Early retirement, did people question your choices?

[Floofydawg]

I'm planning on retiring at the end of this year, by which time I'll be 57. Professional, well paid job. I'm just tired of it all. I'll have a fairly comfortable retirement but I won't be rich. My thinking is that you can't get the time back, but I could always earn a bit more money at some point if I felt I needed to.

When I've told friends and family, some of them are questioning my choices quite hard. Family are very money driven and they can't understand why I would give up a well paid job this young.

If you retired early, did you have people questioning you? Did you regret your choice?

I'm a few years off, but will be retiring as soon as financially viable (hoping 57).

Recently had a few conversations with people in their mid to late 60's who are still working part or full time. Dont need to financially, but there seems to be a bit of a mindset of "i dont know what i would do with myself all day" when subject of retiring comes up.

I think it is definitely a generational thing, everyone i know my age would retire tomorrow if they could.

The only way you would "regret" retiring early is if are not in a financially sound place.

God yes people were very critical. I think mostly it was due to jealousy and/or complete lack of imagination.

I retired at 55. Friends and family just went on and on about how it would age me prematurely, how I’d get bored or become boring, I’d sit in front of the TV all day etc.

I am absolutely loving it. It’s been worth the financial loss just for peace of mind alone. But I have time to do what I want when I want. I get to spend more time with my family which, when you get older, is so so important. I get to provide a bit for childcare which is so good for everyone ( and keeps me on my toes).

So yes, brace yourself for the naysayers..and do it anyway!

I’m 50 and knackered. Hoping to go part-time at 55 by selling my house and downsizing.

Do what you want to do, we all have one life. This is not a dress rehearsal.

Oh lord yes, and they still do! I retired at 56 (coming up for a year now ago now) - zero regrets. You do you OP.

Retiring at 45 do what makes you happy , not everyone has to have an opinion on your life

I want to retire early and will be, once I can afford it. I know I will get flack for it from family and colleagues, but I have loads of ways I want to spend my time without stressful work getting in the way.

I know family will make comments for the simple reason that my younger sibling has already announced they want to retire at 57 and the reaction hasn't been positive, it is all "how well you spend your time", "you have a great job don't give it up". They are in a stronger financial position than the rest of us hence there is some jealousy. One will need to work until state pension age, but although in a low paid job it is very stressful and I wouldn't want to do that at 67.

Not just me then. Bizarre. I'm well aware that people make their own choices but I don't expect mine to be questioned!

It's not universal. I retired at 50, and the most common reaction has been 'Well done!'.

I’m 59 and plan on retiring at 61. Yes I won’t have as much pension but the time is more precious. DH will be 60 when he retires . Just do it.

I was 58, mid-level technical role. Nobody questioned my choice and the usual reaction was envy. One or two people asked whether I missed certain aspects of the job.
i am busier and happier than ever, now reached State Pension age and no regrets.

I am retiring at 57 and cannot wait. Could not care less what others think. There are so many things I want to do when I have the time.

A mix of " ooh I could never" and "I'm jealous". I retired at 55. My main driver was health issues often start to show in your 50 and 60's and I wanted to be able to travel and live life before that. I also lost my dad at 56 and saw a few colleagues never get to retire.
Health and mobility decline with age and restrict what you can do, so I wanted as much time as I could while I am still fit and able.

Not retired but left a very stressful job last year at 49. The reaction has been split some aee supportive some not. However i was the one having panic attacks.
I overheard a woman in tbe street yesterday saying life is too short to be miserable.
Like others Ive also lost collegues who died young.
I think alot of people have their self worth wrapped up in their job.
Tbf if you take your occupational penstion at 57 youll get the most out of it.
Until recently it was nornal for women to retire at 60.

Retire as soon as it's financially viable. Work to live, not live to work. I retired at 60, the only thing I regret is not going earlier.

Nobody questioned why I retired at 60 after 39 years of teaching. I did plenty of calculations and was able to live on my small teachers pension ( lots of my years were part time when I had 3 small children quite spread out) and small amount of savings with mortgage finished. So 6 years before state pension arrived. I couldn’t have done it if I was paying housing costs.
I missed my busy job for approximately one week.
I’ve never been bored or watched TV all day
As someone else said, life is not a dress rehearsal. If you find hate retirement you could always work part time in another role or volunteer.

I'm early 53, planned since 50 to finish next summer when I'll be 55, but for the last 18 months I've been considering finishing sooner.

I've recently had a breast cancer diagnosis, and while it has been removed and I'll hopefully be okay, it has solidified my intentions and I'm 95% certain that I'll be handing in my resignation at the end of this month.

I've had lots of people questioning as to what I'll do with myself (I have lots of plans).
In the main these are either much younger or older.
Those my own age are positive, and envious - albeit aware that the circumstances which have made it a possibility for me aren't to be envied.

I can see why that would make you want to leave earlier. Hope it all turns out ok for you.

We are going at 55 at the end of this year. No one has really questioned it. I think people know we are good earners, have inherited in the past couple of years and have lost parents early in tragic circumstances. We also holiday regularly already. Tomorrow is not promised. It’s a no brainer.

Many people who do this don’t have enough coming in when prices go up though. What seems ok at 55, isn’t great at 75. Some people also enjoy work. Lots will think working for just over 30 years if you have had a free degree, isn’t much in terms of contribution and young people would be justifiably jealous.

i dont understand it personally,

No. My husband retired at 56, and I retired at 60. Nobody questioned our choices because most of our friends are in jobs that permit retirement at 55+, so many of them have done the same.

Having had a close friend diagnosed with dementia at 55, and dying by age 63, I strongly believe that if we are lucky enough to be able to retire early, we should make the most of whatever time is left.

I had criticism along the "you're too young" line (mostly from my mother who has almost never supported me in anything!) Unfortunately the nuggets of selfdoubt etc that she planted in me from an early age then bore fruit, and I got so anxious about somehow being "punished" for "not working hard enough" that I ended up seeking help for that anxiety. (Thanks Mum).

However I retired anyway, age 58, and have never looked back! It helps that I have an index linked pension, and I've never been a profligate spender so my retirement income is more than adequate.

On a separate note, some random OLD asked a retired friend of mine, in genuine bemusement, "How do you fill your time? Do you just do housework all day?" 😂(he didn't get a second date!)

Depends on the type of pension, though?. I have a modest pension of £14k which goes up each year with the CPI. Have been retired 4 years now, 5 years to go until state pension age.

I actually don't spend that much money. Once the mortgage is paid off and there are no work related expenses it is surprising how little one needs. I can't do three holidays abroad a year or anything like that, but am comfortable and content.

I need loads of money and I’m not frugal. Couldn’t live on that! I don’t want to scrimp and save and many don’t get index linked pensions that are gold plated. It’s well know loads of people totally underestimate inflation and living costs after early retirement.