Retirement

[boyfrom64]

The first thing to say is that this post is not car related, so if you are only here to read about cars, or are a younger person, then you may not wish to read on any further.

On Tuesday next week I leave my job, and retire early. Well that was the plan 12 month ago, now I want to take a short break before going back to doing some freelance work.

For the last 12 months I cut down my working week to four days, which I have enjoyed. It was a challenge at first to not check emails or listen to any voice mail messages left on my work mobile, but as time went by I stopped doing both and started to enjoy having long weekends.

Today I have been on holiday, with no real plans to do anything and there have been times during the day, when I wonder what I will do with my time when I am no longer working. I have watched several YouTube videos on retirement as well as read a number of articles about the transition into retirement.

I am fully aware about having a purpose and I know that one of the things I need to adjust to, is to learn that I do not need to be constantly doing something; I have never been one to sit and relax unless we have gone away on holiday, and that I should not feel guilty about sitting down and watching something on TV or more likely YouTube. Equally, taking time to read a book, or sitting casually having a coffee, a leisurely breakfast etc..

For anyone who is retired or has recently retired, how did you find the transition from work? Was there anything specific that you did, which you think I should do?

When we are at work, for most of us the idea of retiring is very appealing. The idea that we have all the time in the world to do the things we rush and try to do at weekends or when we are on holiday. However, now that the time is here, it's a bit daunting.

 

[JohnV6]

Don't take on too much too soon. Find activities that get you out and mixing with people

I volunteer for the NT 1 to 2 half days a week.
We do a regular Thursday walk with a group.

I and a group of other Morgan car drivers go on a run on a Wed plus lunch.

Do things that deliver memories like holidays.
Good luck

 

[Alb]

I'm just about on my 10th anniversary of early retirement and I must say it came very easy!
I know it's a bit of a cliché, but I really do wonder how I ever fitted in time for work as I seem to be busy 100% of the time. The only rule I set myself is "there are no rules" and that resolves any uncertainty I ever have about whether I'm doing the right or wrong activity at the right or wrong time.

 

[salty]

Don't be be daunted, retirement is great.
Work to me was purely for money, simple's. I've done my time (So to speak)
Now I'm enjoying my retirement. It's Brilliant not having a schedule to stick to.
Just do whatever you want, when you want. I actually wonder, how the hell I got things done, when I was working. Now you got all time in the world. To do things or not, whatever takes your fancy on that day. You'll quickly get used to it.
Enjoy, your retirement. I'm sure you will

 

[Kenp1]

I'm in my mid 50s and have been retired for 6 months, to me work was always a way of making enough money to live, quite enjoyed most of it, but the last couple of years were a lot less fun because of a role change and people I'd worked with leaving.

I watched a lot of Nick Mahar videos on Youtube which were useful, and haven't really had any issue adjusting, although it does sometimes feel strange not having to do everything I want at the weekend.

 

[T1 Terry]

The first thing to say is that this post is not car related, so if you are only here to read about cars, or are a younger person, then you may not wish to read on any further.

On Tuesday next week I leave my job, and retire early. Well that was the plan 12 month ago, now I want to take a short break before going back to doing some freelance work.

For the last 12 months I cut down my working week to four days, which I have enjoyed. It was a challenge at first to not check emails or listen to any voice mail messages left on my work mobile, but as time went by I stopped doing both and started to enjoy having long weekends.

Today I have been on holiday, with no real plans to do anything and there have been times during the day, when I wonder what I will do with my time when I am no longer working. I have watched several YouTube videos on retirement as well as read a number of articles about the transition into retirement.

I am fully aware about having a purpose and I know that one of the things I need to adjust to, is to learn that I do not need to be constantly doing something; I have never been one to sit and relax unless we have gone away on holiday, and that I should not feel guilty about sitting down and watching something on TV or more likely YouTube. Equally, taking time to read a book, or sitting casually having a coffee, a leisurely breakfast etc..

For anyone who is retired or has recently retired, how did you find the transition from work? Was there anything specific that you did, which you think I should do?

When we are at work, for most of us the idea of retiring is very appealing. The idea that we have all the time in the world to do the things we rush and try to do at weekends or when we are on holiday. However, now that the time is here, it's a bit daunting.

If you have a significant other, or family or close ... or even distant friends for that matter, they will have an endless list of jobs for you to do, now you are not working
Totally up to you, but the friends and maybe even the family, put a price on your time, it doesn't have to be money, swapping tasks works well, but keep in the back of your head, time sitting on your butt contemplating the fluff in your navel, still has value to you .....

