@Shaz51 work was stressful and took a physical toll. but it was intellectually challenging and very satisfying. I was lucky to be given latitude to start late and finish late. When I was being bullied by team members  and quite unwell physically my GP at the time pressured me into early retirement. My super is enough to live on. But I'm just marking time, with no social connections and no transport. I took myself off a very high dosage of antidepressants as I also take medication for a couple of other conditions. I'd now  find it impossible to work with a shifted sleep cycle and relying on public transport. I don't recommend early retirement to anyone without social support, whose work is their only connection. The only plus is that it's lowered my anxiety.