I retired early, I had a small pension from a previous employer, both kids were through university, mortgage paid off so we worked out that we could manage with DH working part time ( he is self employed). As to the huge number not returning to the workplace after covid; I have heard a few phone ins on this subject and most people seemed to have had a period of reflection while in lockdown and worked out that they no longer needed the hassle of working full time. Many had gone part time, sometimes to very different jobs, and combined it with making a small income from hobbies. Not surprisingly, a lot of those I heard on Women's Hour were teachers who had burnt out.