oxfordfowler Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Well - thats it. Last day at work today, after 35 years I decided to take the enhanced pension and lump sum. So I guess that at 57 I am now a pensioner (how the hell did that happen, I can't be that old). Planning on spending this season getting in as much shooting/beating as possible. Picking up a Lab pup (bitch) tomorrow so that should keep me out of mischief and the other half keeps hinting at "decorating" what ever that is?. So looking forward to the next chapter in my life - Happy Days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Very jealous but hope to be doing the same in a year or two. Enjoy your retirement, I'm sure you've worked hard to enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Congratulations on your retirement. I did that 2 years ago at 57. In a very short while you will wonder how you found time to go to work. Will look forward to seeing photos of the new pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Hope you have a long and healthy one . Decorating is what you pay someone to come and do while you are out shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Good on you Stu. I hope to see you on the marsh or the washes soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Almost the same for me too. Bit of a wrench initially but all the little jobs got done, grass gets cut before it really needs it and I do a bit of wood turning, watercolours and helping friends with their home improvements. Lots of beating and foxing but I wouldnt mind the odd day at work - I enjoyed it. The very best of luck to you in your retirement - worth taking a few weeks to decide what you would really like to do - tends not to include decorating ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony G Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 And so my part time job as a carer begins ! Sorry I meant shooting partner ! Enjoy it mate,sure we've got some interesting adventures ahead ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Congratulations mate,I took partial retirement last yr at 52, and I love the time off.Wife goes off to work,kids off to school,then its my time.Do what I want to do,shooting fishing or just potter on round the allotment.Will be fully retired at 55,cant wait.Mind you the missus is always trying to give me jobs,but I'm getting a little deaf in my old age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuddster Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 planned retirement at 49 in 4.5 years time. anybody beat that?? f. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 (edited) Only thing I've heard from early retirees who can afford it is should have retired earlier. Enjoy your new found freedom. Figgy Edited September 18, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 90 Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Time to enjoy life to the full !! I have 4 yrs & 9 months to go - I'll be 56 when I retire - all been well - can't wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Enjoy your retirement to the full, after 60 i think my clock moved up six gears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Retired in June this year. Just about got used to it and planning what, if anything, to do. Build another kit car, restore an older car, re-build another motocrosser?Commenced clearing out my garage as a priority. Already made a start at disposing of over 50 ratchets and more spanners than you can point a stick at. Table saw went tonight, electric Kango next, along with the odd roll cab, A-frame, mega numbers of sockets etc., torque wrenches, tool trolley and the rest. Ebay here I come.My eldest wants to retire next year - at 40. :whistling: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 planned retirement at 49 in 4.5 years time. anybody beat that?? f. I've a piece of paper telling me I'm retired and how to claim my war pension from the MOD at 34, any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Retiring is all well and good, being able to afford retirement is the biggest problem. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I envy you Oxford. When we were taken over 3 years ago they let quite a few people leave with redundancy and pension etc. Unfortunately I didn't qualify as I was operational on the power networks so had no chance. Good luck with your new house husband job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Retired in June this year. Just about got used to it and planning what, if anything, to do. Build another kit car, restore an older car, re-build another motocrosser? Commenced clearing out my garage as a priority. Already made a start at disposing of over 50 ratchets and more spanners than you can point a stick at. Table saw went tonight, electric Kango next, along with the odd roll cab, A-frame, mega numbers of sockets etc., torque wrenches, tool trolley and the rest. Ebay here I come. My eldest wants to retire next year - at 40. :whistling: Gordon, do you want to build me my mad mini project? It's got to look like an old T reg Mini Mayfair on the outside but be able book a 0-60 in under 5 seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolk dumpling Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Good on you - did it 8 years ago at the tender age of 53 and love every minute. Did pick up p/t job (2days a week) driving rental cars - anything from R/Rover to a Fiat 500 - and I now work on up to 5 shoots plus I'm in 2 small syndicates. Best decision I ever