What does retirement look like for you?

[malvolio]

This is a difficult one for me.
I've done my sums and I should be fairly comfortable if I retire at about 60. So that's been my plan.
However, when I've had time on the bench in the past, after the first couple of weeks have past, I start to get really bored.
My plan is to join a golf club and get more golfing time. We love walking, so plenty of that as well.
And lots and lots of travelling. Loads of things we've not tried before, like a cruise, narrow boat, hire a motorhome etc etc
Another option would be to scale back on the contracts to maybe work 6 months of the year.
I just can't decide what the best option will be for me

So as you can see from the above, I've still got no idea at the moment....

I can assure you that the difference between taking a break from work and deciding you aren't going to work again* unless you really want to is pretty wide. You can't really make that change of mindset until you do it - then you wonder why you worried.


* Make that "for someone else". I still do lots of things from making props to volunteering with the National Trust and when my skills were still up to date, a few days proper consultancy here and there. But it's because I want to rather than I have to.

[Whorty]

One question to ask is ... will we ever 'retire' or is the new norm to carry on working but doing something different?

The late Mrs W's Mom still works; she's 84. She retired at 60, hated it, so went back to work part time. She's been on the reception of a local solicitor firm now for the past 12 years, just 2 part days a week with extra during holidays as cover, but loves it. Her annual appraisal is always interesting when HR ask the standard ... and where do you see yourself in 5 years time ... she answers, "hopefully still alive". She makes them write it into her HR records too, she has a dark humour like Mrs W.

Likewise my own Mom, 74, just started a new job 3 days a week. She works through agencies in local NHS and council. Again, hates not doing something.

I think so long as the work is a positive to your life, not a chore, and not something you 'have' to do to survive, then why pack it in?

We're all different though.

[ladymuck]

My mum couldn't wait to give up work and didn't work a day longer than necessary. My dad delayed retirement by a couple of years but packed it in because his job involved a lot of driving and it was all getting a bit much. They both complain that every day is Sunday and don't really do much, especially more so since covid.

I couldn't handle that, I suspect I'll be working in one capacity or another for as long as I'm capable even if it is a numpty job. I like the idea of taking long breaks away from work but I doubt I'll ever totally give up.

[silent bob]

I've always liked the idea of maybe doing something stress free, part time. Not something to pay the bills, just something to keep me active.
I look at the old guys working in B&Q, and think I could do something like that to get me out the house
So long as it doesn't get in the way of all my holidays of course

[d000hg]

I've always liked the idea of maybe doing something stress free, part time. Not something to pay the bills, just something to keep me active.
I look at the old guys working in B&Q, and think I could do something like that to get me out the house
So long as it doesn't get in the way of all my holidays of course

THere is something appealing about it.

[Paralytic]

But that may change as time goes on and if I find a partner .... who knows!

You can give her a lift to college each day

[Whorty]

You can give her a lift to college each day

She'll be at uni by then, she can drive herself

[vetran]

She'll be at uni by then, she can drive herself

So from the mouths of wives to the mouth of babes?

[GJABS]

I don't know about you lot, but I intend on becoming a hermit when I retire..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59174870

The man who has lived as a hermit for 40 years

For almost 40 years Ken Smith has shunned conventional life and lived without electricity or running water in a hand-made log cabin on the banks of a remote loch in the Scottish Highlands.

[hobnob]

I'm surprised to see how many people have already retired but still post here. That's not a criticism, I'm just curious; presumably the IR35 reforms etc. are less relevant to you at this point, so is this just a social space for you now?