Retire or get a new job?

I d definitely recommend working part time. I went part time aged 54, doing 0.5 of a week for a couple of years and then gradually reducing my hours further. I then finished completely in January and took my pension. My husband dropped down to 4 days a week when I first went part time and then retired completely a couple of years later when he was 63, as he's older than me he now gets his work and state pension. Working part time gives you chance to get used to having less money but more time to start developing some new hobbies. But you have still got a routine and purpose to your life. If you are anything like me you probably don't have much free time whilst working full time. We joined the national trust and were trying to have a day out a week somewhere and we had a few short breaks with two or three nights in a hotel to explore different parts of the UK. I spent more time at the gym doing daytime classes and got friendly with other retirees there to have coffee with. As my friends are also gradually retiring or going part time I was also able to meet up for lunch with them. Also I was doing an art course at local art gallery. I still found time to look after my grandson two days a week which I really enjoyed. Taking the grandson out gave us a good excuse to go round all the local parks and farms etc. However at present during lock down it's very boring being retired as there's nowhere to go as nothing is open and I can't see it improving much soon. I think you'd be too bored finishing completely at 53 especially at present so look for something part time and then you can see how it goes once your husband has retired

I was made redundant at 60, I found it incredibly stressful but put all my efforts into finding another post. It took 2 months of applying for everything and really buffing up my CV. I had not had a job interview for 23 years!
I love my new job, new challenges new people. Working keeps you young. Don’t be too hastie about retirement
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I was made redundant at 58,I wasn't ready to retire,I managed to find a job for 16 hours a week.I worked there for 5 years.I would have been nowhere ready to retire at 53.I worked till just past the retirement age at the time,I started getting state pension,leaving because my circumstances had changed,I was working for next to nothing.I'm now 68,I lost my husband 2 years ago.I had sometimes wished I was still at work,but I live in a rented house,and am no better off whether I work or not.I have been doing 2 days a week voluntary work,until the lockdown stopped me,and I've enjoyed it,really miss it.I suppose it all depends if you can be happy not working,and also your finances.

If you can afford to retire, and have both interests and friends, and some ideas and plans for you future then go for it. This is not a reason to retire, but it is worth considering - if you retire that probably frees up a job for someone who needs one. Enjoy!

I’m almost 61 and was planning with hubby, to downsize now with me working f/t til next February. Then move to him (he was going to move to new town and I’d see him weekends just til next Feb). Now pandemic has changed that and I feel ‘lucky’ to have my job. Looks like we won’t be able to do what we planned as things will be tight. So who knows what the future holds. Wish I could have a comfortable decision to make and not be at the mercy of fate.

Hi what a wonderful situation to be in, I am now 64 on my own since turning 60 you really do think about life on how the years pass so quickly.
My advice lots off planning both writing things down what you both want but don’t rush it, as far as getting another job in this current situation will be very difficult, my philosophy keep life simple enjoy every day don’t just drift, enjoy ?

I was perfectly well till I was 60 and osteoarthritis set in, quite unexpectedly. It’s ruined my retirement and all the things we had planned to do when we retired. I have one new knee and the other one needs doing, I’m in constant pain with back problems too, and in my wrist and shoulder. I had the opportunity to retire earlier but we both thought “plenty of time” . Look, if you have the money and opportunities just go for it. You don’t know how lucky you are to be able to do this while you’re young . Don’t stay in the rat race a minute longer than you have to (and yes, we get asked constantly to mind the grandkids as we’re seen to be free)

I finished work almost 3 years ago because I had become disillusioned with my job and thought it was the right thing to do. I went back to another job last year as I felt “I still had work in me”. The job didn’t work out though and I was gutted. I alternate between wanting to work and not. My husband has been off during lockdown though and I’ve enjoyed it - obviously can’t go anywhere but just having company and going on long dog walks has been great. He’ll have to go back soon though ? so I would say if you have company and are able to do things together, you’ll be ok. I also find that it’s difficult to find “a little job” as they’re just not out there. I can fully resonate with what red1 says. Good luck.

I retired from a stressful office job and took a partime retail position. REAL EYE OPENER. Loved working with the public. Just before the lockdown decide 5 years standing at the till in a DIY warehouse (freezing winter boiling summer) too much at 66, now work 2 days a week in a GPs.

Do what feels right Nanny. If you have a break you can always go back to work, or volunteer for a charity if you need some structure in the week.

I'm 68, I work for a charity to keep my hands busy. My 70 year old DH is still working. I do suggest from time to time that he might like to retire and do something else for a while! It would be good to do things together.

I am worried about the depression that's looming. Cost of living could rise drastically, and I'm sure pensions won't be increased to match. I foresee a tight time ahead, and perhaps not too many job opportunities?

Sit down with your husband and take a good look at your finances, how much will be going out and how much will be coming in. If you think you can live comfortably on your income then I say go for it and retire. My husband worked like a dog building up his business, long hours, no time off and rarely had a holiday. The day before his 65th birthday he had a massive heart attack and died. He’d never been ill and was fit as a fiddle.. So what I’m saying is enjoy your life, spend time with your husband and treasure every day. We just don’t know what’s around the corner. Look as all of our lives have unexpectedly changed in just a few months!

My husband's 70 in a couple of months, not 79!!!!! Typo!

