Did you regret retiring too early?

Rosie59, if you are under retirement age for state pension, and aren't having any NI contributions made through working, then you can choose to pay "voluntary contributions" to make up extra years towards your pension. Then when you reach retirement age, you will get a better pension. DH is doing this - we worked out that (for us) it's a worthwhile investment.

I applied for voluntary redundancy at 53, I'd spent my whole career working for the firm, so got a decent lump sum.
My occupational pension didn't kick in until my 60th birthday, and I'm having to wait until I turn 66 to get my state pension (robbing ba****ds), so I economised a bit, but as I was home all the time, saved money naturally by cooking from scratch, not buying 'office' clothes, no travel expenses etc.
DH retired at the age of 55, fifteen months after I finished, with a lump sum and his occupational pension.
We love every moment of being retired, I can't think of one negative aspect!
If we'd both still been working, we'd have seen our DGS at weekends, but as it is, we look after him for three full days per week, and enjoy every second!
If you know you can manage financially, go for it, my DF died at the age of sixty one, never having retired, life's short, enjoy it while you can!

Nanniecf how that resounds with me! Just like you I retired at 59 as my job had become too stressful as a manager in a college. My DH had already been retired for 4 years and I thought ,’ why should I keep on working when he isn’t? ‘ He encouraged me to retire. However he doesn’t want to do anything, stays in the house most days apart from visiting the doctor ( I have to take him as he won’t drive) and I feel my retirement days are being wasted. I do go out on my own but often I get the silent treatment when I return
So my advice to the OP would be to make sure your OH shares your plans for retirement

I do Invigilation in a school, so feel I have the best of both worlds .... work when I feel like it, have a social life with the staff ... but as a casual worker, can pick and choose my hours.

Retired as Headteacher at 64 and didn’t know what to do with myself... we moved house... decided to start a B& B .... well .. who knew it would be such fun and so successful... and we learn to work together....
I’d recommend retiring from this job and trying something entirely different.....
finally retired at 71 ... and loving it 10 years later... still in touch with some B and B’ers .

I was almost sixty and my husband five years older. We have had to sell our house to make ends meet and buy a cheaper one. Now we are struggling again. We probably need to downsize again but our last house took two years to sell and we ended up without a roof over our heads for seven weeks as we lost the house we were buying at the last minute as the tenants refused to move out. It was a nightmare that I can’t face again. DH is now 74 and fitting kitchens and bathrooms. I’m worried that it’s going to kill him as he looks so dreadful when he gets home. It’s fine to retire if you have a good pension, but the state pension isn’t enough to live on. I have an extra £100 a month from a work pension. I will have to look for a job soon I think. The best thing about retirement is that my health is so much better. I the last year or so of working I had bronchitis, pleurisy and pneumonia plus swine flu. All caught from the children I worked with. In nine years of retirement I have had pleurisy once, this year, and bronchitis once. So it’s a choice work and get constantly ill or live very frugally and still not manage. If you can afford to retire, go for it, but if you end up struggling it’s just awful.

I was extremely fortunate to retire early on an immediate but reduced pension (due to my age - 50) but with a good redundancy payout at the same time. I ploughed most of my payout back into my pension fund to avoid the 40 pct tax which would have been due on anything over 30k, so that increased my pension somewhat. (final salary scheme) I had to wait a few years for my state pension, which I got at just over 60.
I worked in a very pressured and stressful media environment and frankly I had burned out. I have never regretted leaving it for an instant and the drop in income was mitigated somewhat by the fact that I spend much less on commuting, taxis, coffees, lunches, work clothes and distraction-therapy shopping!
I did keep in touch with colleagues quite a bit for a time but it has gradually fallen away (This was entirely down to me -- if you want to keep in touch it's very possible but requires you to put in the effort. After a while I found I had left that part of my life behind.)
What I did ensure was that I had a plan for my retirement -- I wanted to take art and language classes and learn to make all sorts of different breads from scratch. All of which I did. I still do a weekly language class and am about to sign up for a knife skills course. I also swim five days a week and have made new friends doing so. I'm now in my mid 60s and DH and I enjoy our retirement very much indeed.

I retired from nursery teaching aged 58, at the same time as DH who was 62. Our first GC was born the following month (we now have 4). The best thing I ever did. Life is as busy as you want to make it. I still meet up regularly with colleagues who have also left the stresses of teaching behind. Eight years down the line, I hope there are many more to enjoy.

