Knocking off early

Over recent years, many people have been offered a good package to tempt them into early retirement. Nigel Faithfull gives some biblical directions for those in this position.

Having talked to a few believers who have already taken this step, the worst suggestion implied in some remarks is that early retirement means one has stopped working, and the remainder of life is to be spent sunbathing on the patio, spending winters at Benidorm, doing armchair gardening with Alan Titchmarsh, and going to bed shortly after The Archers! What should the Christian view be?

Guidance from the start

Let's regress for a moment, and return to when we were approaching the end of our time at school, university, or other training. We then consulted with a careers adviser concerning the most appropriate course of further education or about the job that would best suit our abilities and aspirations. As Christians, we prayed about these matters, and sought to know God's will. God's providence and guidance were of paramount importance to us at that time, and perhaps at times of further career changes. Our careers probably progressed, and we assumed a position of higher responsibility, both in our jobs and the local church. But now, after 30 years or so, we may find ourselves at this new juncture in our lives. So how can this come about?

Traumatic situations

There can be several scenarios. There is the unsought for enforced termination of employment. A son of a friend was sitting at his desk in an office block in the City trading in millions of pounds worth of bonds, when a message came over the tannoy system: 'All persons on this floor have lost their jobs and have five minutes to leave the building'. He is a young man and found another job after a year, but it was a very sobering experience. An older person could well have been unemployed for a considerable period, and might have little prospect of ever having a similar position.

Another situation is when one is called into the manager's office to be presented with an A4 sheet detailing pension benefits with possibly a few added years, the lump sum to which one is entitled, and a verbal request to accept these terms or face a possible compulsory redundancy. Various schemes appear from time to time: voluntary severance, premature retirement compensation scheme, each with different financial and tax implications. The person so approached is said to have been 'fingered'. Speaking from experience, this can be very traumatic. The stress involved can lead to various physical symptoms depending on one's susceptibility. It would help to be accompanied by your union representative, or other trusted colleague, if permitted. This would not only be for moral support, but to have a witness to any intimidating comments.

Guidance when leaving

Just as one prays earnestly to be led into God's choice for our career, so one must also seek for the Lord's guidance in leaving that career, and into which avenue of service he would have us enter.

After careful consideration and prayer I decided to reject two successive offers of terms to leave. This was mainly because of my responsibility to support our children while they were in full-time education, as well as ourselves of course. There was no likelihood of an equivalent position locally, and a change of schools would have been too traumatic. Whether or not extreme pressure would have been applied to coerce me to leave, or even compulsory redundancy, had to be left in God's hands. It would have been too irresponsible to take the package in a vague hope that some form of employment would turn up. It is at times like this that one is really taught to rely upon God.

The situation in the university sector is now even more precarious. Those not meeting the targets for publications (which largely determine government funding), are virtually told to accept the terms on offer, because they can only get less favourable, and may even be the statutory minimum redundancy before long. Professional advice from union officials is necessary to make a judicious decision. They will have knowledge of the 'going rate', which will give a basis on which to negotiate. They will also know whether the situation is serious or just a bluff. God has given various gifts to all, whether believers or not, and one gratefully thanks him for the help which comes from many sources at times like this.

Negative factors

After several more years, with no mortgage, and with both children having graduated and in professional positions, another scenario presented itself. There was the frustration of not being able to meet research targets, partly through an increased administrative load, partly through lack of funding, and partly through the research yielding few positive results. The frustration was quite enervating, and led to considering what the next step should be. Certainly, people were again being 'fingered', so would a request for early retirement terms be the right course?

These were negative factors, but they form part and parcel of much of working life today. People just soldier on, though some crack up if the pressure becomes extreme, and have to retire early on ill health grounds, often with a nervous breakdown. Perhaps a change of direction should be considered before such unbearable stress is reached.

Positive reasons

There should be some positive reasons as well. A person who is happy and fulfilled in his job should probably remain in it unless there are these positive reasons to leave, or go on a shorter week. God must give a conviction that there are other avenues of service which could better employ one's time, and lead to a healthier state of mind and body.

One friend, a broadcasting engineer, retired early to pursue an interest in making Christian TV programmes. Another quit a permanent teaching position with an unbearable administration load to do supply teaching, which he is enjoying. I felt more time should be given to keeping in touch with family and relations, responsibilities connected with the church fellowship, writing articles, and several creative hobbies such as woodturning.

