Early retirement?

Lady is a tramp

A relative of mine is considering retiring at the end of this school year. She is in her late fifties, and has been teaching in the same primary school since way back when she qualified.

She met with a financial adviser today and - I don't know the ins and outs of it - but basically he reckons she'll really not be all that worse off financially if she does retire, and any shortfall could be made up by sub teaching and/or grinds, if she wanted to.

Financially she is not particularly well-off but not struggling, and mortgage has been paid off for several years, etc. Her husband has been retired a few years now due to ill health.

My own thoughts are that she should DEFINITELY go for it. I don't work in education myself, but can't imagine working in the same job in the same school for so long. She's still extremely healthy and fit and active, so to me it makes perfect sense to retire and make the most of the next few years, maybe take up some new interests, etc.

I think her main concern is that she'd end up regretting it, i.e. the routine and the social aspect etc, and that herself and her husband would drive each other mental in the house together all day every day!

Any thoughts of anyone who has been in a similar position? I assume she'd have no problem getting subbing if she wanted it - she's a vice-principal, and would know practically every other teacher/principal in the surrounding area, so would have plenty of contacts there.

I'm just curious if anyone has done this and regretted it / not regretted it, and how they ended up filling their time with no more routine every day. She's very good at her job, and actually enjoys it a lot of the time, so I'm wondering is there maybe some sort of voluntary organisation I could suggest to her working in education (she's based in Sligo.)

(I realise that this thread is maybe not totally specific to primary teaching, so please move if there's a more appropriate forum!)

spurious

I was in the same position a few years ago - I was younger and so I am on a very small pension, but I don't regret it. I'd had enough.

byhookorbycrook

Retired teachers are being used to sub this year due to the fact that the 4 year BEd has led to a shortage. Next year however will be a different story so if she is counting on subbing income she needs to consider that.

ShamoBuc

The financial aspect won't be that much of a hinderance. However, having spoken to many recent retirees , the individual person must be Ready for retirement. It is a lot of change. Are they active outside of work? Hill walking, bowls, clubs etc are necessary to be involved in to aid the enormous change. It should not all be about money, if they are ready, go for it.

Redser87

I would tell her to go for it but would echo byhookorbycrook's advice. Not sure about Sligo but she could check out organisations like Dyslexia Ireland and see if they have a centre nearby where her experience would be valued. Or she could do voluntary work not related to education, the SVP and Alone do great work and would probably be delighted with new volunteers.