If you can afford it (and it sounds like you can) then do it! I retired early 50’s to fit in with my DH who is some years older than me, as I did not feel he should waste all those years waiting for me and I am so glad I did because I am still 2 years off receiving my state pension and DH’s health is deteriorating, but we have SO many great memories of the things we have done over the last 10 years. We would not have been able to travel so extensively or live on a narrowboat like we did if I had still been working

I am absolutely green with envy reading some of these posts and the ages that people were able to retire. Also wish you all well and understand you aren’t trying to make me feel bad but at 62 I have 4 more years until I can have my State Pension and due to things in my life going a bit pear shaped I have very little private pension.
I work a 7 day week and would give anything to stop.

My husband was in a business partnership and 9 years ago at the age of 62 asked if the other partner would ‘buy him out’ which he did. I’m 3 years younger than him and enjoyed my little job working 2 days per week. Then out of the blue our dept was offered redundancy so I took it. We both have no regrets. We joined a house/pet sitting agency and have enjoyed house sitting in some beautiful houses mainly in London and the south of England. We live in the north but our son his wife and our GD are in the south. We can see them and they can visit us and have our own space. Last year we did a one month house/cat sit in Melbourne Australia where our daughter lives. We were there for the birth of our second GD and also our daughter’s surprise wedding. Retirement is definitely what you make it and if you’re lucky enough to have decent health there should be no stopping you.

I retired at 69 as a therapist at a mental health clinic. I was and am in good health. I thought I could get a part time job in my field and use the other time to volunteer, spend time with family etc. I was lucky because I had a good pension and social security. so often I regret my decision. my attempts to find part time work came to noting. my children and grands live nearby and I do spend time with them but they all have busy lives. I am single so I am often alone. I do volunteer, have joined various groups, try to stay socially and physically active. yet I miss feeling useful, miss having a daily purpose, dressing up on a daily basis.I realize my situation is so much batter than many yet I so often regret my decision. I spent so many years getting my education and preparing for a career and now that is over wonder where it all went. thanks for letting me vent.

I think I am so lucky at the moment that I can work or not as I wish. I am 66 and have "retired" a couple of times in my 60s so far. I was made redundant at 62 returned to the same office 6 months later to cover a colleagues maternity leave for a year, took 3 months off then returned again to cover another colleagues long term sick for 9 months. Took a few more months off and found a 4 week temporary placement with a different old employer which stretched into 18 months until the company collapsed in January this year. I've just had 6 months off which I really enjoyed but I went for a temp role 3 weeks ago, which I heard through an old colleague again, and was snapped up straight away, I've been doing my new role 2 weeks and I love it.

I am just someone who loves working, it gives structure to my day and a reason to get up. I get bored at home my partner is 70 and he has also returned to his old job as a part timer. I could manage financially without, but it is lovely to have extra cash, not something I've ever been used to in the past, and that means we can carry out certain projects to the house and garden.

Everyone should do what suits them, it is great that we are no longer forced to retire at 60, not everyone wants to stay home or volunteer or whatever. And the older workforce is more valued than you think, there are jobs out there if you look for them.

Yes, in your situation I think 58 is too young to retire. From the sounds of it you have gone through some difficult times at work and come out the other side, and you are at a stage when you are actively participating and enjoying your job, your colleagues and the contribution you make as part of a working team.

These are the very factors that add value to you life at 58 and keep you mentally stimulated - so why be hoodwinked by society into thinking you are of an she when you should retire? Enjoy your job accomplishments and social working life for a few more years - you're not "retirement" material yet!

Oh I find it difficult to answer this one - I have no choice really but to continue working until I drop - i am healthy both physically & mentally (although could do with losing some weight lol) I am 65 next month and at times wish I could retire & spend my time doing what I want to do I.e travel / art but by doing so my lifestyle would change quite dramatically- I live alone as was Widowed 2008 - I have no savings - so I basically live day by day - and try to make the most of each day but count my blessings - I have 3 beautiful grandchildren who live nearby- however if I was in your position I think I would consider going at least part time & travel as much as you and your partner can! Life is so short & we must make the best of what we got. Best of luck x

I had to retire from the NHS at 55yrs. I had no choice. My back was damaged beyond repair as a nurse. I miss work badly and my friends. DVLA took my licence away as well because l lost all the nerves in my right leg and couldn't feel the brake pedal!! Driving an automatic wouldn't work as it's my right leg and felt too old to learn hand controls! Everyone is different. I am trying out new hobbies instead.

