Retire or get a new job?

At 55 after a lifetime of work and stress, we sold our home in the UK and everything we owned, and moved to France.
Was it scarey, yes, very, has it been difficult, yes at times, ha it been challenging, yes, learning another language and culture is. 6 years on, wouldn’t have changed a thing, nothing is ever perfect, but our quality of life has improved beyond our expectations, and no one knows how long you have on this planet.
During the last few months of this pandemic, we do not feel we have experienced as many of the stresses that our family and friends have in the UK.
So use this opportunity to really look at what you want from life and go for it......you may surprise yourself. I know I did.. it nothing is impossible if you have the motivation. Vivre le France ?? ??

Why not temp. Through an agency is good that way you can have breaks between jobs and do a by of travelling, so the best of both worlds.

This CV lockdown has helped me make my mind up.
I’m 67 soon and working part time. I love what I do but am coming under a bit of pressure from all over, DD, friends DH.

I’ve decided to cut down by another day so I will only work 2.5 days/week. I need some structure.
Infinite time was good for the first few weeks but now it’s lost it’s sparkle for me.
As kevincharley said , your decision, we are all different.

You know that only you can make that decision and that everyone posting on here is looking at it from their own perspective which could be a million miles from your own situation.
For what it's worth, if it was me I'd retire.

What a wonderful position to be in! Take your time to consider. I guess it depends upon what you intend to do with your retirement. Do you have an urge to travel or live abroad. If so nows the time to do it especially if you would like to live in Europe as you need to establish yourself there before the end of the year because of brexit. Do you have lots of interests to keep you busy. Having your husband around 24/7 can be very claustrophobic and you'll need time to each do your own thing. I think as other people on here have said that part time work, doing something that you enjoy could be for you if you are not moving away. Or even start your own business if you have an idea. Its true what they so though, once you stop work you wonder how you ever found time to go. Good luck.

When you retire every day’s a Saturday. Take some part time work as it’s good to keep your mind and body active.

I agree with Vicky Meldrew.
I think a lot of people will be looking for a little p/t job after all this is over. So many people have lost their jobs because of Covid. Im 65 and have been furloughed from my full time job. I dont know if I will be made redundant (hope not!). My DH is 8 years younger than me so I am hoping to stay on at work for a few more years after im 66 in Jan. To be honest we need the money and people are lucky when they dont.
Also its quite lonely being at home waiting for my DH , who works in constuction and has had to work through this pandemic everyday.
By the way this is my first post so Hello every body.

I’ve been doing accountancy exams and love doing that. I was hoping to do the next level but wouldn’t be able to do that if I’m not working.

I retired at 55 and have never missed work. I find plenty to occupy myself and there are so many voluntary opportunities available for anyone who finds themselves bored.

Joyfulnanna I did just that. Went to uni at the grand old age of 55. I was older than the parents of all my fellow classmates, and some (most) of the tutors too.....but it was fantastic and well worth it ?

I would say it all depends on what you do, how easy it would be to get a job in that line, whether you enjoy what you do and whether your finances would allow you to retire. It's not easy to get a job post 50 and I think it will probably become even harder. But you could retrain particularly if you are interested in a job in a shortage sector.
I retired at 59 and can't imagine being in work again. I do look after grandchildren whenever my DD wants me to but I enjoy it and find
it more rewarding than work was. I also work as a invigilator during exam periods, and occasionly take part in research surveys to earn a bit extra money. I also do a couple of U3a courses and meet up with friends regularly . . I feel in normal times I am busy and much happier than when I was working

Nanny2859
Keep going. 53 is the 21stC 33 year old.

Kismet!! Go ahead and retire. I would if that opportunity came my way. Go to uni and do something you love

If you retire, make sure you've got a purpose. I don't have really. I'm 70 now and for the last 10 years have felt slightly lost. I'd definitely consider working part-time in something you enjoy not just something for the money. Otherwise perhaps you could volunteer for a cause you admire. You would be welcome with open arms.

Nany2859 I was made redundant at 52. Thought Iwas on the scrapheap. Took a job for a year hated it so left. Took 9 months to find another job was there till I was 72.

