The spelling of the phrase "early retirement" is straightforward. The first word, "early," is spelled with three letters and has the phonetic transcription /ˈɜrli/. The second word, "retirement," is spelled with ten letters and has the phonetic transcription /rɪˈtaɪərmənt/. The stress is on the second syllable of "retirement," and each individual sound is represented by a specific letter or combination of letters. The phrase is frequently used to describe the act of retiring from work at a younger age than average.
Early retirement refers to the act of voluntarily leaving one's employment and ceasing work at a relatively younger age than what is considered the norm or expected in a particular occupation or society. It is a situation where an individual decides to retire, usually before reaching the official retirement age specified by either the employer or the government. Early retirement grants individuals the freedom to discontinue their professional responsibilities, secure their finances, and pursue other interests or goals.
Early retirement can have different motivations and implications for various individuals. Some may choose early retirement to escape the rigors of their work environment or to reduce stress levels. Others may opt for early retirement due to personal reasons such as wanting more time to spend with family, pursuing hobbies or travel, or simply seeking a change in lifestyle. Financial independence plays a crucial role in early retirement, as individuals need to have accumulated sufficient savings or investments to sustain their desired lifestyle without relying on employment income.
While early retirement offers individuals the opportunity to enjoy leisure time and personal pursuits earlier in life, it might also come with certain challenges. Depending on the age at which one chooses to retire early, there may be a potential for reduced social security benefits or employee pension plans, which are typically calculated based on the total years of service and the age at which retirement occurs. Additionally, early retirement requires careful financial planning to ensure that one's savings and investments can sustain them throughout their retirement years.
The word "early retirement" is a compound term derived from the combination of two words: "early" and "retirement".
- "Early" comes from the Old English word "earlīċ" which means "occurring before the usual or expected time". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "erlīkaz", meaning "before" or "sooner".
- "Retirement" comes from the Old French word "retirer" which means "to withdraw". It is derived from the Latin word "retirare", meaning "to draw back" or "to retreat". The term "retire" started being used specifically in the context of leaving one's job to enjoy leisure in the 16th century.