Retirement can be full of surprises. While financial planners and articles often paint one picture of what life after work will look like, the reality is far more personal. We asked real retirees to tell us the biggest myth they believed before retiring. Here’s what they shared: honest, funny, and sometimes eye-opening truths.
1. “You’ll be bored.”
This is by far the most common myth retirees wanted to bust. So many people told us they expected to be bored, with too much time and not enough to fill it. Turns out, it’s the opposite:
“I thought I’d be bored. I don’t have time to be bored!”
— Julie“I wondered what I’d fill the day with. I’m still wondering how I ever had time to work.”
— Cath“Every day is full. Cruises, lunches, babysitting grandkids, hobbies… I’m never bored.”
— Melissa
2. “I won’t have enough money.”
Many assumed they wouldn’t be able to retire comfortably. But when they did, they were surprised by how well things worked out:
“I always thought I wouldn’t have enough money to live on. Now I’ve never been so well off.”
— Kelly“I talked to a financial adviser and realised I could retire earlier than I thought.”
— Debbie“I thought I’d need loads of money, but I don’t spend nearly as much as I used to.”
— Ralf
Want to understand how much you might need? Read our guide: Can I retire early with £300,000 in the UK?
3. “I’ll miss working.”
Some retirees assumed they’d miss the routine, their colleagues, or the sense of purpose:
“I thought I’d miss work. Not even for a second.”
— Shaz“My colleagues said I’d miss the job. I don’t. I love my new freedom.”
— Victoria“I thought I would feel lost without the structure. Now, every day is mine to design.”
— Carolyn
4. “My expenses will go down.”
This one’s a mixed bag. While commuting and work clothes go away, spending often shifts elsewhere:
“Everyone said spending would drop. Ours went up — travel, healthcare, hobbies.”
— Dina“Retirement isn’t cheap. You finally have time to do stuff, and that stuff costs money.”
— Tim
5. “I’ll finally have time to do everything.”
Spoiler: time flies in retirement too.
“I thought I’d get everything done. I’m busier than ever!”
— David*”I had all these DIY plans. Then I remembered I don’t *like* DIY.”*
— Judy“I thought I’d have so much time. Days are full, weeks fly by.”
— Maureen
6. “You need to be old to retire.”
Many said they believed retirement was only for the over-65s. But early retirees had a different story:
“I retired at 56. Best decision ever.”
— Maurs“You don’t have to wait until 70. Plan ahead and go when you’re ready.”
— Karen
Curious about early retirement? Check out: Top Tips for Early Retirement in the UK
7. “The state pension will be enough.”
Sadly, some found out the hard way:
“I thought the state would look after us. Now I know better.”
— Martin“Was told I’d retire at 60 with a full pension. They changed the rules.”
— Lynn
Learn more: Understanding the UK State Pension: Eligibility and Benefits
Final thoughts
Everyone’s retirement journey is unique, but one thing’s clear: reality is often very different from what we imagine. Whether it’s the fear of boredom, running out of money, or missing work, countless people told us they were surprised by how much they enjoyed retirement once it arrived.
If you’re planning for retirement, take heart: it’s okay to be unsure. But also know that many of the biggest fears turn out to be myths.
Want help busting more myths and planning with confidence? Explore more articles
