What age did you retire?

61, I’d taken a six month sabbatical the previous year to live in France, we loved it, so I went back for five months, retired then back to France.

At the age of 50 I was appointed to what turned out to be a dream job, the best I ever had, working in a local Uni. 8 years later our department was subject to a take over and the whole ethos changed and became quite unbearable. So , even tho I had loved my job, I could work from home several days a week and the uni was 10 minutes from home, I got out at the age of 60. I hadn’t planned to but it just wasn’t worth it anymore. I did carry on working part time for the OU for 5 years but I have never regretted retiring when I did.

I was made redundant into early retirement at 53. I did look for work, but back in the mid 1990s women in their 50s were virtually unemployable, at least at professional level, so I did voluntary work and did return to work for 6 months as maternity cover for my manager, but went returned to volunteering when she returned to work.

I would have liked to stay at work. I emjoyed my work and felt I could still make progress. But my employer had a very generous redundancy scheme, especially for over 50s and I had to balance an immediate pension, a big lump sum and other bells and whistles against risking staying on and finding that as soon as the redundancy scheme ended I could still find myself out on my ear, no lump sum beyond my statutory entitlement - a few weeks - and no pension until 60.

So I went. Sometimes it is wise to know the difference between what you want and what is in your best interests.

I retired at 56 partly to look after my elderly , blind mum but she died 3 weeks after I retired. I was also worn out . 5 children , demanding job and 4 years of elderly parents living nearby and needing a lot of help. No regrets. I love retirement.

62 best thing I ever did.

RA meant I retired at 62, three years earlier than I’d planned. I had a sudden and grim flare up, thought I’d be ok after s week’s rest. A year later, it became clear I wasn’t going to be fit to work again.
It took some adjustment but I love retirement

60 from my full time bank job, got my bank pension, but nearly 3 years before state pension.

If I had enjoyed my work as much as I did 30 years previously, would have kept working, but sadly I was so ready to pack up. Every day seemed to bring fresh changes and problems (sorry) ‘challenges’.

I was 58 and had already chosen to job share in my Y6 teaching post. Like muse, disillusionment with senior management drove me to retire early, about which I have no regrets as it’s been a surprising and busy 13 years, with a move to Torbay, divorce, remarriage to olddudders (resident in France), lovely holidays, including visiting family, and participation in amdram plus church life.

I retired at 52,my husband had taken voluntary redundancy at 55.We bought a touring caravan and travelled the uk . We then went wider afield with American coach tours plus many many times to Las Vegas ! We then started cruising and only finished the year before my husband died.23 years of happy retirement and so many wonderful memories .We were very lucky.

Wanted to retire at 60 to care for elderly parents, and help with childcare for new grandchild but, because of change to SPA, couldn't afford to. Eventually managed it at 63 but by then Mum had died, Dad was in a care home and grandchild at school. Still didn't get pension for another 18 months so had to live on lump sum from work pension. Don't miss work at all. Still keep in touch with workmates and have a busy social life.

55 from a full time senior nursing role because I was completely knackered. Voluntary work since then.

66. I had gradually reduced my hours down to three days a week teaching. I went back though for six months a year later as they were stuck for someone to cover a maternity leave.
Up to the pandemic I also taught adult Ed a couple of hours a week which was great fun.
I like being retired but still miss my students

74. Worked in the financial sector. Going along nicely until a change of personnel didn't suit me. Never fancied retirement but I was so wrong. Love it. Very unexpected addition of two GC iced my cake. Life could not better be. Well......almost!

52. It hadn't been my intention to retire then, but I had to take several months off to take care of my mum when she was terminally ill. They kept my job open for me, but after the stress with mum I really felt like I needed some 'me time', and the longer I spent not working, the more I realised I didn't want to go back to work! Best thing I ever did! I love being at home, doing what I want to do, when I want to do it. We're just counting down the time until DH retires now, so that we can enjoy it together!

54.I was widowed at 49 and financially I was well provided for.I am 73 now and I love not working.

61

74, I was sad to give up teaching and was a reading support volunteer with Coram Beanstalk until the first lockdown. I was delighted recently to help judge a schools’ poetry competition on Zoom.

67

I retired 4 months before 60th birthday.
I had intended to work till 65 but became disillusioned with management. I was deputy head in a large school. Loved teaching but on advice from NAHT rep I retired as I was 60 before the pension changes 4 months later.

I did a small amount of supply and ended up earning as much as I did when in full time work. Plus I had my lump sum.

I retired nearly 6 years ago at 55 and don't regret it for a second. I had worked full time for 39 years [had 4 months Maternity leave] my only break. I was tired of it. I still wake up early every morning but have a huge smile that I don't have to leap up, get ready and be out the door by 7 every morning.
I don't have the money to do all the things that some might want to do but its enough for me. I still have to wait 4.5 years until my state pension comes along but not a single regret. I am so happy. Each to their own.

I could have retired at 55 but it would have been difficult financially. I hung on for my full 40 years and retired at 60 because I could not hack it another day. I received my state pension 6 months later.
I did casual work similar to what I had been doing so it was well paid. I did that for a few years until I had saved some money but broke my ankle very badly so that was the end of that.

I had to retire from teaching seven years ago at 59, as I was deemed incapable of doing my job, due to RA.
Initially I was devastated, because I loved my job and found the fact that I was so infirm, difficult to accept. It was also a huge blow financially, due to the loss of my very generous salary and being a WASPI into the bargain.
It took a couple of years to accept things, now I greatly enjoy retirement.

Still working at 68, 24 hours a week in a care home and I really enjoy it

Had to because of covid at 70 but I hope return part time next September. I loved my job.

I had to take ill-health retirement from NHS at 58, I was devastated as I loved my job. It actually turned out ok.