I think that post retirement peace of mind is in direct correlation with the financial aspects of your pension. If nothing else because that dictates whether you need to continue on a crusade to find work. I did 37 years and retired last November aged 55 on a PAS pension and consider myself to be a very fortunate chap. I had the opportunity to return to my old job on ADC terms and did not apply for it; mainly because I could see how 40% taxation and increases in NI contributions allied to no HTD made the prospect unviable. I don't consider myself shallow for decisions driven on finance for the alternative is to engage in the never ending list of enjoyable things in life. Quite frankly there are not enough hours in the day and I am far too busy to reminisce or read RAF News. I make an exception for a few minutes Ppruning. My mission is to reap the pension for longer than it took me to earn it!