So tired of my job…

[FabulousFreshias]

So ready to retire… anyone else done it at 55?
I’m an SLT in a school and honestly feel completely worn down. The constant parental complaints, second-guessing everything, and the feeling that one tiny mistake could blow up is really getting to me. My anxiety is through the roof at the moment even though, logically, I know I’m doing my job well (and then some… the hours I do are crazy).
I’ll be 55 next year and hope to retire and and find something part-time and not in education. I’m seeing a financial advisor this week and think it might is doable, but it still feels like a huge leap. I think I could manage without a job, but would prefer to have a part-time job just to keep the luxuries going!!
I don’t want to wish my life away, but I also don’t think I can carry on like this much longer.
Has anyone retired (or semi-retired) around this age? What did you move into? Did you regret it or was it a relief?
Would really appreciate hearing others’ experiences.

I retired from teaching at 55 in 2023, also SLT.
I felt exactly like you-burnt out, exhausted and fed up.
I loved so many aspects of the job but the pressure was relentless and I began to resent all the work I had to do at home in the evenings and weekends. I was also Senco which was a full time job in itself!
I used a chunk of my lump sum to pay off the mortgage and credit card and had a few months off before thinking about next steps. I decided to give exam invigilation a go and it’s been great. Tops up my pension and pays for treats/holidays.

Luckily my husband has a good police pension-I wouldn’t have been able to retire otherwise but if you can afford it, I’d say go for it. I haven’t looked back!

Also, forgot to say-being able to take holidays in term time is AMAZING-the novelty still hasn’t worn off!

I retired from Social Work at the age of 58, so a bit older than you, but my reasons were similar. The job I was doing was so far removed from the one I went into that it was unrecognisable.

My mortgage was already paid off and my outgoings can be modest, but I had a session with a Financial Adviser before I made the final decision and that clarified for me that I could afford to leave, so I did 😎

If you can afford it then go for it!🙂
I retired at 57 (not teaching) and am loving my life.

I would never recommend retiring if you are then going to be struggling financially as that in itself is going to cause stress but if the numbers add up then do it.

Another option is to retire but take on some PT work in a completely different field, to give you both a purpose and for income.
My OH is 3yrs younger than me but left his job at the same time as me and since then has been working a couple of days a week in a minimum wage job and really enjoys it.

Look for the Adventures after Teaching FB group, there's lots of advice and job opportunities there. There's also someone on LinkedIn who does a weekly post of jobs suitable for ex teachers, unfortunately I can't recall who just now.

I'm almost 58 and still working full time (school SLT and inclusion lead) as is DH, aged 61. I've told him two more school years and I'm done.

I think if you did that it would be better to go to another school. But even teaching is very stressful, you could do anything if all you need is extra income to top up your pension.

Very envious of all you teachers etc able to get your DB pensions early. Others of us that are feeling jaded and past it in our jobs have to keep going for ever it seems.
Enjoy your freedom.

@Takeittotheboss it is a very welcome perk. I believe NHS staff and civil servants also benefit from this too. It's soon to change though to 57, depending on when you were born. Still a great benefit but I do feel the retirement age from certain sectors will continue to creep up.

So grateful that I could benefit from it though.

Private sector as well, it was a common thing with DB pensions (especially after compolsury retirement at a set age was outlawed).

Certain groups in the NHS used to be able to retire at 55 but the pension system has changed hugely. Even those with very physical jobs will have to continue to 67 at some stage. There’s a complicated tapering process.
I found it helpful to say to myself, just do another few months, just do until Christmas, just another few weeks and so on. I clocked up a further four years doing that which were valuable pension contributions. I now work in much lower paid jobs with no responsibilities but am so much happier and I sleep better. Good luck.

@Takeittotheboss alas for younger teachers or those new into the Teacher Pension Scheme or for other public sector schemes the rules have changed (unless you happen to be an MP). Some private schemes also were very generous but doors closed to new entrants long ago.

I know a couple of people who were in old BT and BP private sector pension schemes who have done/ are doing very well. And again the schemes which followed don’t have the same level of benefits.

The big issue is for people who are 50 and below. I wouldn’t be surprised if the pension age increased to 70 - so our kids (anyone under 30) will be working for longer and for less.

Thanks to all the posters who responded to me. I hope I wasn't coming across as negative towards those with DB schemes....all power to them, I pleased some have the opportunity to make the decision to retire when the time is better for them rather than having to slog it out to an external agenda. It's just that I feel like most of us are bound to the latter path now and subsequently I don't see many posts from non DB holders.

