Anyone in the same situation

Hi sar I'm in the same situation as you, excepting my husboy is nearly 4 years younger than me .

There will be others too I'm sure.

I am much busy and don't find it a problem that I have the joy of the house to myself retired before him: I've joined a walking group, a knitting group, I go to the library, do a belly dancing class, sit on the couch and watch telly, have lunch or coffee with friends - and the catering has improved greatly since I'm at home to plan and prepare meals, which makes the working man very happy when he comes home tired and hungry.

I tried a few other things - volunteered on my local Patient Participation Group but that was a bunch of pale people complaining boring, so I resigned, much to their consternation.

In a nutshell, I do whatever I like, it's marvellous, it sometimes reminds me of being a child again

Well you won't find a U3a in most other countries - but you can always teach English. Or find other expat groups.

I do charity work, all my own housework and cook and sew and learn French and translate from German to English, although now the competition from the internet is fierce.

I did several Distance learning courses. Psychology A level, Creative writing and short story writing.

You could be quite lonely at first so its a good idea to think about it like you are doing. Sport is good, so if you play tennis or golf or Bridge that can open doors.
Good luck

You don't have to retire and take your pension unless you want to.

I wish I had a bridge to open my doors I have to do it myself even when my hands are full

I loved having more me time. Doing courses, meeting friends for lunch, going to the cinema in the afternoon, galleries and exhibitions, time for sewing, gardening, decorating etc. Not enough hours in the day. Now OH is retired as well I still do all those things plus occasionally going out with him!

We're the other way around - my DH is 9 years older than me and has been retired for AGES! I'm planning to retire at 60, pension or no pension, but I've still got 2 years to go. I actually really enjoy my job, so I'm not bothered, I'm just hoping hubby still has lots of life to go exploring the world when I retire!
So far as keeping busy, he doesn't seem to have a problem - he's done loads of Futureworld courses, plays badminton and golf, does lots of IT things. He's in the U3A (I think they are in most countries actually - I know my SIL belongs to a really active branch in Alicante).He's also got quite adventurous in the kitchen, makes all our bread and some nice meals, and keeps the house (reasonably) clean. I actually think he's rather dreading me retiring and cramping his style!

We retired about the same time, but don't do everything together.

I took up the piano again - hadn't touched one for 50 years! And only ever did pass grade 2 so more or less had to start again from scratch.
That was over 4 years ago, and I'm still at it.

I dislike being retired I do plenty of voluntary work at least three times a week, help with grandkids and meet friends for lunch I go for walks, take photos, garden but I loved having to go into work it gave me such purpose I tend to feel rudderless now maybe it's different when you ve got a partner