Panic about my retirement

Probably everyone has those feelings.
I did. I retired in 2010.
My advice: There will be lots of opportunities to fill your time. (Do this! Sign up here etc.) Take a year to be selfish and settle into your new life. Don't sign up for all those new things right away.
Donate most of your work wardrobe. Keep your clothing for your new relaxed lifestyle.
After you settle in, find things that are rewarding to you and get involved there.
After about a year, you will find you don't miss work so much. Be prepared that the coworkers will find you invisible very quickly.

I have my schedule filled, as much as I want it to be, with assorted volunteer work. I don't have time to read as much as I'd like.

OP, it sounds like you like to work and be around people. Why does it have to be all or nothing? Maybe you can retire from full-time and find a part-time position then transition into full retirement. You will find your way - enjoy!

I am worried about having enough money for retirement. I am slightly worried about filling my time but think that will pass. I like the year off thoughts. My DH plans to retire this year. He's got 30+ years, is union so will have a pension. I have assorted 401Ks so I'm worried the money might run out. I think he's too young (58) to retire but I understand. His brother did retire, took care of Mom for her last year and then died within the next year. I think I'm going to stick it out to at least 60. That would be another 6 years. Maybe DH can become my wife and I will go to work each day.

Great advice !

I took very early retirement 11 years ago and I have a good pension.
I was terrified of losing my identity and purpose, but once I got over the "holiday of the first year, I started to really enjoy myself. I can do what I want when I want , nap,scrap, knit,watch rubbish telly, swim.....its lovely. I can't see how I had time to work!
I worked long and hard in a good job and paid into a university pension fund, so we are comfortable.

Although no one even hinted at thinking of moving, I have to put a plug in for that. DH isn't retired and won't yet be for several years, but when we moved to Texas, we found an "active adult community." About half of the residents here still work either full time, part time, or as entrepreneurs at home. However, there are SO many things to do, so many chances to socialize, so many active people, so much fun to be had on a daily (and nightly) basis, that if someone wanted to stay busy and social from dawn until late at night, there would be no problem doing it. There are exercise classes, fitness facilities, clubs, sports, education, lectures, parties, games, trips, social events, etc. We have motorcycle clubs, running clubs, Zumba classes, tennis, swimming, water volleyball club, etc. (in other words, retirement is active). And that doesn't even factor in what might be going on with your own neighbors.

If the thought has even crossed your mind and if there is a community like this in your area, you may want to give it a look. They aren't all the same, so your results may vary, but we could not be happier that we made the choice several years before retirement.

Most have a "minimum" age of 55, but often comply with the government program HOPA (Housing for Older Persons Act) and can allow 20% of homes to be filled with residents younger than 55. Our community, for example, allows up to 20% of residents to be 50-55; another in our area allows 20% to be 45-55.

It really is a wonderful adult lifestyle that fills your days with as much socialization and recreation as you wish.

I retired from the USAF in January 2001.  My military career had been my primary identity for so long, not to have it was disconcerting.  

My life now, is such that I can choose to work for pay, or be a volunteer for a group or several groups.  Those volunteer jobs have changed as our lives have changed.  And my identity is not so much had I HAVE DONE, it is in what I do now.

I always think that I am going to retire TO something not FROM my job.

It's good to be a bit scared, I think, about such a major life change. It shows that you'll make some plans and carry them out in order not to stay scared.

So many options mentioned in this thread. Go for it. You've earned it!

DH insists we are retiring at 60, which is in 7.5 years for us. I cannot wait. I am SO tired of working. We have both worked since we were 15 years old; full time/40 hrs a week since high school graduation. The only time I had off was 2 maternity leaves for six weeks each (yep only six weeks back in the day).

We have so many things we want to do, and we want to be young enough and healthy enough to do everything. Thus the 60 year old retirement age.

