Retirement - how did you adjust?

[Copa]

A little while back I was seriously injured at work. I was sent to be assessed where I was told, against my wishes, I was not to return to work until I fully recover. I wanted to return to work but it wasn’t to be.

Work easily admitted all fault, gave an apology and is paying for all treatment. 

I’m now close to my planned normal retirement age but am on compensation payments in the meantime.

So unless I quickly find work in my field after recovering it looks like retirement has been thrust upon me without any planning on my part. I had no idea my last day at work was going to be my last day at work.

For those on here who have retired, how did you find the early days of retirement and do you have any tips and tricks?

 

Edited September 7 by Copa

[Kayakman]

Join the local gym right away and begin resistance weight training every day, followed by off days of Yoga.

Good luck!

[Cumbrian Fanatic]

I also retired earlier than planned, but for very different reasons. I was working on a contract that I expected to finish in May 2026 and was think that I'd take some time off over summer rather than look for a new position, a sort of trial run, but the project was cancelled in Dec 2025 with about 3 weeks notice. I was offered redeployment but declined.

I would suggest, like Kayakman, joining a gym, I've done gym work since my playing days but now instead of going straight after work I go in the mornings, in fact I type this just after returning.

Other things to consider are voluntary work, volunteering for something you are interested in rather than do for money - I try not to have rigid times or days as it would probably feel too much like work. I also do a bit of walking and have been gradually ticking off those non essential tasks that I never seemed to get around to doing and have had/planned more short breaks.

I think the important thing for me was getting into the mindset that things can be done at a leisurely pace

[JohnM]

My retirement was gradual. I reduced the amount I was doing , gradually, and over a period of five years until I gave up aged 72. ( Or was it 74....?) Before and after,  I've never been short of things to do, only short of the physical health necessary. I'm still learning stuff, also  I'm in three U3A groups, exploring becoming a STEM Ambassador, just got a carbon fibre ultra lightweight power wheelchair so I can get around the great cities of Europe and spending the childrens inheritance.

Edited September 7 by JohnM

[Futtocks]

1 hour ago, Cumbrian Fanatic said:

I also do a bit of walking

My stepmother started dog-walking for the more elderly and less mobile pet-owners in the village. Not a bad motivation to get outdoors, if you know people who could do with that sort of service.

[Gerrumonside ref]

I’m not retired, but the people who adapted the best in my life stayed mentally active as well as physically active.

[Copa]

12 hours ago, Kayakman said:

Join the local gym right away and begin resistance weight training every day, followed by off days of Yoga.

Good luck!

I’ve found yoga to be fantastic. I really need to do more resistance training though.

[Copa]

12 hours ago, Cumbrian Fanatic said:

I also retired earlier than planned, but for very different reasons. I was working on a contract that I expected to finish in May 2026 and was think that I'd take some time off over summer rather than look for a new position, a sort of trial run, but the project was cancelled in Dec 2025 with about 3 weeks notice. I was offered redeployment but declined.

I would suggest, like Kayakman, joining a gym, I've done gym work since my playing days but now instead of going straight after work I go in the mornings, in fact I type this just after returning.

Other things to consider are voluntary work, volunteering for something you are interested in rather than do for money - I try not to have rigid times or days as it would probably feel too much like work. I also do a bit of walking and have been gradually ticking off those non essential tasks that I never seemed to get around to doing and have had/planned more short breaks.

I think the important thing for me was getting into the mindset that things can be done at a leisurely pace

I’ve researched some volunteer opportunities and will be contacting some organisations this week. I’ve worked in an office for decades and the volunteer work is gentle outdoor work in gardens. I think I’ll enjoy it. 

[Bearman]

I'm 78 and still doing a bit and leaving a lot.

I dont advertise any more and my OAP customer base ( with the odd young 'un)is gradually succumbing to the grim reaper. I currently nominally do 3 afternoons a week.

Last week I did about 12 and this week I only have 1 tomorrow.

Next week I will do about 35 so quite busy.

I need to renew my annual professional association fees which includes insurance this month and I will.

I really dont want to pack upcompletely. Its too easy to waste time watching tv ( and this forum).

