It is very much ok to at least start up something on the side before your retirement,because life after active service in terms of pension collection might not be guaranteed all the time.I have seen a couple of pensioners who keep lamenting about the neglect the face from government.Of course its to start up a business with my savings. I have seen far too many people suffer while waiting for their pension, which might take years sometimes. You don't have to wait for retirement before starting a business.
You can start a business while hiring trusted professionals to manage it for you.