Did you regret retiring too early?

Most of my friends are retired, and they have all said you just 'know' when it's the right time for you. I think I am getting to that point. 64 in January and the arrival of my first grandchild has had a huge impact - I want to be able to help out and spend precious time with him while he is growing up. I also feel it's sad that we are working whilst looking after elderly parents too (my dad is 90) - who probably won't be here once I've retired and got more time to spend with them. I have a good balance - I work 3 days - but it is a hectic job which takes a lot of my energy and there has been a lot of change lately which I find harder to keep up with (or is it that I don't want to keep up with it any more?). I'm on my own so not going to be in the same financial position as lots on here, and don't get my State Pension until I'm 66, but I've never had a lot of money, or been able to travel far and wide like some, so I'm sure I will manage to live my simple life quite happily. If I can afford a coffee/meal with friends I'll be ok. So I'm planning to maybe retire at the end of next year. We shall see. I think though if you have lots of reservations, and it just doesn't feel like the right time, don't do it. I wouldn't have been ready any sooner. Or as some have suggested, go part-time then you have the best of both worlds until you feel you can really make the right decision. I'm looking forward to slowing down, but taking more exercise and looking after myself. I work in a hospice, and also lost my husband at 36 to cancer, so know only too well how life can change in an instant. Do what feels right and have no regrets!

I retired at 58 and have never regretted it. Work was stressful and we both have good pensions. Lots of voluntary work you can do: CAB,etc. u3a, walking groups. A small group from work still meet up a couple of times a year (we made a point of not discussing work apart from the odd character we care about). I think there was a bit of a hiatus in the first year until I found my feet. Goood luck.

Like many others I have to work until I'm 66 before I get my pension the thought really scares me as I'm 61 now and struggle some days I have got a small private pension but not enough to live on as although I've worked most of my life I only started paying into it about 15 years ago as I thought my husband's would be enough I'm now divorced so have no choice about when to retire my advice to my DDs and other young women is to make sure you have a decent pension to support yourself

I retired from a job I didn't enjoy when I was 59, and I know that I am lucky to have been able to do this. I have slowly over the last 4 years lost contact with work colleagues, but made new friends with all the activities I take part in. My problem is my other half, we were always so close - he retired, became grumpy and wants to sit in front of daytime television; I organise days out, coach trips and he just doesn't enjoy them. I often feel that I don't want to be with him, because he is holding me back when I want to get as much as I can out of the years I have left.

I retired in April this year, aged 57.
Income has been slashed by 60%, and I expected that to be a difficulty; it turns out not to be at all, I have a budget and it's quite satisfying sticking to it. There is a fun and a travel element!
What did surprise me is that I missed the feeling of status that work gave - no-one wanting my decision on anything!
I was also amazed how quickly my days filled up. I have no idea how I managed to put in an 8-hour day...
After a mildly rocky initial couple of months, I am now absolutely loving it. I joined the village Neighbourhood Plan team, to have something worthwhile to do, and the choir, to have a new challenge; I put in a volunteer shift or two at the village pub, to support the community. These activities take up maybe 6-8 hours a week, and guarantee non-isolation (I live alone); and the rest of my time is filled with things I love, archaeology, writing, reading. There's still not enough time to do tasks like tidy my cupboards :P
Would I go back to work? NO WAY!

Great reading all your experiences! I retired 18 months ago from a part time job that was only meant to be temporary but they kept renewing the contract! As OH has been retired since 2011 and I will have to wait til 2021 for SP we did a lot of financial finagling, forecasting etc before deciding that I could finish & we would manage, albeit saving less than before.
We are fortunate that we spend half the year in Spain and flit back and forth to Wales to see family & friends and I have developed a social life here in Spain- joined different groups etc & I volunteered to deliver a quiz each week at one of the bars we frequent so that keeps my brain ticking over and indeed is deadline driven. Also joined gym (& go 5 mornings each week) - don’t want to be immobile as so many retirees seem to accept. Drive myself everywhere as well even though it’s a Brit car on the wrong side of the road- so many of my friends don’t/won’t and have to rely on OH which limits them massively.
All in all, I’m loving retirement and wish I’d gone earlier- it is the 3rd age if you want/make it.

