I stopped working at 58 because I could not thole my low paid job a moment longer and DH turned 65 and opted to take his state pension (with £50 per week added for me as a dependent) + v small private pension. An endowment Policy also paid out a good lump sum which we invested in a rental property. As neither of us had ever earned a lot we were used to living frugally and by the time my State and miniscule private pension arrived 2 years later we found ourselves with more income & less expenditure than when we were both working.
Those first two years were blissful - I redecorated the entire house, re-organised our big garden, to grow our fruit and veg, redecorated our rental flat, signed up for and passed two modules at the local Uni (just to prove I could) went on our one and only cruise and travelled across Canada. Meanwhile DH was winding down his business (joiner) while I rejoiced in issuing the last invoice and completing the final VAT return and Annual Accounts.
Then big changes - Both DDs bought old houses nearby, both had babies and went back to work, so DH was refurbishing their cottages and I became an almost full time Granny, especially when another DGC arrived and I was 'Granny to three'. Now that all 3 DGC are at school this commitment has reduced to a couple of school pick-ups per week and cover for school holidays.
Then more changes. DH had a nasty fall, followed by a complete collapse, (he was unable to walk unaided for a year and more) which has left him with a near useless arm and ongoing/increasing mental health problems, so my role in life is now mainly housebound 'full time carer', chief cook & bottle washer - responsible for all decisions, 'paperwork', household repairs and the garden. I have had to withdraw from my charitable and political voluntary work - now only able to contribute on-line. We have had to resort to paying tradesmen to do all the things DH used to do himself which we really cannot afford but have been lucky to share an unexpected legacy from my late ancient Uncle which is tiding us over.
"And forwards? tho' I canna see, I guess and fear".