Your Experience Of Retirement

[taichiperson]

As above - my OH is thinking of taking early retirement from a stressful job. I'd be interested to hear of anyone's personal experience of retiring - whether it's you that retired, or your spouse (I'm female). Was it all you thought it would be - a positive experience, or a negative one?

I am self employed and will continue to work - my hours are regular but not conventional, so we won't be together 24/7. He's not the sort to sit in front of the telly and vegetate, he is always busy with some job or other. If anything I'm bracing myself for him organising my day!

[Graham-W]

I had retirement thrust upon me, through redundancy, 8 years ago at the age of 58. The firm offered a pre-retirement seminar where one of the main things we were advised NOT to do was volunteer for charity work for at least 6 months after retirement. They are very easy to get into but difficult to get out of. Emotional blackmail was mentioned.
My wife continued to work for a further 2 years.
I have a reasonable pension from work which has recently been topped up by my state pension.
Since we are both retired we can get all the low price, last minute deals and have enjoyed quite a lot of travelling. (Nile cruise, Rome, Paris, Barcelona, London etc.)
We also have a touring caravan which we make good use of.
I took up wood turning, which I still enjoy, but seem to have less and less time to do it in.
I would advise go for it. It has turned into the best years of my life and don't forget, life isn't a rehearsal. Do all you can whilst you are still young enough to enjoy it.

[jno]

sorry to hear about what happened to you, Gness. I worked with a guy who retired at 65 after nearly 50 years in the job. He had numerous hobbies and projects to carry out. But he died within three months. This was what persuaded me (and numerous colleagues) to take early retirement. You're a long time dead. I'd definitely go for it, taichiperson.

[gness]

Jno.....my closest friend, J saw me through the dark days.....we planned what we would do together when she retired.
Just before MrG died she was diagnosed with cancer at fifty nine and died five months after he did...
Like you it brought me up short......she made me promise to wear scarlet killer heels to her funeral.....and to live her life too.....I did and I am....x

[mazie]

I found when I worked I never had the time for simple things, daft things like taking the time to talk to people I bumped into in the Supermarket or shops... I do now. Taking a walk in the woods and appreciating all the sounds, smells and wildlife. My days are still planned and full and I still have a routine of sorts, without watching the clock. So for me it suits. I worked full time, cut it down to 3 days a week and retired fully when I was 63. I'm now selling my home and moving North for a new adventure. Good luck with whatever you choose. xx

[mrs.chappie]

My old mam used to say, 'Every day above ground is a good day'.

She was a wise old bird, my mam. She's been dead for nearly 30 years but she's still teaching me to make the most of life. As someone else has said - it's not a rehearsal.

[jourdain2]

Oh, gness.... I don't know what to say apart from well-done for the killer heels.

I've known so many ex-teacher die within months of retiring. My doctor was quite clear that I was going to be very ill if I stayed. So, the bolt to France and struggles to survive a new way of life on little cash! Learning French to a far higher standard, finding my way around the various systems and then acting as a help-line for other newbees before teaching French to ex-pats and English to teenagers (who had suddenly realised that they needed to speak it better) kept me busy and positive. If you just stop when you retire it is no good. Go for the early retirement by all means, but doing something is important.

Mr. J2 is an expert ironer, by the way. :o)

[jourdain2]

The North will make you welcome, mazie.

[mazie]

I hope so jourdain. We have been regular visitors for the past 5 years, and already have a "local" and a few friends

[Captain2]

Can we ask where in 'The North', roughly Maizie?

[taichiperson]

I've never had a full time job so don't know first hand the stresses and strains that engenders. I've seen my OH change over the years and I'm truly grateful to him for supporting me and our children. But enough is enough, and he deserves to step down, and though it will be a challenge to live on a lower income, the price of staying on would probably be too high.

I don't intend to retire myself (not yet anyway) - I have a lot of time to myself as it is and understand those who say they'd go mad not doing anything. Overall, I believe it's a question of getting the balance right.

[gness]

It is indeed, MrsC.....I make the most of every day.....like it's the opening night....x

J....I couldn't walk to the church in the heels so when I sat in the pew I took them out of my bag and put them on......chap next to me said....Oh ***....I didn't bring mine....

I don't know if MrG could iron or not....he never managed to put the ironing board up....x

[mazie]

Our children and grandchildren have been in Edinburgh for 5 years Captain....so we have finally sold up and will be joining them. We are looking for somewhere just over the bridge in Fife.

[Captain2]

That's not 'The North' Maizie - that's beyond the final frontier. (Hope you enjoy many years up there) :-)

[mazie]

I thought I wouldn't manage without my income ( I was self employed for 10 years) But you do and easily. You cut your cloth to suit.

[mazie]

LOL Capt.... I know but I love it up there. I'll give you a wave on the way through x

[shaneystar2]

Mr S retired aged 57.Long time ago now ,but he had a very stressful job and when they offered him the golden handshake he jumped at it .I still worked for a couple of years part time but health problems forced me to pack up.We sold our house in London and moved to the coast where I come from originally and have never looked back.
We did have a blip when Mr S was quite ill but he's fully recovered now and approaching 70 so he's had a good retirement so far. It was strange at first having him under my feet all day and he did start to organise the fridge and pantry but I soon put him right ..lol.
We find plenty to do and have our own hobbies/interests so we're not under one anothers feet all day and if we don't want to do anything we don't have to .Turn the alarm clock off and go for it .Best thing we ever did.

[mazie]

Whoops, and Thank you for your kind wishes

[mazie]

I turned my alarm clock off Shaney, however, I'm always up at 5am in the summer. 6am in the Winter, I guess old habits die hard

[shaneystar2]

Lol Mazie ..I still wake up at the same and so does Mr S but he gets up ...I turn over and wait for my cup of tea..haha.

[mazie]

Ha, I'd wait for ever left to mine Shaney x I don't mind though, I love that couple of hours in the morning all to myself