I'm toying with the notion of foregoing retirement as a concept. My workplace dont employ beyond age 60 - and the thought of being taken back in some other capacity 'as a favour' or 'subject to the whim of someone' doesnt appeal to me, I'm decades away from that but, touch wood & taking into account current good health, family history & general life expectancy rates, if I keep my ticker looked after I could expect to see 85 or more.
I have low expectations from my private pension (am paying down debt rather than agressively funding pension), they'll probably have worked out that I dont deserve the contributory pension when the time comes, so 25+ years of scraping around doesnt appeal to me.
I think I'll have to cut the workplace cord at age 50 - 55 (should be then debt free, kids more or less through college) , go self-employed, get a 'phase 2' career for 20 years or so up to age 75 - probably something easier (or less volume/lower level - my job is not physical in nature) than what I'm currently at (I dont imagine I'll still be all guns blazing at 70). Waiting until 60 to branch out is probably leaving it too late.
I know it could be all change by next year and there are no long term certainties but I suppose no harm to be thinking.......................