If you're in a fortunate position to do it, I'd say do it and enjoy. Life's short. I'm 58 and have a life-changing health condition and would love to retire but can't afford to. I can only work part-time. My husband is 79 in a couple of months but only retired six months ago, due to having a mortgage til then. I realise you must be in shock, but I'd say it's happened for a reason, have nice holidays, when that's possible again, and you can always get a part time job if you get bored. Enjoy! You're in a very fortunate position.

I had to leave my managerial job at 46 due to my disability, and after staring at four walls while I recovered I decided that I would slowly go mad being at home and looked into retraining.
I trained at home to become a funeral celebrate, then had a weeks residential course to qualify.
I absolutely loved it. In the meantime my DH retired at 50.
I was then recommended for a job in a funeral directors, which I took and retrained again for 3 months full time for.
I now work part time as does my hubby.
It fits in with my life really well to work week on, week off.
I'm 50 this year and while I LOVE being semi retired I know I could never give up completely.
At least not yet. It would drive me crackers ?

Have an extended break with your husband and then look around for a part time job to keep your brain ticking over and your body moving. There is a lot to be said for having some time to enjoy life while you can but it can impact on your health too so it is best to get a balance.
My husband retired at 58 because his Dad died at 62 and he was determined he wouldn't work until he died. I love having him home but I do notice a difference 5 years on. I haven't worked since my youngest child was 2 years old and I do think that has impacted on my memory and ability to do certain things but I now realise that I have always had a slight problem so I don't know whether it is worse for being at home or not.

I am sure you are thinking carefully about it all, it must have been such a shock. You say your husband was going to look for some further work and I expect you will also want to do that as well. I think things are going to be very difficult as many people who have been furloughed will actually be made redundant later so finding a job may not be so easy as it would have been last year. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I retired at 60 & have never looked back. I love it. I can do what I want when I want. My days are full & I am enjoying life very much.
DH is a lot younger than I am so he has a few years to go yet & TBH I am not looking forward to that- I like my own space
(being an only child I think).
Enjoy your new life- you've worked for it so enjoy it.

some great answers here,i retired early owing to health problems, several times in my life and went back to work, because there was 'something' in me that wanted to work.Im approaching 65 and as i look back I realise i was yearning for meaning and purpose,which i thought a 'job' would provide.This period can give you some space to reflect on what you would really like to do . Ive found relative contentment, in hobbies ,my family and friends ,good luck

OH retired at 53 to finish a huge refurb project. At this time we went on holiday, bought a property ( we hadn't intended to do that) but anyway. Came home put the property on the market and 3 months later we were living abroad.
We did a complete refurb of that property and 5 years later went to Germany to buy a motohome.
Over the next few years we visited every country in Europe in the motohome but spent the winters in Spain.
We became involved with children's charities in Romania.
So I say, Nanny2859, go for it, there's a big wide world out there. The situation that we are in at the moment won't last forever.

I retired at 59 due to a progressive illness diagnosis. Thankfully it hasn't progressed as fast as I thought it would. Love being retired and now we've downsized to the coast life is very good. I sell a few things on eBay now and again to keep me busy, take the dogs out etc. and OH is busy rearranging the terraced garden. Lots of family visiting before the lockdown and we have nice neighbours too.

53 does seem a bit young to retire - I also wonder how you and DH will adjust to being together all the time after both working. I've seen many friends' husbands finding it hard to adjust, their self-image takes a knock when they're no longer working and they don't join groups/see friends as women tend to do. A friend of mine (a nurse) took early retirement to coincide with husband's retirement, expecting a new and exciting life together but he just wanted to sit around in the house all day and so now she goes out and about on her own. Not saying this will happen to you but retirement can do strange things to people (mainly DH's!)

Lots of good advice as always from fellow Gnetters. Work for most people is ‘what we know and what we do’ but you have choice that others don’t have. Not a lot in this life is guaranteed, so do what you think makes you happiest now. Are you quite resilient in keeping yourself entertained, motivated? Imagine that you have left your current job......, how does that feel? Good luck and remember there is no right and wrong answer. Xx

Whether to retire now, so that you and your husband retire at the same time, depends entirely on three things:

Can you afford to retire now?

What are your plans for retirement?

What do you really want to do?

We retired early, sold our flat, bought a boat and spent two years sailing on the canals of Germany, Holland, Belgium and France.

We enjoyed it, and I am really, really glad we did it when we did. We both have health issues of the not serious, but annoying type now, that might well prevent us realising this dream now, even when and if restrictions relax and a vaccine is available.

If you and your husband have plans for your retirement then sit down and work out whether it is feasible to start realising them now.

If you haven't made plans, do so.

You cannot make a decision this big at the drop of a hat, but discuss plans, work out finances and please try to regard it as a big adventure.

It is truly marvellous not having to go to work every day!

PS As for having problems motivating yourself at the moment - a lot of us are going through this; most of my friends are and they're long since retired. Good to carve out a structure for your day and stick to it (but allow yourself some "duvet days" too - we're living in anxious times).

Your definitely in shock at being made redundant. As you say you never seen it coming... You will get over that. If I was you based on the information you have given...I would think about doing part time work for now. If you have no children at home I would seriously think about downsizing your home while you are young enough. The older you get it can become more difficult to make that move to down size. You and your husband will then have no money problems. Remember life is for living...you have done the hard work...putting in all those years of full time work...Life can be short. xx