Retirement

Although I loved my job (teaching) it had become more difficult and bogged down with paperwork, and once I had retired, I loved it.
If fares are a big outlay, part-time work may not be economic, but you can save money in retirement by cooking from scratch or growing your own veg.
You might be able to get a part-time job close to home, though the present climate may not help with this.
There were lots of cheap or free activities to fill your time with U3A and other retirement groups, though Covid has curbed there too. Check with your local library for these.
You will wonder how you ever found the time to work!

My Partner will be 70 in February, and until lockdown had no plans to retire. He was furloughed in April, and realised being at home all day was not as bad as he feared, as he has kept quite busy with cycling, gardening and DIY. So he is retiring in November.

I retired at the normal retiring age, but carried on just less than part time, until I was 73,I enjoyed it so much and missed my work friends a lot in the begining,that was five years ago, and I have now settling down and resigned to the fact I have nw retired, and I am enjoying life.Good luck to Amymorris 01

Amy, you have a few months before you retire so use them wisely to plan what you are going to do. If you are concerned about money why not explore whether there are any little part time jobs close by or think about something you could do on a self-employed basis for a few hours a week, housework, book keeping, ironing, pet feeding or babysitting are just a few things that come to mind. Could you invigilate exams or teach a hobby at Adult Education classes, are you handy with a needle so could offer alterations? However, from my own experience, you may well be surprised how well you manage. You don’t need to buy expensive ready meals and you need to spend less on clothes and many restaurants and other businesses offer discounts for pensioners plus you’ll get a bus pass and reduced rail fares to name a few. If you find you can manage then why not look for some voluntary work to keep your mind active. Good luck, you will enjoy being retired and wonder how you ever had the time to go to work.

Obviously I don't know your commuting expenses but if you go on the train to work could you work shorter days and go in later and use your senior railcard, on off peak fares, so each day is cheaper and if you cut down the number of days you only pay the days you work.
Obviously if you drive not applicable. But you would no doubt have fewer miles to drive if you worked 3 days rather than 5 for example, and if you wholly retired you could drop the commuting element from your car insurance

I retired...it was strange at first...financially and socially ...my advice as someone else has said- If possible go part time or if already part time do less days/hours. Gradually ease yourself into it.
I know have a small part part time little job. 8 hours-perfect

Before I retired from teaching a few years ago I started an online business and it fitted around phased retirement which was definitely a good idea. I love being free of all the work commitments, not least of all the travelling and parking but I did miss working with children. I now spend happy times being creative with my small business. I have found that time goes very quickly and creatively as well as having time to spend quality time with family and friends. Go for it!

I retired before my DH and I loved the freedom it gave me to do what I wanted. Learned some new skills, sewing, beading and swimming. Yes everyone worries about finances at the beginning but you'll be amazed by how much money you save not going to work, popping into the shops ect...
Go for it and enjoy a new chapter in your life.

I can retire January 2022 and had been planning for that. However best laid plans I am now a carer for my husband and the lockdown has been a godsend as I have been working full time from home which has enabled me to be on hand for him.

Working from home has meant no commute I do do little jobs during the day even something simple such as hanging the washing out or getting it in if it rains has helped.

I guess what I am saying is no matter how you plan life has a habit of rearranging your life for you. So do what makes you happy and what you can afford to do, not everyone has a decent pension or savings. Good luck

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I am not retired but I don’t work many hours. I prefer time over money. I love the challenge of seeing how much I can do on so little ! I love buying Brand New With Tags clothes on EBay and looking for bargains for other things. I live in 3 countries, eat like a king, run an old Mercedes, and live on a fraction of what most people have. I had to save up for things like my kitchenaid and iMac but that’s not difficult for me. Meanwhile I love having time to learn , read , relax ! I am learning two languages, embarking on a phd , writing a book, grinding almond flour, growing avocados, making picture frames, I would hate being tied down. I hope you do whatever is right for you and if it’s to give your knees a break, enjoy the luxury of time , you’ve earned it!

AMY - I retired at 54 because I was offered a good deal. It was right for me as I had RA and subsequently had two new knees. If you financial position is ok go for it. I discovered on two occasions when I worried about money it turned out fine. You spend less when at home. Think it through. It is you decision. Good Luck.