I retired early, we moved from London to another city and we're glad we made the change. We were able to cash in our house which enabled us to help our children sort out their own housing. I've never regretted it, though I was lucky that my state pension kicked in just under two years late - others will have to wait much longer.
At the time my DH was working away from home, but fortunately he was made redundant about six month later which also helped the finances.
I must admit that I find all the advice about making a plan for hobbies and interests pretty amusing - having had a really busy job for the past few years I'm actually very happy to have time on my hands. Neither of us are great joiners or socialites and have no problem with this. My small garden is really my only hobby.

My husband retired a few years before me and suggested I should- so many things we could do but I loved my job(Specialist Nurse) I could not imagine not working. At 60 I reluctantly retired.
That was 22 years ago - what wonderful years! No regrets. We are so fortunate.

I LOVE being retired! For the first time in my entire adult life I can just do what the hell I want to! I was lucky enough to be able to retire at 57, 2 years ago. The months have flown and I have no idea how I managed to find the time to work! My parents are elderly so I spent a fair amount of time with them and I walk miles with my dog most mornings. I was having a few back issues due to my job, which was working with young children, but since retiring my back has given me no problems at all. I feel happier and fitter than I have for years! Also my relationship with DH, who also retired recently, has improved no end. Probably because neither of us have the stresses of work anymore. We aren't rich, but neither are we destitute! Our youngest child moved out a fortnight ago so its just us for the first time in almost 30 years! I truly don't understand people who are bored and miss work. I miss it like a hole in the head!! I know everyone is different, but I for one am very grateful I was able to get out of the rat race! When we are both eligible for our state pension we intend to travel! We have 6 years to plan!

Yes, I regret it, retired from being a Qualified Nurse for 38 years at 55 years old. I'm 57 & feel I have no direction in my life. My husband still works but our relationship has definitely suffered because of my decision, I just feel like I am a housewife & that's it, I thought that it would be bliss, not so, I miss the company of the people I worked with & having some purpose in life. Wish I had thought about it more, but I felt like I was burnt out after 38 years, lost my confidence with managers moving us constantly, having to work in specialties, felt like a jack of all trades master of none. I had worked on a Women's health ward for 16 years & then having to move without warning to cover other wards just made me insecure & nervous, so that's basically why I finished. I have a new grandson but only see him 1 a week, but I am so grateful for that. I did consider applying for shop assistant jobs but I'm not sure I would be considered at 57. Sorry if I pretty negative guys but that's my mood at the moment.

My husband retired at the age of 58 from a very stressful public sector role. Then our school wanted volunteers for redundancy, so I was accepted for early retirement at the age of 61, as I am 3 years older that DH. We managed on our occupational pensions, although I do now have my state pension as well. DH will not get his state pension until 66, but we have a very comfortable life already, so no complaints there. Work had been awful for both of us, so many changes in the public sector thanks to the Tory cuts - I could see my husband's health go visibly downhill, so I am really relieved. We've now been happily retired over four years. We both do a mix of voluntary roles, Credit Union, library, museum etc. and I am a passionate gardener, growing my own plants from seed. Enjoy zumba, Pilates as well. Time to meet my friends for coffee and lunch. The odd holiday but not interested in long haul travel. When you've worked all your life, as I have, you deserve a decent retirement. I hate what the government have done to us ladies of a certain age regarding delaying the state pension and it has impacted so badly on so many women. I count my blessings that in both my careers (banking and education) there were good pension schemes to pay into. This means that I make an equal contribution to the household finances. I also have complete autonomy over my own money, which I am very grateful for.

I retired at 70 and it was still too early.. I really missed being useful, at home I seem to be in the way most of the time

Everything is fine if you can afford it! I'll be working till 66 till state pension kicks in no choice!

I retired at 45 and promptly moved abroad. I have not regretted it for one minute. OH is older than me and at the time it was compulsory for flight crew to retire at 55.
After six months I decided to do voluntary work a few days a week. OH plays golf, we live a stones throw from the Mediterranean and we love our time together.
I do realise I am fortunate as I have five years to go for my state pension.
If you can afford to retire early my advice would be to do so.

I retired at 68, and still regret it. I didn't realise just how much it meant to me.
Volunteering just isn't the same!