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I've done it, earlier than planned.

Well I was planning to retire in 2022, as in my member name Waiting42022, but a change in circumstances (aka redundancies)


I've taken the opportunity to take it as early retirement. It feels a big step, even a leap of faith, I just hope I've done my sums correctly.


Plenty of work around the house to do and the kids have got jobs lined up for me already so I'm going to be kept busy for some time.


Created By on 07/09/2020

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SueC62
13th Sep 2020 13:57:52
1
Thanks for voting!
I loved my job and always thought I'd never retire but then I started to find that it was getting in the way of other things that I wanted to do. Most of my friends had already taken full or part retirement and I was missing out on ladies' lunches etc. Then in early 2018, some changes I didn't like were made to our department and I decided it was the right time to go. I was a bit panicky about money, we all read about pensioners unable to survive, but my IFA assured me that I could have a very comfortable existence so I gave 7 months' notice and finished work at the end of September 2018. The following week I went to Cyprus with an already retired friend for 10 days and when I got back it was easy to continue the relaxed life style of no alarms, leisurely breakfasts etc. This was a massive change from my 'work life' where I was travelling all over the country, sometimes having to be up at 5am to catch trains or drive to meetings, getting home late or stopping over sometimes for a number of days.

Nearly 2 years on and I do not regret what I did. I've since realised some of my 'future plans' that I thought would probably just remain dreams but the main thing is that I adapted to the complete change from busy work life to relaxed retirement so easily. I guess this was because a) my attitude towards work changed and b) I took a holiday straight after finishing and I think that in particular helped me to adjust.

It would be good to know how you feel about your change in two years time.
lefthanded99
8th Sep 2020 10:13:24
1
Thanks for voting!
I took early retirement rather than redundancy in 2008, I was 56 at the time and I would ordinarily have retired at 60. I used my lump sum to pay off my mortgage, and although my works pension was well short of my previous income, with the savings from not paying for commuting etc., and the reduced outgoings we managed. Things became a lot easier when I started to get my state pension as well but I don't regret the decision.

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