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Original poster

Am I too young to retire?

57 replies

MillieMoo1731 · 28/12/2023 17:56

I am a female in her early 50's, who has always worked. I had my first part~time job at 15 and continued to work at this throughout college. I've never been out of work, made redundant or taken maternity leave and at one point, had 2 jobs to keep myself afloat. I took a promotion which helped my husband to make a career change which financially, has worked out well 5 years on. Both of my parents died unexpectedly last year, leaving us financially secure. I am yearning to give up work, I feel that I have had my fill of working and want to retire before I'm too old to do some of the things I want to do but also not run myself into the ground working. When I mention this, people look at me as if I'm bonkers, sighting that I have a good job, am in good health and would be bored. I'm not sure my husband takes me seriously either although says he will support me. I would love to have the time to properly sort our house out, maybe do some voluntary work or work part~time in a role with less responsibility. Am I being selfish to want this?

OP posts:

Wolfpa · 28/12/2023 18:01

If you can add it comfortably why not? As long as you have some to do with your time, enjoy yourself

MolkosTeenageAngst · 28/12/2023 18:02

If you can afford to retire then I don’t think it’s ever too early! I’d retire tomorrow if I could and I’m only in my 30s.

trader21c · 28/12/2023 18:02

If you can financially make it work then why not! I’m sure you will find plenty to occupy yourself with

plominoagain · 28/12/2023 18:03

Of course you're not too young to retire ! My husband retired from his job at 51 - contracted for 30 years , and I'm going to go at 54 when I hit my 30 years. You may want to actually wind down rather than do nothing - in our profession we've found that stopping completely actually does us no favours health wise , but whether that's a part time or voluntary role , well that's your options. If you can afford to go without downgrading your life style, then do ! I would.

SisterMichaelsHabit · 28/12/2023 18:04

Nothing in your post gives anyone the information they would need to advise on this, your work history is irrelevant. You need to look at your finances with a very hard eye. What's in your pension pot and will it sustain you in a comfortable life if you retire now and live to 100?
I'd suggest checking with an independent financial advisor or at least using a pension calculator as a first port of call or you could find yourself having to return to work in your 60s when the money runs out.

IhateJan22 · 28/12/2023 18:04

Do it! I am soooo jealous. I’d do it like a shot if I could.

stillavid · 28/12/2023 18:04

My husband and I are both retired and have been for a few years and we are early 50's.

If you can make it work financially - why not?

We are never bored and my DH particularly does an awful lot of volunteering.

fatandhappy47 · 28/12/2023 18:05

I'd retire tomorrow if I could

If financially you can, and it sounds like you have plenty to fill your time then why not
You can always find a part time job if you get bored

IggyAce · 28/12/2023 18:06

If you can afford it please do it. I lost my mum suddenly last year just after her 65th birthday, so she didn’t even reach retirement age.

jennylamb1 · 28/12/2023 18:08

Absolutely go for it. I would just mention that you might want to get something part-time or something voluntary after you've had a good break in order to keep your mind active and to still have social contact and a sense of community.

Kwasi · 28/12/2023 18:09

If I could afford to, I would never work again. Go for it!

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 28/12/2023 18:09

100% retire if you can afford it - I'm 50 and would retire tomorrow if I had the money.

Don't listen to people saying you'll be bored or whatever - it sounds like you have plenty of plans to keep yourself busy. Personally I would be happy just to potter around.

My dad retired at 54 and had about 20 years to enjoy himself, travel and do hobbies, before his health significantly deteriorated. You should try to have as many 'good' years of retirement as you can, because you never know what might strike you health-wise.

mynameiscalypso · 28/12/2023 18:10

It's fine. My mum retired just before she was 50, nearly 20 years ago. She want back to university to do a PhD, volunteered for the Samaritans (and then took over running the branch), did a bit of consulting/freelance work until it was too much hassle. She's never seemed bored really.

