Join me in a 2026 retirement countdown

[loveawineloveacrisp]

Next year is the year I'm going to hang up my corporate boots and retire and I can't wait. I'll be 57 and I want to finish just before Christmas, none of that arguing over who's going to cover the Christmas period nonsense.

Not really sure when I should let my boss know. I'm on 3 months notice so I guess that's plenty of time.

Anyone care to join me in a countdown?

Congrats to everyone who has a new countdown!

4 months left for me and I'm in the odd position this week of vetting candidates to be my replacement.

I have the option of going part time (3 days) as a wind down, but very much thinking i'll just take the leap. I don't think I could switch off the days I'm not working and the cover in place is likely to be patchy, so in all likelihood I would end up doing the same amount of work for 60% of the pay! Anyone else have that option and decide to just leap? Still in two minds, but 70% sure I'll be off at Christmas!!

@HUSKYPALI did consider this but like you I concluded that I'd end up doing the same work for less pay. No thanks!

I have reduced to 3 days but it's super rare that I dont work on a fourth day, basically unpaid work.
It does give me some flex if I want to finish a bit early occasionally but I can never take all the time back as there just isn't time.
It's still a senior role so I might get phone calls on way home even if I do leave at 4 😅

Not me this year but I’m finishing April 2028 and already mentally counting down. Need to keep the count down in check because I should not be wishing my life away!

I switched to 3 days and have found I rarely think about work at all now when not working. It's given me a much healthier detachment that I didn't have when working 5 days. I log on, do my hours and, before I know it, it's the weekend again.

To add to that for @HUSKYPAL, I'm very strict about saying "these are my hours/days". Occasionally, because I've got stuck into something, I'll do more hours that day but will claw it back. I don't log on at all on my non-working days. And that is completely understood by my employer re anyone part-time. I guess senior senior senior SLT probably do but I'm not at that level.

You're working for free. Why would you do that?

It's a good question. Some answers:

Short staffed
Chronic "yes" person
Finishing in February
I sill have more flexibility than full time
It's tough in health at the moment

7 months for me or 119 works days, have stacked leave up. So end of March but actually 1 day before my 55th birthday. They don’t know yet.

Ooh a secret plan....🕵‍♀️

So I think I'm going to be asked to stay for a bit longer. No replacement lined up yet. The question is, what do I ask for in return? It has to be worth my while.

I guess that would be what would make it worth your while. V what would they be willing to pay v too much and they’d rather you go.

Just don't get sucked into the ....."one more year"..... cycle.

God no. It would be a month at most. Thinking of asking for a 3 day week for my full time salary 😂 If they're desperate, they might go for it!