Now if we can just last 7.5 more years....LOLOL

I just retired last August after 31 years of federal service at age 57. Most people look at me funny when I say I'm retired and tell me "Your too young to be retired". but I retired from THAT job.....I never said I wouldn't work again. My husband is a bit younger than me, he's in a second career and has no desire to retire right now so until such time that he does, I'll either find another job (on my terms) or start my own business, but right now I'm chilling out and can take as long as I need. I figure it I ever get to a point where I'm bored all the time...then I'll start putting a plan in action. I've had a business opportunity present itself already, but I'm not ready to take the plunge yet.

I'm also taking some business classes at our local community college. Last semester it was "Entrepreneurship" and this semester it's "Small Business Management". It's amazing how fast your days go by and the old saying is true "I can't believe I had the time to work".

I sleep in....get up and go to my local gym where I have plethora of activities I can join in on there...I have friends I get together for lunch with, I get the household stuff done during the week so our weekends are now free (something that DH has definitely appreciated since I retired). I'm a big reader, so I love having more time to do that. I still scrapbook and spend time in my craft room and in good weather, gardening takes up my time.

You do lose a bit of your identify, especially if you were in a job for a long time, but you'll work through that, I did.

Sure, I don't make as much money as I did, but I don't spend as much either and this is something that we had been planning for awhile so we had our financial house in order before the reduction in my pay.

Congrats on your impending retirement!

We have neighbours and the husband had his own business and sold it a few years ago. He is home now (sort of as he likes to fish on the ocean and goes out a "few" times a week). His wife, a very specialized nurse, retired and then decided retired life was NOT for her so she went back to work. She still works full-time. She does take quite a bit of vacation during the year, but she needs to work and use her skills. (She is on the IV team at the hospital, she wears an instant communication device and is on the run all the time. It's kind of wild!) They say they are happy. (I have heard her husband would like her to work less, but she is very happy working as many hours as she is).

You didn't say if you have children or were a teacher, worked in the public service, etc. There are lots of avenues to put your skills to work again if you so choose to.

Or you can write that book you have in your mind. You know, the one you have thought about all your life.

Or you can start scrapbooking again. (It is a fun hobby and most of us used to do it at one point).

Do you have a dog or cat? Were you always "too busy" to have a pet? Are you ready for an animal now?

Honestly, this is the best time of your life! If you want to make gourmet meals and you love to cook but didn't have time to do that before, you can do that now. If you hate cooking and want to just have instant meals, you can do that, too.

Have you ever wanted to learn French? Spanish? Chinese? (Don't go for the Chinese...it's really hard! I am just kidding. If learning Mandarin is your thing then look at taking a course in continuing education or a for credit course at a community college, university etc.)

geez, I got laid off after 31 years - I'm totally jealous!

ENJOY your time - finally your days will belong to you!

I definitely recommend finding an activity. When my Dad was alive, my Mom and he always did stuff together.
Since he's died, my Mom has become more sedentary and I've pushed and pushed her about joining something, anything to get her out of the house. She does her hair and nails - that is NOT what I meant. She moved to Texas, moved in with a guy who has turned out to be mostly disappointing (she is full of regret for doing it as well, which doesn't help). So don't do that!! We have friends who are very active in Sr. Center activities - and they are so busy in a really great way.

Have a grand time!

I hope you have an amazing retirement.

I am right there with you.  I have been eligible to retire for the past 5 years.  I had always said I would retire on my 50th birthday which, by coincidence, was the first date I would have been eligible.  I have been postponing for 5 years.  My issue is not so much not having enough to do but I don't want to be poor in the future.  Yes, right now I would have enough.  I have money saved specifically for retirement and I have a pension that sounds okay.  However if I live another 30 years will I be eating cat food?  The company I work for has been cutting benefits for retirees, what if they cut my medical benefits, they have already eliminated vision and dental for retirees.  Would I have enough to pay for everything I might need?  Would I be able to afford a replacement policy? I don't want my children to have to support me.  I don't want to retire from one job only to find I have to get another in the future.

I don't have any answers yet and I don't know when I will feel safe enough to retire. I do know that I enjoy my job and if I didn't it would probably be much easier to say goodbye to working.

Mine has not turned into a brilliant cook, but the dogs get walked twice a day, the house is vacuumed, picked up, grocery shopping done and any emergencies are always handled by my hubby.  Man, I needed a wife years ago!