Did you regret retiring too early?

I retired at 57. Do I regret it? Not one single second.

I retired at 62 and DH was 63, we were lucky to be able to, as working till 70 seems to be the new idea.

I started A.level Psychology on a distance learning course and took 3 years to finish, then Creative Writing for which I have a diploma but have never had a story accepted!

I became a Grandmother at 65 so was able to do my bit to help my DDs
My brother retired at 56. SIl was still teaching, and he fullfilled a dream and built his own Long Boat and they spent months on the canals and I joined them when I could.
Retirement at 58 is perfect if you have something you still want to do. If not it could become boring. DH is around all day and that is something a lot of women complain about.

I retired from the NHS 2 years ago at 58. My husband is 7 years older so he gets state pension and a small private pension. I took a reduced pension to retire early. I won't get my state pension till I am 66 but we can manage fine. I appreciate I am very lucky as some people don't have that choice. I have not regretted it at all. I have started sewing, knitting, have more time to read. We try and go to one of our local parks for a good walk at least 4 or 5 days a week. My husband had not been on a bus for 40 years but we have done loads of coach holidays, usually 5 days at a time. They are very reasonable price wise. You can interact with people or keep to yourself. It was not something I saw us doing but we have discovered they are what you make them. We have done a few trips a bit further afield on our own and enjoyed that too. I have kept in touch with a couple of people at work but as someone said earlier I found I didn't have as much in common with some people after I stopped working. DH and I both have some health issues so just want to enjoy as much as we can while we can. I think like most things its what you make of it. If you decide its the start of a new life phase and you are going to enjoy it you will.

I retired at 58 and haven’t regretted one second of it (I was a nurse) I have two groups of work friend and we meet up a couple of times a year, one group for coffee and one for cocktails. I look after my grandchildren 4 days a week, I love them dearly but it’s harder than work ever was and I never get a hot cup of coffee now.

My husband had to retire at 58 because of deafness. We sold our bungalow and bought a cheap property to give us money to live on. We had always wanted to caravan all winter in Spain. When we came back to UK it was a rainy summer so we let the bungalow and took to the road. Spent our winters in Spain and summers mainly in Provence. We had ten idyllic years until my husband died. He had never been in the best of health since being wounded in the Dday landings.

It is interesting reading these posts. The majority of us retired around 60 and the majority went on to have interesting often busy lives. Me too I guess! I retired over 20 years ago as a Primary Deputy Head but for a couple of years did 3 mornings a week supply work. Then I married again after 20 years on my own bringing up 4 children.
My DH sadly passed away this spring. All it’s time I have been a school Governor (in different schools) which keeps me in. Touch with a variety of folk - and children. We have always seen a lot of our children (from our first marriages) and I am well supported by them now. I enjoy seeing the grandchildren- aged between 5 and 28! I feel fortunate but I think most people who have had busy working lives find things to occupy themselves in retirement. I wish you luck - and good health, * 35inmyhead* you have some exciting years before you

I retired as soon as I could, and have certainly not regretted it, neither has my DH. We have fulfilled some of our travel dreams and are glad we did, as we have met a number of people of our ages who have come to realise that they have left it too late to go travelling or whatever their dream was.

You are in the fortunate position of being able financially to retire now, so I say: Please, go for it. If you regret it later, I am sure you will be able either to find a part time job, or some voluntary work you will find satisfying.

I retired at 64 .... from a hard , heavy lifting retail job. I have two prolapsed discs in lower back and a hernia , all of which became increasingly painful over past 2/3 years and I was taking heavy duty painkillers just to get out of bed at 4.30 am, my shift started at 5.30. I love early mornings and really liked the job but ....and especially in retail .... your body tells you when it's time to go.!! I went .... with a tiny personal pension and my state pension. I do ok financially although holidays are out of the question... although that doesn't bother me one iota. I spend a lot of energy looking after self-inflicted disabled husband ( use it or lose it!! So true). And a lovely few days looking after GKids after and before school. No real regrets... just occasionally miss the chatter of customers and colleagues as my husband doesn't hold conversations...just screams instructions. I can and do tune out!

Retired at 60 but worked the odd day as a supply teacher until I was 65. I joined a few retirement activities in the area and made new friends. Had young grand children and helped out a bit with them. Travelled with my husband to far off places mostly low season. Like lots of others I continually wonder how I had time to work? Go for it while you both have energy and good health to enjoy a new lifestyle.

DH is 14yrs older than me and when he retired at 64 with a good pension I left a management position in a firm I had been with for nearly 20 yrs building up from part-time when children were growing up to a position of responsibility but like so many posters on here the job had changed and I was glad to leave. Went part-time in a very small office and enjoyed my husband's retirement. However after a very nice break in Spain one November we did our sums and decided we could move over and enjoy a holiday lifestyle and decent weather all year round. Did for that by renting for 2yrs but decided it was a bit risky to buy and opted for six months there and then back home for the summer. I did get a bit bored at home and DD suggested I tried temping. Thought I was a bit old but NO - thoroughly enjoyed it - met some super people. I actually was with my first employer for the whole six months and on our return the following year the job was there again for me! Other staff in some of the larger organisations treated me like a 5yr old but my employers were great and realised that I was pulling my weight. The employment agencies were excellent and I can't recommend temping highly enough. DH was a golfer and he managed to fill his days no bother while I worked. We did this for 8yrs until DH started having major health problems. We both think we are so lucky we were able to do this and as he is now in his mid-80's and battling away have no regrets. My maxim is "if you are thinking about something - do it".