I retired at Christmas age 61, I was in a high pressure sales job with a large territory which meant I was driving 700-800 miles a week. Although I was respected for my knowledge, it is a much younger persons job these days and the company I worked for had changed beyond recognition. I don’t get my state pension until I’m 66 so am drawing down from my private pension a little more until then. My hubby is a bit younger than me and he will be working another 5 years but I’m loving every day, not having to worry about the road reports, the weather, sales targets.
Tomorrow I’m going on a three day barging course! I’ve volunteered for a specially equipped community barge that takes groups of disadvantaged children, young adults with learning difficulties and the elderly on days out/weekends away on the rivers and canals of South Yorkshire. I am so far out of my comfort zone with the thought of sleeping in a sleeping bag in a bunk with people I’ve never met before!
Last week, my dear friend who had just recovered from cancer was killed by a drunk driver as she got out of her car so I am now going to live each day how I want to. Retiring is the best thing I’ve ever done

When we moved it Ireland 11 years ago I went from having a brilliant social life and a fantastic job (with the promise of a good career in Ireland). We lived in the middle of no where, couldn’t get a job despite being qualified for many that I applied for and missing my friends. It was like I had been forced to take retirement and I hated it - but what I did do was voluntary work, I met the most amazing people, did things that I had never done before and took on several courses paid for by the organisation I was volunteering for and my career took a completely different turn. We moved back to the UK and I brought back with me all the things that I had learnt whilst volunteering - something I wouldnt have done ha I been working. The best thing with volunteering you can choose what hours or days you want to work, no pressure at all and you would still have time to travel.

I retired at 60 with some regrets as it took me sometime to get use to not being needed and not having a timetable.
The one thing that did happen was everyone thought I should have a new hobby, or make money out of the hobbies I did have. I was bombarded with ideas and suggestions to fill my 'empty days', but all I really needed was time to adjust. I found it took at least 2 years to get over working; I was very tired and trying to work out what I really wanted was difficult.

I know I was not going to be a volunteer; as I worked for nothing for nearly 45 years 'volunteering'. I saw volunteering as just another a job without a salary. Nor did I want to be a permanent unpaid babysitter for GC, as I had done my bit and children were no longer my responsibility. All of which seems very selfish but I felt that this is my turn to do what 'I' really wanted, I just had to figure out what that was, I just needed time.

Now 5 years on, refreshed, fit and healthy, I am raring to go, and enjoying life, very busy of course but retirement is great.
All I need now is for DH to join me. At 68 he is still working, I think for the same reasons as most. Not knowing what is out there is scary but from experience I have to give him time to adjust too, it will happen when he is ready.

So when you are ready give yourself time to adjust, do not rush into anything and in the end you will enjoy your retirement and wonder how you ever had time to go to work!

I retired at 62. Basically I was made redundant. I was offered an alternative job but it was management as opposed to research which I had been doing previously and I didn't fancy it, having had experience of managing before and not enjoying it! I was really worried about retiring as I had always been a workaholic and loved my job. I did do some consultancy work after retiring but enjoyed this less and less, although it was nice to be able to pick and choose what I did and when I did it. I have never regretted retiring when I did, even if it were enforced. I have developed new hobbies and made a new circle of friends plus had more precious time to spend with OH and family.

In my mid 50s my job with NHS was becoming increasingly stressful so I took 3 months unpaid leave, and went travelling with DH. This gave me reflection time on what I really wanted out of the rest of my life. On my first day back I handed in my notice, and subsequently worked very part time on a casual and peripatetic basis until 60 (same job). Doubt that would be possible now. We had to make decisions about downsizing and becoming more frugal, but my life took a major turn for the better. I have never regretted it, never been short of something to do and have the opportunity to explore things that I had no time or energy for whilst working full time. For example I have recently started a neuroscience course! Despite having an elderly mother I have more time for friends and grandchildren too. I feel sorry for those who want to retire and can't afford to. Life is so short, but I do appreciate that some actually love working.........

I don’t know anyone who has ever regretted retiring. I planned to work to 65 but A new regime came in and life was simply very unpleasant. My life is full with art classes, theatres, museums and grandchildren. You don’t realise how much stress you are under till it stops. If you can afford it, I would say retire. My daughter tells me she will have to work until she is 70.

I retired from teaching at 62. I really missed it initially especially my colleagues and the camaraderie. I live in an isolated spot so this has impacted greatly on my feelings. How are you situated? Would this impact on your decision?. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I retired due to ill health (after effects of cancer treatment) at 50. This meant I had a reduced pension, the further 10 yrs contributions if I'd stayed till 60 would have made quite a difference. After a few years I felt well enough to work p/t but found that my health record and age meant no chance of permanent work. But I was still keeping busy; voluntary work and lots of free activities in museums etc. I did casual work when I could, mainly market research interviewing. Then when I finally got my state pension my income doubled! No I don't regret it at all. There's so many other ways to spend the time and build a new social life, and no more commuting is a great bonus.

My DH and I owned and ran a busy restaurant for 30 years. We sold it and retired when I was 52 and DH 63. We had such plans and had a lovely five years before my beloved was diagnosed with cancer and died aged 69.

Of course, everyone is different, but my advice is to go for it. Life is very short so enjoy it whilst you can. Good luck.

