Anyone here had a “F*** IT” moment that led to retirement?

Marydoll

I was the opposite. I wanted to work on, but Aat fifty nine, I became very unwell and was eventually dismissed on grounds of icapacity, from my teaching job. I was not happy at all, too young for my state and teacher's pension. I had until wait tuntil I was sixty six to get my state pension. It was difficult going from a very good salary to zilch!

I was doing the job of three people ( when I went off sick, my HT got in three supply teachers to cover me). I eventually got a formal apology for my workload, too little, too late!

Now I love being retired.

Marydoll that sounds very unfair.
I had no choice but everyone was very kind about my sudden departure.
However, the sudden drop in finances is quite shocking.
Thank goodness DH was able to carry on working after his retirement age.

PS: I never use that word either. I've never seen the point.

MissAdventure

The first thing miss ex civil servant did was to buy herself a bicycle, fgt

Good for her!

I had to retire early through ill health but I didn't want to. ☹
No salary, mortgage, DC at university, reduced pension.

I left before my designated retirement date (You're told when it is here in Germany, but you can opt to carry on for longer).

I left my job on an agreement with the management under the pretext that I was leaving soon anyway and they were going to introduce a new system and it wouldn't be worth my while learning the new one. I had been there 20 years and knew the system we were using better than anyone else. They all came to me to ask about it. I would no doubt have picked up the new system easily and maybe even again would have been the one they turned to for troubleshooting.

My leaving suited the management because they were trying to lay off anyway, which brings me back to the main reason I left: incompetent management. The company was being run into the ground with ever faster changes at top management level and people taking over who had no knowledge of the branch.

They have since gone bankrupt even though it was a well reputed brand with factories on site and had been going since the early 20th century.

Fat fingers on phone!
Anyway, was told I was being moved to teach an older age group, new syllabus to learn, etc etc; it was like starting all over again.
Halfway through the first term I decided life was too short, said I was retiring but that I was prepared to see the year out. I was 56 - best thing I ever did; I got my life back!
I went back, but only on a supply basis - no lesson prep, very little marking, could work only if I felt like it, and could enjoy the children.

Oh yes, after years of teaching the same age group, where I knew the curriculum backwards, had saved all worksheets, lesson plans and display materials, knew what worked and what didn't, I was moved to an older age group, New curricul

I too had my moment and resigned from social services at age 50 and went on to a freelance career in photography, music and arts outreach - wonderful!!!

I was working when my my husband who was nearly 5 years older than me was offered early retirement. I really wanted to continue working, I liked my job.
So we agreed that husbands would take on the shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing etc. so I could have an easier time.
That didn’t work!! If I didn’t actually ask him to do things nothing was done. I had to do lists for shopping, step by step guidance on recipes (unless it was spaghetti bolognaise- his signature dish) and tell him where needs cleaning etc. It culminated one day when he said he wasn’t going to spend his retirement doing household stuff and I said I wasn’t going to work full time and do the household stuff so on a whim I resigned from work. I was feeling very resentful.
I really regretted it, I was bored and missed the salary, I applied for a few jobs but didn’t get one.
I did eventually settle down into retirement and in the end was pleased as my husband died 2 years ago and we had 6 years together.

Oh yes!!!

DH and I own a SME, we were away with two youngest children, I broke my arm on the ski slope (collided with DH’s ski pole)

The next morning whilst struggling to shower and dress (they had got up and gone up the mountain) I decided there and then to replace myself in the office.

Told DH that night, he was shocked to say the least 🤣🤣🤣

The best thing I have done (other than raise 5 children)

DH and I still own the company but have nothing to do with the day to day business, that’s now down to our AC, just the big decisions.

The person who I hired to replace me is still there, an absolute star 🌟🌟🌟

My DH had a "last straw" moment and it was with the new computer system at work. However he's now become used to it. He's 81. And they refused to accept his resignation.

Anniebach

Never use that word

Sadly I use it far too often! Though much less now I’m not working

Marydoll

I was the opposite. I wanted to work on, but Aat fifty nine, I became very unwell and was eventually dismissed on grounds of icapacity, from my teaching job. I was not happy at all, too young for my state and teacher's pension. I had until wait tuntil I was sixty six to get my state pension. It was difficult going from a very good salary to zilch!

