Semi retirement- AVFTT advice centre

I'm not there yet, but my FiL has very recently taken "flexible working" which basically means working part-time but if he does a week, he gets the next week off.

It also means he accrues stuff like annual leave and keeps his private health benefit.

And he's able to do mostly the bits of the job he loves.

What he has said, is because he's maxed out his pension pot, he is no longer paying in and with one thing and another, his take home pay is just about the same as it was.

He decided to do it this way because apparently there is a spike in men dying within 3 years of retiring, so this way he can ease into his new life.

What is incredibly generous is him giving us his air-miles to take our kids away in 2024. Logged in and he's accrued 1Ā½ million of them; it will see us business class both ways to somewhere in the Caribbean, which is a nice way for us to probably have one last family holiday before or kids stay doing their own things.

FWIW, do as much of the things which bring you joy as often as you can.
 
Last edited:
My situation is different to yours as I had to retire due to ill health. I still get some work, the IT drone stuff nobody else wants to do, but at least I'm mortgage free. The worst of it is my friends and family see me as a charity case (I'm not... yet) and all empolyers know I'm a sick note on legs. There are days and nights I stare at a computer screen for 8 hours and do absolutely nothing, that always comes as a surprise to me.

If you can make a decent living semi retired do it, enjoy life, you don't always get your health back when you lose it. Good luck.
 
seasideone said:
Itā€™s hard not to think that when you read the stories of skiving on here sometimes - especially in the civil service in years gone by!!!
Click to expand...
Yeah but letā€™s face it - you and I wouldnā€™t have reaped the profits we have, and be retired, if we hadnā€™t persuaded other people to work and earn money for us. A lot more money than we couldā€™ve earned if we were working on our own.

Employers rarely hesitate if business performance suggests redundancies are needed.

But expect unquestioning loyalty and 100% commitment from their staff.

Maybe employees just understand that the relationship is purely transactional? And treat it that way?

Sauce for the goose and all that.
 
Mexboroseasider said:
Yeah but letā€™s face it - you and I wouldnā€™t have reaped the profits we have, and be retired, if we hadnā€™t persuaded other people to work and earn money for us. A lot more money than we couldā€™ve earned if we were working on our own.

Employers rarely hesitate if business performance suggests redundancies are needed.

But expect unquestioning loyalty and 100% commitment from their staff.

Maybe employees just understand that the relationship is purely transactional? And treat it that way?

Sauce for the goose and all that.
Click to expand...

Obviously a successful business owner generally will create more wealth than the staff.

ā€¦but apart from that we had (and they still do) have an incredibly engaged and incentivised work force pulling in the same direction - and it was no accident it happened that way.
 
seasideone said:
Obviously a successful business owner generally will create more wealth than the staff.

ā€¦but apart from that we had (and they still do) have an incredibly engaged and incentivised work force pulling in the same direction - and it was no accident it happened that way.
Click to expand...
Thatā€™s wonderful to hear.

And not one Quiet Quitter to be seen anywhere I imagine.
 
I retired at 50 and Iā€™m now 56.

My thought was always thisā€¦

ā€¦many people said ā€œBut isnā€™t 50 too young to retire Blood?ā€

I always replied the sameā€¦..ā€not if you die at 51ā€

They always were quiet after that

In my ā€œpersonalā€ opinion itā€™s simpleā€¦.

1). If you really enjoy your job never retireā€¦.maybe drop hours

2) If you donā€™t mind your job then be flexible etc etc..make your choices

3) If you hate your job and you can retire then obvs you will

Most people arenā€™t lucky enough to make the decisions theyā€™d ideally make in their dream scenarioā€¦ā€¦thatā€™s ** life and itā€™s a pisser but ā€œyou can only fuck with the cock you've gotā€ ā€¦..always been the case
 
Btw that rather crude saying is from an old Jock Factory Manager (where I worked) who would have been late 50s back in the mid 80s BUT it is a great non PC phrase imho that cuts through a load of shit and pisses on ā€œplay the cards youā€™re dealtā€œ šŸ‘šŸ˜

and I think itā€™s genius in its simplicity šŸ‘
 
Bloodtangerine said:
Btw that rather crude saying is from an old Jock Factory Manager (where I worked) who would have been late 50s back in the mid 80s BUT it is a great non PC phrase imho that cuts through a load of shit and pisses on ā€œplay the cards youā€™re dealtā€œ šŸ‘šŸ˜

and I think itā€™s genius in its simplicity šŸ‘
Click to expand...
Wonder what he would have made of men who can now fuck with the cock they don't have? (sorry I don't want to derail the thread, but it's a funny turn of phrase)
 
Excellent thread, & thanks for all your experiences..

