The Retirement Thread
1 lurker |
176 watchers
Dec 2023
4:55pm, 20 Dec 2023
37,221 posts
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Ness
On a countdown to my next holiday but otherwise just holding tight now to get through the solstice and off into Spring. Same with the countdowns! 😉😁 |
Dec 2023
5:43pm, 20 Dec 2023
7,204 posts
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ThorntonRunner
This was my countdown - snapped in 2018 when I was hoping to finish in 2021. Ended up extending it to end of 2022. One line per month, only Mon-Fri. Crossed off a box at the end of each working day  |
Dec 2023
5:47pm, 20 Dec 2023
5,335 posts
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Roobarb
Questions answered (pre-retirement but nothing is going to change) What was your job? I am an Executive Assistant and Team Leader of 11 other EAs Who was your employer (anonymise it as "one of the big 5 xx" or otherwise if you want)? I work for one of the Big4 Accountancy firms Did you like your job when you started or at some previous point? I did and sometimes I still do Did you like it by the time you chose to retire? I think I'm liking it less and less as time goes by but that could be because I'm on a countdown Do you feel you retired later than you would like, about the right time (or hopefully unusual, but were you forced to retire earlier than you would have liked and wish you could have worked longer?) When I started work, women retired at 60. I have no problems with the age being raised to 65 in line with men (well, we wanted equality didn't we? lol) but I do resent the years being added on. I reach state retirement pension age at 66 but my sisters have to work to 67 (optional!) What were your financial considerations at point of retirement (e.g. was worried couldn't afford it, but decide right thing to do; or discovered that we had plenty with pensions, hadn't really realised could do it; or had always planned and saved diligently to reach this point etc.) I have a call with an advisor in January but I think I'll be ok. I have no mortgage. I finish paying for my car next year and with a bit of paring down here and there, my private pensions should be enough for me to be ok. I am going to probably do some invigilating so I have a bit of an income for my holidays! |
Dec 2023
9:29pm, 20 Dec 2023
32,019 posts
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macca 53
Well done and welcome to the club Roobarb
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Dec 2023
10:00am, 21 Dec 2023
876 posts
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Jenni-far-far
my official leave date is 31st Dec but last working day is the 28th. I have no regrets about the decision at all Mr FF is working 3 days a week in Jan and then will make a decision about feb and beyond. he is still in a bit of shock but looking forward to the freedom
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Dec 2023
10:20am, 21 Dec 2023
48,964 posts
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Merry Christmas and Happy NewG(rrr)
What were your jobs (and rest of questionnaire above!) Jenni and why the shock? (Apols if you have answered this previously and I have missed!) G
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Dec 2023
10:41am, 21 Dec 2023
877 posts
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Jenni-far-far
What was your job? I am a Finance Manager for a very large distribution company, they are known for parcels but I work in 3rd party logistics so working at a depot delivering to supermarkets Who was your employer (anonymise it as "one of the big 5 xx" or otherwise if you want)? A very large distribution company known by 3 letters Did you like your job when you started or at some previous point? yes I've mainly enjoyed it over they years but feel its a thankless slog at times and there are loads of changes planned for the whole finance function and I just cant face all the change and think it will spoil the job for me Did you like it by the time you chose to retire? I still like the actual work I do but have become more and more stressed out, and the politics and reporting structures drive me mad Do you feel you retired later than you would like, about the right time (or hopefully unusual, but were you forced to retire earlier than you would have liked and wish you could have worked longer?) I had planned to retire at 60 but I just had enough and handed my notice in (I'm 58). I have no concerns about being bored or missing work - I cannot wait! (optional!) What were your financial considerations at point of retirement (e.g. was worried couldn't afford it, but decide right thing to do; or discovered that we had plenty with pensions, hadn't really realised could do it; or had always planned and saved diligently to reach this point etc.) Definitely major concern was financial. Mortgage is paid so that helps, but I didnt really think we had enough in pensions to retire totally. Luckily our adviser says we are in a really good position so I'm going to give full retirement a go and see how we get on. Mr FF really struggles with his job being fairly manual as he has a very dodgy ankle and also works long hours and is on call some of the time - so he's also handed his notice in! he's more worried than me and I think he will be happier doing some work so may go self employed and just work when it suits him. I currently don't want to work at all haha so we shall see how we manage I think a lot of people have been shocked at our decision but if we can manage why not? Ive been surprised at people saying I will be bored, of what am I going to do with myself - there is so much I want to do
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Dec 2023
3:43pm, 21 Dec 2023
878 posts
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Jenni-far-far
and I just got my P45 in the post
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Dec 2023
4:35pm, 21 Dec 2023
48,975 posts
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Merry Christmas and Happy NewG(rrr)
Thanks for that Jenni. Interesting career and decisions. I know it's rather self selecting, but there really aren't many stories of "I wish I could have done my job for longer" or "I have no intentions of retiring, I love this, and the money is good for me" etc.? G
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Dec 2023
4:38pm, 21 Dec 2023
26,289 posts
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GimmeMedals
I've just had lunch with 2 of my friends, both of whom I got to know through the job. We spent about 10 minutes discussing what it would have been like in school this week, the last week of term, with parties and concerts. And reminiscing about the year two of us got Ofsted in our schools on the same 2 days in the last week of term. We all confirmed that we are relieved to be retired and if we had to work, we wouldn't go back to education, but would maybe look for a seasonal part time job in a shop. Then we talked about more interesting stuff
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McGoohan Useful Links
FE accepts no responsibility for external links. Or anything, really.- Money Helper
- How Much is Enough to Retire On?
- Retirement Living Standards
- How much will you need to retire?
- Free Govt website for pension advice
- SIPP pensions
- ISAs
- Check your National Insurance contributions
- Check your state pension account
- Martin Lewis on pensions
- Support and advice for those widowed under the age of 50
- Power of Attorney information
- Making the most of your retirement
- 20 tips for a happy retirement
- Married Couple's Allowance
- Aviva guide to retirement planning
- U3A
- U3A Local Sites - map
- Make a Power of Attorney
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