I’ve given in my notice at work. It’s rather scary and rather exciting at the same time.
I’m going for early retirement - I’ve struggled a lot over the last six months in particular and the relief I feel from knowing I can jump out of this wretched hamster wheel is immense.
My pension has been reduced as I’m taking it early, and things will be tight, but I think I will survive!
My last day is 30 June, but with annual leave that looks like 24 May 😃
Hurrah!!!
That's what I did, and best decision I made!
Couldn't face hanging on to get medical retirement so I took early retirement instead. I discovered that going to work is quite expensive; clothes, lunches, endless gifts/cards for colleagues, expensive coffees, travel, more haircuts, etc etc etc. And you don't have to pay your share of a round in the pub after work when you're drinking tonic water and everyone else is on more exotic things, plus you never have to wear sheer tights again! So financially it's not as bad as I feared.
And best of all, my health improved pretty immediately and hasn't been so bad since.
Enjoy!
Thank you so much for that! It’s very reassuring to hear.
Yesterday when I handed in my notice I felt really emotional. When I told my team we had some tears in the office (not all mine either, which was really touching) but today I feel relieved and excited.
I was off sick for 8 weeks at the start of the year - I was just so run down. It scared me a bit (a lot actually) and I have no wish to get that bad again.
Onwards and upwards!! X
Well done you 👏🏻👏🏻
Yes !
I've just received medical rerirement after being off work for 14 months, and absolutely agree with the reduction in 'unseen' costs of working. But the ability to be able to organise my own time, rest when I'm not well and take advantage of good days outweighs any money restrictions.
I've also found living in a city there is masses of free daytime and some evening activities, book groups, talks etc and you can take advantage of such things as cheaper daytime cinema tickets and cheaper tea/coffee in some coffee shops at certain times of the day.
Not working brings such freedom,
Yey... Good for you! Enjoy!!@):-
Enjoy. I took medical retirement and my husband took early retirement. It was the best thing we’ve ever done xx
Good on you enjoy and it will be a big relief to you, I had to retire with ill health last year at 52 and although it took me 6months to adjust it was the best thing I done as I struggled for a year on and off, I've got my work pensions and am not any worse off financially but contented and don't feel as if I'm letting anyone down now
Thank you!
I tried for IHR but I’m not bad enough, but hey I’m going anyway!
I’ll have a drop of about £1000 income a month, but I will be able to pay off my horrid big mortgage with my lump sum (which is over £600 a month). I won’t need doggy day care either so I will be about £250 down over all in reality. Scary but achievable 😮
My health and happiness are the most important things!
Yes, your health & happiness is the most important thing. Getting out of the rat race is worth the loss of $250 a month...but when you think about it, how much money do you spend going to work? I think you will breakout even & you will be able to enjoy your life.
...and you ll be with your lovely doggy in the day, i bet they re chuffed too 😄 trying for ill health myself, enjoy!
Thank you! Good luck with yours x
Congratulations. Planning and looking forward to the next years, what an enjoyment. ☺☺
How exciting!!! I'm so happy for you for reaching this decision to jump off the hamster wheel. I wish you the best 
I agree with HelixHelix. The fear of money being tight is scary, but think how much money you will save on clothes, lunches & gas, etc. You might find that you have extra money in your pocket once you retire.
I retired when I was 53 just could not do it anymore. It took me quite a while to decide what to do to fill my day, but gradually I felt better and found myself living a life within which I could take care of myself and do things which are not work. Give yourself time and permission to explore things you may be interested in. Also, all my bills went down(apart from heating) and I learned to eat and cook healthy food.
All the best to you
Nina
How exciting for you! The weight off your shoulders must feel amazing! Sounds like you've made the right decision! Mhairi. x
Well done for making such a difficult decision. I too decided on early retirement because my RA made my job very difficult to do. It was the best decision I ever made.
I left three years ago and won’t get my state pension for another four years. Yes, money is a bit tight, but we manage, and I am so much better not working. Not driving to work and back has saved a lot in petrol money, no more contributions to gifts for colleagues, books bought for work etc.
Good luck in your retirement.
Thank you! I won’t get my state pension for another 10 years, but I’m sure I’ll be OK. I live alone but I’m prepared to cut back in lots of ways, plus I had always intended to sell my house and downsize.
I feel such a huge sense of relief and positivity already x
Hi very interesting...im in the very same posistion as you in a way...im 57 in june and have oestoarthritus in my neck and have had it for now about a year.For the last 2 months im considering taking early retirement but just like you its taking the leap of faith into the unknown...i personally want to take IHR...but like you i think my HR dept think i am not that ill enough.For the last 3 months i have been on restricted duties and dont seem to be getting anywhere...i am definateley considering leaving before next year...i take my hat off to you and wish you all the best in the future...
