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 😅

This is me. Almost 60, and haven't worked since the pandemic. (So, I was 54 last time I worked.) I don't claim any benefits and have a savings account that has an amount in the mid 5 figures. I also have a small private income. DH still works and earns quite well, and we have no mortgage. No DC at home (both grown and independent/own home.)

So we have low outgoings and a decent income. DH doesn't resent me not working, but wishes he could finish work too. He will very likely do so in a couple of years though - 3 or so years earlier than the 'state retirement age.'

I worked for almost 40 years, half of that in a high-earning job, and I paid plenty of bloody tax thank you very much (to the ones implying that it's a disgrace to not be a taxpayer.) 🙄

I am never EVER bored.

I spend time in the garden, I love the garden. It's a big corner plot and keeps me very busy from March to October.

I go for walks 4-5 times a week (rural, countryside areas near the river and the canal, and miles and miles of fields and woodlands.)

I am an amateur photographer, and spend a few hours a week taking photos.

I am interested in the sky at night, and love astronomy (and have a telescope,)

I like to go birdwatching.

I enjoy swimming - I go 4-6 times a month, and occasionally wild swimming.

I read (books) and I write (stories.)

I go for drives to the beach, or a city, or nature reserve, or I meet up with my adult DC, or a friend.

I attend an art group in my village once a week.

Some of the stuff I do with DH, but sometimes on my own. Depends if he's working. A few of the things I do with friends or adult DC.

If I have my way, I will never ever work again. (Doubt I will need to.) And I am not doing volunteer work either. I am far too busy with my hobbies and interests, and my social life. I also have no grandchildren yet. I'm sure I will find the time to help my DC when/if they have children, (they have no plans to anytime soon,) but right now, I would struggle to fit in looking after any grandchildren.

I do know a couple of women who live near me, (close to my age,) who are have to work, and are extremely puzzled and very annoyed that I have not worked since I was 54, and 'cannot fathom' how I can do this, and how I managed to retire at 54! One of them has asked outright where I get my income from, and I have told her I don't wish to discuss private financial matters. Nosey mare! 😆

But yeah, whilst some people just can't imagine 'not working' there are some others who work and don't want to - but have to, who are deeply resentful of people who retired in their early-mid 50s (or younger!) I don't 'fear judgement' from people. IDGAF what they think. 😆

I find it bizarre that some people would be bored, and are 'dreading retirement.' Open your mind a bit, there's LOADS of stuff you can do. Stuff that is certainly much more fun that working for the man!

As @arcticpandas said, as that old saying goes.. 'Only boring people get bored!'

I think you hit a raw nerve with this comment @arcticpandas 😆 IME is it true though.

I disagree 😏

I don't think being bored in the sense a child might use the word (literally not knowing what to do with the current short block of time and being unhappy about it) is an issue for averagely resourceful adults.
It's likely a more existential long term groundhog day sense of "is this all there is?" if you retire and don't take on a new unpaid "job" (like a hefty volunteer commitment which really is a genuine commitment, not something you cancel when you just don't feel like it) while still fairly young but without above average financial resources to do lots of travel or be deeply invested in a big way in time demanding hobby or set up some other exciting venture.

Most adults could fill their days without being bored moment to moment, but after a year or five years of "pottering" whilst still only mid fifties, the prospect of that being "all there is now" is just existentially unfulfilling to many people.

There are plenty of ways to live a fulfilling life without paid work, but it generally still involves working in the wider sense - not for money, but doing something with purpose beyond filling time by stretching out little personal domestic routines and pass-times you used to fit into an hour in the evening. People who are unwell might have no choice but to live that way, but that doesn't mean they want to, they have to.

Retiring whilst still young and healthy intending just to potter rather than actually do something does sound unfulfilling after the novelty wears off. I think boring is shorthand for all that, not lack of imagination/ inner resources.

Not necessarily. You can draw your pension up to maximum salary before tax plus take 25% tax free on top monthly. Plus a person could have pots of savings to use as they wish.

