A Retirement Blog by Caree Risover

I can see that there are some patterns of behaviour that Mister E and I are going to have to redesign for retirement. Take the bins for instance. Now for as long as I can remember, he wheels them to the front before setting out to work whilst I put out the recycling boxes and bag, before I leave 45 minutes later. However, it seems that  when he  has a little more time on his hands , (as has been the case for the last couple of weeks when he  has not been working ), Mister E has taken the recycling containers to the garden gate too. Now, of course, that would  be a good thing except that I also run round the house making sure that all bottles from the bathrooms, paper from the waste-bins and cans from the kitchen have been gathered together and put into the correct receptacles first. Either Mister E must learn to do this too; I must start to do it the night before or, as last week, I have to walk down the drive to deposit them in the containers which have already been placed r

I did it. Yes, yesterday I actually did it. I sent my notice across to Head Office expiring at the end of June. So how has that made me feel? It's not yet as though a weight has been lifted from me. Also it caused me something of a cold sweat as I signed it. However, whenever I have thought about it since, a smile has crossed my face.  The journey to a new lifestyle has really begun.

There's something about the Send button, that turns me to a quivering wreck. A state of nervousness usually overtakes me as I tussle with the dilemma of making sure all is correct before I click in the appropriately marked box. Inevitably if it's an e-mail and despite the lengths I procrastinate over it, I have still been known to omit the attachment and my follow up message of "Oops" ought now to merit an autotext entry in its own right. Worse than e-mails however is on-line banking. It is so convenient but there are times when undertaking a simple banking transaction can reduce me to jelly, something that queuing in the branch has never done. It's the fear of making a mistake with the figures; checking and double-checking the account  numbers and, as for the amount itself, a nought in the wrong place could prove a costly error. Anyway, spurred on by the Chancellor's effort to kick start contributions to pension schemes and with the end of the tax y

It is  one of my ambitions for my retirement to expand my education and interests with an online course or two. In particular I am really keen on some training in Interior Design. After a lifetime of straight thinking and number crunching type work, the idea of passing hours stimulated by creativity really appeals.  However, I am conscious that distance learning is not as easy as it sounds and so have decided to explore my suitability and commitment to online education by participating in Future Learn . It's a relatively new initiative spearheaded by the Open University in partnership with a number of other universities offering free short courses on a wide variety of topics. I am proud to say that I completed my first foray into this method of learning this evening when I read my last article on "How to Read ... a Mind" which covered the application of cognitive science to literary reading. As a result I don't think that I shall ever be able to read a book

I am a trustee of a charity that provides shelter for elderly people who are in need but still capable of independent living. Once a year the trustees organise a party for the residents which is always well attended. We make the food, decorate the communal hall and arrange for some entertainment. The Mayor attends along with the residents and trustees Today was the day and as ever everyone was on fine form. My offering in the cake stakes (pictured above) is inevitably simple but goes down a treat. Who says the elderly can't eat hard sweets? I would like to think that I shall not fall within the category of people eligible for assistance under the charity's constitution. However, after seeing all those ninety year olds singing along with the musical entertainment as well as their appetites over a good old fashioned high tea, I can only hope that I live to be their age and, if I do, that I am still enjoying food and high spirits with the same vivacity.

I have been fortunate during my career to meet and speak with people of all occupations. Last week an old client rang me to see if I could take on some work for a friend of hers. We got talking; she told me she had changed positions and is now working for an exclusive bespoke travel agency,whilst I brought her up to date with my intention to retire. When the call finished, I turned back to my computer. Ping, an e-mail appeared. It was from my old client, advertising her wares alongside a comment to the effect: "If you need me." Funny, I had never said a word about my plans in retirement. Does everyone automatically think that if you retire early it is with a view to travelling to exotic locations or was it because that is her line and she's desperate to make a sale? You can think her pushy if you want but I have kept the contact details safe.

So the Chancellor today announced a budget aimed to help savers and pensioners. Forgive me but I saw nothing that actually increased interest or annuity rates and I'm still a long way off 65, so there is no likelihood of me benefiting from the introduction of Pensioner Bonds.  Still it seems that from next Thursday access to flexible pension draw down arrangements will become easier when the threshold reduces to £12,000 pa for other income as opposed to the current £20,000.  Also, and even with capped draw down, there is to be enhanced access to funds and I shall be able to take 150% of an equivalent annuity each year. Effectively I can gallop through my pension funds at a quicker rate than I might previously have imagined, and to help me there is even going to be a very slight increase to the level of income I can take before paying higher rate tax.  However, and with total flexibility on offer, I could opt to limit my pension income to £10,500 pa and take advantage