But for Sue Morey, the pros of retiring will not outweigh the cons after spending more than 40 years teaching in the early childhood, primary and secondary education sectors.
Nevertheless, the 64-year-old has decided to call it a day.
''There's lots of other things I would like to do. I've had lots of fun teaching but it's time to move on,'' she said.
''I'll miss the staff, the kids and their families the most.
''I will be sad, I'll probably cry, but on the plus side, there won't be any more 6.30am wake-ups.''
Mrs Morey began her career as a primary school teacher at James Cook Primary School, in Marton, in 1973.
Since then, she has taught at Macraes Moonlight School, Palmerston Playcentre, Palmerston Primary School and East Otago High School; managed Big Steps Educare and Rainbow Preschool; and taught at Elm Row Childcare Centre.
For the past six years, she has taught at Ako Childcare Centre in Corstorphine.
She has left legacies at many of the places she has worked over the years - the most recent was creating a garden at Ako Childcare Centre, which won an award in the Keep Dunedin Beautiful Awards.
''Before I arrived, the playground was just a paddock.
''Now we've got gardens, a sandpit and a playground, and it won third prize in this year's Keep Dunedin Beautiful Awards.''
She also won first prize in the awards for her work on the Brockville Community Development Project.
Mrs Morey said she planned to spend more time doing what she called part-time hobbies and jobs, such as tramping and working with the Brockville Community Development Project, her church, the West Dunedin Community Youth Trust, the Brockville Community Support Trust and the Mornington Roslyn Tennis Club.
She also wants to spend more time with her four children and four grandchildren.
''I'm looking forward to another grandchild arriving in June,'' she said.
She will be officially farewelled with a community pot luck tea on Friday.
