I was stuck in a dreadful position as a paid worker in a voluntary organisation, subject to the whims of a useless management committee and with still 2 years to go until OAP age, and having mainly worked in the voluntary sector obviously did not have a work pension. My husband, 7 years older than me did have a private pension + his state pension so I decided to 'retire' when he did.
To my great surprise he was granted £50 per week added to his OAP for me as a 'dependent relative' Once He and I had no travel to work or lunchtime expenses, our joint income was only only down a few £££s.2 years later I got my own state pension
Best thing I ever did. I as still fit enough to tend our huge fruit and veg garden and DH (a Carpenter/Joiner to trade) renovated our house and then those of our DDs, saving them a small fortune. A couple of years later we were blessed with two DGC and were happily fit and able to do loads of baby sitting and childminding, again, a big saving on day care or babysitting costs.
I don't know if you have a retired or working spouse or no spouse at all, nor am I sure that the pension addition for a dependent still exists, But, I can vouch for the sense of freedom and joy we experienced during those 'early retirement' years.