Unexpected Retirement

I empathise! having been forced into early retirement due to health problems in my 50's - shortly after a number of other major and distressing life changes I would not have chosen.

To get rid of the mortgage, I escaped to a cheaper area in the country and - as I am a sociable person - let out part of my property to holidaymakers. It didn't make me a fortune; but enabled me to pay the bills; and over the next decade I could count on the fingers of one hand the visitors I would not be glad to see again ( and a number did choose to return!).

Yes, you could say I lost money and status. But I have no regrets, other than it is a longer journey to see some family members. Life has delivered many unexpected pleasures over the years.As well as enjoying wonderful walks on the doorstep, I have found a number of my skills welcomed by several local groups. Over time, valued friendships have developed - alongside the sense of satisfaction felt when I have been able to contribute in various small ways to my community. I have had time to pursue new interests, and space to welcome friends and family.

Age and increasing mobility problems mean I will have to think about downsizing before too long. And leaving the life I carved out for myself after the chips were down will be hard! But I am hopeful that moving closer to family and a number of other friends will turn out to be a positive thing- and that the fact that I am still interested in other people and what is going on in the world will help me cope with another major change.

You have a lot going for you, and a great deal to offer . Don't underestimate yourself. Every good wish for the future.

I retired at age 72 three years ago. I enjoyed my work as a financial adviser but woke up one morning and said it’s time to go. It was two months before I finally finished but in the meantime I joined a choir, took up bridge again and looked up what exercise classes I might want to do with age uk. My husband had retired three years earlier. I have never looked back . I think you need to start your planning now and just don’t be afraid of the future. Good luck to you.

My advice is join as many things as possible - things that interested you before the kids came along or things that are totally new. You're looking to find kindred spirits and interests you didn't have time for when you worked.

And the negative bit is your energy level and your mobility don't last as long as you think they will, so if you have an urge to cruise the work or to climb Mont Blanc do it ASAP

Good luck and enjoy

MadeInYorkshire for next Monday.

There are lots of other jobs older people are doing now.

Momac55

What is an SPA ?

State Pension Age

Having no purpose? My purpose was to do loads of stuff I hadn't been able to before. After a long working life we all have skills. Channel them into voluntary work. Set up projects, have foreign students to stay for a week or two, help with reading at the local primary, help the friends of your local.park. Join the local U3A, a long list of stuff there but no.time to do it all. Tons of stuff out there to do. And you can take time off whenever you like!

What is an SPA ?

Thank you all for providing such kind and informed advice. There’s quite a lot to think about about but it seems there may be a positive way forward. I’m generally a bit of an Eyeore so tend to think gloomily about the future - some of your positivity has helped immensely!

Oh MadeinYorkshire I am so sorry about your daughter. I remember your posts at the time. Will be thinking of you on Monday

It’s a huge change but a personal one. I would take it a day at a time and see how it evolves. I think you’ll find your feelings will change as time goes on so don’t jump to any conclusions. All the best.

I was ‘retired’ by losing my health in my mid 40’s and little by little my life began to shrink. My friends grew distant as the years went by - I suppose I became very boring, as when you do nothing, what do you have to talk about other than the next lot of surgery and what it was doing to my health?

Then I was locked down for 18 months due to me being Clinically Extremely Vulnerable. This made me quite agoraphobic by the end, and then my daughter committed suicide … People began to come out of the woodwork and for a brief while, despite the grief it was nice to be able to talk to people again, but they’ve all drifted off again, although next Monday, the 3rd anniversary of her death, it’ll get a bit busier again!

The most crushing thing about it is no longer having a purpose which I hate. This time last year though I bought a needle felting kit; just a little Jack Russell and found that I could do it! Then it took over my life for 6 months until both my hands started to hurt. My thumbs ended up in splints as bending them was so painful and I haven’t managed to do anything since! I hate my life sadly …

I retired just a couple of years earlier than my SP age due to office politics and bullying and used some of my savings to keep me going. I found that although I was still mentally prepping my week at the weekend and getting used to not having to get up at a specified time to log in and check emails, it took time to adjust Now I just love it. My old work colleagues do not really keep in touch, which after 15 years of working with some was a little hard but hey ho. I have new interests, I have joined a ladies group where we meet for walks or coffee, and I spend time with my grand children. I have started to get into reading and find that I am quite busy. The best thing of all - no work related stress, no wondering what the next Manager email may contain, no office politics and certainly no more sniping. Damek - you will adjust and will be able to look back knowing you did a good job and that you may have helped alot of people within your job role and you will embrace all the new things you can do.

I hated it at first but not now. Had a very stressful senior role but I don’t miss it at all. I am one of those annoying people who says I can’t believe I had time to work. I have a granddaughter who was born just as I took early retirement so that worked well. I have taken up a lot of hobbies and love socialising- I would aim to seek structured days and I try to differentiate the weekends by doing less. My issue is that my husband prefers to stay home and he did initially think I would be with him. This made me incredibly claustrophobic as I had worked full time all my life and we had never hung around together and I wasn’t going to start now! We go on weekend trips and holidays abroad together but he is happy at home.

