rapidoman Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 just been confimed retirement age for me now 66 >:-( is it just me but dont you feel that if you are in the 45- 55ish age group your getting a bit of a raw deal, longer working life while you have probably paid of your mortgage or nearly you are not making any money on savngs or investments to help with retirement, while in the meantime what little you may have or earn is being used to subsidise free swiming and free buses for the over sixties a lot who are still working, while you can almost guarantee when we get there all these perks/ subsidies will not be on offer to us. please dont think this is sourgrapes and many of my best friends are over sixty so there is no prejudice meant,but people keep telling us we have never had it so good? maybe it depends on wether you are one of the unfortunate in this age group (!) ah well never mind ill just carry on working and lookin foward to the day i can enjoy my motorhome more if i can afford to fill it up. shame they dont run on poolwater i would get my friends to nick the odd bucket at there free swim to give me somethig back :$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 rapidoman - 2011-02-03 10:52 AM just been confimed retirement age for me now 66 >:-( .......... while in the meantime what little you may have or earn is being used to subsidise free swimming and free buses for the over sixties...... Don't kid yourself rapido. I'm over 60. I don't get free swimming and lost out on qualifying for a bus pass when Government 'shifted the goal posts'.....which they will constantly do to avoid letting the likes of me and you have a free bus ride or any other little benefit. After all, fat salaries must be maintained at all costs, and that means penalising those less well off. As for the 'free' swimming let me give you an example of what is happening in my area right now. Due to massive cuts by Government, the local Council have been forced to cut some of their services, one of which is a small indoor swimming pool. But this pool is no ordinary pool. It's fitted out for disabled people and as the water is heated to a higher temp than normal it's also used for those recovering from strokes. A friend of mine has been using this facility since he had a stroke almost two years ago and was making good progress (incidentally it wasn't free either, he had to pay). It's due to close in a few weeks time. Nothing wrong with the pool. It's fully modernised and functional in every way......just that the Council cannot afford to keep it open. For him, looking on the positive side, he was able to take early retirement at 53 and enjoyed four years of touring around in his motorhome........but it all came to an abrupt end within seconds two years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I'm 53 this year.... :D When I checked a few weeks ago, I just sneak under the wire and get my state pension at 65 :-) Hopefully I will get my Navy Pension at 60....providing they dont change the rules :-S I'm semi retired at the moment, and expect to work part time until I'm 70 B-) I dont work hard and only try to earn sufficent in the shortest time possible, so I can have more time away in the camper :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Agree, its a disgrace. My personal pension sold to me in 1986 (self employed) was projected that retirement at 55 was not out of the question..............it bloody well is now. Wouldnt keep me in scotch for a week. I have now accepted that I will probably have to work at least part time untill I drop (like my poor old dad god rest his soul) if I want to retain my current lifestyle. We are lucky that we have no mortgage and no debts whatsoever everything I have bought over the years incl the van was paid for in cash which was the best thing in my opinion because my savings are doing absolutley nothing and neither is my pension. The last 20yrs since my dad died and I suffered a very expensive and unamicable divorce, to name but two things; have taught me that if you have the funds and you want to do it...........do it now dont plan for retirement as it may never happen and you may not get another chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I don't think it's a "raw deal" or a "disgrace" - it's just bad luck that you were born at the wrong time ( although it was in the right country ). Very frustrating I'm sure but I doubt if the government is aiming at anyone personally. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna miller Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 rapidoman - 2011-02-03 10:52 AM in the meantime what little you may have or earn is being used to subsidise free swiming and free buses for the over sixties a lot who are still working, while you can almost guarantee when we get there all these perks/ subsidies will not be on offer to us. :$ Free/subsidised swimming ??????? Have you not got your own indoor pool like the rest of us. *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 pelmetman - 2011-02-03 12:20 PM I'm 53 this year.... :D When I checked a few weeks ago, I just sneak under the wire and get my state pension at 65 :-) Hopefully I will get my Navy Pension at 60....providing they dont change the rules :-S Don't want to be the bringer of bad news, but, whilst you might escape under current legislation, there are changes to the state pension age already proposed (but not yet in legislation) that I think will catch