Retirement: an unsettling experience

Congratulations TBG - and good luck to Sneggy with the op.

I retired at 59 and my very last working day was 31st Dec 2019. That was the exact day that news started emerging of something rather unpleasant developing in China.

The pandemic had a huge impact on my plans (as it did with everyone else of course) and did need some major re-adjustment in attitude and approach to retirement. Big travel plans (including a part time job flying legal docs around Europe) were replaced with growing vegetables and local voluntary work!

Now a year and a half in I do feel the need to re-calibrate as I do find myself lethargic at times. At least now it seems there's the prospect to plan forward a bit more.

One thing's for sure - I don't miss the commuting and the endless corporate bullshit!

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Originally Posted by Swiss Peter

Congratulations TBG - and good luck to Sneggy with the op.

I retired at 59 and my very last working day was 31st Dec 2019. That was the exact day that news started emerging of something rather unpleasant developing in China.

The pandemic had a huge impact on my plans (as it did with everyone else of course) and did need some major re-adjustment in attitude and approach to retirement. Big travel plans (including a part time job flying legal docs around Europe) were replaced with growing vegetables and local voluntary work!

Now a year and a half in I do feel the need to re-calibrate as I do find myself lethargic at times. At least now it seems there's the prospect to plan forward a bit more.

One thing's for sure - I don't miss the commuting and the endless corporate bullshit!

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Grüezi, Swiss Pete. Your part-time occupation sounds interesting if you have the freedom to stay at your own expense for a few days at the destinations you have to head for. In fact, if you can pm me regarding that matter it may tickle my buds, as it were.

I’m 66, still working, would quickly get bored if I wasn’t. Living differently though with far more holidays and weekend breaks, nearly all have been postponed or cancelled but the thought was there.
Had a sad ‘phone call from my missus earlier this morning, the 46 year old son of a friend of our passed away suddenly during the night leaving a wife and kids. Seems retirement age is, perhaps, only a number. I s’pose you’re never too young to start that bucket list.

At times this lockdown has given me a glimpse of retirement, and I can't wait.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Phew, now that is a major transition in life. Good for you in remaining positive. I remember a study a while back about people who had life-changing events such as amputation of a limb, winning the lottery etc - and it found that after the initial effects of the major event subsided somewhat and the individuals got used to their new 'normal' they generally reverted to type regarding their positive or negative outlook that they had beforehand. No doubt that my hazy synopsis doesn't do the study justice but I certainly admire your outlook regarding a very major change in your life. We all know people who didn't even make it to their 60's, of course.
(I hope that my post came over as light-hearted in comparison as my predicament is far from being a problem. Far from it, in fact!)

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Its all been quick.What started as a little injury on my toe at Easter time when on until I had 2 toes amputated but I still feel sick and have the strength of a day old kitten.I was given options but there was more than a slim possibility it would end up like this.My positivity comes from 2 things.1,I have magnificent children who have taken over insomuch a they've retired my wife and 2, that the doctors said my life could be back to some normality once I get a prosthetic leg and if I take to it.Meanwhile I'm about to get a life experience from a wheelchair for a while and must admit,like alot of us always thought it was always gonna be some other unfortunate bugger.

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Originally Posted by sneggyblubird

Its all been quick.What started as a little injury on my toe at Easter time when on until I had 2 toes amputated but I still feel sick and have the strength of a day old kitten.I was given options but there was more than a slim possibility it would end up like this.My positivity comes from 2 things.1,I have magnificent children who have taken over insomuch a they've retired my wife and 2, that the doctors said my life could be back to some normality once I get a prosthetic leg and if I take to it.Meanwhile I'm about to get a life experience from a wheelchair for a while and must admit,like alot of us always thought it was always gonna be some other unfortunate bugger.

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Good lord, that happened very quickly for you and I can't imagine what you are going through. I'm sorry to hear that you feel so sick and week and I hope things will improve for you. We all take good health very much for granted when we have it.

I'm quite enjoying it :thumbup:

I always just think its such a shame there isn't something in place where you get to have sort of mini retirements throughout your life rather than it being all for later in life.

Dread to think the age I'll have to retire at.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Good lord, that happened very quickly for you and I can't imagine what you are going through. I'm sorry to hear that you feel so sick and week and I hope things will improve for you. We all take good health very much for granted when we have it.