If you had told me when I was 19 that I would still be working at going on 79 I would have thought" no way".

[jacksy]

On 07/09/2026 at 10:37, Copa said:

A little while back I was seriously injured at work. I was sent to be assessed where I was told, against my wishes, I was not to return to work until I fully recover. I wanted to return to work but it wasn’t to be.

Work easily admitted all fault, gave an apology and is paying for all treatment. 

I’m now close to my planned normal retirement age but am on compensation payments in the meantime.

So unless I quickly find work in my field after recovering it looks like retirement has been thrust upon me without any planning on my part. I had no idea my last day at work was going to be my last day at work.

For those on here who have retired, how did you find the early days of retirement and do you have any tips and tricks?

 

Farking love it. Went at 60. Got myself an allotment and started growing stuff,which id never done before.

I also do odd jobs for relatives and friends.

Lastly, i applied to become an exam invigilator. which i got. So i do mock and proper exams at a local school throughout the year.

My Mrs still works,so i do housework too. Washing,pots,hoovering and mopping etc.

Suprising how you can fill your day. 

Edited September 8 by jacksy

[Gerrumonside ref]

I might be alone in this but I’m not hankering for retirement despite being fifty.

I’ve got a reasonable private pension and full contributions on a state pension but I still enjoy the relationships with work colleagues and the achievement of shared goals together.

I have quite an intensive caring situation for others outside work that can be both emotionally and financially draining too.

Although I like social options, hobbies and seeing friends - I’m lucky enough that work is enjoyable too as I’ve focused on maintaining good relations with people during worktime (who let’s face it you spend a big chunk of time with).

Edited September 8 by Gerrumonside ref

[Red Willow]

I retired in May, still adjusting and trying to get round to al the jobs around the house that have been neglected.

I still have to try to get Capita to pay me my pension ot even tell me and thousands of others like  me what it will be

[Futtocks]

2 hours ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

I might be alone in this but I’m not hankering for retirement despite being fifty.

I’ve got a reasonable private pension and full contributions on a state pension but I still enjoy the relationships with work colleagues and the achievement of shared goals together.

I have quite an intensive caring situation for others outside work that can be both emotionally and financially draining too.

Although I like social options, hobbies and seeing friends - I’m lucky enough that work is enjoyable too as I’ve focused on maintaining good relations with people during worktime (who let’s face it you spend a big chunk of time with).

Same here, just a few years older and closer to The Day. Both parents getting significantly frailer (physically and mentally) in recent years, so there's that to cope with too when it all (probably) happens at once.

I enjoy my work and my colleagues are a great group that are younger, intelligent and good company.

I did not really enjoy an unemployed stint working at a charity shop, where the paid management were treated badly, most of the "volunteers" were reluctantly doing the bare minimum to keep their benefits and the public (in a pretty respectable part of town) felt entitled to steal anything they could get away with. Nobody felt valued.

[Gerrumonside ref]

13 hours ago, Futtocks said:

Same here, just a few years older and closer to The Day. Both parents getting significantly frailer (physically and mentally) in recent years, so there's that to cope with too when it all (probably) happens at once.

I enjoy my work and my colleagues are a great group that are younger, intelligent and good company.

I did not really enjoy an unemployed stint working at a charity shop, where the paid management were treated badly, most of the "volunteers" were reluctantly doing the bare minimum to keep their benefits and the public (in a pretty respectable part of town) felt entitled to steal anything they could get away with. Nobody felt valued.

Yes, that’s sounds tough.

I remember when much younger having to leave a profession I’d worked hard to get into due to a serious illness.

Afterwards I spent six unhappy months unemployed as I tried to get ‘back in’ getting very down over time.

Eventually a friend suggested a complete career change might be a better solution even if it meant restarting at a lower level.

Thankfully I’ve been in full time employment since then rebuilding different professional qualifications and feeling much happier and fulfilled with some inevitable ups and downs (but more ups luckily).

Edited September 9 by Gerrumonside ref

[Adelaide Tiger]

I thought I was an old fart of 62 until some of you revealed your age

My problem is that I have a very low threshold of boredom.  If my car is in for a service, by 9am i am ringing the wife at work telling her that I am bored.  So the thought of having to fill 7 days a week without being bored fills me with dread.  Also, the wife works from home a couple of days a week and she doesn't want me to spend the day winding her up.  One of us will be up for murder ... and it won't be me.

