing full time).
Not only do my adult DC (not living with me), demand lots of our time (re help with their DC, decorating, and other things, I also have siblings, who seem demand a lot of my time as well (ie vulnerable adult, who lives a distance away, still needs my help).
Got up 2 days ago, and for once neither my DH nor I were expected to be somewhere (but DH still had to sort out various tools required for the following day).

I'm retired at aged 50. I didn't ask to be but ill health required it. I loved my job. I'd worked since I was 20 and so worked 30 years in the same role. Social care.

Its SO boring. None of my friends are retired, I have very little to do. My kids have grown up and flown the nest. BORING. I'm trying to find a small job (in hours) at the moment... but even with my experience what I look like isn't doing me any favours!

A good idea, but no charity remotely connected to children will want him as a patron.will they?
That cuts his options down a bit !

Yes me. Retired. Husband retired. Oldest son bought his own place a few years ago and now lives there with gf and a new baby. Youngest son at home. I can do what I like all day every day. Obviously I go to the supermarket a few times a week, do housework and see oldest son when he’s not working. Its bliss

A significant proportion of the 50-64 yr olds out of work now is due to illness or disability.

"being sick, injured or disabled continues to be the main reason why people aged 50 to 64 years are economically inactive in the labour market, with 44.9% of individuals giving this as the main reason"

Obviously as the pension age increases more of the working population will have illness & disability but the narrative on MNs that every 50 something who has retired early is a higher rate tax payer with a stonking private pension is not representative at all.

I retired five years ago aged 55 due to having a SAH (severe brain haemorrhage) I've recovered quite well but after working all my adult life I'm enjoying the finer things in life whilst I can, it's absolute bliss!

Luckily my parents who are both still in their 50s and retired together at 52 and 55 had filled their pension pots so they are both higher rate tax payers…

they also both worked as Drs from age 23 when they qualified (actually 21y11m for my mum who was moved up a year at school and has a July birthday) so they contributed plenty to society.

I'm 50 and lucky enough financially to have given up work.

I love it, am never bored, spend days doing hobbies, going for walks, sitting watching tv, exercising, reading, travel.

I never struggle to fill my days and appreciate how fortunate I am.

I’m a couple years shy of 50 and have just stopped working. I don’t have children, my husband works away every two weeks. The people who really know me definitely haven’t judged and have supported me. Some had even pushed me years ago to quit. Those who do judge - I honestly do not care. The break may or not be temporary but if I do go back to work it won’t be what I was doing (child psychologist).

As for what do I do all day - sometimes read but most exploring London. I grew up in Mile End and now live in Southwark but it’s amazing how much of London I’ve haven’t seen or been to. I’m falling in love with the city and it’s been healing for me.

That's really quite sad, honestly

Absolutely this. The contribution volunteers make to society is worth billions a year - they fill hugely important roles, and often do them better than a paid person would, as they are doing it out of a passion to help others/their area/the environment etc. This is extra true in rural areas - I don't think I have ever seen a police person, street sweeper or any 'officials' in our village - these roles are mainly filled by volunteers who litter pick,run children's groups, food banks, tackle low level anti social behaviour, maintain our parks, bus stops etc.

I would love to be able to do more - I have to work to pay the bills, but if I didn't I wouldn't, I would fill my days with lots of local initiatives - already do girl guides and a school governor, but that's a stretch with 2 young children and a part time job.

Me.

I have a one day a week employed job, I do a few bits outside that day (that they pay me for), I then have freelance work that I can either do or not do. And I do a bit of fettling around for my business which is where my freelance work is, to keep literature up to date etc.

But I have full days doing nothing. Today I've not bothered to get dressed, am catching up on The Traitors. Might do an hour or so if work and I have to type up some minutes fur my volunteer role.

I meet friends for coffee, go for walks, shop etc. I'm not interested in housework so do very little of that. I don't have kids and am not married, have a bf but he doesn't live with me.

Me! Retired at 55... I'm now 61.. my son is grown & lives in Australia My husband has just retired at 63. I love not working... go to the gym & Pilates 2-3 times a week, meet friends for lunch, take my 84 year old mum out one day a week for shopping & lunch. Go into London to the theatre, music events, concerts, etc. I walk, read, have just finished doing a finance course online so I can manage our private pensions & investments. Every day is busy. We are going to Thailand & Australia in December to see our son & other family for 6 weeks (oh and have tickets for the Ashes). Life is good :-)

I have a few days a week like this, as I dropped my hours at work, mid fifties hope to retire at 60.
I totally relax and do things I have chosen to do on my days off, and find I am more refreshed when at work now, so it has improved my work life as well.
We have lots planned for retirement and I plan on winding down from work slowly so it isn't a shock.
As for not paying tax any more, there are plenty of people waiting in the wings for my job, and I will probably pay tax on my pension.
We aren't as needed or important at work as we think. It's important to have things you enjoy outside of work, and to embrace simply existing and making your own meaning in life.

This attitude pees me off.
I paid tax for 51 years of working, and still pay tax now on my pension. Moreover, I now volunteer in four different roles - active parish councillor, volunteer steward at a heritage centre, member of a community land trust, and social coordinator at a sports club. All work done for free enabling current tax payers to feel so superior.
Grow up.

Not picking on the poster in particular. On the opposite scale, I feel really sorry for people who think their purpose is to contribute to the tax system or that the only way of contributing to society is financial. I feel genuine pity for this thought process.

@Wellyoudidaskaboutit That sounds nice but how do you pay your bills?

That's very sad

@Loopylalalou But you have worked - very hard. I think this poster was referring to people who have never worked or barely at all?