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weak, that is.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Well, after 48.5 years of solid work and 6 months from State Retirement Age I'm hanging up my pen and cursor this week. I feel far from 'shot/knackered/spent' and I've been looking forward to escape my partly-mundane, sedentary and often frustrating work and replacing it with a myriad of things I enjoy but which I have vowed to shut my trap about on here.
I went part-time four years ago and haven't been into the office since March 2020 so it's not the same as the sudden jolt of going from full-time to fully-retired overnight. Most of my peers have already retired (and stepped up their physical exercise with the extra hours of leisure and as I intend to) so the former 'craic' at work wouldn't be the same if I returned.
The next few months are chocker with trips planned around the UK (seeing friends, attending gigs and City games and engaging more in one of my pastimes) and next year, if it is safe to do so my net will be casting even further afield and for longer periods.
Retirement for me and for many others means getting involved in more activities (and pleasurable ones) than ever before. No inept management to answer to any more, no frustrating and laborious work processes to endure any longer and no confines of any description (although they were minimal compared to many people's work environments).
So what's the problem I hear you not asking.....
It just feels weird thinking that:
1. One's expertise at work won't ever exercised or sought after again
2. Not working seems like a guilty luxury to this person of working class stock when many people around the world are scratching about for a living
3. I don't feel old and decrepit enough to cease work. (A strange notion for some people but it was a concept that which was familiar to many of our parents)

I have already created a timetable for me to indulge in physical and intellectual tasks every day but am I going to end up typing on here every hour of the day dressed just in a string vest with fried egg stains on it and with my goolies hanging out?
Answers on a post card, please.......

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Good for you. I’m 57 so your post is very relevant and insightful. So thanks.

I remember a friend of my parents retired many years ago after working for a well known oil company for most of his life. And he died about a year later. So we need to make the most of our time here!!

(following Cardiff City around the country more sounds like a great idea 👍)

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Originally Posted by sneggyblubird

Well done, your going in all guns blazing and it sounds as if you're still healthy.I'm 63 and now retired and a big change is coming to me next monday as I'm having my lower right leg amputated.I'll be dammed if its gonna stop me but looking at things from a disabled point of view will be an eye opener for a while.

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I am sure you are in good hands mate , best wishes to you 👍

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Originally Posted by sneggyblubird

Its all been quick.What started as a little injury on my toe at Easter time when on until I had 2 toes amputated but I still feel sick and have the strength of a day old kitten.I was given options but there was more than a slim possibility it would end up like this.My positivity comes from 2 things.1,I have magnificent children who have taken over insomuch a they've retired my wife and 2, that the doctors said my life could be back to some normality once I get a prosthetic leg and if I take to it.Meanwhile I'm about to get a life experience from a wheelchair for a while and must admit,like alot of us always thought it was always gonna be some other unfortunate bugger.

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You have my sympathy and I hope things go well for you on Monday. You’ll know more about me than prosthetics, but they seem pretty amazing these days.

I retired in December 2019 aged 60. It was a bit weird for a while but I have no idea how much of that was down to retirement and how much down to lockdown. I started a PhD when I retired which keeps me occupied and my brain ticking over so I'm very happy with my decision.

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Originally Posted by Robin Friday's Ghost

I retired in December 2019 aged 60. It was a bit weird for a while but I have no idea how much of that was down to retirement and how much down to lockdown. I started a PhD when I retired which keeps me occupied and my brain ticking over so I'm very happy with my decision.

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Very similar to me then. Impressive going for a Phd. I’ve thought of enrolling on an OU course but not sure I have the commitment ,

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Originally Posted by Swiss Peter

Very similar to me then. Impressive going for a Phd. I’ve thought of enrolling on an OU course but not sure I have the commitment ,

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My Inbox has been cleared, SP :-)

Gosh ,do envy you guys as I enter my first year apprenticeship

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Originally Posted by life on mars

Gosh ,do envy you guys as I enter my first year apprenticeship

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That English Language degree will stand you in good stead:hehe:

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Originally Posted by splott parker

That English Language degree will stand you in good stead:hehe:

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😄

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Originally Posted by The Bloop

Which continent is next?

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in continent

old bastard!!

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Originally Posted by Splott-light...

in continent

old bastard!!

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Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans, where you been? Thought you’d retired:biggrin:

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans, where you been? Thought you’d retired:biggrin:

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:hehe:

He is ris!

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Originally Posted by sneggyblubird

Well done, your going in all guns blazing and it sounds as if you're still healthy.I'm 63 and now retired and a big change is coming to me next monday as I'm having my lower right leg amputated.I'll be dammed if its gonna stop me but looking at things from a disabled point of view will be an eye opener for a while.

