“I’m doing very well!” This 71-year-old grandmother, originally from Yvelines, has been retired for more than eight years. A former senior human resources executive, she remained in the same company her entire career.
Conscientious, Annie quickly rose through the ranks. “I was always sought out for senior positions, which allowed me to develop. I started as a non-executive, then a manager and finally, I became a senior manager. A position that I held for twelve years,” she confides. “I spent my whole life in this box.”
However, nothing destined her for such a career.
After obtaining a bac 2 in management, Annie found a job at NCR, the National Cash Register, an American company known for its cash registers. But Annie wanted to go abroad to improve her English. “I wanted to go to England in the 70s but there were a lot of employment problems,” she laments. She managed to get a job in South Africa where she worked as an administrative agent for a year. “It was thanks to my former manager who suggested I go there,” she remembers.
Far from everything, she meets a man who will become her husband a few months later. After her return to France, she found a small temporary job. The couple’s situation quickly evolved and they welcomed their first child. Her husband, a computer scientist, is transferred to Sweden. She then decides to follow him with their daughter. “I followed him for 1 year, I chose to take unpaid leave,” she confides. During this period, she did not have a job.
After this experience, the couple once again set down their bags in France, but this time, for good. She then decided to return to work in the field of human resources. “It’s a field that I enjoyed and where I was able to progress quickly,” she confides.
Retired for 8 years, Annie receives 3,500 euros net pension, after social security contributions and withholding tax. During her career, she received 10,000 euros per month.
A comfortable retirement of which she is fully aware. “It’s a good income. I can’t complain,” she confides. Annie owns two properties that she has completely paid off. “I have a main residence in Yvelines and a secondary residence in Dordogne. I spend six months in one and six months in the other,” says the retiree.
Mother of two daughters and four grandchildren, she no longer has any dependent children. She has no rent to pay, no monthly loan payments, no student loans for her children’s studies. Annie has everything planned. “I prepared for my retirement. I tried to have my own property. I always managed to tell myself that I would no longer have a loan when I retired,” she confides.
Today, Annie lives alone; she separated from her husband around thirty years ago. Annie’s expenses are lower, the expense items are fairly standard. His pension covers the expenses for the maintenance of his two homes. “Everything is multiplied by two,” she emphasizes. But she recognizes it, she is doing very well.
Annie also had to buy a vehicle because she no longer has her company car. But the septuagenarian’s expenses remain low. “I’m not having any difficulties, I’m doing very well!” Annie sticks to her routine, going to the beauty salon every three weeks to take care of her hair and nails.
Today, the retiree spends happy days between her two homes. “Before, I didn’t have time. Now I have time to settle down. I take the time to live, I keep myself busy all the time,” she exclaims.
Next step, Annie plans to travel and visit the French regions.