Delassalle · 28/12/2023 18:12

I retired early at 51. I had reservations at first but they didn't last long! Best thing I could have done.

CharmedCult · 28/12/2023 18:15

The worst thing my mum did was give up work in her early 50's with no plan in place...

Financially doable - yes, but she had no hobbies or interests, didn't do any volunteering, no part time work. She eventually spent her days sleeping in until 11am or later. She turned into one of those people where if she had 2 small things to do that day, stuff you or I would do as well as a full day of work, eg. post a parcel at the post office and then go for a dentist appointment, she would go on about what a busy day she'd had and how exhausted she was.

She's now early 70's with alzheimer's and I think that played a big part in it.

DH and I are approaching late 40's and scaling down our working hours (both self employed) but I don't think I could see myself retiring in my early 50's.

Soontobe60 · 28/12/2023 18:17

I retired from teaching at 59, but I do actually work part time now. I reduced my days gradually from 5 to 4, then to 3 then 2. I’ve just done a term of 3 days a week and am looking forward to going back to 2 days. I’m absolutely loving it. I also worked full time from 16, then worked my way through university.
If you can afford to, do it!

VolvoFan · 28/12/2023 18:21

If you can afford to, go for it. If you have doubts or reservations, have a sit down and do the maths and sift through your finances. It could even be you can partially retire. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you all the best.

Tel12 · 28/12/2023 18:24

Definitely have a plan but if it's financially possible then why not? At the end of the day you are likely to be able to do more now than in ten or twenty years time.

Mia85 · 28/12/2023 18:25

I don't think you're too young to retire but I do think you're too young to retire without a plan for what you want to do. Sorting the house out and perhaps doing some voluntary work sounds very vague. There is a lot of evidence that social isolation and lack of purpose are very bad for health. I would take some time to plan the next stage of your life so that you have some good ideas of how your time will look. Is there any possibility of a sabbatical or part time work in your current job so that you can ease in?

gerteddy · 28/12/2023 18:25

Do it! I doubt many people wld be bored. I'd certainly find plenty to fill my time. Life is short, enjoy it while u can. U cld even just try it for 6 months or a year and see how u feel.

Folk are probably just shocked and don't realise u can still keep the same lifestyle u have.

DRS1970 · 28/12/2023 18:29

I am 53 years old and retired. I was very adamant I wanted to work despite having some health problems and being advised to slow down. But I had to leave my job suddenly when DVLA decided to stop my driving license on medical grounds. Thankfully, we were financially secure, and after a few months off found I was much happier being the home maker. So a few months break turned into being retired. I have never been bored, and never regretted deciding to retire. So if you are lucky enough to be able to retire early, don't hesitate to do so. GL

tsmainsqueeze · 28/12/2023 18:30

Absolutely go for it !
I'm around the same age and i have never been unemployed either ,as soon as i can i'll be off and i won't be looking back.
I have a job i like with great colleagues/friends but the lure of freedom and my time being my own now wins every time .
You have this option ,seize it and enjoy every moment.

AllAroundMyCat · 28/12/2023 18:31

Do it! I was a bit older.. 57 , but it was the best decision of my life.
I count my lucky stars every single day.

Runnerduck34 · 28/12/2023 18:36

I'm 52 and if I could afford to retire I'd do it.
Definitely look closely at finances though, money can evaporate quickly and it will be a while before you can draw your pension.
I would also have a plan, maybe go part time in current role? Have a less stressful part time role lined up or voluntary work or open university, something to give you structure and a focus and the opportunity to use your brain and mix with others. Enjoy it- you only have one life!

LittleMissSunshiner · 28/12/2023 18:37

Do what you can afford to and wish to!

Plenty of people choose early retirement or voluntary redundancies by the time they're 50, some pension schemes will even agree to release funds early if there's certain conditions.

Also you could perhaps do something small part time that you actually enjoy if the mood takes you.

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