Chickened out of retirement

[PupInAPram]

I was intending to retire this September. Instead I'm going to go part time. I'll be close to 64. I realised when the time came to send the email to HR that I'm terrified of the thought of being 'unemployed'. Anyone else felt this way on retirement? I do think I'll have the best of both worlds, but at some point, I've got to go!

Just to add some experiences from family and friends of retirement.
It's better to go a bit early and than a bit late.
A few people I know have stayed on and developed poor health immediately on retirement. Then the first year or so of their time off is spent getting treatment etc so they don't get time to build the post retirement life they dreamed of. Time passes and it just seems harder to get going.
I've know a few that have gone a bit earlier. Some have retired and after a year or so, take up a little work one day a week. Most don't, but develop great hobbies and travel.
Honestly I know which version I'd prefer!

I'm following with interest.
Almost 58 and dropped 60 hour weeks 18 months ago to normal hours.
I get bored though and a bit down with so much free time as I had to give up driving.
Sometimes I think when will I retire as my DM and df both got cancer early 60 s and 70.
I think I will see it as being on the scrap heap somehow.
On the other hand my work colleagues won't include me so something v part time maybe the answer.

I am going this year. At age 50 having worked since I was 16.

Life is too short and you don't know how many healthy years are left. Having seen people struggle with their health or die whilst working I am more than happy to retire. If I decide to do a bit of work later on then there is always that option.

Interestingly it's not the thought of being 'unemployed' that scares me but the thought of leaving it too late to retire.

Life is too short

Well yes, but it can seem awfully long for some if they retire at 50 and have 30 plus years to fill.

And I guess those are the people who don't retire.

But it's interesting that you assume everyone will have 30+ years to 'fill'.

I don't know anyone in their 70/80s that are not struggling with some type of illness and my DM never did make it very far and spent years struggling with cancer.

I am front loading my retirement whilst I still have my mental and physical health. I have planned financially and mentally for a long time and am downsizing as well because a lot of people struggle with maintaining a large house and garden later in life.

Planning is key but if you are that person who cannot think of anything more terrible than not working in paid employment then I can understand how frightening the thought of retirement might be. Me on the other hand is excited to be coming towards a new stage of my life.

Stuff arrives to fill the vacuum. DH is moaning about how much there is to do now he's retired (I shifted a lot of the mental load onto him). The last 5 years have flown by.

But it's interesting that you assume everyone will have 30+ years to 'fill'

Statistically they will.

I don't take it for granted as my DM died young and DF shortly after retirement.

if you are that person who cannot think of anything more terrible than not working in paid employment then I can understand how frightening the thought of retirement might be.

Whoa! Don't be so touchy! I can think of lots of worse things.

DH and I enjoy our jobs, our evenings, weekends and holidays. Neither would've wanted to retire at 50 or 60 but wish you luck in doing what you want with your life

Think you’re quite right, OP, if retirement doesn’t suit you. Not at all sure retirement is good for people unless they stay very active both mentally and physically.

I retired at 50 and am 60 this year. The last 10 years have been a whirlwind of home renovation, growing my own, travelling and camping, going to college to learn a new skill, volunteering, starting up two little 'businesses' for beer money, making my garden, enjoying life with my dog, spending time with old friends and making new ones, painting, cooking, wild swimming, hiking, going to the cinema, theatre, galleries and much more.

I never struggle to fill my time and please God I live another 20 years as I have so many more plans of things I want to do.

The key questions to ask yourself before you retire are a)can I afford to live within my means? and b)what will I do with the precious time I free up?
If you can answer both of those to your own satisfaction then honestly, it can be the most golden time of your life.

I retired last October and no regrets at all.

Admittedly I spent a couple of years weighing up the pros and cons and did a pre-retirement course but in the end a combination of changes within my workplace and an unexpected inheritance meant it was a no-brainer.

I have signed up for some online classes, am learning Spanish and do various puzzles and read a lot so I reckon my brain is getting more of a work out than doing the same tasks days over within the workplace. I walk my dog every morning and also do the odd exercise class. Make sure I do something social at least once a week and am getting away each month, either a holiday/weekend with DH or visiting friends and relatives .

I am so much happier than this time last year.

Great thread. Im 51. Your right life is short. Im lucky help on school bus so alot of days off. My dad had no retirement as health was awful. You would hope you could enjoy life once retired.

I went down to 3 days at 55, at 57 when voluntary redundancy was offered I went. No regrets at all, I am genuinely one of those people who say "I don't know how I had time to work". My days are filled with looking after the house, caring for elderlies, walking the dog, volunteering, visiting DD, meeting friends etc. All the things I did whilst I was working but without the stress of 36 hours (then 24) sat at my desk on top.