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So sorry to hear that mate. Hope that you can find a way to get over it - seems that with prosthetics these days that can do miracles.

Good to see you are ready for the fight.

Good luck 👍

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans, where you been? Thought you’d retired:biggrin:

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:hehe:

just taking a slow canter toward the new season..

good luck TBG, you always struck me as a very decent chap and you deserve to be free of the constraints of this bastard system, any regrets you may currently be harbouring are just due to psychological conditioning..

..fly TBG, fly awayyyyyy..

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Originally Posted by Splott-light...

good luck TBG, you always struck me as a very decent chap and you deserve to be free of the constraints of this bastard system, any regrets you may currently be harbouring are just due to psychological conditioning..

..fly TBG, fly awayyyyyy..

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Jesus, I was only being whimsical. I have hardly been in a concentration camp during my working life.:-)
I'm glad to see that you are still around and I will never forget that fleeting meeting with you outside the Romilly.
I still can't find my wallet though........

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Originally Posted by Swiss Peter

Very similar to me then. Impressive going for a Phd. I’ve thought of enrolling on an OU course but not sure I have the commitment ,

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I had to take early retirement in 2004 at the age of 50 to look after my disabled wife .

Only realised last year when my daughter started her OU course that I am now entitled to a student loan to pay for the degree so I enrolled on a History and Politics BA with the OU last October. A few problems with my wife's health meant that I had to defer and start again in February but I have now just completed my first four assignments and will be submitting the fifth sometime in the next couple of days. The final assignment is due by early September. and I will probably start the next module in January/February.

It is quite hard work but if you are organised it is not too bad. Having been out of work for so long I have found concentrating hard but I have got better as the year has gone on.

You have actually got 16 years to do the degree ( if I take that long I will be 83!!) although I want to do mine in six by doing one module a year. You can do two a year if you think you can and get the degree in three years.

I would thoroughly recommend it, it certainly keeps the mind active.

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Originally Posted by Elwood Blues

I had to take early retirement in 2004 at the age of 50 to look after my disabled wife .

Only realised last year when my daughter started her OU course that I am now entitled to a student loan to pay for the degree so I enrolled on a History and Politics BA with the OU last October. A few problems with my wife's health meant that I had to defer and start again in February but I have now just completed my first four assignments and will be submitting the fifth sometime in the next couple of days. The final assignment is due by early September. and I will probably start the next module in January/February.

It is quite hard work but if you are organised it is not too bad. Having been out of work for so long I have found concentrating hard but I have got better as the year has gone on.

You have actually got 16 years to do the degree ( if I take that long I will be 83!!) although I want to do mine in six by doing one module a year. You can do two a year if you think you can and get the degree in three years.

I would thoroughly recommend it, it certainly keeps the mind active.

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Good Job, Elwood! May i ask, is an OU degree heavy on the pocket? Fully understand if you don't want to answer :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by sneggyblubird

Its all been quick.What started as a little injury on my toe at Easter time when on until I had 2 toes amputated but I still feel sick and have the strength of a day old kitten.I was given options but there was more than a slim possibility it would end up like this.My positivity comes from 2 things.1,I have magnificent children who have taken over insomuch a they've retired my wife and 2, that the doctors said my life could be back to some normality once I get a prosthetic leg and if I take to it.Meanwhile I'm about to get a life experience from a wheelchair for a while and must admit,like alot of us always thought it was always gonna be some other unfortunate bugger.

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Good luck Sneg ����

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Originally Posted by Elwood Blues

I had to take early retirement in 2004 at the age of 50 to look after my disabled wife .

Only realised last year when my daughter started her OU course that I am now entitled to a student loan to pay for the degree so I enrolled on a History and Politics BA with the OU last October. A few problems with my wife's health meant that I had to defer and start again in February but I have now just completed my first four assignments and will be submitting the fifth sometime in the next couple of days. The final assignment is due by early September. and I will probably start the next module in January/February.

It is quite hard work but if you are organised it is not too bad. Having been out of work for so long I have found concentrating hard but I have got better as the year has gone on.

You have actually got 16 years to do the degree ( if I take that long I will be 83!!) although I want to do mine in six by doing one module a year. You can do two a year if you think you can and get the degree in three years.

I would thoroughly recommend it, it certainly keeps the mind active.

