HOW TO PLAN FOR A SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT 

I'll be retiring in about 5 years, but I have horses, so I'll still be up at 4:00 every day (rain or shine). The noble beasts do not allow their servants any time off.

Thank you Ash. I am 55 and I probably have another 10 years to work. Yes, please make a video with your financial advice. Thanks so much.

I'm 62, retired at 59, and put my 38 year career in the rear view mirror rather swiftly. I'm up everyday at 5:00 am to take care of my dog, and my days consist of reading, exercising, walking local trails, and playing music. I just recently enrolled in conservatory to hopefully improve on my instrument, and connect with other music students. My greatest challenge in retirement is building the social networks you refer to. I find it easy to get involved in online groups, but in-person interaction requires a lot of searching. The further I settle in retirement, the more I realize that these are my most blessed days.

Final salary / defined contribution pensions are a fortuitous advantage. Such pensions are seldomly found now.

Save and invest early and often. Plan for a second career, even if only part time in retirement. You can't play golf 40 hours a week, and as far as travel when you're older, half the time your searching for a western style loo. If someone asks "what do you do," respond "what do you have in mind?" Alone we flounder, together we fluke.

My wife and I have spoken about our retirement and we plan to spend much of it doing slow travel where we can continue to engage in a variety of cultures

Yes, a video on your financial retirement journey would be of interest.

Same here, 2 pensions after 35 years in my work, personal investing since the 1987 stock market crash. Children cared for, no ex wife stealing from me. I have been out since 2019, I also hold his Majesty's Canadian Honours with Bar, so much done during those years. Now it is golf, skiing, alumni conventions throughout North America. You are right about health issues, I eat only half of what I used to do, should cut back on the alcohol, love my cigars perhaps too much. Every morning, I check into the markets, make plans about investment income, right now building an education fund for my grand daughter, always lots to do.

Yes please share your secrets to post retirement wealth!

Great advise Ash. I think one of the most important elements when planning retirement is to pay off any debts if you have them. You and I have a similar early life and I personally have suffered from imposter syndrome as a result at times mostly because I’m now financially sound with no mortgage or debts, and still in work that I enjoy. Some of my friends have had a very different, privileged early life who aren’t doing so well and I ask myself often , how was I able to change my life path when others weren’t able too! The same for retirement I guess. If you’ve not got your health you’ve nothing!!

I would be interested in your story on how you did your early retirement. Listening to you on your UK travels, it seems that it would be nice to live in a smaller country. Easier to travel.

I am currently 14 months away from my projected retirement date. I can tell you for myself, having been raised in a farm environment, that (one of) my goals is to get back to being FAR more self-sufficient. That will include a busy homesteading lifestyle that will include expansion of my gardens, acquiring livestock (starting with some chickens) and installation of power alternatives to the home (solar panels with battery storage and propane powered generators). But most of all, finally having enough time to read the books I've been stocking my library with over the decades (maybe re-reading a couple of favorites too), getting back to my painting and start playing drums again with a band situation... Not to mention my current hobbies of wood working, furniture refinishing and leathercrafting. ALL things that because of my career, I can only do as my time and energy currently provides.

A wonderful episode among your many great videos,Ash. A real gem imo. I retired at 59, and at 64 Im happier than Ive ever been, despite the challenges along the way. And Im still learning about Life. I support your suggestion about creating wealth for retirement/ semi retirement, as this is crucial to allow us own our time. Understanding pensions, tax relief,compound interest, eliminating debt, funding our childrens education, furthering our own education and experience, overcoming divorce ill health, investing our pension, growing other investments etc. Lots to consider. We need to ensure our gross habits dont exceed our net income😁. If any of these suggestions are helpful, I'll let you buy me a coffee😁☘️

An old instructor once said to me that if you like and enjoy your job, then stick at it for as long as possible. If you find your job unfulfilling, tedious or in any way less than life affirming, then get out as quickly as possible. Something that I took on board, and I retired at 58, completely and without regret.

I’m right there with you, Ash. My wife and I always lived one notch below our means and socked away money for retirement. For instance instead of the BMW we would opt for a Honda. We both retired at age 60 and are loving it! My motto is: I may age but I refuse to grow old. There’s always something new to learn, explore, and experience.

I’m 79 years old, retired for a very happy twenty years. My journey has been very different as is my character. We have built our life around physical activities, we moved to Switzerland from Australia seven years ago so we can cycle, hike or ski in the mountains every day - we spent last week hiking around Zermatt. We eat nearly exclusively single ingredient foods and buy local produce from the local shops as much as possible, yes it costs a lot more but for us food is a priority above holidays or an expensive wardrobe. There are many ways to have a wonderful retirement but you need a sense of adventure, be willing to try new things and prepared to risk failure, there are many social pressures persuading you to settle for a traditional pipe and slippers, golf clubs and grandchildren retirement but you only get one life and the last third can be by far the best if you seize the opportunity.