made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scutt Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 packed it in 1st sept but still in the rush about mode they tell me it takes at least 1yr to get into the rhythm don't want to get into a routine been in one for over 45yrs no demands for D.I.Y. from wor lass but my daughter has tried it on a few times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 (edited) Mungler - had my fill of Minis. I rebuilt one in the mid 1970s. One of about half a dozen cars I made a profit on. We are currently on cars 105 and 107. Sold it to a woman who worked for my next door neighbour's driving school. She got arrested for shop lifting and committed suicide, in the Mini, by redirecting the exhaust. At the time, I asked my neighbour if her husband would be selling the car cheaply, in view of the incident. He hung on to it and got a tug from the Police. He had been driving around for ten years without a licence. I wish you luck with your Mini. I have got past the stage sitting at the lights waiting for them to change - with some boy racer sat in his XR3 turbo alongside - thinking he was going to leave you standing - only to be left red faced, because you were driving something quite quick. Edited September 18, 2014 by Gordon R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Good luck with your retirement I'm sure you will love it and like others have already said, you will wonder how you ever found the time to go to work. The main thing is to ensure you have hobbies that you are passionate about. When I retired almost 3 years ago the months running up to it was very stressful for me because I wasn't sure how I would cope after being very involved in my work and enjoying it for so many years. I was really worried was I doing the right thing. The first couple of weeks was just like being at home on normal holiday leave from work and then it reality hit me. After being on holiday it is always a bit hard to go back regardless of how much you enjoy working but now I never had to and it was a wonderful feeling which I have never lost. Keep yourself busy but at your own pace and enjoy.ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Retiring is all well and good, being able to afford retirement is the biggest problem. Figgy Not just that kirk some people like me actually like the structure and routine of work and actually quite enjoy it, I could if I wanted to, literally finish tomorrow my income will be more than adequate but I dont want to and wont for a while. KW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Retirement is OK as long as you plan for it - I managed to plough a third of my salary into my pension fund for many years (and yes, I couldn't afford it!) and collected £100k as my 25% lump sum. So, no money worries. As others have said when you work you have structure, and all of a sudden it's gone. You plan to do lots of shooting and fishing, and I have a 17 month old cocker that gets me out and drives me nuts. You need something to look forward to every morning, and keep yourself fit. It's all too easy to have an extremely large malt every night and slide into being a vegetable. Do I miss the 50 odd thousand miles a year for 30 years - no! It helped that the last MD I had was a miserable, scheming, micro manager who could do every ones job better than they could. But I do miss the daily banter with my other managers and co workers. I too do a bit of wood turning in my shed, and the wife gives me a call for a cuppa now and then. God bless her, as I have a diamond and we give each other space when it's required. So, the only advice I can give is to get the finances right, and then at least it gives you options. No options = lost sleep and an unhappy retirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Retirement is OK as long as you plan for it - I managed to plough a third of my salary into my pension fund for many years (and yes, I couldn't afford it!) and collected £100k as my 25% lump sum. So, no money worries. As others have said when you work you have structure, and all of a sudden it's gone. You plan to do lots of shooting and fishing, and I have a 17 month old cocker that gets me out and drives me nuts. You need something to look forward to every morning, and keep yourself fit. It's all too easy to have an extremely large malt every night and slide into being a vegetable. Do I miss the 50 odd thousand miles a year for 30 years - no! It helped that the last MD I had was a miserable, scheming, micro manager who could do every ones job better than they could. But I do miss the daily banter with my other managers and co workers. I too do a bit of wood turning in my shed, and the wife gives me a call for a cuppa now and then. God bless her, as I have a diamond and we give each other space when it's required. So, the only advice I can give is to get the finances right, and then at least it gives you options. No options = lost sleep and an unhappy retirement. Ive got 25 years left to do... I'm putting the max amount into my pension and buying shares every month ..I want to go at 55 ish but the way things are who knows...but it's good to plan ahead...my wife has a final salary pension as well so were hoping at 55 ish to sell up and move down to Cornwall and buy a little cottage, couple of dogs and a bit of shooting, that's the plan.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLondon Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I retired in 2011 at the ripe old age of 46 and I've loved every minute of it. Enjoy it mate Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.