People

After decades in schools, this couple spent retirement on family, hobbies, and travel. He adjusted to receiving a pension without working and no longer being on call.

After a stressful finance career, she recovered sleep, took art classes and enjoyed New York at her own pace. The harder parts were replacing work connections and finding companions whose schedules matched hers.

Leaving corporate communications eased the strain on her health and relationship. Cooking, exercise and photography became a satisfying routine, even as she wondered whether she should be doing more.

Chris Reining left his career at 37 during a period of personal upheaval. Later, early retirement looked less like escaping on expensive trips and more like walking around his neighborhood, cooking and repairing things, with spending well below his original expectation.

Ermine left a stressful career and found that recovery took much longer than expected. Two years later, varied practical and creative projects fit him better than a narrow job role, although spending savings still felt uncomfortable.