An excellent video. Most of us (and the vast majority of websites, videos, articles, etc) concentrate on the financial side of retirement rather than the time and personal fulfilment side of it, but arguably the financial part is the easy bit - either you can afford to retire or you can’t. In my eyes the harder part is not only how to fill all the extra time retirement suddenly brings but how to maintain your status, your personal standing and your feeling of self-worth when work has probably provided those things for the past 40 or so years and suddenly isn’t there anymore. I found this video very inspiring and have actually been making notes as I’ve watched it; my own retirement planning has just started!

I have been retired for a year and a half. I have been very busy with hobbies clay shooting fishing gardening hiking and flea marketing. I am going to start an eBay business and we are looking into joining a gym. Also looking into the local senior center that has classes and trips. Great advice Ash. Cheers Ron

Yes please Ash. A video explaining how you prepared financially for retirement would be very useful.

Ash, I was one of those guys that asked you about this question. Very interesting and well thought out.

PS. I was an MP in the United States Marine Corps. Thanks for your service.

Great video, Ash! Thanks! Some great tips, there. I'm panicking mildly about how to retire and then "what to do." 60 years old and run a small business. Very fulfilling but very intense.

I retired in the new year and immediately made enquiries to see what voluntary work I could get involved in. I had 3 offers and got involved in all of them initially. One has fallen by the wayside as I actually found it a little stressful, but I am enjoying the other two roles. It's only a few hours a week, but it gives me a purpose. I also joined the Ramblers Association. I miss the banter and people at work (and the money), but don't miss the never-ending emails!

I retired early through ill health and a need to recover. I rarely plan for the future, treating each day as it comes and seeing it as an adventure. For me, tomorrow doesn’t exist as we never reach it. I study eastern philosophy as often as I can and this has helped me in recovery. Leading a simple life has shown me a better way of living and to not get too embroiled in materialism. Reducing the effects of ego on one’s life tends to put everything in perspective and subsequently less need for communal activities. Almost a hermit, one could say. However, I do enjoy cinema, theatre, voluntary work and investing and my life couldn’t be better. Adjusting to a quieter life couldn’t have been easier for me, but I do understand that hospitals are full of people whom have had very busy lives at work and my advice to people just retiring is to take things as they come. We live each day, but not for each day and therefore it is important not be enslaved by our passions, otherwise we might just as well have stayed at work.

My wife and I both had Civil Service jobs (Federal) which come with pensions. Those help enormously. Saving and investing are also important. I am 81 and she is 75 and our income is greater than it was the last year we were working, almost double. You MUST have a plan before you retire of what you are going to do or you will find yourself dying of bad depression and boredom. Ash is more than right. My parents' generation (WWII) faced mandatory retirement at 65. On average, the men died at age 72. You can handle seven years of doing nothing, then you die. Great and important video, Ash. Very valuable. Don't put of saving and don't put of planning, chaps.

I'll be retiring in the Spring of 2025, after almost 29yrs in Law Enforcement. Looking forward to well needed time off and to some new experiences.

Great video. I am in my 40s and I too want early retirement. Thanks for the great advice.

Hi Ash. I think most listeners would be interested in the financial planning side. You can have all plans in the world, but without the money to do anything, one would be somewhat stuck.... Looking forward to the next one.

Thank you Ash. I am 40 years old this was informative.

Yes please. Do let us know.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed teaching high school English and History, after thirty years doing a job that can be enormously stressful and demanding, I was feeling close to being burnt out. So I can't say that I miss doing the job, or that I somehow feel lost because my identity was completely defined by my career. What I appreciate most about retirement is that my time is absolutely my own. I'm no longer a slave to deadlines or to other people's expectations. For me personally, leisure time is the ultimate luxury, and in the end is more valuable than any material possession. I read books, listen to music, socialize with friends, walk for an hour through the main street of my little town, haunt the local thrift stores and second hand shops for sartorial bargains, develop my cooking skills, play the guitar, take an afternoon nap, watch a film, and all without a stack of unmarked essays, projects, and assignments glowering at me from my dining room table. I've been retired for three years now, and I've never once felt bored, listless, or at ends as to what I can do to occupy my time. -The days just fly by, and I honestly ask myself sometimes how I found the time to work.

Hi Ashe, I’m retiring in 6 months at age 61. Full time Pension with 100 percent medical. Can’t wait to really be free.🎉🎉🎉🎉

I will be turning 61 in couple of weeks and will in practice retire in a few days time, with official retirement in early October. I am really looking forward to it.

Yes, please share your insight of getting finacial stability for early retirement.

Awesome video. Great advice on life passion

Dear Ash, I will retire in a couple of years and a video with your financial advice would be very interesting !

Great video - I just turned 40 and am on track to retire by 50. Oddly relevant to me!

This is a lovely video and great advice about life and retirement. I would love it if you can make a video about any financial advice you can provide us to make retirement plans possible early in life.

