Shall I jump - is it feasible to give up work?

Congratulations on the pay rise, but I can see why you'd also be cross with them!

I hope the extra money helps, and tucking away some of it as Doodledog has suggested is good advice.

Thanks D-dog. My head hurts from my jaw hitting the floor when I read their email.

I'm staggered and stunned and still quite cross I've had to quit to get my role recognised as actually blooming important!

Congratulations . You've played a blinder there!

Maybe you could put some of the pay rise into your pension fund to make the decision a bit easier when the time comes.

I quit Tuesday afternoon giving 6 weeks notice.

Offered a mahoosive pay rise. 26.5%. Astonished. And somewhat annoyed that they now realise I've been underpaid all this time. Also, and probably unsurprisingly, still working for a bit longer!

I did, glad to be gone, however also very pleased to be involved with something as too young to be at home ……
Do make sure you have enough for yourself outside to keep you occupied, as has been said some become bored. There is a whole world out there of things going on and I’m sure you can enjoy a lot of them.

Sad that your husband has died, but what a good decision you made about retiring when you did.
None of us know what’s round the corner, and I think many who took the decision to retire earlier than they could have do not regret it. I certainly don’t.

I retired at 60 back in 2011. I had a small teacher's pension as I had only been in the profession for 14 years. My husband had been made redundant the year before, 18 months short of him reaching state pension age.
We did our sums and felt we could get by. We were used to living carefully in the past so it wasn't much of a struggle for the year or so before our state pensions kicked in.

I'm so glad we took the plunge. Within weeks of my retirement, the first of a whole series of family issues cropped up which we had to sort out.
Close relatives falling seriously ill, caring for them, bereavements, care homes etc.
In between there were times of calm and DH and I had some good times.
We got involved in various volunteering opportunities and made many new friends.
Through one of my voluntary jobs I was offered a temporary part time post running the education provision at our local museum.
Through another, I was asked to join a team in planning the proposed future of leisure and education facilities in the nearby forest.
I'm 71 now and my husband has recently died.
I am so glad I decided to retire when I did.
Doing so opened many new opportunities for both of us.

I wish you well with whatever you decide to do.
Good luck!

I haven’t regretted doing so for one second! I was 3 years off my state pension but had a small private one and a small nhs one to live on. It’s been fine.
Life’s far too short to spend on a job you don’t enjoy!
Go for it ?

If you can afford to jump, do it n o w. You’ll skip with joy, I promise you. I haven’t regretted it once.

Life's definitely too short to stay in a job you hate, and it sounds like you could manage without that income (even putting aside the potential inheritance).

As others have said though, there's nothing to stop you looking for something else instead.

All the best with it, whatever you decide.

There are lots of other vacancies in retail, perhaps you might enjoy working for another company. As I walk round our local shopping centre there are vacancy notices in many of the stores. So why not leave the supermarket job and try another retail job, if that doesn’t work out then consider retiring.

We chose to retire early, last year . ( see "can you manage on a state pension thread" ) . We had lots of opinions , both for and against but took the plunge and have never regretted it . If you are not factoring in your potential inheritance then I would say go for it! . We tried living on the amount we now have for q while before we retired and although life has become more expensive we manage perfectly well . I do work about 5 hours per week for an agency which covers the extra and if necessary you could go back to work for a few extra hours .

leave, you can always go back if necessary.

Good advice to pack your hated job in and have a month off. Decide whether to get another job after you’ve had a break.

SueEH, I was in a similar position 18 months ago but with only 1 job. I had returned from sick leave just at the start of lockdown and was bullied by my head of service. I stood it for nearly a year then decided I’d had enough and that I didn’t need to work financially. I have worked since I was 16 and was more than capable of working still so it didn’t sit right that I should just pack my job in. Friends told me life was too short, that I could get voluntary work, and because my husband (13 years older than me) had retired we would do all sorts of things together and go away whenever we fancied etc etc. For me the reality has been different. I miss the discipline of work, but you will still be working for your friend; a lot of voluntary work around here is either in a charity shop or befriending over the phone, neither of which appealed; my husband won’t plan any days or breaks, it’s up to me to come up with ideas all the time and it gets a little wearing. I am bored BUT I’m a lot happier and laid back and the issues I have, I have control over.
Pack in the job you hate with a clear conscience. Give yourself time to decide what you want to do, whether it’s paid or voluntary. I’ve found that I spend less although I go out more because I might meet friends for a walk or a coffee rather than a meal.
Good luck.

Just do it, take up the voluntary work and see how you are after a few months. If by Christmas you need p/t work, there’s bound to be some. Good luck.

I would look for another part-time job until your state pension kicks in, and count only on your own savings; don't rely on any expected inheritance. My parents were financially prudent, both saved, owned their house, but all their money was swallowed up in care home fees, because I didn't live close enough to help with day to day care and was working full-time.
You love one job; see if you can find another you enjoy for a few more years is my advice. I worked until 65, and don't regret it; now I enjoy enjoy my retirement.

I think it’s worth doing, and if you find you need a little extra income, or would, after all, prefer to work more days, you can find another, more suitable job.

saltnshake

Before you jump just check what your state pension will be. The number of years required to qualify has altered and some people might be in for a shock, some pleasant, some nasty. I hope you get a pleasant surprise.

Thank you for your advice. I have already checked and I will qualify for the whole state pension.

Before you jump just check what your state pension will be. The number of years required to qualify has altered and some people might be in for a shock, some pleasant, some nasty. I hope you get a pleasant surprise.

Just confirming that whilst a large inheritance would be great I am by no means counting on it. I have already inherited half of dad’s house from mum who died before Christmas and can downsize my own so will have a cushion at some point even if dad does need long term care.
I think it’s case of putting my conservative (with a small c) ethics to one side and making the decision to get on with life. I have always planned on volunteering with The Samaritans so maybe I just need to do it!

Another vote for just doing it.

I left work at 58, and have never regretted it. You sound financially stable, and in any case you may find that you spend a lot less not going to work.

Hi - agree with all the comments here. I would definitely look at another job, or retiring early. Life is just too short!

I'm slightly younger than you, still working, but if I wanted to retire early, I would use my private pensions to live on, until the SP and/or inheritance kicks in.

l would never count my chickens before they hatch as far as inheritance is concerned. My MIL is paying £5500 a month for her care home. It is nothing exceptional and she moved there last month at the age of 103 having lived at home but is starting to dement. With company and regular food and drink she looks like she will go some years yet.

I'm in a similar boat but without the potential inheritance, however - Sue - it would be dangerous to factor that in as a definite as things happen ... specialist care etc. My elderly neighbour is in a home that's something like £2,500 per week - his Accountant / money savvy son has taken out an insurance policy to ensure cover of future bills should his money run out - and that policy was eye wateringly expensive.

I'm horribly frustrated with my employers (been with the company 13 years). No pay rise for the last 3 years. I feel so disrespected and unappreciated .. Tiny private pension, G'ment pension in 2.5 years. I have some savings that would see me through to 66 although the energy price rises are a proper worry.

My best friend died in February this year at age 62 (not Covid), a year younger than me. I feel I'm letting life pass me by ... but I don't know if I'm brave enough to jump. I'll be watching this thread with interest.