I semi retired at 58, took my NHS pension then returned on 3 days until last year when I left my job. I then got involved with the covid vaccine team locally working 4 days a week. That finished in January this year and I started to panic about retirement.
It is a very strange feeling, loss of earnings, loss of having a purpose, loss of having a reason to get up in the morning and loss of routine after so many years.
My husband was lucky and decided to retire early at 53 yrs and he made the adjustment easily. It’s been much harder for me. It’s not that I don’t have anything to do. I go to a pottery class, swim, bought and ebike and cycle, I love gardening, walking the dogs, bring with the grandchildren although they are older now and don’t need caring for.
I knit, read, learning to sew, I have lots I want to do but that sense of that’s it, no more work and a loss of the purpose of work is proving difficult for me.
My previous boss asked me if I’d do a couple of days on the bank as they are so short staffed so I jumped at it!
I’ve decided after this year on the bank to finish at Christmas as I should get my state pension in January.
I was one of the first to have to work the full 6 years longer to get my state pension having been born after 1955. So working longer became a necessity.
I think I’m ready to retire but I still feel wobbly about it. The loss of earnings is a huge thing for me. I have an occupational pension already and will have the state pension on top and will comfortably manage financially so I need to relax and let go however I’m still struggling.
Is it just me? I should be glad to finish and in some ways I am because I know I will fill my time and I do intend to do some voluntary work also but it’s creating anxiety. Anyone else feel this?
Just another of life’s adjustments I suppose!