Excellent topic, also 54 and will probably work at least part-time until I am physically not able.

I'm 55. First thing I did was structure my time. I clean different things, do different housework on different days. So Monday I feel clean the kitchen. No job is really more than an hour, maybe 2. But the loss of structure is damaging and can lead to drifting. Taking up a hobby, I make walking sticks...but have been doing other diy. However you can find that your house is decorated and theres nothing to do. .I have a little ad hoc part time job which means I have to be flexible. I've learnt to swim. I cycle. I plan to start walking football. In summary get some structure, don't drift, be disciplined, build hobbies, outside events...do not stay in the house all the time

What a marvellous perspective you have Ash! I'm similarly-aged, and would be keen to understand the financials that sit alongside your purpose.

I’m 53 and can take NHS pension. Stopped working but grappling with filling my time

Fine video Mr Ash, I am 65 and started to plan for my retirement when I was 40, it was split into 5 year plans (Sounds a bit Soviet), but it has worked! Good holistic advice, but I would add about the life expectancy it is different for different countries and also your quality of life may diminish as the cumulative effects of age take its toll on what was once a youthful and pain free body, so you be less able to do what you would like as you age. Planning and the wonder of compound interest are some of the magic ingredients.

Lucky enough to have retired last December... at 54. I worked for the same large employer since 16, the pay shot up after the late 90s and I took out an addition pension at about 25-26, it paid off everything I owed on retirement. I also got redundancy money and my normal pension monthly and lump sum. My job never defined me even though it took up so much of my time around the clock. I live in a stunning area, have lots to do to the house, have enough interests to last two lifetimes.... I just need to survive long enough. I don't intend ever working for someone else unless I really fancy doing it. I intended to finish at 55 as soon as I could see it was possible... in my 30s. I get up at between 06:30-07:30 every day.

Excellent! Thank you very much! 🙏🏻

Wise words as always. I've turned 50 so have started thinking about the countdown to retirement. Thinking about the payoff between retiring 'early' at 57 when I can access my pension pot and living modestly or working until 60, 65, longer(!) and being 'well off'. I'm leaning towards switching to part time work in my late 50s to give you routine (as mentioned), cover most/all daily living expenses and still giving you plenty of time for hobbies, relaxing.

Yes pls do a video on your financial side with your retirement 👍 thank you

Please make that video.

I will be retiring in 5 years. Thank you for this advice :)

I’m in college education, and one aspect of the career I look forward to is being an “emeritus professor,” essentially a part time faculty position with a lot of the benefits and losing a lot of the menial work.

Another great video. Please do a follow up Ash.

I am very curious how you financially managed it. I'm 52 and a teacher and I still have 7 years until I can get a full pension.

Ash, what is more interesting - and maybe you can relate to that in your next video about this - is how did you start and operate this channel while still being committed to a full time job? When did you have the time to write content, research, film and edit?

I am very interested in a follow up video as you mentioned

I'm 48 and in this early retirement predicament. Being on this precipice, I do harbour some anxiety as to how the rest of life will play out financially so Ash, please share the financial aspect how your were able to start and sustain this lifestyle. Many people globally are now opting for early retirement Arrogant employers beware. In south Africa, there's no state pension or social security of any kind so it's up to the individual.

My wife and I are going to retire on December 31st 2027 when I will be 3 months away from my 60th birthday. We want to retire on New Year's Eve because the very next day I like the idea of saying, "last year, I had a job".

Could you tell us what type of job you tried for the 2 years after retirement that made you so unhappy? This will be helpful for those of us thinking about trying another job after we retire from our careers.

Please follow up as you suggest.

You mentioned that your wife gets up early to go to work. Advice I heard from a recently retired couple was not to be in a position where one partner retired much earlier than the other. In their case, the retired person was happier while the other was still exhausted from doing a difficult job. Likewise, the retiree was slightly frustrated because they couldn’t do all they really wanted (mainly travel on cruises) because they needed to fit it around their partner’s work commitments. This caused some friction. I know it’s easy to say that the person retired should develop different interests/passion but that’s not always easy. Any advice?

The best plan would be to make sure you go back in time & get a job that gives you a 50% pension after 30 years (police, military) or 40 years (govt or council). Of course those types of pension no longer exist for younger workers so they will probably be at death's door by retirement age. Now, where did I leave the keys to the time-machine...🤔

I like the content, Ash, but offering training in your later years and making RU-vid videos and training is a lot different from providing it to us self-employed people who have a business. Maybe you should tell us what jobs you worked to get such a great pension.

Think my parents work harder in retirement than when they were teachers…..difference is, theyre looking after their grandkids instead of other peoples. As dad says, theres plenty tome to sleep when hes dead 😂

Work sucks.

yee work in the army do almost nothing all day , get pay well , retire young with good pention , work as cop the same , but you will be hated by every one , work as empoye you will hate your job , make you own busenss ,, you may sucside and be fine ,, or may fall and never recover ,,