I was doing the job of three people ( when I went off sick, my HT got in three supply teachers to cover me). I eventually got a formal apology for my workload, too little, too late!

Now I love being retired.

That’s truly awful!

I was the opposite. I wanted to work on, but Aat fifty nine, I became very unwell and was eventually dismissed on grounds of icapacity, from my teaching job. I was not happy at all, too young for my state and teacher's pension. I had until wait tuntil I was sixty six to get my state pension. It was difficult going from a very good salary to zilch!

I was doing the job of three people ( when I went off sick, my HT got in three supply teachers to cover me). I eventually got a formal apology for my workload, too little, too late!

Now I love being retired.

Yes!! I did exactly this in an October 2022, I was due back at work (DWP) and was on bereavement leave following the death of my dear mother.

Literally the day I was due back in the office (after an 18 months absence, as had been on loan to another far nicer Dept and working 100% from home) I text my line manager and stated I would not be returning and was taking retirement.

I had no defined role or work lined up as had not been in the office and felt no guilt whatsoever as had been treated appallingly in this particular role.

Best thing I ever ever did!

MissAdventure

The first thing miss ex civil servant did was to buy herself a bicycle, fgt

Love it! 😁

I used to love my job, was only part time after suffering mental health problems but I really enjoyed getting up early and going to work. Then management changed, other changes were made, and the old guard started to drop off. One day shortly after reaching 64 I realised I had started to dislike going into work, so when a new manager made a pointed remark about me retiring I knew it was time.
Never looked back.

My friend is very, very close to having her moment.
She has a management role in the nhs, and the back biting, nepotism, and terrible practice is really wearing her down.
She is in her 40s, though, so will need to start again if she was for leave, and will lose her pension pot.

Nansnet

Yes, I took extended, unpaid leave from my job to take care of my mum, then my dad, when they were ill. After the inevitable happened, I had a 'F* it!' moment, and decided that I'd had enough of working and being answerable to other people. I wanted time for ME! I decided not to return to work, and retired at the age of 52. It was the best thing I've ever done!

Poor DH is ten years behind me having his 'F* it!' moment, but he's finally decided he's had enough, and he's about to retire in the next few months, at the age of 62 ... HOORAH!

Good for you!😃We only get one life after all.
I left my well paid ( well, reasonably well paid) job ten years ago as my health was suffering, I was 51 at the time. Became a part time care worker and was instantly happier! Doing a worthwhile job and more time for me and family.It was a spur of the moment decision on one day at work when I felt particularly low.Have to manage on much less money but life is better.

I had a 15 minute walk from the car park into work and one January morning when it was cold and pouring with sleet I decided I was not going to work through another winter. I left in September aged 66 and have never regretted it.

Can’t say I ever really did, but a friend of ours used to say he was saving F* Off money, so if and when he got really fed up with work, he could stick two fingers up.

I’d been ill and I did go back for a short time, but I decided I’d had enough. We had a new HT who was causing huge amounts of stress throughout the school, and going back after being ill make me realise just how unpleasant it was, and that at nearly 59 I didn’t really have to wait until 60. So I gave in my notice for the end of that term. I was just 59 when I retired. I was able to claim my professional pension but as a WASPI woman, had to wait for my state pension.

When my first grandchild was born I was 60 and I retired I wanted to spend more time with her , my daughter and SIL both worked so I helped look after her and watch her grow, I wouldn’t have missed those lovely years. Taking her out to the park instead of working was the best thing , then when grandchild number 2 came I was available to help look after her too, Those years you never get back. It was the best decision I made ,

I'd gone down to 3 days a week at 62 as a gentle run down to retirement and would have been happy doing that for another couple of years. Then they got rid of our very specialised computer system for a bolt on to another larger system. It was like going from a Rolls Royce to a rusty 3 wheeler. It drove me bonkers for 6 months before I left. Life's too short.

The first thing miss ex civil servant did was to buy herself a bicycle, fgt

Nice story MissA!

I retired at 60y. I loved my job in our local district general hospital. I worked there for 35y and used to walk to work through the park. But then I got to thinking “we hardly use our little apartment in Málaga”. That was the seed that germinated. We both used our pension lump sums - divided them up to see us through the 7 years till our SPs kicked in. Best thing we ever did.