Thank you!
I have thought long and hard about it (I can be an over thinker at times!).
I tried the IHR route because I didn’t want to wonder if I could have got it - it makes a huge difference financially. You must do what feels right for you, if you have time on your side I would try it. Be brave and put yourself first in the decision making process. All the best! X
I’m thinking about retirement. I’m currently off sick. I’m trying for medical retirement but been told it’s unlikely and it’s a long process.
I’ve had a roller coaster time since diagnosis in January 2016.
Working as a specialist nurse have made some errors due to the tiredness and fatigue.
Saw GP a couple of weeks ago who ran a few blood tests and found my Vitamin D is low. So I think some of my tiredness and fatigue is possibly is down to this. I’m now on course of high dose vitamin D so should in theory be feeling better soon. (I’ve had this 3x since diagnosis spoke to GP and they said my RA will have something to do with this. I try to get out in the sun but can’t be out for too long as I’m sun sensitive due to my medication. Also at work I don’t see any day time throughout the day.
I can’t face going back to work as they want me to relocate and asked to look at job vacancies in the trust. I’m told there are many vacancies. Been looking at vacancies within the trust and there is nothing I can see that is suitable for me as my RA affects mainly my upper limbs. We don’t have electronic record keeping notes so need to hand write everything and this causes increased pain in my wrists and hands.
I don’t want to put obstacles in the way and I would like to work and realise my limitations too.
Also my post is very stressful which also has an impact on my condition as well. I’m waiting to have a 24 hour BP monitoring taken as my BP is always raised at my appointments. I used to have a low BP so the readings are high for me.
I’ve also made changes to my working hours and went down to 22.5 soon after diagnosis and recently 16.5.
So I may just go for retirement but after 30 years of service I’m not going to get very much due to the reduction of hours I’ve made.
I hope you have a wonderful retirement as someone has already mentioned you will not have the expenses you need when working. Pub nights, travel, clothes etc
Matilda x
Thank you Matilda. I hope things work out for you for the best.
The first 12-18 months following diagnosis were awful and things got better for me - so I hope that’s the case for you.
I dropped to 30 hrs a week but couldn’t drop any lower because of my big horrid mortgage! Retirement was the best option all round for me.
Take care x
Good luck JEM, its the beginning of something not the end! I think your body will thank you for it.
Congratulations on making this decision its a hard one as so much of a persons identity is tied up in your working life.
Very best of luck to you.
Mx
Congratulations - you won’t regret it!
Due to organisational restructuring, I got to take voluntary redundancy/early retirement in 2010 at age 51, having done 35 years with no breaks. I was able to get my two occupational pensions then as well, as the age limit was lower at that time. I can honestly say it was the best thing I ever did! 😀😀😀
So, although my retirement wasn’t on health grounds, as my psoriatic arthritis is intermittent rather than constant, I do feel that not working has really benefitted my general health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally, as although I loved my job, it was very pressured and stressful.
I also think it’s good to be able to go at a time when it is still your choice, rather than waiting until your health deteriorates so much that you are forced to give up work. And the money thing will sort itself out - as others have said, working can be an expensive business!
I too finished on 30 June and especially after 13 years in that job, there were lots of tears, but it was definitely the right move for me, and I have never regretted it for a single moment!
It is a big change in lifestyle, and can feel strange at first not having to get up to go to work, but it’s amazing how quickly you can adapt to it! 😜
Thank you! Your words are very reassuring!
My job is (soon to be was!) full on and very stressful. I want to quit before my performance is affected!
I’ve been there 14+ years and I know I will boo when I say bye to people, but I need to and am ready to move on to the next phase of my life! x
Go for it! X
Go for it! I took early retirement at 48 i took a reduced pension which starts next month. Hubby also decided to retire at same time. He has another year before state pension. We were scared and worried about money but we went down to one car. We walk now to the local shops (unthinkable before i retired!) Pain levels and fatigue have reduced by half. We still go out for lunch once a week. Its amazing how little you spend when not working. No work clothes to buy. No travel. No lunch money. No chipping in to all the bday/leaving do/maternity leave etc at work. I do not regret it😊
Thank you for taking time to share your experience!
I’m so glad I posted on here. I feel so much happier and more positive reading everyone’s’ experiences.
I’m really excited about the new phase in my life.
I can’t thank you all enough - you don’t know how much it has helped me x
Day one of the new me, so excited.
Completly not relevant to RA but so exciting for me!
so excited today
Laying down for the night can be scary! 
