What is microretirement? New trend emerges among millennials and Gen Z

San Francisco: There’s a fresh trend that might just be perfect for you if you’re a few years into your job and already dreaming about retirement.

It’s called microretirement, and it’s really catching on with Gen Z and millennials. They’re not waiting until they’re old to enjoy life, according to the New York Post.

These younger folks don’t want to spend the next few decades just working. They’re looking for a better balance.

So, what’s microretirement all about?

Basically, it’s when someone takes a break from their job for a few months or even years. It can mean different things for different people.

Jes Osrow from The Rise Journey told Business Insider that for some, it’s a chance to recharge and pursue personal interests. For others, it’s the perfect time to start a side hustle.

Thinking about how to do it? Experts suggest you should first pay off any debts and save a good chunk of money.

Career coach Michael Lopez advises, “Have a plan, but don’t overthink it.” Tim Toterhi, another career expert, recommends making a long-term financial plan to keep things stable, especially if your job doesn’t offer sabbaticals.

Osrow also suggests setting clear goals to make sure your time off is meaningful and you can measure your success.

Finance expert Abid Salahi says that before considering microretirement, you should have at least a year’s worth of living expenses saved up, separate from your emergency fund.

Anaïs Felt, a 31-year-old content developer from San Francisco, shared her experience after taking a microretirement this year. She said she’s “never felt better” and highly recommends it.

In a viral TikTok video, she mentioned that the break was “totally worth it” since she had saved a good amount of money and doesn’t have kids.

Another example is Morgan Sanner, a 27-year-old HR employee in the US. After traveling abroad, she felt inspired by others taking significant breaks from work.

She noted, “I think Gen Z is leaning towards less traditional job models. We’re more likely to freelance or work on contracts than previous generations. I hope as we grow in the workforce, microretirements become more common.”