It is a transition which you didn’t plan for OP, so now is the time to plan - get a financial review, look at how you spend your spare time now, how much do you need routine? I’ve worked odd shifts 24/7 most of my working life, I am used to being on my own out and about in the week. Some people hate it! I planned to be able to retire at 50; I’ve been part-time since I was 40, now I am 50 I am probably going to retire, but in the meantime I got a part-time job doing something different. I enjoy that so will probably continue with it after I quit my main job. I am lucky in that I’ve got a good pension (at age 55), good savings and no mortgage. My daughter is still at school though. I’ve worked hard since I was 16. I can easily fill my time and not get bored! I don’t need alot of money but would have enough to be living comfortably, as I do now. I think all these things need considering. Also, as a financial planner told me, most people spend far more in early retirement (up to early 70s) than after that, so your expenditure will probably go down later, albeit prices may go up.
We only live once - work out what you most want to do with that time!

I would evaluate if retiring works long term.
You have 35+ years left and expenses will grow the older you get (health related, usually)

Do you and dh have a plan what to do with your time?
Many couples find it difficult to be together 24/7 when they retire after spending only a few hours a day while they were working.

I retired at 51 owing to a brush with cancer I then looked after my dgd so her parents could work and my dgs my oh took redundancy and early retirement so we looked after dgc until this lockdown a couple of days a week we also walk go on holiday though not this year we wonder how we had time to work

As others have said if you can afford to retire then do so. But with the current situation and with the redundancy coming as a bit of a shock I would allow the 'dust to settle' as it were and see how the situation is in September. I am self employed and my work has all but dried up. I have no idea if I will be able to resurrect it after this pandemic or if I actually want to! I will be 59 soon and had thought of taking retirement at 60 anyway so thinking I may just limp on for a year or retire sooner. My hubby took early retirement at the end of last year and set up his own little business making furniture and household goods from copper and wood. Totally different to his main previous profession. He enjoys the creative aspect and although its early days he is enjoying himself and it brings in a little money. We still have a mortgage so have to be super careful. So perhaps give your time to get used to your new situation and then see what comes along! you might set up a little business together ?

I was in your position a few years back, being made redundant at 54 was a real blow, especially like many l would assume been worked since leaving school. I thought then l will retire. But after a few weeks l missed working, so looked for work. That itself wasn't easy, l found it difficult to get another job. I too felt l may get put on by family for babysitting duties, so l applied for some volunteering. I wanted to do something that would both help the charitable organizations and myself, so rather than work in the local charity shop (nothing wrong with that by the way, they are marvelous) l applied for different positions. Since then l have volunteered as a court usher, a childline counselling, the local school to help children with their reading and do some office administration work at a cancer charity. I have found that it much better than paid working, l enjoy every minute of it. I suppose if you're financially ok, it's something to think about. But l do think you may be to young to do nothing, you will soon get bored. My husband was retired at the time, and me volunteering gave us some space, plus you can choose your own hours, which will free up more time for you and hubby to do things together when things get back to the new normal. Good luck with whatever you do.

I retired from Dental Hygiene after 41 years last year when I was 61. My husband is supposed to be semi retired but finds himself working more than he should. I lasted 3 months and was so bored I started volunteering at our local National Trust property. That led to a payed part time job as a conservation assistant. I absolutely love it and have made some new friends.

I retired at 53 having run an office based business for over 20 years. At first it was a novelty but I quickly realised that I was bored and felt I had no purpose (my family are grown up and living away). I went for a job that was completely different in a charity shop! I really enjoyed the change and I was so glad to have a routine again. The company of my fellow workers was very important too.
After a few happy years and my husbands retirement it felt right to properly retire. We now spend half the year in Spain enjoying our stress free lives.
Everyone is different and you will know in your heart what is right for you. You can always change your mind! Good luck and all happiness for your future.

It's a big change to go from both working full time to both being home 24/7. I would say review your finances, don't make any immediate big changes re downsizing etc until you are sure you know what you want to do, look for something part-time or voluntary so you have something outside the home/each other

I was made redundant at 53, I am now 61. I had been planning to retire 55-57ish, finances permitting, and was lucky enough to get a redundancy package that helped me to bridge the gap to 55.
53 is definitely not too young to retire. I have loved every minute of it. I spend my time hill walking (am missing that most during lockdown), volunteering for Marie Curie, U3A, travelling extensively, gardening, and all sorts of other stuff.

The best advice I got was from a colleague who retired 4 years before me. He said, give yourself 6 months, let yourself get bored as that will help you decide what you want to do. I can honestly say that boredom never arrived, but the passage of 6 months helped me decide whether or not I should go back to work, or how I would prefer to spend my time.
If you are able to make it work financially, it’s definitely worth going for. Good luck.

53 seems too young to retire with sufficient income. Jess20's advice is good.