Worried about retirement

I medically retired from the NHS 2017, I was dreading it, it takes a bit of getting used to. For example I no longer have to rush my food down at lunch and teatime. In fact I don’t know how I found the time to work. How many times have you heard that one?

I took early retirement at 50 as my DH had retired aged 65 & was not in good health. When he was 70 we downsized & moved to Somerset from Middlesex (Surrey). Sadly he died 14 months after we moved. 2 years later I moved to be closer to DD & DGS in Devon, she was established in Devon having moved there 14 years before, she had her own circle of friends & her beloved Partner.

I live about 10 miles from my DD & was here when DGS2 was born. I love my life, have made my own friends & pre Covid had a busy social life. Best move I could have made.

My DM who will be 92 next week still lives in Yorkshire where I was born & brought up. It is a worry that she is so far away but she has always lived in the same village & still has friends there

I love the freedom retirement has given me, no having to get up & being at my desk on lovely sunny days. Staying in when I want to. I don't draw my State Pension until July this year & am not sure how my finances will be affected but I will make changes where necessary & carry on enjoying life

Don't worry . You do not need so much money as when you worked . I did not get my state pension till 65 and it was like a part time job pay to me. A bonus . You will have time for hobbies , taking care of yourself and no pressure of work routine . A part time job might suit you if you feel lost at home, but I have treasured every day since I retired at 58, 9 years ago .

It's perfectly understandable to be a bit apprehensive, but I'm sure you'll be ok. As others have said, your expenses are a lot less in retirement and you'll find other things to do instead of work. We both relied on our occupational pensions to begin with as we retired before state pension age. I now receive my state pension but my husband doesn't get his for another couple of years. We moved house to be nearer our daughter and this has given us a new lease of life. We look after our grandson a couple of days a week which gives us structure. My husband loves walking, my hobby is gardening and I grow most of my own plants from seed. Very engrossing. I have consciously made the effort to slow down and not feel bad about watching a bit of daytime television or read a book. I think we all owe it to ourselves after juggling children and work to take time for ourselves!!!! Also life is short - good to make the most of it while we're fit and able.

The GP’s you work for may be actually trying to keep you by saying they won’t re employ you.
I retired from the nhs a few years ago. I applied for my nhs pension and put in my letter of resignation. One week into my notice, I was offered the hours I wanted if I agreed to return. We agreed on two days a week, which I did until I got my state pension.
Your employers may be testing the water. I can’t imagine there are many experienced unemployed practice nurses out there

Hello Banna many wise words here for you. I agree with Supergran1946 I love retirement too and wish I had made a career of it. Once you have sorted out your finances and decided if you are ready for retirement, there will be a whole new world waiting out there for you. Embrace it and enjoy.

Consider yourself fortunate that you have been able to work for as long as you have and therefore, have had the opportunity to accumulate a decent NHS pension! Also, by the sounds of things, you are going to be able to work up until you can claim your State Pension, so you aren't actually going to be in dire straits financially!
I have been much less fortune than you! I was a Senior Nurse in the NHS for over 30 years - my last position was as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in general practice. I worked full time for my entire career, even when my children were small. Just as well I didn't take any breaks, because I really had no idea what was going to happen to me!
As I got older, I suffered from aches and pains and had back problems since I had my son in 1995. One day, I was checking a patients BP and I felt something "snap" in my back! The pain was excruciating and after examining me, one of the GPs sent me to the hospital! Xrays revealed 2 fractures in my spine and a DEXA scan showed I had severe osteoporosis! My GP employers sent me to see Occupational Health for assessment! Unfortunately, they said that they couldn't allow me to continue working as the risk of further fractures was considerable! I was only 50 at the time, so I was devastated! ??
I am nearly 64 now and over the years I have had quite a few other fractures - in my spine, toes and ribs - all without any trauma! I also now have severe osteoarthritis in almost all of my joints! Every day is a pain-filled struggle!
However, worse was to come! In 2008, my husband's company were not doing well and there was talk they might even close down! My husband had worked for the company for 24 years and had worked his way up into a senior management role. In January 2009, his employer paid off 80 of their 129 staff. The main criteria used for selection for redundancy was health! My husband had had some time off as he required surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, so he was one of the casualties! He was just 51 at the time! Because of the recession, getting another job was impossible and he then went on to develop arthritis in his hips/knees, diabetes and sleep apnoea, which further reduced his chances of employment! He tried to access his Occupational Pension on health grounds, but it was refused, as he was under 55!
After using up his redundancy money and our savings, we were forced to declare ourselves bankrupt, as we couldn't pay our mortgage any more! Our house was repossessed and we lost everything! My husband's pension was seized by the Trustees as it was considered an asset! They couldn't touch mine as I was already receiving it! We then discovered that my husband couldn't claim any state benefits as my pension took us just above the income threshold!
Then I discovered that I would have to wait until I was 66 to get my State Pension, instead of at 60, because the Government changed the rules! We now live in a rented property on a fraction of our former income, in poor health, and with virtually zero hope of things ever improving!
I am sorry if you don't like what I am saying - not many people do - but it might help you to view your financial situation in a different light and be thankful for what you do have! Working for over 30 years and having nothing to show for it is not a happy place to be! ???

My husband retired a few years ago, while I still work on a stressful small business from home. He has not really found a great number of new activities and struggles to fill his time. He has become something of a penny pincher which is difficult for me as time is still money for me. Not everyone adapts well, so planning ahead is vital. Two years to plan and prepare sounds right to me, but make sure you get the sums right and want your new lifestyle.