Oh the stress

I'm sure there will be someone along who can answer your question soon. I'd just like to say that I had to retire early at 58 through ill health and I was at my wits end with how it would affect me and how I would manage till my state pension kicked in but I can honestly say it was the best thing for me.. ok I managed on less money but found I really didn't need as much as I thought and the weight that lifted off my shoulders once the decision was made was amazing and I've not looked back since.. good luck

It would depend on your employers pension scheme and possibly how many years service you have had. The only way is to ask your pension provider.

Thanks ladies your up late!

Yes - definitely ask the pension provider directly as all schemes vary.

I too began to fizzle out a bit at around your age - partly physical tiredness and partly a feeling that I was doing the same thing every day and my life was drifting away before my very eyes. I gave up completely at 60 and have never regretted it - less money, but we manage. My pension is barely worth having, as I opted out many years ago when children were little, then opted back in when I was about 40 - you can imagine what that did to the final pension!

Rest assured, you will manage - you will be surprised how little it is possible to manage on. The sense of freedom to choose what you do and when is priceless. Boredom truly does not come into it - like many others I wonder how I found the time to go to work.

Mishap has said it all, Kiora! We're lucky enough to be comfortable as far as money is concerned - I worked for over 30 years - but the freedom of retirement is wonderful.

Presse send too soon! And everyone I know says more or less the same.

It depends on the terms and conditions of your pension and these vary from fund to fund as others have said. You need to contact your pension provider and ask. They are obliged to give you detais and many will provide you with an annual statement.

Re your tiredness. It may be worth looking at your lifestyle; diet and exercise in particular. We often feel more tired in winter as the days get shorter, but there is much you can do to boost your energy levels.

You may regret in years to come having a lower pension. Or like Mishap you may not. But it's worth finding out what your pension fund is worth and tackling the issue of your tiredness, which is not inevitable at your youngish age.

Kiora Good advice given as regards to checking with your pension provider also look at the saving you will have with regard to travelling expences and your meals things that you will save on if you are at home ?
Diet is very important and if it needs addressing along with some excercise you may feel much better within yourself even a brisk walk everyday can make a huge change in to how we feel.

buck up your life

If you work out how much it costs you to work - travel, clothes, lunches, wear and tear - you can balance that against the lower income. As for boredom - the whole world is out there, you just have to remember to still connect with it.

All this is true, but you do have to make sure you can manage financially because being retired and struggling would be no fun (sorry to state the obvious). For those of us with mortgages there sometimes really is no option. Go into it with your eyes open Kiora. If you can manage to go part time without it affecting your pension I can thoroughly recommend it. Best of both worlds, and we still have full retirement to look forward to!

Kiora; that's exactly what happened to me. I found I was doing less and less when I got home [other than falling asleep] but was also being asked to do more and more at work to cover for people. I doubt if you'll feel bored; you'l just realise how many things you were no longer doing that you can now do. Another problem I found was that once I'd half thought about retiring the work suddenly seemed even harder and the tiredness greater because there was light at the end of the tunnel. I do miss seeing and talking to different people on a daily basis, though, but have been out both days this weeked [ a month or so ago I would have been doing housework/sleeping to catch up]. If you do carry on working, could you, say, pay to have a cleaner etc? I know it sounds extravagent but it could give you some breathing space as you decide what to do.

Kiora as others have said only your pension provider can answer questions regarding your particular scheme. You can also ask them for a pension forecast and an illustration of benefit with a reduced working week. As I understand it the greatest increase to any fund takes place in its latter years of maturity so please take independent advice from your provider. You may be able (within the terms of the fund) take a partial pension for the commensurate reduction in hours which will offset the reduction in salary. Only your provider can advise.
I'm not sure that at 60 you should be feeling worn out by Tuesday, or even Thursday for that matter, assuming there are no underlying health issues. Would it be worth mentioning how you feel to your GP. At 60 you are still young, I'm 65 and feel fit as a fiddle, at least physically. Mentally is another matter temporarily. If you do feel shattered do consult your doctor in case she or he can advise.
I wish you well.