I hear you re social work, the actual work is so much more complex with higher case loads and no resources. And everyone seems to think they know what you should be doing and has an opinion about it.

I’m younger than you but moved out of practice to a social work adjacent role - the work is interesting, carries no risk and I finish on time. Not ready for retirement yet but I’d be burnt out had I stayed in practice.

Definitely worth checking how much a month your pension will give you after early withdrawal penalties and remember the taxman will have 1/5 of everything above the basic allowance!
Once you have seen how much a month you will actually get on your hand and what your lump sum is worth, you can actually see if you can retire " cold turkey" or if you will need a part time job to top up.
Regarding dropping down to main scale, personally I wouldn't do down that route. IMO you would have all the same issues with students and parents that you are having now, but with even less power and influence to resolve them.
Once you have worked out your financial situation though there is nothing to stop you looking for a part time role in any field that might appeal.
Just being in control and having a plan might well improve your stress levels.
It's a big leap into the unknown. I did it a year ago at aged 62 and haven't regretted it for a moment even though I have a lot less spending power.
I do think a good IFA is worth their fee even if you just use them as a one off to work out a cash flow plan for you andaybe review where you have your savings
Make sure your partner ( if applicable) is on board with you at each stage too.

I am 55 and a series of circumstances - voluntary redundancy from long term finance role, only DC of aging DPs with multiple health issues and a fixed term maternity contract in a stressful environment - meant that I have transitioned from a career to a 3 day a week clerical role. It’s great - gets me out of the house ( DH has retired recently), gives me a bit of structure and purpose and I earn some ( not loads ) of money so I can preserve my pensions until at least 60 for a better return.
I tried not working- tbh I was too stressed due to DPs and work burnout to apply for much or interview well - but it wasn’t for me just yet.

The only real downside of the job is I get minimal holidays and DH wants to go away more. The UK I have got round by suggesting long weekend breaks and for abroad, short mini breaks.

I'm 60 and still working as a full time teacher in year5/6. I am utterly exhausted , every evening i come home and nap on sofa for at least an hour. Unfortunately i cannot afford to retire until I' m 65 so i have just come to terms with doing this. Parents, behaviour and workload marr what used to feel like a great job. The cost of living just seems to be going up and up and for various reasons retirement needs a certain figure and I am just focused on getting there in one piece.

This is me!

That sounds really tough. I don’t know when you started teaching but have you checked out the teacher to teacher Facebook page? If you joined the scheme before a certain date it is advantageous to take your pension at 60 even if you continue working – might just be worth you checking this out?

You didn’t come across as negative– it’s frustrating that when we start our careers we don’t think about Pensions at all! I am lucky to have quite a lot of my Service in an earlier, more beneficial pension scheme. People who joined the profession more recently than I did won’t have the choice that I have at 55.

Thanks, good advice here! I know I would be taking a 20% cut in my pension compared to what I would get at 60, plus obviously wouldn’t be contributing to it for a further five years but I hope I would be able to get a part-time job out of teaching. I think you are right that if I stepped back to a class teacher post. I might just find it frustrating that I didn’t have the influence to deal with issues.

I can absolutely understand the stress is social workers face – I work with them a lot in my role and I’m full of admiration for them

That’s exactly it, there are so many aspects that I love but I’m really resenting the additional work I have to do. I am going to be brave and speak to my headteacher about it next week.

Student Welfare Officer here. Have only been in the job for 2.5 years but the last year has see such a massive change I'm desperate to get out.

I've had over 100 students through the first aid room yesterday and today, probably over half using it as an excuse to get out of class.

But we're also dealing with a massive rise in mental health issues that we have little support in dealing with and a massive lack of resilience in kids and parents who just take the path of least resistance constantly.

I'm hoping to relocate later this year so I can reduce my mortgage and do something lower stress and ideally part-time.

Several posters have suggested seeing IFAs. Where do you find good ones, and are they expensive?

@FabulousFreshias I could have written your OP. I'm 56, SLT and SENCo and so utterly wrung out. If you can afford it go for it. My Easter task is to properly look at my pension forecast. I think I'm stuck though as I had some years working part-time and we have five more years of DC at university to support.
I'm so stressed though it's showing itself with physical symptoms. I've been teaching for 34 years and it's never been this hard. Ofsted due next year and all of the SEND White Paper to deal with. Honestly don't think that I can do it. I don't want to give up work completely but I don't think that I can do this. My parents are aging and I want to support them more, my DC have missed out due to the ridiculous hours I work and poor DH does far too much of the necessary stuff around the house. It's impossible.
@ExBert80 asked about financial advisors, I'd also like to know how to find a decent one.