Working Until You Drop,

[mickd1961]

My dad retired with a great pension from his finance company at 56-57 due to ill health and had a lovely 10-11 years before dying.

I’ve come to the belief that I’ll be working until I drop now, I can’t see a way out.

Anybody else in the same boat?

[WBA1955]

When I was at school i never knew what i wanted to be when I grew up.
I still wouldn't know now over half a century later.
What i did know was i wanted a job that gave me a living without over taxing me, that I could finish early afternoons and didn't have to think about again until the next day.
I wanted an early retirement and to spend my last days living in the countryside, with my wife, a dog and cat and a good local on my doorstep.
I have achieved all of those things.
I suppose we all set our sights differently.

[Baggiemadguern]

My dad retired with a great pension from his finance company at 56-57 due to ill health and had a lovely 10-11 years before dying.

I’ve come to the belief that I’ll be working until I drop now, I can’t see a way out.

Anybody else in the same boat?

Me and the good lady were just discussing this yesterday. I retired at 55 with a very good pension, but alas, I got bored, and ventured back in search of gainful employment shortly after, in let us say, a role that was less stressful and not too well paid. I soon became as bored with that as I was being retired, so went off in search of a more interesting line of work, more stressful I guess, but a much better salary. I have worked another seven and a half years, with another pension being built up and my good lady keeps telling me it is time to stop. I run a small team and enjoy my work immensely, so am struggling to call it a day. However, I have conceded and it is now my intention to retire for the second time in the first quarter of 2021. The sad thing is, we are not able to travel safely anywhere at the moment because of the pandemic and we love travelling. Just the roll of the dice I guess.

We are well set up for retirement with no financial worries, just, like everyone, hoping our health remains good. Many friends and acquaintances have been dropping over the last few years, which has perhaps, helped me come to this decision.

I will add, for years I could not wait to retire, but when I did, I actually missed work. I am sure I will miss it again.

[baggieal]

Me and the good lady were just discussing this yesterday. I retired at 55 with a very good pension, but alas, I got bored, and ventured back in search of gainful employment shortly after, in let us say, a role that was less stressful and not too well paid. I soon became as bored with that as I was being retired, so went off in search of a more interesting line of work, more stressful I guess, but a much better salary. I have worked another seven and a half years, with another pension being built up and my good lady keeps telling me it is time to stop. I run a small team and enjoy my work immensely, so am struggling to call it a day. However, I have conceded and it is now my intention to retire for the second time in the first quarter of 2021. The sad thing is, we are not able to travel safely anywhere at the moment because of the pandemic and we love travelling. Just the roll of the dice I guess.

We are well set up for retirement with no financial worries, just, like everyone, hoping our health remains good. Many friends and acquaintances have been dropping over the last few years, which has perhaps, helped me come to this decision.

I will add, for years I could not wait to retire, but when I did, I actually missed work. I am sure I will miss it again.

I know a number of people who just throw all their spare cash into endowments, shares or pensions but then can’t afford nice things like a number of holidays per year. Everyone to their own but my view is that life is for living and you can’t take it with you!!

Look at the chap who owned Hayes Travel who conked out at his desk at 71 - how very sad when you are minted to be still surrounded in stress when you could be in a luxurious holiday resort enjoying your money. If you might get bored - take a hobby - golf - watching tennis around the world etc or a spot of gardening!

I hope when I conk out it will be on a beautiful beach and not in an office during my retirement years that’s for sure.

[Baggiemadguern]

I know a number of people who just throw all their spare cash into endowments, shares or pensions but then can’t afford nice things like a number of holidays per year. Everyone to their own but my view is that life is for living and you can’t take it with you!!

Look at the chap who owned Hayes Travel who conked out at his desk at 71 - how very sad when you are minted to be still surrounded in stress when you could be in a luxurious holiday resort enjoying your money. If you might get bored - take a hobby - golf - watching tennis around the world etc or a spot of gardening!

I hope when I conk out it will be on a beautiful beach and not in an office during my retirement years that’s for sure.

