retirement yes or no?

I have a slightly different perspective as DH retired at 65, his health was not great & I got the chance to take Early Retirement at 50 to care for him. We had 7 (fairly) good years up to his death 5 years ago. Had I carried on working I would have missed so much.

Since being on my own I have moved to be nearer my DD & DGSs, joined a couple of Meet Up Groups & intend to get more involved in local organisations.

I love my Retirement, lazy mornings when the weather is bad or get up & out when it's a lovely day. I love the freedom. As others have suggested perhaps go Part-Time & see how it goes.

The truth is, we run out of time. What I mean by that is (turning the argument on its head) many people would like (or even love) to carry on working, but that then cuts into how much time you'll have left to do whatever takes your fancy, before things (perhaps) start going wrong.

I retired - fit and healthy - at the point where I thought, "If I'm lucky, I have 15 good years left". I'm making the most of them, still fit and healthy.

I also think sometimes it's ego that keeps us working, thinking we're so good at our jobs or no one can replace us ...

It was one of the things that upset my mother when she was diagnosed with a terminal illness, still working, at 69. She said "Damn, no retirement for me".

Retirement for me is a bit like being a child again, playing at whatever takes my fancy.

I retired when I was 60 ( when women could retire at 60) my husband had 5 years left to work. A friend at work asked why do you not carry on working whilst you have your health, my answer was I want to do stuff whilst I have my health. I am fortunate to be still be in good health 8 years later. If you can afford to stop work go for it.
I love being retired, my husband retired at 64 as he was made redundant. We have never looked back.

Agree with your husband a taper rate so you can share days off.

Perhaps: Fridays during 2018, Thursdays and Fridays during 2019 and so on.

By the early 2020’s you’ll both be fully retired.

I cut my working days down over ten years. Left completely last year. If you can I recommend this highly. No sudden cessation of one life. Gives time to readjust. We joined the U.3.A., started to bowl and discovered that our local library offers many activities too. I love being retired.

I eased myself into it gently, just did tues, Weds and thurs for a year so that I had nice long weekends, and what I felt was the best of both worlds. I have now jumped ship totally, but still go back on a casual basis now and again, as and when I feel like it. Which isn’t often if I am honest, about 6 days a month as am far too busy catching up with friends, travelling etc

Enjoy your retirement, start to do other things to keep you occupied and meet other people, dont wait! Have a great new life.

One certainly doesn't know what's around the corner. Make a list of things which (realistically) you'd like to do while you are able, and weigh that against the satisfaction you get from working. Suppose you were to remain at work and then find out you had a rapidly terminal or debilitating illness. Would the satisfaction you have gained from work compensate for other opportunities you will have missed? Your call!

I would say don't just retire. I retired at 66 and hated it fortunately I was in a profession that always needed cover so I went back part time and that was much better I adjusted slowly. I loved my job and the staff room banter and really missed it at home. I had to gradually get use to more time on my hands to do other things. Now I really enjoy being at home.

I was a workaholic and dreaded retirement. I was made redundant at age 62. I am nearly 71 now and really enjoying my retirement. I have taken up several new hobbies, including making videos and researching family history. I can spend more time with family and friends in a more relaxed atmosphere. If the weather is truly awful, I feel so grateful that I can stay indoors and not battle the blizzards (we had a horrendous one here last week). I'd go for it if you can afford it and if you have lots of ideas of ways to spend your time. Good luck whatever you decide!

I am with Corner. I like not having the rigid tied to time but miss the challenges. A part time job would be ideal for me. But alas I just can't find one. Too much competition.

If you can afford it I would retire because as others have said one does not know what is around the corner re your health.

No, don’t retire just yet. You are in a job you love and your DH is younger than you. Retirement is not for everyone and frankly you might find yourself a bit lonely, especially if you have a job that brings with it good colleagues and status. If you can cut your hours then that might be something to consider to see how you actually cope with more time on your hands.

Well, I was made redundant into early retirement in my early 50s along with thousands of others in my company. It didn't take me long to realise that women in their 50s, no matter how well qualified, were unemployable so I had to make a new life.

I took my professional skills to the charity sector and took on voluntary work that enabled me to use those skills and worked for that charity for 10 years, even going back to paid work with them to cover maternity leave.

Retirement, when you have a pension, whether state and/or private, gives you so much more choice than employment. It is what you make it. Work, if you choose to continue, or, perhaps, even need to, nevertheless need no longer be full time or demanding. Voluntary work is so varied and, if you want to stay home and dedicate your time to hobbies, or a mix of all, you make the decisions.

I stopped at 57 due to ill health but recovered enough to lead an active life within 2 years. Husband who is a bit younger than me saw how much better retired life was and after doing our sums joined me when he was 60. Lived on baked beans, sardines and eggs for a few years but it was certainly worth it.

I liked my job I worked 3 days a week. Before I left I worried I would be bored would I miss the people etc. I left at the end of March 2012. We went away in our caravan the following week and to be honest I never looked back. I never missed it. I loved not having to get up for work and join the rat race. The traffic jams. The icy weather. I joined a knitting group met new people. As an ex NHS employee along with my DH I joined the retirement fellowship. Meetings, trips, computer club, walks, holidays and more. We make good use of our bus passes. We like going to cheap cinema deals. Therefore, it's been 5 years and I love it.

I’ve very mixed feelings about this. I gradually cut down my hours, finally finished just before I was 68. I enjoy my new life and the freedoms it brings, but I do miss the challenge of my profession. I think sometimes I would love to go back, but then I know I wouldn’t give up what I have. Sorry, netflixfan. I’m not being any real help. Perhaps reduce your hours and see how that feels. A step at a time rather than a clean break.

Retirement is the best job I've ever had. If you can afford it-go for it. You'll soon wonder how you ever had time to go out to work.

I retired at 56 and love having time to call my own. I know I have been very fortunate to afford to be able to do so. I do lots of activities , some with DH and some by myself. It is fantastic!

If you can afford it, go ahead. I envy you the time at home during the day on your own.

I retired by easy stages, cutting my hours at 60 and at 65. I’d have gone on a bit longer but at 66 I became ill and had to retire.
I started lots of new activities and voluntary work, love the freedom and have never been happier.
You can retire and enjoy yourself, if you wait 11 years for your husband you may well be too old to start new things.

Yes Yes Yes!!!

Thanks both. Yes it is that thing about poor health on the way (although I'm ok at present) which is making me think. Nobody lives forever also.
Maybe go part time for a bit. It's nice having the money but you can't buy time

If you can afford it and want to then do it. The longer you leave it increases the chances of ill health stopping you enjoying it.

Depends on what you want to do. Will you be sitting at home waiting for your DH to come home? Or making a life for yourself without him, it’s a tricky one. I wish I still had a job!