I have given this a lot of thought Kiora and think there are several things to take into account
1) Finances - as the others have said, go into it with yur eyes open. Like Mishap I restarted my career and my pension is based on 22 years instead of the 35-7 most teachers enjoy. Frankly money is tight also because of DH's extended periods of ill health and no earnings (he went self employed after reduncdancy 20 years ago - not ideal given the subsequent medical problems) It didnt seem to matter so much while I was working but I am conscious of friends enjoying a variety of holidays, cruises, home improvements or buy to let purchases and while we are far from the breadline, it is a shame to have all this time at our disposal, but in our case neither the finances or health to do likewise. Not complaining, just be aware
2) your current fatigue might not be (just) age-related - do have a health check. I felt great uo to 60/61/62 and contemplated part time to "ease myself" into retirement, but circumstances dictated otherwise (DH's illness and first DGS) so I just quit at 62. So do see a doctor.You may be suffering from depression or be anaemic or something else.
3) it depends how much you enjoy your job. I could have bored for Britain about mine and loved it right up to my 62nd birthday when either because I knew I was going or because I was weary, I totally fell out of love with it and that's no way to go out to work!
4) Everybody will tell you how wonderful retirement is- one long holiday, no more Monday mornings, live for yourself, etc etc. You may find it harder to adjust than you think. On the one hand you free but you are also available for help with the DGC which can be lovely, or for your own parents, or for your partner - remember to leave time for yourself or you risk exchanging one tyranny for another! Many people if they are being honest will admit that it isnt always a bed of roses, you may miss the company or stimulus of work, the identity it gives you and the feeling of being significant.
I am sorry to sound depressing, it just isn't necessarily as easy as it might sound. I think the main thing first is to see a doctor and explain how you feel and onky after that, plan your next steps. Just because you are 60 shuld not make you unfit for work!! Good luck.

ONLY !!! AND I spell-checked it!!

I worked for 40 years and then retired when I was 59 years old. I nearly ran out of my place of work I was so delighted to retire. I was at a stage where I hated going to work and I was countimng every day.

I had a rest for 6 months, did not consider working again but I was offered a 3 day a week job, one thing led to another and I ended up with that job which lasted 6 months and 2 other casual jobs and this continued until I broke my ankle requiring surgery when I was 66 years old or I may well be working now.

As others have said, you need to see your GP for a check up.

Please give a lot of thought to reducing your hours. One cannot live solely on a full state pension IMHO so a reduced one (I assume) with a reduced workplace pension would be difficult.

Oh you've all given lots to think about... I may get back to you when i'v had time to digest all this info. I don't really think I'm ill just really busy and trying to keep up with the myriad of changes at work, plus after 4 long days I end the week with three very lively under 4's and perhaps I'm not very organised but thanks for you input.

Having had a few weeks to recharge my batteries, I'm beginning to miss the variety of people of all ages that I used to work with and meet through my job. Hope you make the right decision Kiora [4 days working and then three children under the age of 4 for one day, and you think you'e not organised; you sound more like superwoman by my standards !]

Hi Kiora - I know how difficult it must be for you. I had similar problems at work and found it all vey tiring and stressful. I managed to get my hours reduced from 40 to 30 for the last 3 years. Then when I received my pension forecast from work a few months prior to me reaching 60......after long and well thought out discussion with my O/H I took my retirement a year ago when reaching 60 and I haven't looked back. Money is tighter, but we manage and it feels like a huge great wardrobe has been lifted from my shoulders. I love my life now, have no time to get bored and do a bit of voluntary at the local hospital.
Hope it all works out well for you. You have a lot of advice on here, just make sure the decision you make is the right one for you.

Lots of wise advice! I took early retirement at the age of 55. After two years an opportunity arose and I worked for three days a week for eighteen months, but have not worked now for just over a year. I'm lucky enough to have a decent pension, but I honestly love not having to go to out work. I can help with the little'ns when required, and spend my time as I choose. I am busy, but now I'm busy with MY life! I think the time has to be right for you, Kiora and the decision needs to be on your terms. Good luck, whatever you decide!