Be positive!!! Rather than what will my purpose be think of the things you would like to do that working meant you cant. As someone had already posted you will wonder how you had time for work. My husband and I are not well off but we find cheap flights/accommodation and go places. We walk, visit local independent shops/cafes where we are now "part of the family". We read, play cards, binge watching series we would nevet have had time to watch and generally enjoy life. Wr are about to embark on petsitting around the world through a site we used when wr had pets that needed looking after. You find you dont need to spend as much as you dont need as much "stuff" as you think you do while working. I wish I had taken early retirement instead of thinking my job defined me. Retirement is the best "job" ever!!

‘Finding a purpose’ is the hardest part of retirement, so think about what gives you pleasure and do more of it. Do you like dogs? If you do and don’t have one, think about having one. They give a purpose to each day, something to care for and to walk daily which in turn gets you out. We explore so many different places because we have a dog, places we would likely not visit otherwise. We’re members of the NT and there are beautiful grounds and gardens where you can take dogs.
Think about teaching yourself something new - be it watercolour painting, macrame, crochet etc. YouTube have some brilliant tutorials.
Do you have grandchildren. They can take up some time too. Gardening? Plan for summer planting. Decorating, maybe paint a room a different colour.
Enjoy a later start, not working to deadlines. Take it slowly. It does take some adjusting and there will be up and down days, but you will get there.

damekindness - as a busy respected professional with years of experience behind you, you must have a string of qualifications and talents that are still of interest to others and that you might 'sell' on a freelance part-time basis. I know someone who had to take early retirement from teaching to care for a relative and she needed some income just for a couple of years. She offered herself as a proof-reader to students at a nearby university and was able to combine the work she got with her caring responsibilities. It gave her a financial cushion and a sense of purpose and she still does this even though financially she doesn't need to. I also know someone who worked in HR all her life and ended up in similar circumstances. She 'marketed' herself on local facebook group as a professional cv writer and she got lots of work, again building up a new identity for herself and keeping the wolf away from the door. Maybe you too have something you can capitalise upon. The internet makes this type of thing possible.

If you've got professional skills which could be attractive to another employer, don't presume you are on the scrapheap at your age. I'm a lawyer and my practice would welcome with open arms older and more experienced colleagues supposedly no longer useful in their current positions. We have staff members in their 70s who bring stability, knowledge and wisdom to the practice and who are key to our "roundness".--just look at other places who might want your skills and write to the HR manager setting out what you could offer?

Don't look for purpose! Look for things to enjoy, take time absorb things you didn't have time for before.

I havnt read all the comments but would bet that once retired you will be wondering how you had the time to work.
It’s something I have heard time and time again and I agree.
I was retired on ill health following a serious incident at my work 23 years ago. Apart from the initial stress and getting used to a much reduced income I took to retirement like the proverbial duck.

At age 58 I retired from 36 years teaching. I cut down to three days a week, was mortgage free, did my sums and embraced it. I had run out of steam.
After that I volunteered at Citizens’ Advice, kept umpiring netball, went swimming, took short holidays and read a lot. I think you need to do your sums, look around for new hobbies/interests or utilise the ones you already have.
Retirement allows you to choose what you do, when you do it, if you really want to do it.
I have made new friends through the WI and choir, do Park Run ( I walk) all cheap and fun.
Seize the day.

Retirement is the best thing ever. Get yourself a campervan (it doesn't have to be expensive) and enjoy the freedom.

I was employed till March 2023 and retired but feel I’ve no identity and find myself wondering what my purpose is..

Being disabled it’s much harder to go out and volunteer as do miss the social side of being in a team and filling in the days..

I retired part time in 2018 then fully in Feb 24 . I can't believe how busy I am.
My greatest enjoyment is spending time with Grandson from birth. Husband semi retired and has been able to form a great connection with latest grandchildren due to picking and choosing when he works.( self employed).
Being able to spend time with my 88 year old mum has been good even though it means I've taken on responsibility for all her paperwork. I joined a ladies group which I love, I walk twice a week with different people and meet up with friends and sister for occasional coffees ,days out.
Lots of little holiday UK breaks during Monday to Friday school terms ,so cheaper.We also have had an allotment for over 20 years so another social event. I manage the store there and have made lots of new friends. There are days when you feel a little lonely but wouldn't go back to school if you paid me double. Life is what you make of it and if you have decent health you're lucky.
I love just being me at home.

I retired 5 years ago at 56. I have plenty of time for box-sets, reading, music and online bridge etc. I have several chronic health conditions and I'm glad to have enjoyed some retirement time, unlike my dad who died in his early 50's without enjoying any retirement time. Enjoy!