To want to retire aged 46?

[imprincesspearl]

I’m not going to before anybody comes at me … but jeez, the thought of another fourteen years working does depress me a bit.

I am a teacher (secondary) and I think I’ve just been doing it for far too long (started in 2002) - I’ve lost motivation and interest. I can’t even really look at different schools as they are all much of a muchness.

I honestly would retire tomorrow if it was possible.

I’m in the NHS same age as you. I’ve had a tough day today and was dreaming about retiring. I was trying to make sense of my pension but I need help.

I logged on to my total reward statement and just stared at it for a bit. I have googled but need an idiots guide to understand it.

Me too. It doesn’t help that I’ve been part time so that confuses matters.

Yes I’ve been part time since 2007

Well, life's not made for anything.

But it's pretty crazy to think that aiming for happiness is expecting too much.

You'd have no teachers pension, until minimum 57 and you'd get peanuts.

She’ll have no teacher pension because she isn’t a teacher 😂

Maybe it's an age thing. I'm mid 40s and I have just changed school after 12 years at the same secondary school. It has certainly kept me on my toes and I'm really enjoying the change.

The new school is SO much better! It's not perfect, and has its own problems, but definitely calmer.

I’m 43 and work in the nhs. I’m planning to slow decrease my days doing that an increase my art until I can make enough from that to replace my nhs income. I’m hoping by the time I’m 50 I’ll be able to waft around being a creative and not burnt out.

I hear you OP! I’m 44 and would retire tomorrow, but obviously can’t. Been teaching 20 years and the thought of another 20 is soul destroying. Just don’t think I’ve got it in me.

Ugh isn’t it. It’s just become so unbelievably boring.

my mom is 67 still working physical cleaning job as she has no/very little private pension due to life circumstances

it sucks

i agree op would be awesome to retire earlier

With your degree and skill set could you consider a slight change of direction and look at teaching in another organisation eg a college or prison etc??My current role takes me into prisons and I’m always impressed by the education departments and the staff working there. It’d certainly be a change of scene!
As a former frontline social worker I agree with a pp who said it might be a bit of a ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’ type scenario for you if you were to retrain for that!

Still teaching though, but for less money.

I could of retired yesterday (!) given half the chance. I'm only 41. I used to enjoy working and doing my bit for society but after years of poor management and leadership where ever I work, I am done. So done. I get quite panicky thinking I have to work for another 20 odd years yet.

I retired 3 years ago at 42. I had my own business and then sold it after lockdown burnout, so I have money in the bank to support me and my family whilst my husband is still working. Everyone said I would get bored and want to go back to work, which I could do if I ran out of money or wanted to. But I don't.

My children are all in school, im there for every meeting, lunch date, assembly, flute concert, whereas before I only ever saw 1 nativity each.

I love my life now. I dont have as much money, but I've looked after me for the last 3 years and lost 5 stone, gym or running every day. All my jobs are done so when the kids get home we have real family time. They eat fresh, healthy meals almost every day so all round, this is the best thing that ever happened to us as a family.

The "husband still working" bit is surely key to your ability to retire so early though? Not sure that's the same thing? 🤔

Surely you're a SAHM rather than retired?

Yes, this!
Bizarre to call yourself "retired" under those circumstances?

Start saving every spare penny, build up 2 years income, retire at 55 and take your pension from 57. Work part-time or supply if you need pocket money afterwards.

Would love to retire! I'm 50 this month. Had my first little job around age 13 and then proper work from age 16 alongside my college course. I've plowed on as a single parent supporting a family on one wage for the last 15 years. I'm pretty done. I just want to have a bit of time to enjoy life but the cost of living is rising so high against wages and I'm only on a low wage as I work in childcare so I don't know if i will ever be able to retire. So depressing. I don't even know what else I could do at this point.

I think the problem is work doesn't pay in the way it did once. You can't live comfortably on one wage and it makes you wonder why you should bother with it.

I’m 43 and already see the appeal of retirement. I loved my job until we had a full exec switch and the culture is now unrecognisable. I also think in your 40s the optimism of your 30s is gone and you see through all the bullshit; and let’s face it, lots of work is bullshit!

for me after being shafted in my last position im ready to retire now and just volunteer as and when

There's the Step up programme. A 14 month accelerated post graduate scheme with the option to top up to MA. It pays about £20,000 whilst you're training with a guaranteed job at the end. Starting salary £35,000+.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/step-up-to-social-work

Only for children and families workers not adults.

I am rather lucky, in that I can technically retire (46). I have had the last year not working and am going to start a fixed term contract soon.

I am lucky in that my lifestyle won’t differ whether or not I work, but I have to admit that lately I have been rather bored (and I do volunteer and am busy pretty much daily).

I think I just realised I am too young not to ‘do’ anything.