Katy Perry took a well reasonable break following her debut Pop album (2nd studio album) 'One Of The Boys.'

She filled her time quite well keeping people still in tune with her by being featured on a (remix) track with 3OH!3 and Timbaland. She came back stronger than ever too might I add!

I think it would serve her right to do something similar with this year long BREAK, not retirement (as incorrectly reported). And if she wants to have a baby during the year, so be it. *STILL I find her with Russel Brand disgusting, ewww! Why Katy!?*
--
As for the person who said Rihanna took a year long break already. No she has not technically. Yes she did not release a brand new studio album in 2008, but she re-released her 2007 album 'Good Girl Gone Bad' that year, and was still releasing new singles from that album ("Rehab") that rode into early 2009.

Then that summer she was featured on "Run This Town" and come October/November 2009 she was already gearing up for 'Rated R' by releasing "Russian Roulette." So she had maybe a 8 month break at longest. And that's only if you do not include her "Run This Town" feature.

BTW I am a fan of Rihanna AND Katy Perry, so if responding don't come at me like that!