Retire on Purpose: Practical UK Guide to Knowing When You Can Afford to Stop Working and Start Living
Product ID: 812457373
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Retire on Purpose (2026 Edition) A Practical UK Guide to Knowing When You Can Afford to Stop Working — and Start Living Most people don’t retire because they know they can afford to. They retire because they’re tired… pushed… or simply out of options. And many spend the next 20 years quietly worrying they got the timing wrong. Retire on Purpose is written for people who don’t want guesswork, fear, or blind faith to determine the most important financial decision of their lives. This is not a book of glossy promises or complex financial theory. It’s a clear-headed, practical guide for ordinary UK households, homeowners with pensions, savings, and choices, who want to answer one question honestly: “Can I afford to retire — without running out of money or missing out on life?” Drawing on years of real-world experience, Mark Durrant breaks retirement down into what it truly is: a long, evolving journey , not a single decision or a fixed number. Inside, you’ll discover: • A simple, powerful framework to assess whether you already have “enough” — without spreadsheets or financial jargon • Why the traditional “safe withdrawal rules” often keep people working longer than necessary • How retirement really unfolds across the Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go years and why spending too little early on is one of the biggest regrets • Practical ways to budget without anxiety, even as inflation quietly erodes purchasing power • Honest guidance on pensions, ISAs, annuities, State Pension, tax, care costs, inheritance and inheritance tax, explained in plain English • When continuing to work helps, and when it simply steals time you’ll never get back • Real case studies showing how different people retire well with very different levels of wealth This book doesn’t assume you want to die rich. It assumes you want to live well, help the people you care about, and avoid becoming the wealthiest person in the graveyard. If you’re within ten years of retirement, or already there, this book will give you something most people never get: Confidence. Confidence to stop working when you choose. Confidence to spend without guilt. Confidence that your retirement is deliberate, informed, and fully yours. Don’t drift into retirement. Retire on purpose Review: Excellent guide to retirement - Excellent explanation and guide to anyone looking at retirement whether that is several years away, imminent or even after you’ve retired. All the important points you must consider especially in today’s volatile world are covered and I really like the simple but very understandable way they are presented and illustrated. Although, majority of financial and pension advisors, guides, etc are good, they can still be a bit technical and jargon heavy so I like the way this book breaks it down and very relatable to non-financial minds to guide retirees onto the right road and/or prep for speaking to a pension advisor. The best bit which is mentioned and emphasised several times, is the 3 phases of retirement which I absolutely agree with - so many people don’t enjoy the 1st phase of retirement overly worried about later and it’s massively important to fully embrace the freedom and opportunities leaving full-time work brings. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a good pension or not so good, we should be working less and living our best lives. Review: Straight-forward Financial advice in small bite-size pieces! - Clear, concise and uncomplicated description of various investment options and considerations when contemplating retirement. A number of these I have already taken on board such as spreading investments across different platforms to minimise tax exposure, and also thinking more clearly in my case about the key question “can I afford to retire?”. One of the other key takeaways for me is the realisation that we give up a lot of our hard-earned cash investment to Financial Advisors, and I have personal experience where FAs have added no discernible value whatsoever, always with excuses at the ready for failure whilst quietly milking your Pension fund! This is a must-read for anyone who needs basic, common-sense advice from an author who has obviously lived through the journey of building a successful, sustainable financial portfolio and this valuable experience should assist others to make more informed decisions and avoid the pitfalls that can have long-lasting financial consequences.
| Best Sellers Rank | 25,851 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 23 in Financial Retirement Planning |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 18 Reviews |
M**D
Excellent guide to retirement
Excellent explanation and guide to anyone looking at retirement whether that is several years away, imminent or even after you’ve retired. All the important points you must consider especially in today’s volatile world are covered and I really like the simple but very understandable way they are presented and illustrated. Although, majority of financial and pension advisors, guides, etc are good, they can still be a bit technical and jargon heavy so I like the way this book breaks it down and very relatable to non-financial minds to guide retirees onto the right road and/or prep for speaking to a pension advisor. The best bit which is mentioned and emphasised several times, is the 3 phases of retirement which I absolutely agree with - so many people don’t enjoy the 1st phase of retirement overly worried about later and it’s massively important to fully embrace the freedom and opportunities leaving full-time work brings. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a good pension or not so good, we should be working less and living our best lives.
I**Y
Straight-forward Financial advice in small bite-size pieces!
Clear, concise and uncomplicated description of various investment options and considerations when contemplating retirement. A number of these I have already taken on board such as spreading investments across different platforms to minimise tax exposure, and also thinking more clearly in my case about the key question “can I afford to retire?”. One of the other key takeaways for me is the realisation that we give up a lot of our hard-earned cash investment to Financial Advisors, and I have personal experience where FAs have added no discernible value whatsoever, always with excuses at the ready for failure whilst quietly milking your Pension fund! This is a must-read for anyone who needs basic, common-sense advice from an author who has obviously lived through the journey of building a successful, sustainable financial portfolio and this valuable experience should assist others to make more informed decisions and avoid the pitfalls that can have long-lasting financial consequences.
G**N
You need to read this book now, don't wait until you are about to retire.
Fantastic book, easy to read and understand. This is a book you should read well before you are thinking about retiring. It has good practical advice that people need to know. I myself are 60 years old. This book has been really helpful in looking at retirement in a completely different way. I am lucky, i have invested in pensions since i was 17 years old. Even though, i have learnt so much from this book. By reading this book and applying the learning you with literally recover the cost of the book a thousand times over. Can you say that about other things you have bought? Why it is stuff not taught in school. It more useful than most subjects you will learn.
P**N
Confidence building, supportive little gem
A great little book that’s easy to read and not full of financial jargon designed by that industry to push people towards paid for financial services. Firstly the author is not a financial advisor and the does not give financial advice. The content explores what you’d expect regarding the question “Can I afford to retire?” but covers the other important aspects such as the psychological and emotional areas of retirement and what to expect and how to think about it. For anyone that has been thinking about their retirement and what the future holds I don’t think there’s anything surprising or ground breaking in the content, but it’s reassuring to see your own thoughts written down and gives some confidence
C**N
Decision making book
Great book, easy to read and follow. If nothing else makes you think about directions to take and the impact decisions you take might have on outcomes you are planning. Marks writes in easy to follow and understand. Well recommended
L**N
Retire on purpose
I’m so glad i purchased this book. It is one of the most sensible and grounded retirement books ive read ( and I've read a few!). It focuses on financial reality rather than wishful thinking and breaks down complex topics to straightforward steps. A must read for UK readers approaching retirement.
E**E
Retire On Purpose
I only wish this book had been available 20 years ago! It would have completely changed the way I approached long-term financial planning, rather than relying on my rather haphazard belief that simply working hard my entire life would be enough to secure my future. The book is thoughtfully written and presented in a way that makes complex topics clear and accessible. I’ve gained some valuable insights into how to make better use of both my pension contributions and my personal savings. In fact, I believe it would be enormously beneficial if the Department for Work and Pensions sent a copy to every UK resident from the age of 40. It has the potential to make a real difference to people’s financial confidence and retirement planning.
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