A cunning plan eh? But [serious mode] this can't be a great time for him having to give up work.
Financially we will need to tighten belts a little but it should be still manageable as long as the world doesn't go any more nuts !!
He hasn't really been backed to work since last op as had loads of outstanding leave etc and was due to go back beginning of this month but now they have agreed this he is being paid 3 months salary in lieu of notice so that is a bit of a no brainer.
He has joined a team for walking football and bowls which he is enjoying and is keeping busy doing this and other stuff during the week.
So I think mentally he has retired from work some time ago