Well a am not at the 65 and 8 months yet. Should I go soon it will still be well before my official retirement age. Thing is, travel is not possible at the moment, so that is a big negative as we holiday for 8 to 10 weeks a year already, well we did until Corona Virus.

[DaveP67 is back!]

I think it depends whether or not you genuinely love your job. Mine is pretty stressful I have high blood pressure as a result and often work silly hours including the odd 2am emergency call.. I have 18 months until I am 55 and that’s it for me... Smell the roses I say your a long time dead and the older you get the less your able to do the things you wanted to do, as others posters have said you cant take it with you!

[baggieal]

Well a am not at the 65 and 8 months yet. Should I go soon it will still be well before my official retirement age. Thing is, travel is not possible at the moment, so that is a big negative as we holiday for 8 to 10 weeks a year already, well we did until Corona Virus.

We too - so annoying and first time in this country I can remember for Xmas! My point though was really don’t understand people like the Hayes chap who owned Hayes Travel and was minted - conking out in their HQ is so sad! Everyone to their own but my view is enjoy life and enjoy money if you have it. I know this couple who put everything into savings and pensions and they are only 50 - no real holidays and I just think - saddos!

Like hearing posts from Des on the board - likes a drink - loves photography and seems to generally enjoy life. That’s my kind of view as you never know what tomorrow brings. I have been healthy all my life and never went to the doctors and was hit for six this year at 57! Makes you really think and puts things into perspective - did for me anyway although now the virus has hit so no travel!

[Barrera]

My dad retired with a great pension from his finance company at 56-57 due to ill health and had a lovely 10-11 years before dying.

I’ve come to the belief that I’ll be working until I drop now, I can’t see a way out.

Anybody else in the same boat?

It’s a question I have been pondering lately. To be honest I could probably stop now at the age of 61. We have enough money to have a decent life - maybe cut down on a few luxuries but nothing drastic. We enjoy travelling abroad for holidays - but that’s been out for the past year and when it does return it will no doubt be different. I used to travel massively for work - think a 48 hour round trip from Bahrain to New York for a one day workshop. Crazy - can’t ever imagine doing this again. But I have Now got myself in a role which is really interesting - a bit like a start up venture in a very large company. I am working harder than ever but enjoying it - and this gives you energy. Expect to continue for a couple more years and then have a change if direction. Maybe I am fortunate in that I am working partly for the money but also because I enjoy it. And the latter is the danger ..... you are on this treadmill where all your working life you have been competing for promotions, bonuses, pay rises .....and you just can’t switch out of it. I also worry that if I do switch off then that could kill me. Each to their own I guess. Certainly don’t plan working until I drop ..... but that’s the question when will you drop. I filled in the Dead-o-Meter which Phil sent around a few weeks ago - said I would go at 86 ..... I think I would take that .....

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

I retired 11 years ago at 55 and I am now definitely in the 'don't know how I found time to go to work' category. Out of of lockdown I have at least 1 activity a day that entails meeting up with friends. Best of all I get to spend loads of time with my wife.

This isn't one fits all. I have a mate who is older and wealthier than me. He thrives on work and recently took up another non exec directorship. Stopping for him would not be a good move for his body or mind.

[Joy_Division]

I agree that it depends on your job and whether you enjoy it or not. After being made redundant from two great jobs I found myself aged 50 and no chance of another job in the industry I had been in with the same wages etc. So I ended up taking a job that was hourly paid and not much more than minimum wage. I went from working 36 hours a week to 50 hours a week for almost half my previous wage. The job involved associating with some of the worst people imaginable and taking no end of abuse and on one occasion physical assault. I worked out that with my works pension from my two good jobs and a load of savings I could fund retiring at 63, which I did. I have been retired now 4 years. With the works pension and the state pension I receive more money per month than I did when working 50 hours a week to get spat on. Retiring was the best thing I did in my life other than marrying my second wife. Do I get bored? Not a bloody chance. There is music, art, reading and my wife's wonderful company.