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That's very interesting, not least because I had considered doing something History-based myself. Good luck with it. You've prompted me to look into it further!

Just seen this post. Congratulations TBG! Well deserved free time.

I get told by clients that it's a strange feeling. Having something to retire TO is as important as having something to retire FROM.

Maybe the egg stained string vest is your thing maybe not!

Couple of (non financial!) tips that I've picked up by those who I think have done it well are:

- have a structure for your ideal week (ie your timetable) - obviously just doing things that you want to be doing!

- don't rush into anything. There are so many potential calls on your time, volunteering, hobbies, socialising, looking after grand-children, that some people can feel more under pressure than when they were working.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

weak, that is.

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Lost your marbles already.

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Originally Posted by Re-sign Carl Dale

Just seen this post. Congratulations TBG! Well deserved free time.

I get told by clients that it's a strange feeling. Having something to retire TO is as important as having something to retire FROM.

Maybe the egg stained string vest is your thing maybe not!

Couple of (non financial!) tips that I've picked up by those who I think have done it well are:

- have a structure for your ideal week (ie your timetable) - obviously just doing things that you want to be doing!

- don't rush into anything. There are so many potential calls on your time, volunteering, hobbies, socialising, looking after grand-children, that some people can feel more under pressure than when they were working.

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Howdy, RSD. Your having come to this thread late (and there's really no excuse for that, old fruit :hehe:) you may not have read that I do indeed have a timetable. Different types of physical exercises in the mornings and intellectual pursuits in the afternoons (improving my German and Spanish and re-starting Welsh): that's when I am not walking with friends and/or leading group walks, attending gigs and City games etc. I have evening classes to continue (and I may start one up myself) and I shall be travelling domestically and further afield. I have no progeny (having decided to spare humanity my contribution to the gene pool) nor partner so my time is my own. I dropped down to being part-time four years ago (oddly, for beneficial financial reasons) so it's hardly a big transition in reality.
Now where's that vest....

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Originally Posted by Jimmy the Jock

Lost your marbles already.

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And to think that you were chatting me up a few messages ago :cry:

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

As my usual travelling companion to City games isn't around for the Millwall and Bristol City games it would be good to have a pint before or after a game. Even better if you fancy a decent walk in the hills the following day - as I could stay over in Cardiff in the modest campervan I am experimenting with.:thumbup:

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That sounds like a plan . I am looking at the Bristol game . I need to get cover on the van , I am sure I will get that sorted.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

And to think that you were chatting me up a few messages ago :cry:

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A good friend never misses a put down . :hehe:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy the Jock

That sounds like a plan . I am looking at the Bristol game . I need to get cover on the van , I am sure I will get that sorted.

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:thumbup:

just to change the slant slightly regarding retirement if your say between 60 -65 years of age right now what is a tidy sum of money to retire on to give a reasonable/ decent standard of living ?

with and/or state pension ?

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Originally Posted by MOZZER2

just to change the slant slightly regarding retirement if your say between 60 -65 years of age right now what is a tidy sum of money to retire on to give a reasonable/ decent standard of living ?

with and/or state pension ?

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Having planned ahead in anticipation of retirement I put quite some thought into this subject. I don't think anyone can really answer you properly as what one person's passable lifestyle is not someone else's. What I did was compare my full-time income in employment minus the contributions I was making for my retirement against what I could clear once I draw on my various pensions having cancelled the contributions I was making towards them - and I made sure that I will be better off and not worse off. The biggest problem is thinking about how you treat lump sums you may receive and as to how much you dip into it on an annual basis wherever it is invested and how long it will last at that rate, the problem being that you don't know how long you will live. You don't want to be skint if you live to a ripe old age but on the other hand you don't want the Grim Reaper to show up when you haven't had time to enjoy your investments (especially if you are single and childless like me).
By the way, I'm no financial expert so ignore me :hehe:

A very kind City fan on here gave me a bit of a steer too.

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Originally Posted by MOZZER2

just to change the slant slightly regarding retirement if your say between 60 -65 years of age right now what is a tidy sum of money to retire on to give a reasonable/ decent standard of living ?

with and/or state pension ?

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Mozzer- as tbg says there is no right answer to this. As someone once said to me you’ll only ever know if you made the right choices once you’ve died 🙂. It’s all down to your own personal needs/expectations of retirement too. I really benefited from talking all of this through with an IFA. Choose carefully though.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

I'll keep schtum for now but thanks for your kind words :-)

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