Teaching burnout at 61 and wondering how others manage until retirement

[Nefar]

61 years old and because I started teaching late in life , I have to work until 65 to get a half decent pension . Thing is, I am exhausted and beginning to feel burnt out. Started my 23rd year at school this week and so done in already. Can i really go another four years without keeling over? I am very fit and healthy . Incidently, didn't start contributing to teachers pension until 2013 so my retirement age is 65 to collect career average. I am the bread winner and life in South East is so expensive ( same for everywhere , I know). Am I being realistic to think I can do the early starts and fullfil stressfull expectations for another 4 yrs? Anyone else limping on ?

Goodness OP. I would take the reduction and run for the hills. Could you downsize, could you go and live in Thailand, take a lodger, do tutoring, live more frugally - god knows something rather than grind out for more years feeling done.

Great that you are fit and healthy - get out while that’s still true!

I don't know the answer, I wish I did. I have been teaching for 35 years but 14 of those were part time and we couldn't afford to pay in avcs. Plus I've still got my youngest DC to support through university. I'm a SENCO with class responsibility for the support base class and the whole school has children with lots of need. I work 55-60 hours every week and I'm exhausted. And we're due Ofsted this year. I feel totally trapped. Feeling close to tears every time I actually pause to think. So no answers but solidarité.

I am same age been teaching 15 years, I have literally just started a new Pastoral position last week in same establishment. It was a very long week even though it was a bank holiday so I totally get what you mean. I am a single parent last child just completed uni, starts a graduate job this week, doing a long commute for 6 months so he will need support too.
I can't see me retiring until 67, fortunately I'm also in good health but it feels like all work and early nights otherwise I can't function Monday to Friday.
I wonder what our health will be like if we continue at this rate. We are the governments guinea pigs for working till 67, ridiculous 🙄. I will retire sooner if it gets too much and will just be totally skint!

I retired after 29 years aged 56. I realised I could retire from teaching but not from work so now I do 2-3 days supply, pick my day and year groups, refuse the work if I don't want to go or have something else on.

Luckily we downsized so have no mortgage. My pension is under £20k but we are making it work. I plan on working another 2- 3 years then I sHall finish completely and start pulling on my lump sum (invested in ISA's and a SIPP) to bridge the gap to 67 and state pension.

I couldn't have worked another year.

Can you reduce your days. Even a 4 day week, Wednesday off, if you’re luck enough to choose, means that you get some respite.

I’d look at going part time if you can OP and then maybe picking up extra work as an examiner to top up your income if needed during exam season or failing that perhaps doing some tutoring online? You work from home and is flexible regarding hours.

Someone I work with is 75 and still teaching four days a week. I honestly don’t know how (or really why) she does it.

I honestly don't know. I have been teaching 30 years and aim to only do 4 more. Each year is tougher. I have gone part time this year but at the moment it isn't easier. I feel I just have to power through seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I will take my pension early and top up with examining work. I may also do some tutoring.

If you’re 23 years in then you can take the age 60 part of your pension now with no deductions and then maybe reduce your days. It’s not backdated so you’re losing out.

Have a look here for everything you need to know about accessing your pension.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/teachertoteacher.tps/?ref=share

After 40 years l retired at 61. Up until 60 l was doing fine but with all the Covid stuff, a new principal that was changing everything and just tiredness l made the leap. I did get my pension and then worked two days away in another capacity for a year and then l was really finished.
There comes a time when you can no longer do it.

Surely the normal age for taking it will be 67 ...........

Teachers can take their pension at 55 (soon to be 57) but take it with a reduced amount as you take it for longer.

I took my pension at 55 with 30 years service. I couldn’t have contemplated doing another minute! Fortunately, my husband has a good police pension and we were able to pay the mortgage off with my lump sum.
There are lots of things you can do with QTS-a bit of supply, SATs marking, tutoring (check out NT & AS….1:1 tuition for kids who aren’t in school) and invigilating, although you don’t need QTS for that.
I do bits and bobs and haven’t looked back!