If you have a significant half, good luck with trying to extract return value for the tasks set ... let us know the formula if you find one that works and you are not sleeping on the lounge or in the car as a result ....

Taking on casual work that is different from what your job involved can be very therapeutic, going to a training college and learning a hand skill you can use to fill in your "spare" time is a good idea, never too old to learn keeps the brain cells and body rhythm in good working order ..... being too busy to die yet has a lot of truth in that throw away line .....

Enough being serious, I'm retired and far too busy to be inwardly thinking, outwardly thinking is enough of a struggle these days, at least when I was working they limited it to 12 hrs a day .....

T1 Terry

 

[decrep]

I went half time in 93, fully retired 2001. But I'm a surf, windsurf nut and a DIYer. If I wasn't out on the water I'd be in the shed fixing making etc. Life was very full, all sorts of stuff happening. So I'm probably not a lot of help to you.
However exercise of body and mind is important if you want to retain quality of life.
Explore new stuff, if there something you've put off doing because there was no time, explore the possibilities there.
Mindset can be your friend or your enemy, keep it positive.

More thoughts,
We have a "thing" here called the gray nomads, elderly people in caravans/motor homes wondering around Australia, heading North in Winter and South in Summer, that could be caused by a retirement vacancy in their lives.

The wife reports, complaints from her friends, of retired husbands, "getting under their feet" interrupting their normal routine, and just being a pain in general. For a happy home life, partners also need to be taken into account.

 

[T1 Terry]

More thoughts,
We have a "thing" here called the gray nomads, elderly people in caravans/motor homes wondering around Australia, heading North in Winter and South in Summer, that could be caused by a retirement vacancy in their lives.

The wife reports, complaints from her friends, of retired husbands, "getting under their feet" interrupting their normal routine, and just being a pain in general. For a happy home life, partners also need to be taken into account.

I remember one such conversation around a campfire at a casual "Grey Nomads" collective at a free camp ...... "For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, but there was no mention of it being for lunch"
The other half, "never do the first two jobs, they will keep you around because they think you will eventually find time, once you have started on the new list .... as they learn how this operates, the first two jobs will be different, the first two from the last list are 2nd and third item on the schedule, don't mention this recognition of tactics, better to have them think they have you sorted out than trying new tactics that you have to watch for, along with the previously identified tactics ..... if you want a shorter jobs list, don't get under foot or try to suggest a better way for them to tackle a task ....."

By now you can understand why the breadwinner who worked a lot, stayed married, where the breadwinner that retired early seems to think this is not the same person they married :lol:

T1 Terry

 

[5teep]

I had planned to retire about now but have taken up the offer of going 3 days part time, more home based instead. I find myself looking forward to working less and to the loong weekends. I like the work I do but don't enjoy the 800-1000 miles a week driving so I'm thinking I have the best of both worlds for now, we'll see

 

[decrep]

Half time is a good way to ease into full retirement,
I found with the jump down in tax levels my take home pay was a lot more than half.

 

[Ian Key]

I officially start collecting my state pension today although I have been retired from work for nearly four years and don't miss work one bit. Mind you during COVID due to my health condition I was furloughed for nearly two years so I'd got used to not working

My brother retired a month after I did and intended doing some occasional consultancy work. He did one job.

A friend of mine was the chief engineer for Bombardier and he retired soon after I did intending to do some part-time lecturing to future railway engineering university graduates. He didn't.

My advice is don't rush into committing yourself to do this or that, just give yourself time to adjust to your new life. Spring and summer are on their way. Join the National Trust if that's your thing, wash the car more often, pub lunches on a weekday, sort the garden out and enjoy life while you are healthy.

 

[GaryMG4]

I retired at 60, 10 years ago now. I didn't plan to retire at 60 but as an IT contractor my contract finished and I was asked if I wanted to go back when next year's budget was available, I said give me a call. I was used to odd 2-3 months gaps between contracts and made the most of them. This time I realised that I really wasn't enjoying the work any more and I could afford to retire, so I did.
The main advice I'd give is make sure you find things to do that give you the opportunity to meet new people. Whether it's old hobbies that you finally have time for, new hobbies you always wanted to have a go at or volunteering. Above all keep moving, I joined a yoga class and have found that it has vastly improved my balance and suppleness. Keep your mind and body active and you'll wonder how you had time to work.

 

[decrep]

I joined a yoga class and have found that it has vastly improved my balance and suppleness. Keep your mind and body active and you'll wonder how you had time to work.

I was thinking this would be a good idea as well. Could change your whole perspective on things.

