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?

Think of it as an opportunity. I went through the same 18 months ago. Decided I wasn't quite ready to give up work and found something better after a few months off.

Is anyone having a wobble because of the stock market dropping? I've lost about 2% of my pension pot. 🙁

I’ve got 2 more years to go - and I’m already counting down the days!

@loveawineloveacrispis everything in equities or have you moved some out into other investments? Do you know how you’re planning to use the cash (annuities etc.)? I did see how amazing the annuity rates are now compared to a few years ago! So annoying that it has to be timed well

@Booooooooom I leave the two pension fund managers to the investments. I think it's fairly de-risked as I've got my planned retirement date for 3 years time. Hopefully it'll recover. Was thinking of drawdown rather than annuity as it's more flexible.

I retired 6 months ago and I’m loving it! Well, I actually retired two years ago at 59 and took my TP then went back 3 days a week for 18 months before retiring completely. The step down was good as it reassured me that I was ready to go and that there are plenty of things to do!
Obviously everyone’s situation is different, but I am managing to do lots of stuff and not run out of money!

I'l like to join please! I was given the option of redundancy and grabbed it with both hands - I'm been with them quite a while so it's a decent enough amount. My official end date is 31st March, but I have a little bit of holiday left so my final day is 26th March, less than 3 weeks to go!
I'm 58, and will be taking my pension early and also grabbing the lump sum, so that along with the redundancy should see me through till state pension age.

Just slightly worried about what I'll be doing from April - but we're getting the house on the market to downsize and go mortage free, so all that should keep me occupied for a while at least.

Has anyone else thought about doing a degree? I've been toying with the idea - if your degree starts before 60 then you're entitled to a student loan for the length of the degree, and with my income being significantly less the repayments would be pretty small. I'd be entitled as I've not done one before.

@loveawineloveacrisplots of time to recover. I’ve also been checking the value more and more. I just hope they don’t change the state pension before I get there as it’s such a key part of my pension planning.

I'm retiring at the end of this year, not in 3 years. I just set my retirement age higher so as not to de-risk too much. Still time to recover do you think?

May I join? I am about 5 months behind you. I plan to retire in June 2027, when I turn 55. No chance of being offered redundancy, more likely they will try and persuade me to stay until the end of the year at least, but unless they give me a massive pay rise, it is not happening.

We paid off the mortgage yesterday and will have enough for 2 years school fees saved by November. Husband is younger than me, so he will work for a couple more years until 57. His salary is plenty to support us so I won't draw my pension until he retires too, so hopefully the markets recover before 2029!

I cannot wait.

Hi @PersimmonsAreNotTheOnlyFruit , sounds line you have a great plan!

I've recently brought my own retirement plan forward. I work for an organisation that's making so many massive mistakes and I've lost the drive to problem solve for them anymore. I think I'm burned out. I may work again, but at the moment I plan to stop in December with no promise of working later on. I want to hibernate for a few months, relax, do some things around the house, I want to get bored and have the energy and drive to do something. I've never wished away a year of my life more than I am this year. Does anyone have any tips on how they're managing if they are finding it tough?

I'm finding it tough. I'm having to force myself to just not care as much, also treating myself to nice things while I'm still earning helps. That luxury candle? Fuck it, I might not be able to afford that next year so I'm having it. Enjoy the extra cash while you can and rise above the work politics.

@Jumpingjuly we might be retirement date twins? June 2027

Although my finance review wasn't great. He thought I ought to continue for a further year 😞 Added to the slump in the markets at the moment it's not great.

I feel quite scared of stopping work for lack of income (due to a bad divorce settlement I've had to rebuild my finances and but now earn a decent salary) however my work is very stressful and I don't find time for myself so I know I need to slow down.

Is anyone in the same boat - single and nervous of the jump?

I'm not single @Unijourney hope you find a fellow traveler re the retirement journey, but I am anxious. I should be fine, and I should be happier and less stressed and better rested, etc. , etc., but it is stressful walking away from a job. I can pick up a bit of work later on if needed, but it's not the same. I'm so fed up and burned out, just tired of it all.

5 working days to go. I feel like it will be a bit of an anti climax and no one really cares. Still looking forward to doing all the things I am putting off until I'm officially retired.

It's to think I will need to change my mindset from working and saving to spending those savings, especially as DH is not retired and currently has no plans to despite being 5 years older than me.

I only have 2 days to go now.
Belatedly yesterday I was told about an alternative job , but decided it’s not really suitable. Going to take the (not huge but better than nothing) money and run

How exciting. Nearly there.

I know someone who did the Art degree they would have liked to do at aged 18, between 60 and 62 years of age. Went to her degree exhibition, poignant as it was one of the last outings I had with my mum who had known her since she was aged 8.

Do it.

I am finally going to be learning Welsh.

@BridgeBurners2ndArmy Just wanted to let you know that, at present, we believe Tuition Fee Loans won't be available for people aged 60 or over for courses that start from Jan 2027. You can Google the ironically named 'Lifelong Learning Entitlement' to read about the changes we're expecting in higher education student funding.

Can I join please? Am in wind down mode but with no fixed date for retirement sadly. Currently working retail 3 days a week and one day with grandkids.
I suspect I’m in a very different position to many on here.
I turn 60 next month and two of my pensions from years ago kick in, giving me a significant boost in income and a lump sum which is earmarked for a return trip to Australia next year with a couple of extra weeks in China added on, so excited!
As my current income is so low, I will actually be no worse off when my state pension begins at 67 so as long as I can manage 2 days a week until then I should be fine, have already broached it with my manager and am going to trial 2 days a week over summer. Can’t be sure I’ll be physically able to last to 67 but I enjoy my job and they know my limitations. Planning to save most of the extra as a cushion in case my body fails me completely (fibromyalgia) and I have to go early.

Good to know, thanks. The degree I'm thinking of is at a uni that would be likely to have enough space and not fill up the course before September, so I'll have some time to think about how well I handle all that free time!

Can I join please? I was planning to Retire in Jan 27 but a Voluntary Early Exit scheme came up at work! I applied, was successful. I’m out at the end of September! 👐👐👐

Congratulations! In my very recent experience the time goes very quickly, I've just got a week left now! People at work are panicking how they'll manage, but tbh I've done loads of handover stuff and documentation, and I won't give a shit after next Thursday. Although to be fair I don't give a shit now either.

Thank you BridgeBurner!

My job has been so stressful - I feel so relieved! I have loads of leave to take too so I’m sure it will fly!

I think my boss may be suspecting I'm making a move, he's just given me a hefty pay increase!

@loveawineloveacrisp great news, even if it is only short term. I asked for a big uplift to align with external benchmarking and got refused. Told my manager I would be considering my options.

I installed a countdown timer on my desktop earlier this week. I need to find one with a minute/second option. Hours moves too slowly! 🫣

28 days to go to semi retirement. I’ve lined up a small, local part time job just for some structure. Handed in my notice today.
decided life’s too short.