I just turned 55 in July and now qualify for early-retirement from our school system (I teach Kdg). Gosh, what a monumental decision it is going to be!!! I attended a retirement meeting on Weds. I really do not feel *old* enough to be retired and I know that unstructured days are really not good for me at all. I would, however, like the freedom to do some travelling when DH has to travel on business and also to, hopefully, be available to babysit if DS and DIL decide to have children (childcare nowadays is so much more costly than when my children were little). I would also like to be able to do some volunteer work.
I am not saying I will retire at the end of this coming school year but...I am starting to explore it and try to be able to make a wise decision when the time comes.