I retired at 60, DH 4 years later. We are in a fortunate position of having reasonable pensions in total. I could not wait to retire, work had become so stressful I knew if I didn't go I would have a massive burnout. Volunteered with two organisations for 6/7 years before grandchildren arrived. Loved the volunteering with families. Took up crafting and joined a club, a community choir, pilates. Plenty contact and enjoy visiting and looking after DGC who do not live locally. I dont regret a minute since retiring. There is life apart from work out there.

I retired at 60. Probably bit earlier than planned. But my job was going and I had the choice of retiring or being moved to another job (unknown quantity) when one became available. So I retired. Difficult to adjust initially. But nearly 3 years on I have no regrets. Work had become so stressful partly due to staff shortages, that there was no pleasure in it. When I had begun my job I loved it. But things had got to the stage where some colleagues were off with stress, putting more pressure on the rest of staff. No one was happy. When I retired I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was fortunate that I could afford to retire and my husband followed me a year later. We are lucky we can afford nice holidays and days out. It's just a different way of life. The thing I do miss is my colleagues, but I meet up with them from time to time. And I do think it helps if you have a good partner so you can do things together.

I retired at 60 and instantly loved retirement. I wouldn't go back to that daily grind for anything. At that time I had a partner and we travelled a lot in our camper van all over Europe. And helped raise two of my grandchildren.
But now, alone, I'm always busy. Life is what you make it.

I retired from teaching at 56 and have never regretted it. I felt I'd got my life back. Fed up with the stress, SATS, bringing work home every night and weekend, and still having to run the household. It felt as though I'd had a huge load lifted off my shoulders and it was right for me. Did a bit of supply for a few years till DH became ill. After he recovered he carried on working because he loved his job, until he had a stroke, (from which he made a good recovery). We had a few happy years of retirement together until he died in February this year.

I am another one who had to retire early through ill health and it was very difficult for the first few years but that had a lot to do with my health problems.
I haven't regretted it though. I think it takes a long time to get used to retirement. I used to feel guilty if I didn't go out every day and tried various things like local lectures which were sometimes interesting but at about 58 I was nearly 30 years younger than most of the other people there and it was a bit depressing so I stopped that. Now I am relaxed into it and enjoy retirement although I am not able to make as much use of it as I like as my health makes me unreliable. A lot depends on finance. It was a relief when my pension kicked in and I was very lucky in that I got my pension at 61. If I'd been born just a few months later I would have had to wait quite a bit longer.
There are so many factors. The days will seem long to start with but now I often don't get everything done that I plan in a day probably because I spend too long online.

I retired at 58 & this is the best job I’ve ever had. You can’t just go from 5th gear to 1st overnight though as after a month or so you would get bored. It’s your opportunity for a new phase of life to indulge in new hobbies and to give back as a volunteer. My diary is always fairly full-but it’s all the things I want to do.

I retired at almost 60. For a variety of reasons I had become more and more anxious at work and not enjoying it at all. My husband was also retired after being made redundant and had an ok pension my pension is very small but we have some savings so have managed and don't feel we have had to scrimp and save. Although I am looking forward to getting my state pension in 4 years.

Sometimes I do miss having people around me all the time but I keep in touch with those I want to, and every time I see them I am so pleased I am not there anymore!
Sometimes I do wish I had held on a little longer mainly for financial reasons and because I sometimes feel I never fulfilled my potential, but mainly I am happy. I spend a lot of time with DGC and feel very much part of their lives also I am doing things I enjoy when I want to. So on the whole I think I am very lucky and made the right choice. I think my husband has coped with retirement less well and would prefer to be working

I retired at 60 and I think this is possibly the best job I’ve ever had! I do not miss the stress, the politics, the early mornings and late nights, the grinding feeling in my stomach on a Sunday afternoon at the thought of going back in to face even more issues. I have tried several new things since I left work eight years ago and with the wisdom of age, some of them I’ve continued, others I’ve walked away from. If you know you will be financially secure I’d recommend you retire. All of the friends you have at work will still be able to meet you for lunch, but in my own experience you will quickly meet a whole host of new people, often in the same boat as yourself, looking for new people.

I have been retired almost 13 years and still have anxiety dreams about work every week.

I do think there is a huge adjustment to be made on retiring, especially if all of a sudden you are both at home together.

My husband definitely missed the status and power. With nobody to control he set about controlling me! A rocky couple of years before it all settled into place.

My wife and I retired in April this year. I was 60 then and she is 56. I spent the best part of 40 years in banking and the stress and commuting got me down. We realised that we could afford to retire so did so. Whilst we live to a monthly budget we have been able to go away for short breaks in the UK plus a two week holiday in Mauritius. The important issue is keeping busy and your mind active. Vegetating in retirement is not an option. And it’s good not to be tied to an alarm clock in the morning!