Going part time when childfree

[EnterFunnyNameHere]

Hi folks,

I'd be interested in others' opinions on this.

DH & I are both good earners and not really big spenders, so doing fine. We don't have kids and don't plan to have any, so have no outgoings in that regard.

As a result, we could afford for me to go part time, but I'm really struggling to decide whether to do it.

Reasons for:
Work is stressful & life is short!
We can afford it without significant paring back of lifestyle.
DH all for it on my behalf.

Reasons against:
Whilst DH is keen, I worry eventually he'd resent it on some level, or just feel guilty that I would be getting an easier life.
How can you ever be sure you'll have enough for retirement/future? Should I be working when I can to build up funds?
I suspect on some level it will be viewed negatively at work, as most people go part-time to look after their DC, so worried it will make me look less committed to my career.

I never thought I'd be in so much angst - I'm in a position to make my life so much easier but don't seem to be able to reconcile myself to just do it!

Any help to get my head straight, or thoughts on either side of the argument??

I don't disagree with this necessarily, but many people (my DM included) die before they get to retire - and not through putting off retirement... so I sort of feel like I should live in the moment a bit more if I can!

@EnterFunnyNameHere 300k is considered to be the minimum for retirement. If you want to be able to eat out, holiday etc you would need more.

Thanks - is that the minimum at the point of retirement? I'm assuming so but might be showing my ignorance!

I don't have £300k at present, but even on 4days a week I would expect to have this by the time I retired (I think, I would need to actually calculate it!).

You don’t have to have children to justify working part time. You are allowed to ask regardless of your domestic situation. I reduced a few years ago to a 4 day week but work and extra half hour a day so a slightly smaller pay cut . I figured I would rather have time now when I have good health and work for longer. Jfdi - you only get one go at this

Absolutely, nothing is guaranteed and you need a balance of living for the now vs the future. We did consider one or both of us not reaching retirement when we decided this as DP's family have a cancer gene and we've lost a few of them young. If one of us was to become ill or stressed at work etc the fund we're squirreling away for retirement could come in handy and we may reassess as we get older. You've got to do what feels right for you.

I’m a believer in making hay while the sun shines. If you are ok in your job then I’d keep going and save what you can, you never know what the future holds and if either you or DH can no longer work earlier than your planned retirement you might be grateful for the extra savings.
That said if you are only suggesting a 10% drop in hours and your nest is nicely feathered and resilient to an unforeseen drop in income (for either of you) then yes I’d reduce hours.
But only you can say whether the hay to be made while that sun shines is extra savings, or more free time.