I retired when I was 48 although I had been ‘off sick’ for a year by then and so had been able ‘get used to being retired’ being retired. Thus when the day came it was no big change, I just carried on as I had been doing.

That was 28 year ago.

Although I retired it did not mean I stopped working just that I could do what I wanted, when I wanted. For 20 years now I have been a volunteer, helping the public in several ways without any form of payment.

I am of course very fortunate that my pensions allowed me to do that.

My father retired after a full working life at 65, he was dead 9 months later.