From starting work at 17 I always said I want to be retired at 55 it didn't happen but I did manage it at 58, the income was halved so we adjusted our lifestyle to suit, the wife was supportive (also not working) I don't miss work at all and am using these years to keep as fit as I can, my father died at 69 my brother at 67 fortunately they had both retired early so had a few years before departing, people who enjoy their work I assume would do it for nothing, I always treated it as a necessity to pay bills & bring up the family, if you can afford to pack in a job you don't like pack it in and enjoy the leisure before you are too old to do so, there are plenty of people who cannot have your choice because of their financial situation, and plenty of jobless people who would appreciate a start somewhere, your not going to live forever so work on getting your wife on side you have 9 years to do it, as she nears her 50th her attitude may change, good luck.