I'm currently going through the same decisions, my wife retired (early. I'm contractually bound to point that out. šŸ¤£) I'm 60 & have 38yrs in public service, problem is I enjoy my job, its not too arduous & is quite well remunerated, I can do what I want when I want, so my Impetuous to stop is less, than in earlier positions I had with same employer. Mortgage just paid off, no debts, but with an unhealthy disposition regarding skiing holidays to both Europe (Spain) & Canada. I need to be able to afford 3 ski holidays per year, plus several /many visits to a Spanish holiday home, & occasional other European warm locations, but not sure my pension, plus lump sum is up to it, if only I knew when I'm going to drop dead.. Hopefully on a ski slope..
In all seriousness, I've no fuckin idea.... šŸ¤£
 
Limechase said:
Excellent thread, & thanks for all your experiences..

I'm currently going through the same decisions, my wife retired (early. I'm contractually bound to point that out. šŸ¤£) I'm 60 & have 38yrs in public service, problem is I enjoy my job, its not too arduous & is quite well remunerated, I can do what I want when I want, so my Impetuous to stop is less, than in earlier positions I had with same employer. Mortgage just paid off, no debts, but with an unhealthy disposition regarding skiing holidays to both Europe (Spain) & Canada. I need to be able to afford 3 ski holidays per year, plus several /many visits to a Spanish holiday home, & occasional other European warm locations, but not sure my pension, plus lump sum is up to it, if only I knew when I'm going to drop dead.. Hopefully on a ski slope..
In all seriousness, I've no fuckin idea.... šŸ¤£
Click to expand...
On a Caged Football Pitch you mean šŸ˜
 
TSSeasider said:
Wonder what he would have made of men who can now fuck with the cock they don't have? (sorry I don't want to derail the thread, but it's a funny turn of phrase)
Click to expand...
He wouldnā€™t have made much of the gender self identification nonsense tbh

one of his other sayings was ā€œIll give you a piece of adviceā€¦.donā€™t piss up my backā€
 
The point above about controlling the situation rather than just letting it happen is very important.

I planned mine for years and used to dream about it - so much so, when it actually happened it was somewhat of a non event as I had lived that moment in my head thousands of times already.
 
Always make sure that youā€™re weekends are still the part of the week that you look forward to the most just like you did when working. Too many retirees let their weekends role into weekdays and donā€™t differentiate (if that makes sense). For me, my weekend has always started on a Thursday night and l still meet up with the same mates from school for a chat and a few beers. But most of all l still get the same buzz when Saturday arrives and itā€™s match day just like today!
 
Mexboroseasider said:
Thereā€™s a new phrase doing the rounds called ā€œQuietly Quttingā€.

Itā€™s probably not that new to be honest and not really what weā€™re talking about here (retirement or semi retirement) but thereā€™s a lot of parallels.

Itā€™s basically just working to your job description and not regarding work as being the be all and end all of your life. Itā€™s not supposed to be the same as coasting or opting out but you can see that the edges might become a bit blurred.

Itā€™s basically learning to say no when asked to take on projects that mean youā€™ll have to work ridiculous hours. Not dealing with out of hours emails or having your holiday ruined by interruptions from work. In short not accepting that your job can intrude into your personal life.

Some people will hate the whole idea. Others could run a master class on it. Iā€™m not šŸ‘€ at anyone in particular by the way.
Click to expand...
I wasn't aware of the term 'Quietly Quitting' until I read your post. But in the last 12 months I have definitely had a mindset change regarding work which sounds very much like what you have described above. I'm 48 and until recently have always worked my arse off. Worked some crazy hours at times including overnight at home and during weekends. It was driven by a fear of failure and of letting people down, not pulling my weight, not justifying my salary etc. It was stressful, exhausting and at times sucked any joy out of my life. With hindsight it was totally over the top or 'overly consciencious' as mental health professionals would describe it. It finally caught up with me last summer (compounded by 18 months of working in isolation due to COVID). I was really ill and it took me a while to get back on my feet again. Since then I have been able to re-evaluate things, realised I didn't need to put myself through what I had been doing in order to deliver. That things didn't have to be perfect (ever heard the story about The Happy Perfectionist? You won't have done because Happy Perfectionists don't exist - copyright Tim Box). Anyway, I'll still have to work for a fair old while yet but I'm hoping that my new found attitude to work holds and I can continue to enjoy life rather than constantly worrying about work like I did in the past. Good luck to the OP with his transition to semi-retirement. It's been a good thread this one. I've enjoyed reading through everyone's comments and experiences.
 
archie said:
I wasn't aware of the term 'Quietly Quitting' until I read your post. But in the last 12 months I have definitely had a mindset change regarding work which sounds very much like what you have described above. I'm 48 and until recently have always worked my arse off. Worked some crazy hours at times including overnight at home and during weekends. It was driven by a fear of failure and of letting people down, not pulling my weight, not justifying my salary etc. It was stressful, exhausting and at times sucked any joy out of my life. With hindsight it was totally over the top or 'overly consciencious' as mental health professionals would describe it. It finally caught up with me last summer (compounded by 18 months of working in isolation due to COVID). I was really ill and it took me a while to get back on my feet again. Since then I have been able to re-evaluate things, realised I didn't need to put myself through what I had been doing in order to deliver. That things didn't have to be perfect (ever heard the story about The Happy Perfectionist? You won't have done because Happy Perfectionists don't exist - copyright Tim Box). Anyway, I'll still have to work for a fair old while yet but I'm hoping that my new found attitude to work holds and I can continue to enjoy life rather than constantly worrying about work like I did in the past. Good luck to the OP with his transition to semi-retirement. It's been a good thread this one. I've enjoyed reading through everyone's comments and experiences.
Click to expand...
Thatā€™s a really good post. That shift in mindset is a thing of beauty when it comes.
Hope youā€™re feeling a lot better now šŸ‘
 
