Are you going to retire at 66

??? Sure that's a perfectly normal occurrence on any evening train in France!

Much the same in Germany too. On my last weekend break-from-a-week's-work (to visit The Sister up in Frankfurt) my neighbour unpacked his artisanal bread from his "carryon", loaded it up with slices of Swiss cheese, then carved a few slabs of fine-smelling sausage off the roll (with his perfectly acceptable, well-sharpened pocket knife). Can't remember what he had to drink, but I felt quite the peasant eating my crisps out of the packet.

I'm of the original (and best) inter-rail generation, and haven't lost the grá for turning up at a station, looking at the international departures board and saying "I'll go there …" Obviously privatisation, rationalisation and modernisation has taken some of the fun out of rail travel - but it's still a damn sight better than getting on a 'plane.

For those who'd like to eat off real plates and drink out of real glasses, and watch the world go by, I would highly recommend trying the Amtrak equivalent of Inter-rail and choosing one of their looooooooooooooong distance trains. I did a month of that as a 50th birthday treat, and would do it again if it didn't involve visiting MAGAstan. I had, in fact, planned a trip on the Trans-Siberian railway for my 60th, but … well … maybe for my 70th.

Hoping to retire in another 4 years. Currently early 50s. House paid off and been maxing out pension contributions throughout work career. Target is to be on 80% of current salary. Time will tell!

I had an identical experience. Retired at 54 and 14 years into it at this stage. I lived for my work and loved it but retirement has been phenomenal. Not an idle or boring day since. Retirement meant retirement to me. No consultancy, projects or part time jobs.

I too had vivid dreams of going to work for a long time. I was aware in the dreams that I was 'technically' retired and even had arguments with managers where I said I was retired and didn't have to stay there.

Retired at 31 due to illness. I'm 43 now and I don't miss the shift work

My most recent review of the pension indicated I’ll get to retire in my mid-60’s. God only knows what I’ll do.

I admire people who sell up and move to the sun. It must be hugely liberating.

that’s a great idea I think. I’ve a few kids and lots of outgoings. I can see myself working on to 70 if I stay fit. I don’t find work takes much of a toll and there’s much I really enjoy about it

We didn't wait : cashed in our under-sized over-priced semi-D when we were still young and took ourselves and the children off to browner pastures, mortgage free for the rest of our working lives. And no childcare fees. And free school transport. And free/almost free after-school activites.

I’d love to retire in the next 10 years or so. I think I could live on a relatively small budget but I wonder if all the insurances - house, health, car - will skyrocket. Energy as well. I’m just unsure how that stuff could be budgeted for

I will always do some kind of thing to keep my foot in the door of making money somehow, I don't know what I'll be doing, but it wont be full time. I take a lot of time off as it is, we travel a lot, I enjoy my hobbies and meeting people, just fiddling about at different interests as well. I tend to go a few years and do nothing major, then I get a notion of some project and do what I have to to make it happen.

I worked in a nursing home and saw people that worked hard all their lives, as soon as they retired, they deteriorated. It was mainly teachers and farmers, the same thing every day/week/year, but now, it may have been just that there was a higher percentage of them at that age also. Anyway, people get shocked by having nothing to do and don't enjoy retirement. It's better to get used to doing 'nothing', as in hobbies, extra curricular activities, entertaining yourself etc. Also being involved in clubs so that you are still active in society and have a purpose.