Retirement

[a1970man]

The main draw for me in retirement is not being reliant on work to sustain me.
I've seen companies I've worked for make people redundant or forced people into retirement out of the blue.
Once I have access to my pension I've can relax a bit, safe in the knowledge that if I get the tap on the shoulder I have means of supporting myself without the stress of finding employment at a later age.
Having access to my pension means that the only decision is how long I leave it before I'm happy with the amount and standard of life it gives me.

I'm close to having access to it, but the longer I leave it the better my retirement would be.
A quick spreadsheet says that for every year I hang on, it's worth an extra £150 a month, so delaying retirement 7 years gives me an extra £1000 a month.

 

[SPUFF]

I’d say the complete opposite, but ultimately it’s each to their own.

You’ve probably had structure imposed on you all the way from being a bairn at school. Playtime is x o’clock, you’ll have your dinner at y. Tuesday 3rd lesson is PE.

It continues through your school/college/uni days into work. Every third Thursday the team go out for burgers, Friday’s POETS day, early finish.

Routine works for some, but are you just perpetuating the cycle? Mebbes try just going with the flow. Wake up when you wake up. Have a lie in. Eat when you’re hungry, not cos it’s 6 o’clock. Try something different to eat, to drink.

When you go for a swim, swim till you’re done rather than the regular 40 lengths.

Life is there to be lived, not doing what you’ve always done because, well you’ve always done it.

Great post!

 

[BiG]

Cheers
Breakfast
Frasier
Coffee
Homes Under The Hammer
Bargain Hunt
Lunch
News
Escape To The Country/A Place In The Sun
Afternoon Nap
Bridge of Lies
Flog it
Richard Osmans House of Games
Tea
Netflix/ITVX/BBC iplayer
Bed
Read
Zzzzzzzzz

…. and finally… death.

This exciting lifestyle has to be funded. So I had to work an entire lifetime to create a pension that’ll support it.

 

[Matt Hopkins]

Cheers
Breakfast
Frasier
Coffee
Homes Under The Hammer
Bargain Hunt
Lunch
News
Escape To The Country/A Place In The Sun
Afternoon Nap
Bridge of Lies
Flog it
Richard Osmans House of Games
Tea
Netflix/ITVX/BBC iplayer
Bed
Read
Zzzzzzzzz

…. and finally… death.

This exciting lifestyle has to be funded. So I had to work an entire lifetime to create a pension that’ll support it.

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[SurreyMackem]

Cheers
Breakfast
Frasier
Coffee
Homes Under The Hammer
Bargain Hunt
Lunch
News
Escape To The Country/A Place In The Sun
Afternoon Nap
Bridge of Lies
Flog it
Richard Osmans House of Games
Tea
Netflix/ITVX/BBC iplayer
Bed
Read
Zzzzzzzzz

…. and finally… death.

This exciting lifestyle has to be funded. So I had to work an entire lifetime to create a pension that’ll support it.

I am not knocking it as there is no one way to pass the time in retirement but this is one reason why I don't watch daytime TV.

 

[BiG]

I am not knocking it as there is no one way to pass the time in retirement but this is one reason why I don't watch daytime TV.

I was kidding to a large extent… but the extent to which I’m kidding is dictated by my wife’s current health issues. So for many people with similar or worse problems this might be an accurate representation. I suppose the lesson is to do what you can, when you can, whilst you are healthy enough to do it.

 

[SPUFF]

As an outsider it seems those with little interests outside of work struggle most with retirement.

Maybe build these up so youve a hunger for more when you get the time off.

Gym/health club/golf/biking/travel/away days etc

 

[Tin Man]

Would love the time to be able to sit and read, I currently do loads of audio books as time restraints mean I double it up while out running/walking etc.

In my 50s now, and one thing I know from people who retire is that they often think about money but neglect health.....Good health, being fit and strong is for me completely essential to a good retirement....I watched my gran be largely immobile during a 35 year retirement, she sat in a chair reading or watching TV for nearly 35 years as she couldn't really get about......Now THAT is torture.....I walk/run at least 5 miles a day, do weights, swim and bike etc as I am conscious I am going to get to retirement as fit and healthy as I can....Deffo continue that after retirement, I know people in their 80s still running marathons and in incredible shape....A retirement without good health must be purgatory even if you have plenty of cash....I invest as much time and money in my health now as I do my retirement cash fund.


100% this.

Nailed it Marra,health is above all.

 

[joebolton]

As an outsider it seems those with little interests outside of work struggle most with retirement.

Maybe build these up so youve a hunger for more when you get the time off.

Gym/health club/golf/biking/travel/away days etc

Yes spot on. I suppose that’s why I ask “ what do you do ? “ to try and get some ideas aside from getting a dog.

Reflecting on it , perhaps I am asking for now , as opposed to potential retirement. ?

 

[SurreyMackem]

As an outsider it seems those with little interests outside of work struggle most with retirement.

Maybe build these up so youve a hunger for more when you get the time off.

Gym/health club/golf/biking/travel/away days etc

It's not that simple when you look at spending the rest of your life passing the time some of interests necessarily taking part in the evening and weekend when you were working don't fill the void 9-5 weekdays and sometimes seem pointless when you can literally do whatever you want whenever you want.