Old_Laytonian said:
63 canā€™t afford to retire but when I get to 66 will do but after 6 months I reckon Iā€™ll be bored and look for part time work. Especially as my wife is 7 years younger and will just give me jobs to do
Click to expand...
Similar to me having recently moved to a larger house in Cleveleys my retirement has been put off till 60 (18 months time). I'm in full time employment on 3 days/nights a week but long long shifts. We are quite lucky as my younger wife earns a shed load more than me so at 60 our debts will be cleared.
But like yourself I've worked all my life and to be honest don't do that much outside of work (I have learnt how to chill quite successfuly, my wife calls that something else) so maybe the boredom of 24/7 nothing to focus on may set in.

I do think that maybe 20 hours a week somewhere doing whatever, just for focus and direction may be my choice.

Although having read these messages they've got me thinking why the f am I still driving 23 miles in to work and doing a 12 hour NIGHT shift at my agešŸ¤”šŸ¤Ø
 
I keep thinking, I'll just do another 12 months, unless my employer pisses me off, then I'll go earlier, however, my "clients" are my friends, so don't want to let them down..
& you must always retire in spring, March April, so as to enjoy the lighter nights.....


This is a one time deal, no going back, & to be honest, I'm a little scared..

. & excited
 
It has been very interesting so much so I'm putting together a 12 to 18 month plan .( decision not based on post replies but certainly gave me a nudge)
One if the more surprising aspects is the emphasis seemed to be in appreciate time , health and what you have . I suspected main replies would be about financial planning etc but most about enjoyng life
Cheers
 
Bisphamtang said:
It has been very interesting so much so I'm putting together a 12 to 18 month plan .( decision not based on post replies but certainly gave me a nudge)
One if the more surprising aspects is the emphasis seemed to be in appreciate time , health and what you have . I suspected main replies would be about financial planning etc but most about enjoyng life
Cheers
Click to expand...
Good for you šŸ‘ Iā€™m sure you wonā€˜t regret it.
 
Bisphamtang said:
It has been very interesting so much so I'm putting together a 12 to 18 month plan .( decision not based on post replies but certainly gave me a nudge)
One if the more surprising aspects is the emphasis seemed to be in appreciate time , health and what you have . I suspected main replies would be about financial planning etc but most about enjoyng life
Cheers
Click to expand...
My approach to early retirement was very simple and clear to me and still is and helped my decision making process about finances, health etc. and that is 'youā€™re here today and gone tomorrow'. Nobody can ever put a timescale around that but itā€™s so important to look after your health more than anything else and enjoy your later years. l was out in Nobberland last Wednesday with a Nobber and a Dingle who l worked with for many years and we still have an old mans weekend City break in Europe every year for the last 18 years, both of them had the opportunity to go at the same as me, both turned it down and both said on Wednesday they regretted that decision now as they love retirement now doing the things that werenā€™t possible while working. Still Nobbers and Dingles though šŸ¤£šŸ¤£
 
I'm so envious of people who have retired/ semi retired.

I'm 51 and done 30yrs in civ. Best I can hope for is PT at 60 (so 3 days working) and retire at 67. Whilst my Mrs will be 68 retiring so we can spend a happy future together when I'm 77!! It doesn't bare thinking of but things can change šŸ¤ž

I honestly would retire now if I could... loads to do and would do beach clean, walk dog more, etc etc.. not a chance I would get bored.

But šŸ‘ šŸ‘ šŸ‘ to all you lucky people
 
Very interesting thread. Iā€™m 35 and I wish I could go part time.
I enjoy my job itā€™s just doing it for 40 hours every week is tiresome.
 
Retirement = The Friday nights aren't quite as good but the Sunday nights make up for it. šŸ˜‰

Quite honestly I reckon it's about how much you enjoy your job, if you hate yours you'll want to get out of it as soon as possible, but if as the saying goes if you enjoy what you do, you won't do a days work in your life.

I retired and went back to work as I enjoy what I do and retirement is as boring as f@ck if I'm honest.

Just make sure you have very little or no debt and as many income streams as possible so your back balance doesn't disappear too quickly, especially with the current energy crisis we are going through.

My wife did the retire and return in the NHS and enjoys doing her two and a half days work and earning more than she did full time when you combine the two incomes.

I have the state and company pensions plus some property rentals and work full time so I've never earned as much as i do nowadays and we now have no debts, but I enjoy my job so have the benefit of choosing to work or not work.

The main thing to consider is can you live comfortably on the income you'll get once you finish work if that' what you decide to do, and will you be bored senseless if you don't work in some capacity?

Decisions, decisions. Every case will de different, so choose carefully.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top