The 'retired' contribute heavily towards the £170 Billion in VAT collected last year - on top of decades of paying income tax and NI. No guilt here; not worked for 7 years and lovin it!

Rubbish! I’m retired at 55. Worked full time since 16 and have paid taxes. I’m going to enjoy the rest of my life with no work stress and doing as I please. It’s the best feeling in the world waking up to a day stretching ahead where you can absolutely do as you wish. No shame. No regrets here.

No, of course I don't think those things - I am in the real world, having left school at 16 and worked full time for many years in low-paid and fairly unskilled jobs until I became a full-time mum to twins. I don't know what your point is. I was trying to say to the OP that lounging around all day is not necessarily the great life it may seem, as I found out when my DC stopped needing me so much. At which time I re-trained and then started a business doing something I'm good at and which helps people, which is satisfying.

I gave up my career in STEM to follow Dh’s international job, in my v early 40’s. We lived in some fab places and dc have loved it. They are now at uni or last yr sixthform.

I taught/tutored English p-t for a while but stopped during the pandemic and never went back. We sold our London house 2 years ago and bought one in a beautiful but cheaper area. We put the leftover cash in high interest accounts in my name and I pay tax on that. I also have a final salary pension from my working days.

Today I’ve done nothing but grocery shop, walk the dog, plan dinner, laundry, clean bathrooms, buy bits for my hobby. It’s lovely and I enjoy my own company. I do DIY on our new ‘project’ house. It’s 200 yrs old and I’m happily planning the restoration in keeping with a historical house.

I volunteer two mornings and one evening a week with vulnerable adults.

I’m 51 now and never been happier. Dh still works but he’s planning on retiring soon, he’s late 50’s and has enjoyed his career but suddenly has had enough and misses us as he’s away a lot.

I do feel a bit sad about my career but we couldn’t manage that and the life we’ve had so I have no regrets.

@Londontown12 It's basic maths really.

Defined Contribution - maybe you need a better financial advisor 😉

No! £4000 per month. No tax paid!
£16k from per year from pension and tax free cash and the rest from my ISA which is 100% tax free! Seriously it’s not this hard to understand. Get an IFA

Financial services PM

thank you. Yes holidays gym hobbies before I get too old!
sorry to hear about your husband. I’ve had cancer and want to make the most of things as no one knows what’s around the corner

Because OP asked for information from anyone who doesn't work full time, and has days like this. So it does apply to part time people

Several of my friends; they had high powered local government jobs or nursing. Their pensions are good. I’m an OAP now and they keep asking when I’m retiring?

What I’ve loved the most about these responses is the desire to truly enjoy life after fifty — without regrets or guilt. Just existing without pressure, and finally reaping what we’ve sown. Reading so many comments filled with joy, freedom, and hope has been incredibly uplifting 💖

Actually if the husband was a millionaire making millions he would be paying shed loads more in tax than a couple with separate jobs on basic wages !
so I think your basic math isn’t mathing 🤣

Does your OH love it?

Yes! He retired the year before I did

Maybe slightly different scenario but I’m 50 completed retraining studies and got seriously sick so couldn’t work. I’ve recovered now (for the most part) and can’t find work as my retraining ended a few years ago and not recently. I don’t do nothing but I feel so useless and unproductive as if o do nothing. My partner earns enough we can survive but I want my contribution to be more than housewife. I still have kids in school and I’ve signed up to volunteer so it’s not really nothing but it’s not the life I’d want. I think retirement will be so boring, if I live that long I’m dreading the boredom.

Unless you're on benefits or living on the breadline you still pay tax on whatever income you're getting , working or not

I have and do

It's a bit sad if you only think you're valued by work. You can volunteer as I do. Plus enjoy my life not having the constraints brought on by work. Incidentally I still pay tax and have throughout, never been on maternity leave and please this isn't a criticism but I've had to work hard. Therefore I deserve to spend my time as I want. Also hope you can when and if you want.

Absolutely not! I need a purpose to get up in the morning and be in routine.just to socialise and see people,even though i struggle like hell with asthma constant colds and b12,fibromyalgia and adenomyosis.plus I need the money.