You say the time is right for health reasons, so it is, and you really won't regret it. We know when it's the right time and you'll be able to fill your time easily and not miss DH. After all, he'll have holidays and days off - you might find you miss your peace and quiet when he does! I retired a few years before DH and tbh I'm missing time to myself now he's at home too. Your expenses will go down by not going to work, and you'll have time to look for bargains in shopping, eating out etc, and you should have a pension to help. Retire with the thought in mind that you can apply for a p-t job if you get bored/short of money but it's unlikely you'll ever take up that option. As others said plan finances and a few thing for the first few months but in winter you'll probably be glad not having to go out in the bad weather! Congratulations!

I retired at 62 at the same time my old age pension kicked in. I don't regret it for a moment as I'd ceased to enjoy my work for a local council. My DH is also 8 years younger than me and he's gone to 4 days a week which is perfect for us. We want to do more travelling while we're still fit enough, however I don't think we'll go long haul again. I have plenty to keep me occupied and it's certainly a treat not to have to get out of bed until I want to.

I retired but still self employed - it’s the best of both worlds

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I was. Due to retire next July, I'm a childminder, looking after 1 girl who was going to go into year 6, I got told yesterday that the girl got accepted into a school near them, as they moved last year. And so that's me finished as from yesterday. Yes it was a shock, but I can have lie ins, and not have to watch the clock for 3 pm. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I planned my retirement for over 7 years before it actually happened - with a detailed plan to outline all major expenses (like fund the children's university places etc) and all major actions (like downsize the home). So was able to retire at the end of April despite the lockdown with all the essential/expensive tasks completed in advance. I would suggest that planning is key - and thinking long and hard about what motivates you, such as family, friends, exercise, hobbies, holidays etc, and what expenses you expect to have.

As I started work when 15, I felt it was the right time to enjoy the freedom of each day. May I wish you the best of happiness when you join the retirement gang

After teaching and working fir 40 years I took early retirement aged 58. I went down to 3 days a week in my final year! I did the maths , was debt free and realised there was more to life than working.
You have choices; you need less to live on than you think. No commuting, no work clothes, time to eat better, go to the library, go swimming etc. Work out your finances to see what you need. My partner is 4 years younger so he continued to work but we have always shared expenses. I am now 70, live my life to the full despite Covid! All I can say is weigh up the pros and cons, make a list of your running costs, what you need. Then go fir it and enjoy all aspects

Just go for it Amy. I had to take early retirement for health reasons. It'd got to the stage where I felt the rest of the small office were carrying me and it wasn't fair. Even so, it was a huge decision. However, it really wasn't long before I wondered how I'd ever found time to work!
Use your few years 'on your own' to do things YOU want to do. Be who you want to be. Be excited about your future and look forward to sharing it with your husband in a few years. Just live. Have fun and stop worrying! Good luck!

It's only natural to worry about changing circumstances but if you feel the time is right Amy then go for it. Think of all the better things you can do with your time. On a cold, wet winter morning you can lie in and plan your day to your own satisfaction instead of dragging yourself off to a horrible commute.
You can be your own boss, the household chores don't have to be rushed anymore and you'll be less stressed. Prepare yourself now with practical stuff - does anything expensive need repair or replacement while your wage is still coming in? Then take a deep breath and relax.

I also love being retired. I am never bored and there are always lots of things to do (luckily I live in London and there are a lot of free things to do). As you have RA you might not be as active as you used to but my cousin is disabled, lives in Holland, and has found lots of interesting things to do and join on line. I would suggest looking at everything that is available in your area and try whatever is on offer. The few times I have to go into Central London during rush hour I clap my hands in glee that I am no longer a slave to a job.

I have mixed feelings about retirement, I should explain although I am 68 I had to take ill health retirement 20 years ago. I liked my job but it was that which caused my ill health (rsi). Unfortunately this has gone on and I have advanced OA.

At first I was angry and very depressed spending too much time home alone. Did some counselling courses and eventually led to voluntary work at my local hospice which I loved.

After 9 years when DH had retired we moved out of the immediate area to be semi rural. I now devoted my time to us and doing more things for myself. That was 9 years ago.

While the OA has become very debilitating, I/we wouldn't change a thing except for maybe a little more pension money! So there is hope and voluntary work aplenty to fill retirement, just go for it would be my advice

I took early retirement at 53 because my H then 73 and beginning to have health problems. Having worked all my life from the age of 18 which I had thoroughly enjoyed, I did worry about retirement being right for me. Money was not really an issue because I had prepared throughout my working life. What I discovered to my joy at the end of the first week, every day was a holiday and I had no regrets whatsoever. Go for it and make the most of your freedom to do the things you enjoy. It is a lovely time of life!

Im amazed you can work with your Ra. I couldn't. I retired at 63 but because I've been sick I have got very bored.