Budget

Unless it is essential to leave immediately on grounds of ill health, the next step is to write out a budget sheet of all foreseeable annual expenses. This is then compared with the total of one's estimated pension income and interest from savings and the investment of any lump sum. Income from a definite promise of other paid employment could also be considered. Professional financial advice is highly recommended over this period of change, and this will help us be good stewards of the resources God has provided. If the books balance, albeit with a reduced standard of living, then one can proceed. If not, then one could end up with more stress than before. The Scriptures are quite clear that 'If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever' (1 Tim. 5:8).

Long ago I remember a believer, with a wife and baby, who was in a secure job with no problems. He suddenly gave it up and sat at home waiting for God to indicate where his new sphere of work should be. His poor wife was distressed and went back into nursing to provide for the family. It was also upsetting for the church elders who counselled him; they were accused of lacking the faith to trust God for provision and guidance. We should be sure we are fulfilling our Scriptural obligation to our dependants if voluntarily leaving paid employment.

Christian industry

The fourth commandment (Exodus 20.8) says: 'Six days you shall labour'. It doesn't add: 'After 65 years you shall retire'. That is a political decision invented by man. God created man to work six days out of seven, for as long as he lives on this earth. When he is dying, he will have a dying work to do, so that he will die to God's glory. When he is in heaven, he will have an eternal Sabbath's work to do. Christ himself is even now at work preparing a place and interceding for us. This is the Puritan work ethic, and, as a rule, God blesses industriousness. Conversely, He judges idleness: 'Go to the ant you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!' (Proverbs 6.6). So whether we retire at 55 or 65, we have the same responsibility to manage our time and resources.

Early retirement, then, does not mean that our minds or hands become idle - we all know who finds work for such to do (1 Timothy 5.13). It does mean, however, that we will be leaving our normal place of paid employment, for any of several reasons, to spend the time and use the talents entrusted to us in various activities, voluntary or paid, for God's glory.

Social & psychological factors

At this juncture we should consider the effect of all this on one's spouse, who could have very mixed feelings on the subject. There is obviously a concern that there may be difficulty managing on an income reduced by perhaps a half, especially with fuel and council tax bills rising. It will help to go over the prospective budget together.

There is the fear that her husband may grow discontented being away from the varied and stimulating environment, and camaraderie and humour which exist in most workplaces, in spite of the pressures. After leaving paid work, other activities, say, craftwork, sports or educational classes involving unbelievers could be a replacement for this, and be a means of witnessing to people outside the fellowship. Another factor is more of a psychological one. The spouse may suddenly feel ten years older as she becomes the wife of a retired husband. A period of patience and consideration is needed on both sides.

Assurance

Above all, it is vital to have God's assurance that this is his will. It comes from prayer, Bible reading and meditation. We should ponder the future scenario, take counsel from mature Christians, especially any at our place of work, and those who have themselves taken early retirement, and use a measure of sanctified commonsense. Having thus carefully weighed all the issues, there should be an inner peace and calm assurance that we are doing God's will. Without the faith to proceed, it would be a sin to do so (Romans 14.23).

I had peace in accepting the terms offered in January 2000, and since then a publisher has expressed interest in my writing a book on my specialism of agricultural chemical analysis. This will take at least a year, but can be done at times to suit myself. There will need to be self-discipline in how time is spent, and divided between the various activities.

Range of activities

The general consensus is that when people realise one is retired, they will think you will be always free to help them. There will always be voluntary jobs to do for those who are willing, both in secular and church activities. The former would help us build new bridges with unbelievers. Some people help with meals-on-wheels, others in charity shops and citizens' advice bureaux, or talking newspapers for those with impaired sight. Perhaps the local Christian bookshop would appreciate some help, and there are always sick people and shut-ins to be visited ... the list is endless. We could give more time to helping within our family circle and visiting those relatives we have only infrequently seen over the years.

As for ourselves, outstanding jobs around the home can be tackled and holidays taken at more appropriate times in the year. Creative hobbies can provide a supply of presents or items for charity sales. Did anyone mention retirement? It certainly doesn't mean inertia, so perhaps a better term when asked about our work status would be that we are self-employed, but not in the sense as used for taxation purposes. We can then relate what we are doing now, rather than what we have ceased doing.

The sum of the matter must be left with Paul: 'Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God' (1 Corinthians 10.31).

Nigel T. Faithfull is a member of Alfred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth and was, until last September, employed by the University of Wales when he took early retirement.

Early retirement and the Christian