 

[SPUFF]

Yes spot on. I suppose that’s why I ask “ what do you do ? “ to try and get some ideas aside from getting a dog.

Reflecting on it , perhaps I am asking for now , as opposed to potential retirement. ?

I do all of the above.

My jobs pretty flexible which allows it but id love to have more time to do those.

Mind I see a bloke at health club who spends id say 5-6 hours hanging about every day. Not for me that. Better than not leaving house I guess!

 

[SpiritofBurnden]

I am glad we are starting to see a few posters pointing out the downside of retirement , in particular the total loss of structure and purpose , which is what scares me.

Just structure your day around things you normally do at certain times and then fill in the blanks with whatever takes your fancy.

Think of the structure as the rhythm section and the rest as the lead guitar riffing around it.

 

[Escape Velocity]

As an outsider it seems those with little interests outside of work struggle most with retirement.

Maybe build these up so youve a hunger for more when you get the time off.

Gym/health club/golf/biking/travel/away days etc

Not just with retirement I think but time off in general.

Speak to plenty of people who were ‘ready’ to come back to work after a week off and sure enough they have very few interests.

 

[Ned Land]

It's not that simple when you look at spending the rest of your life passing the time some of interests necessarily taking part in the evening and weekend when you were working don't fill the void 9-5 weekdays and sometimes seem pointless when you can literally do whatever you want whenever you want.

I’ve had a few days off work and I’d rather drink in pubs when they’re less busy I.e. from 4pm until about 9pm. It’s easier to be served and there are fewer weekend millionaires and arseholes.

It’s usually better to be contrarian and do the things at less busy times because you can be flexible when you’re not working.

 

[Paddy O'Dors]

Cheers
Breakfast
Frasier
Coffee
Homes Under The Hammer
Bargain Hunt
Lunch
News
Escape To The Country/A Place In The Sun
Afternoon Nap
Bridge of Lies
Flog it
Richard Osmans House of Games
Tea
Netflix/ITVX/BBC iplayer
Bed
Read
Zzzzzzzzz

…. and finally… death.

This exciting lifestyle has to be funded. So I had to work an entire lifetime to create a pension that’ll support it.

Watch some cracking documentaries and travel shows. I usually record them and put my feet up for a couple of hours and catch up.

 

[TAD]

for me, it's just one of the last steps you take in life before the hole in the ground. i don't mean that to be morbid or anything mind it's just the way it is.

It is but it's a privilege to get that last step. Many don't
The freedom to do what you want must be liberating and hopefully I'll be able to do that as early as possible.

 

[SurreyMackem]

for me, it's just one of the last steps you take in life before the hole in the ground. i don't mean that to be morbid or anything mind it's just the way it is.

That last step could be a third of your life.

 

[Swindon On Tour]

Not just with retirement I think but time off in general.

Speak to plenty of people who were ‘ready’ to come back to work after a week off and sure enough they have very few interests.

I’m just glad I have plenty of interests.
Even in retirement I run out of time a fair few days. It’s a good feeling though to think that can be left tomorrow or change a few things around.
I never went fishing last week and got annoyed .

Retirement for me was getting some valuable time back.
When I walk I often think of these relentless teams calls, meetings, budgets etc and now look back thinking fook that. I don’t go back visiting that’s for sure.
I still have plenty of projects around the house to do. I am not starting the inside ones until winter.

I only watch TV in the Evening or a Sunday afternoon for a football game.

 

[Escape Velocity]

I’m just glad I have plenty of interests.
Even in retirement I run out of time a fair few days. It’s a good feeling though to think that can be left tomorrow or change a few things around.
I never went fishing last week and got annoyed .

Retirement for me was getting some valuable time back.
When I walk I often think of these relentless teams calls, meetings, budgets etc and now look back thinking fook that. I don’t go back visiting that’s for sure.
I still have plenty of projects around the house to do. I am not starting the inside ones until winter.

I only watch TV in the Evening or a Sunday afternoon for a football game.

I find it quite sad when people say they were happy to get back to work imo. Especially after a short time off and some of these people are relatively young.

I’d say most days I have off go quicker than when I’m at work .

 

[JOEJA]

I’m just glad I have plenty of interests.
Even in retirement I run out of time a fair few days. It’s a good feeling though to think that can be left tomorrow or change a few things around.
I never went fishing last week and got annoyed .

Retirement for me was getting some valuable time back.
When I walk I often think of these relentless teams calls, meetings, budgets etc and now look back thinking fook that. I don’t go back visiting that’s for sure.
I still have plenty of projects around the house to do. I am not starting the inside ones until winter.

I only watch TV in the Evening or a Sunday afternoon for a football game.

I also cannot get my head around people saying they enjoy work. Obviously its each to there own and all that. I have had 3 main career paths, telecomms eng, lecturer and now a fire safety consultant and can honestly say i have not enjoyed any of them. I have done them because i had to, to pay bills. This is why retirement will come very easy for me and i can honestly say at no point will i want to be back at work.