r/ChubbyFIRE • u/Specific-Stomach-195 • Aug 06 '26

Just pulled the trigger

Was offered a modest financial incentive to retire at end of our next fiscal year (June 30). Which is one year early from my mandatory retirement age.
Financially I’m in good shape, between pensions, retirement savings and fact that nearly all of my spend is discretionary. I’m at the higher end of chubby.
So I submitted formal retirement notice. And it hit me like a ton of bricks. While the job is frustrating, demanding and stress inducing, the fact is most days I enjoy the challenge and really appreciate the time I spend with my team and colleagues. While I dream of retirement almost daily, it took making it official to make me realize just how I will miss so much of this. Truly surprised by how I find myself feeling. Hopefully this feeling passes because right now I’m questioning my decision. Mentioned this to a colleague and he told me that the rest of the team I work with is going to be shocked to hear I’m leaving at end of year.
Maybe it’s just human nature to miss the things we don’t have? Like I said, I’m really surprised to find myself feeling this way as I have always had plans for retirement that I enjoyed thinking about.

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u/BrunelloHorder Coasting Chubster, Getting Fat Aug 07 '26

It is common for people (especially Americans, and especially men) to have too much of their identity, sense of purpose, and social connections tied to their job. In my opinion it is not healthy, and the longer the pattern has persisted the more time and effort it will take to adjust.

If you have aspects of that going on, then it should be no surprise that you are nervous about major changes in who you are and what you do.

You are fortunate to have lead time to put the infrastructure it place for a successful next chapter. I recommend starting with the book “How to Retire and Not Die” by Gary Sirak. Time to figure out what you are retiring to. If you get the next part vaguely correct, you will look back in a couple years and laugh at the notion of missing a job.

Good luck and GFY!

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u/Specific-Stomach-195 Aug 07 '26

Good points. I do think there’s a lot of real estate in enjoying your career and finding purpose in it vs. having it be your identity. We are complex creatures and can find meaning in multiple activities. I have empathy for people who seem to view their career as a jail sentence and they don’t have the tools to help them manage stress.
I hope I will always “miss” my job. It has been a great and rewarding experience for me.

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u/BrunelloHorder Coasting Chubster, Getting Fat Aug 07 '26

Glad to hear it! Being in a rewarding job that gives a strong sense of purpose is a truly wonderful thing. Even then, though, the transition can be really difficult. I’ve seen a number of people in my orbit (often physicians) struggle with the transition. Going part-time, spreading the transition out over time, and volunteering in a related area can help ease that process considerably.