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Retirement

Planning your retirement? Join our Retirement forum for advice and help from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Did anyone else have a "fuck it, I'm retiring" moment?

483 replies

MrsMoastyToasty · 25/09/2024 12:47

I'm in my late 50s, mortgage paid off, have worked since the age of 18. I'm so close to jacking my job my job in .

OP posts:
Harassedevictee · 26/10/2024 23:26

That’s great news. Coasting into retirement is the way to do it.

BG2015 · 27/10/2024 07:00

@MrsMoastyToasty that's great news

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 27/10/2024 09:57

I'm planning on handing in my notice after half term. Fed up with being underpaid and under appreciated. Not supported when being sworn at by some parents. Not enough space to do my job & have to keep things in a cardboard box under my desk.
The shame is this time last year I couldn't imagine wanting to retire. I love my job when I am able to get on with it.
Went to the GP this week and she said I was depressed (didn't even consider this a possibility). Advised me to seriously consider retiring before it was too late too long. DH fully supportive with whatever I decide. Not much in my pension pot I'm afraid but we can afford it if we are sensible. I'm 62.

PrincessofWells · 27/10/2024 10:25

TheVofR · 08/10/2024 00:45

Retired at 55 from high paying job that I had been in for 25 years, in my retirement I travelled a fair bit for 3 years (have 5 children and 2 grandchildren and elderly parents, so also busy with them), enjoyed lots about it, got bored at lack of intellectual stimulation, was drifting to be honest,. Have gone back for short term contract of 6 months. Not sure how I feel about it really - but my brain was seizing up, and overall I think I am I'm glad I went back. I don't love the relentless 7am starts, I don't love the fact that I am no longer at the top of my game, and I get tired, and many people that I knew have retired themselves But I am loving the proper work (the intellectual challenge). When I retire again in 4 months time, I think I will treat retirement differently, having just had to work really hard again. In summary, I would say, go if you can, and you can afford it, but don't underestimate what it does to you mentally, and it is not always a good as you might think. Hope this is helpful.

On the other hand perhaps it will be better. I retired at 52, and have travelled the world since - I'm just off to Asia for the winter until March. Retirement really is fabulous providing you have lots of interests and enough money to afford them which we do.

WobblyLondoner · 02/11/2024 08:58

This is a great thread. Very inspiring. I’m 58 and had calculated on working until I was 61, when DS finishes university. I was luckily left some money a few years back that, if we are careful, takes us through to various defined benefit pensions starting to pay out at 65.

BUT then DP was diagnosed with cancer. Slow growing but advanced. I can’t afford to retire now but I’ve reduced my hours so we now have a lovely 3 day weekend.

If I could afford it, I’d retire now like a shot. I’d miss the intellectual stimulation and the buzz but I think I’d be able to find that through other things and I really wouldn’t miss the perpetual stress and anxiety that has got worse as I’ve got older. Lots of office politics where I am and people behaving pretty badly (and somehow just getting away with it).

timetodecide2345 · 02/11/2024 09:19

@PrincessofWells smug much?

PrincessofWells · 02/11/2024 09:25

timetodecide2345 · 02/11/2024 09:19

@PrincessofWells smug much?

Oh yes, I've made excellent life choices especially to enable my life. Worked my bollocks off when I was self employed, invested my money, retrained as a lawyer retired at 52. Loving life ❤️

Yetanothercrazycatlady · 05/11/2024 21:15

Good luck to you, @PrincessofWells . I’m in the fortunate position of having a very healthy pension and a well paid job. But yet another restructure and dick swinging by new management, on top of the pension changes (unspent defined contribution funds taxed for IHT then taxed again) mean I’ll be gone in the new year. I’m 55.

Floofydawg · 05/11/2024 21:41

I'm on week 3 of freedom and loving it. Have never slept so well.

Fatbottomgardener · 06/11/2024 18:25

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 27/10/2024 09:57

I'm planning on handing in my notice after half term. Fed up with being underpaid and under appreciated. Not supported when being sworn at by some parents. Not enough space to do my job & have to keep things in a cardboard box under my desk.
The shame is this time last year I couldn't imagine wanting to retire. I love my job when I am able to get on with it.
Went to the GP this week and she said I was depressed (didn't even consider this a possibility). Advised me to seriously consider retiring before it was too late too long. DH fully supportive with whatever I decide. Not much in my pension pot I'm afraid but we can afford it if we are sensible. I'm 62.

I resigned from teaching after a trip to the GP. I was always worried about exam grades, next set of reports etc. Stressed with blood pressure problems but no more. Retirement is good, certainly since August.

Decencydiedtoday · 09/11/2024 21:01

LornaDuh · 25/09/2024 19:02

But what do you all do on endless rainy days like these? Day after day, week after week.

Read one of hundreds of books...

Decencydiedtoday · 09/11/2024 21:06

User1836484645R · 08/10/2024 08:56

I read somewhere that people make all sorts of plans to do new things in retirement but the reality is that most carry on doing the same things they always have.

Based on my own observations, I think there is some truth in this.

Nope. Whole slew of new things. Studying, writing, exploring. As well as the existing reading writing music and gardening

SmudgeButt · 10/11/2024 16:08

Have just discovered I'm not legally employed! As in my employer doesn't have the right information on file to prove I'm legal!!! Happy to be moving along though I expect they will want to make the paperwork right if only to cover themselves for the last couple of years.

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 26/11/2024 16:33

I've done it!
Handed in my notice today! Finish at Christmas.

So excited I can't wait 🥳

MySaxIsOnFire · 26/11/2024 16:42

Congrats!

Flughafenkoenigin · 26/11/2024 17:49

Congrats @canyouseemyhousefromhere 🎉 Best of luck for what comes next.

tommyhoundmum · 26/11/2024 19:35

Well done!

Alicecatto · 27/11/2024 16:32

Retired in August at 57 and do not regret it one bit. I haven’t slept this well in years and years. No more backache either.

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 27/11/2024 23:54

Alicecatto · 27/11/2024 16:32

Retired in August at 57 and do not regret it one bit. I haven’t slept this well in years and years. No more backache either.

I slept for 10 hours last night, felt refreshed for the first time in ages 😌

StarSwooshSpangles · 28/11/2024 10:24

After I retired I noticed within a year my psoriasis had completely gone . Definitely stress related.

Alicecatto · 28/11/2024 13:05

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 27/11/2024 23:54

I slept for 10 hours last night, felt refreshed for the first time in ages 😌

Show quote history

Yes. I am sleeping soundly, I have a decent appetite, I'm less anxious, I just feel so much physically better. Jobs can take a toll on a person that is for sure. I'm glad you are getting a decent night's sleep.

Alicecatto · 28/11/2024 13:06

StarSwooshSpangles · 28/11/2024 10:24

After I retired I noticed within a year my psoriasis had completely gone . Definitely stress related.

Yup so was my backache and hip pain. All gone. Amazing. Glad your psoriasis cleared up for you.

BG2015 · 28/11/2024 16:44

I have 108 days of work to do before I retire. I've put them on my calendar 😂 that takes me up to the 19th July. I only work 4 days and haven't included weekends and school holidays.

I'm a teacher. Can't wait to get to 2 digit numbers.

BettyBardMacDonald · 28/11/2024 17:12

I'm thinking of next May. A bit of a financial gamble but in my 60s I feel time is running out.

StarSwooshSpangles · 28/11/2024 17:32

BettyBardMacDonald · 28/11/2024 17:12

I'm thinking of next May. A bit of a financial gamble but in my 60s I feel time is running out.

This is how I feel . I keep on at my husband to look into retirement but he won't