 

[Gomev]

Half retiring, i.e. still working part time is not really retiring it's just working less. By that I mean the mentality is still that of a worker that has longer weekends than before.
It's only when you fully stop working and give it time to settle into it's own rhythm that all the other interesting stuff comes that you realise you can do.
My default is doing nothing, interspersed with doing stuff, don't ask what stuff as I haven't a clue, but I have no time left at all for work.

 

[Archev]

I retired at 70, almost seven years ago. My wife passed away nearly three years ago. Try to keep going / active.

 

[siteguru]

I took early retirement in Jan '23, aged 58. Best thing I ever did. Yes the income reduction was noticeable but the removal of work-related stresses far outweighed that.

As others have said, make sure you have activities you can join or continue, to ensure you keep your mind and body active. (I play table tennis, and run the local TT club as well as playing league TT for another club).

Since last summer I've had a part time job driving a minibus during term time, picking up kids from the local farms and other secluded properties and taking them to schools (primary and high school) - during the reverse in the afternoons. Yes it can be a little tying, but the social interaction is great (as well as giving a small income boost).

 

[DBedford]

Since retiring I've got more involved in my Church life, and fellowship with Christian men in the same position. Walking, photography, canal boat weekends, staying in a friends caravan down on the coast, and enjoying time together. With a free bus pass travelling has become fun agin. But for me the key is not working, I've done my 50 years, that time has passed.. I can't see anyone on their death bed saying they wished they had worked more!!.

What every to you in retirement enjoy yourself, and make life better for all those you meet.

 

[T1 Terry]

I retired, (semi) at 48 after a car accident while working that I never really recovered from ..... the doctors wouldn't give me a medical clearance to return to work full time. I ended up getting work with a mob that contract hired out industrial fitters. Lots of shutdown work, sometimes up to 3 weeks, 7 days a week, 14 hr a day, but it paid well enough to have the next 3 mths off recovering.
Had a couple of stints working for a site crane building mob, loved that job, 14hrs or more a day for 6 days and 10hrs Sunday, 125km drive each way, I'd last for 3 mths until I caught up their backlog, then they would put me off
I'd spend the next 3 mths recovering, then they'd want me back and so the pattern repeated .... till they decided they would cut my hrly rate near in half, that was the last day at that job
Worked for a pipe coating mob as a plant maintenance fitter, but the body couldn't handle being on my feet all day, so that lasted about 3 mths as well, think I might have worked maybe 2 12hr shutdowns after that, but the body just couldn't cope.
So I got back into converting an old 1980 Bedford passenger bus to a motorhome and my interest in LFP chemistry batteries.
Ended up moving to Mannum South Australia because we found a workshop we could afford that had everything we wanted, so moved everything 1600kms
I didn't get a job really, that would involve getting paid, I just became my wife's unpaid off grid system designer and workshop slave, fortunately I knew the boss well, so work fitted around being fit enough to actually do it .... that lasted until the workshop burnt down ..... but I was just about stuffed by then anyway and we were in the midst of looking for an apprentice .....
Still haven't got to stop working, it just happens at a pace the body can handle and I feel like actually doing something

T1 Terry

 

[gonzo]

I bailed at xmas at 55, so have a few months of being a professional layabout under my belt.

I'd say that the key is to have hobbies. I have lots. So I theoretically get more time on those. though the reality is, I am spending more time pottering. But I'm very happy to do so.
Have a dog too, which does limit some of the things I do. He is still young and gets bored easily. So doesn't want to curl up in the workshop and let me tinker.

If work is a big part of your life and identity, then cutting down to part time is probably a good move. For me work was a necessary evil. And I seem to have just dropped into retirement pretty seamlessly. Though I did joke that I'd been easing myself into it for the last 30 years.

I do have a friend who retired before 50. He is now back at work, as he got bored.

Something I did get slightly wrong was, I had planned to do far more events and festivals during the year. But trying to get the friend group together is sometimes difficult, as many of them are still working. (Also the retired ones have wives with lists.... See some of the posts above!)
I do have other hobby groups where the majority of people are early retirees too, so I get to be more involved in those.

So many people I have spoken to have commented on how much less money they are spending in retirement. And realised they could had done it sooner.
And of course there is the universal, 'I don't know how I ever found time to go to work!"

 

[Archev]

Seven years after retiring I still get the odd call from past customers about servicing or repairs to their water heaters , showers etc. They seem surprised to find I’ve retired - I am surprised but heartened to find my last work has worked so well for so long but give them details of the “new” guy.