I retired at 56 and have never regretted it - as long as you have friends, interests and a house (& garden) to follow it’s preferable to being beholden to others. However, the one downside I have found is that as my NI contributions stopped I might not receive full state pension so if that is an issue it might be worth checking out.

At 55 I opted to take early retirement from a career in education. There were no inducements of any kind - this was simply my choice and DH had already ceased working. Absolutely no regrets! Our first GC had arrived the previous year (overseas) and we flew over to spend time with her and get to know her. When her brother arrived two years later, we spent three months with the family, giving support. Absolutely priceless experience and times! (These are our only GC.) Over the years we've continued to see them annually: we can travel as and when we like, without the restrictions work would impose on us. (We've pointed out to DS that we're spending his inheritance!) When at home we have activities, groups, a fulfilling home life and a good social life, none of which cost very much. (I did miss the colleagues from work but most are retired now and we see them anyway!) I feel so lucky to have had all this. My advice to anyone with the choice is: "go for it!". Life isn't a rehearsal.....

I retired 3 years ago aged 57.5. I travelled a lot the first year, the second year my husband was ill so I would have probably had to stop work then. However this year has been fabulous hubby on the mend, we traveled a bit, been to shows , fine dining , many new adventures to local places I never had the time to visit - (i.e I live 40 minutes from Stonehenge and have lived here 40 years but only just visited this year.) Re joined the gym, go swimming , sauna , jacuzzi whenever I feel like it and get all the last minute deals going as you can go at the drop of a hat. I have never had such a busy time socially and feel this is the life. Go for it time is short.

I retired aged 50 after a busy nursing/hospital career & had a wonderful 10 years of doing whatever we wanted with my already retired husband. He sadly died a month after my 60th Birthday & I am so thankful that I retired when I did & we had such happy times together. I have a very full life as my daughter & 3 young grandchildren live with me & my mum aged 87 needs some assistance. I regularly meet up with old work colleagues & other friends & take at least 4 holidays a year. Life is good & I don’t regret taking early retirement one bit, just wish my lovely husband was still here to share it with me ?

I was forced into retirement in 2011 when the government made cut backs in Cameron's day. Could not get a job due to ageism. Started my own business and have not looked back I fit house work etc around my business. If I did not do this I would go mad. If you are happy working then keep going, 58 seems too young to retire.

I retired from NHS management at 55. I did some part time work for a couple of years, then grandchildren started to come along.
I’ve always wanted a sense of purpose, so I became a magistrate, which is a fascinating and worthwhile thing to do, and also a trustee of the local CAB. With meeting up with friends, travelling- a lot!, seeing films and theatre in the afternoons, and a regular Friday walk with friends, it’s a great life.
It is a wonderful thing, to be able to spend time doing things you enjoy, without the stress that goes with so many jobs.

Seems to me that generally cash is in the forefront here in replies. Well, retire and enjoy the time you have left on this earth. If you have partners do what you wish to do together if you can afford to whilst you have time. I know money helps to "oil the wheels" but one can cut down on expenses, but when your number is up, it's up.

I've not done it yet - I'm 70, am self employed, not got a pension, no husband and I love what I do (holistic therapist). Plus I've just started an airbnb - that feels like hard work sometimes. At the moment I can't imagine retiring. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Never, ever regretted it! I retired from the criminal justice system at 60 and wished I'd had the money to retire earlier. None of us know what's around the corner so enjoy every moment spending time doing things you want to do and not be governed by the clock and time restraints.

Left full time employment at 60 and also felt the sad need to leave a company I loved. Guess I couldn't have coped with watching someone else make decisions for 'my' department. Pathetic retrospectively. I went straight to part time with less commute which was a huge but unconsidered bonus. I had my eye on a voluntary sector I wanted to get involved with when time permitted. Bingo. I was therefore not embodied in full-on work and resulting stress and responsibility and my mind was stretched in different arenas. Worked perfectly for me. I'm now fully retired from paid employment but have diversified and continued in the voluntary sector. My free hours are taken up with lady lunches, gardening and interior decorating. Simply wonderful for me. One area of my life I did miss (and still do) was the company of the insane but interesting 25 - 40 year olds. Their music, dates, fashions, sense of fun, marriages etc banter always amused me and kept me informed. I'm so fortunate and wouldn't change much of my life today. I had always planned 'never' to retire. How ridiculous is that?! I absolutely love it.

Retired from teaching at 58.5. Would have stayed til 60 but changes to terms and conditions, plus relocation, gave me the push. Don't get SP until 66 so relying on small PP and OH. Don't regret it one bit but took 2 years to adjust

I retired early at 58 and enjoyed a relaxed year seeing family and friends more than usual. DH was due to retire a year later, but then he had a massive stroke and our lives have totally changed for the worse. So I would say, retire now and enjoy life to the full, as you don't know what's round the corner.

I retired at 62 couldn’t wait to gowas a TA for 30years and Education was changing for the worse that’s my opinion any way.
I retired in July 2007 and my son was killed on 3rd September so I have brought up his dd our gd.
Don’t regret retiring and loved having my gd.
Must admit 58 is a bit young, could you not go part time.?

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!

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.