We Probably Won’t Ever Retire

And what to do about that?

Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash

When I see people talking about their successful experiences with the FIRE Movement, I want to laugh because I concluded that I probably won’t ever retire if I don’t win the lottery.

I like to think of myself as a cool old lady who doesn’t need to work when I am in my 60s (at least 70s), but if nothing changes, I will just be a cool old lady working to pay the bills.

I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I know that I want to have the option to keep working or not. It’s one thing needing to work, and another thing wanting to work. If I am healthy, I will probably be still writing (if I can type).

The biggest problem I face is that I started saving late. I only started saving in my 30s (getting to £10,000). Another big problem is that my income (£25,000) is not high, so I am literally making magic every single month.

Because I woke up today freaking out about my retirement, I decided it was about time to look for a financial adviser. I googled it and filled in a form, and waited for a callback. The financial adviser called me within an hour.

The conversation was friendly, he asked me how much I am contributing to my pension, and I said (with shame): £60 (work pension). I know, let’s laugh together. Then, he says: I…