So I will just keep working.  And I actually enjoy it.

The comments about undertaking physical activity is great advice.  Luckily, I am in good health and the wife and I go to 5 or 6 gym classes each week after work/weekend doing classes such as Body Pump, Body Attack, High Impact Interval Training and Supersets.  The wife says that I am a kn0bhead as I battle to beat people 40 years my junior in the classes but that challenge keeps me going.

P.S. for many, many years I use to jokingly say to work colleagues 'Another week nearer retirement' as we left work on a Friday afternoon ...... I don't say it anymore!

 

Edited September 9 by Adelaide Tiger

[Padge]

I adjusted easily, I am into photography so more time for that and time to revisit old photographs and edit/redit them. I am into history (especially local) so researching verious things keeps me quite busy. Me and the wife ensure we get out to socialise at least twicce a week, often jumping a train to somewhere nearby to try some interesting pubs.

With a retired wife who loves her garden she has found me loads of little, and not so little, jobs she wants doing. 

Filling time is never, ever, a problem.

[graveyard johnny]

On 07/09/2026 at 23:48, Copa said:

I’ve found yoga to be fantastic. 

its better than sitting round doing nothing 

[ivans82]

i am 72 years old and seem to be a bit different to other posters . i am proud to say i have never set foot in a gym my entire life . My days usually  begin with a walk for about an hour , coffee and a crack in a local cafe , few bets on , bit of shopping , home , bit of housework and gardening , have my tea . If its a fair night drive out to the countryside for another walk for about 2 hours , quick half in the pub garden and back home for a bit of telly ,On wet nights usually settle down with my music , still have about 1,500 albums .

[Vambo]

8 minutes ago, ivans82 said:

i am 72 years old and seem to be a bit different to other posters . i am proud to say i have never set foot in a gym my entire life . My days usually  begin with a walk for about an hour , coffee and a crack in a local cafe , few bets on , bit of shopping , home , bit of housework and gardening , have my tea . If its a fair night drive out to the countryside for another walk for about 2 hours , quick half in the pub garden and back home for a bit of telly ,On wet nights usually settle down with my music , still have about 1,500 albums .

Sounds fantastic Ivan

Walking, pubs, music and TV in the evening.

I'm currently part time with another 8 years to go before my pension (I actually plan to retire in 6 years though) and most of what you're doing is what I hope to do.

[ivans82]

21 minutes ago, Vambo said:

Sounds fantastic Ivan

Walking, pubs, music and TV in the evening.

I'm currently part time with another 8 years to go before my pension (I actually plan to retire in 6 years though) and most of what you're doing is what I hope to do.

i actually saved up and invested and retired aged 56 , so i have been at it for 16 years .

[graveyard johnny]

1 minute ago, ivans82 said:

i actually saved up and invested and retired aged 56 , so i have been at it for 16 years .

ok - no need to show off

[graveyard johnny]

I cant imagine my retirement been any different to Victor Meldrews apart from more alcohol infused

[Vambo]

2 minutes ago, ivans82 said:

i actually saved up and invested and retired aged 56 , so i have been at it for 16 years .

Nice one.

I'm 59 and bar a lottery win I need to play the game for another 6 years but I'm so looking forward to what hopefully lies ahead.

I love going for a walk and taking a book with me to read in my fave pubs/bars. I'm doing my very best to stay in good health/shape so that I continue to do that in retirement.

[Kayakman]

On 07/09/2026 at 18:48, Copa said:

I’ve found yoga to be fantastic. I really need to do more resistance training though.

The best time to begin is today!

Resistance training has been proven as the best thing older people can do for their bodies...its a little painful sometimes but it works wonders with the yoga.

[Copa]

1 minute ago, Kayakman said:

The best time to begin is today!

Resistance training has been proven as the best thing older people can do for their bodies...its a little painful sometimes but it works wonders with the yoga.

I’ve been thinking about your advice. I’m heading off for a few days but I’ll start on a resistance training program next week when I return.