you (by moving the pension age to 66). (I have some interest in this myself :-S)http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/SpendingReview/DG_192159 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I wouldnt know if I was better off now or what, I am 70 in september and still working in our family garden maintenance business, it can be heavy work at times but I thrive on it, not only physically but mentally. I have no desire to take up the pipe and slippers routine and I will work until I drop dead in the shafts. I know far too many guys who retired early and guess what? they are all dead and buried, I have a friend who is constantly harping on at me to retire saying that I am taking work off younger guys, but I beg to differ if they want work then let them do what I do, spend money and advertise for work. My mate is constantly saying that he retired at the age of 36 (he is now 60) but what he doesnt say is that he was awarded a massive compensation package from a serious industrial accident that he had when working for a major utility company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidoman Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 nah nearest i got to a pool is the bath tub but you can always come and scrub my back donna :$ . back to topic i was told there were changes in the pipeline so it seems pelmetman will get caught, but what the heck you gotta laugh and enjoy life to the full as best you can,so long as i can go away in van once in a while ill carry on dreaming of the places i would like to go and the things i would like to do ( backscrub hmm put it on the list :D ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Rapido I also forgot to add I lost out on qualifying for my heating allowance at 60 as they also shifted the goal posts on that. Thats £250. Always remember that any financial chipping away Government do will always start at the very bottom......never the top. By the time you reach your NRD however many years you have to go, chances are that something you would have benefited by will have been taken away from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekka Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Left school at 15, started work the following Monday, worked my butt off doing manual type jobs all my life ( someone has to do them ) just retired ( Dec 2010) age 65, only qualified for basic state pension £163.00 me and the missus. Yes we do get a bus pass although the buses do not get you anywhere you want to be. No free swimming. I would also add be careful what you wish for, I'm already bored stiff counting the days I can go and sit on the park bench because there isn't going to be much else to do on this level of income. Investments don't make me laugh, yes a bit of savings by going without most of our lives. Enjoy what you've got now, a lot of folk don't get to see 65, two brother-in-laws of mine didn't even see 60. P.S. anyone want a 2003 IH van conversion, I doubt we'll be able to afford the fuel for that one small retirement luxury I had planned and saved so hard for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 pelmetman - 2011-02-03 12:20 PM I'm 53 this year.... :D When I checked a few weeks ago, I just sneak under the wire and get my state pension at 65 :-) Hopefully I will get my Navy Pension at 60....providing they dont change the rules :-S I'm semi retired at the moment, and expect to work part time until I'm 70 B-) I dont work hard and only try to earn sufficent in the shortest time possible, so I can have more time away in the camper :-D Hey Dave, With you being an ex navy man, an appropriate nick name for you would have been Popeye, you could then sing us "I'm popeye the sailorman, I live in a caravan" etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Robinhood - 2011-02-03 4:11 PMDon't want to be the bringer of bad news, but, whilst you might escape under current legislation, there are changes to the state pension age already proposed (but not yet in legislation) that I think will catch you (by moving the pension age to 66). (I have some interest in this myself :-S)http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/SpendingReview/DG_192159Why am I not surprised *-) Er in doors has to wait another year aswell, and when you hear our glorious MP's complaining about their expenses >:-( The poor sods are being asked to prove their expenses are genuine, I suppose honesty and integrity is not something that comes naturally to them >:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 knight of the road - 2011-02-04 2:44 AM Hey Dave, With you being an ex navy man, an appropriate nick name for you would have been Popeye, you could then sing us "I'm popeye the sailorman, I live in a caravan" etc etc. Slight correction Malcolm,......"I live in a Motorcaravan"... :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Reading some of the replies on this thread it would seem some of the members are having a bit of a hard time now they are retired. As I am officially retired I must count my blessing that I am still working and earning a bit to keep the wolf from the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaggott Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 EKKA, I'm surprised that you say you're bored now that you're retired. My OH used to work 6 days a week for 10-12 hours per day. I thought he wouldn't take to retirement but, just the opposite. There is not enough hours in the day for all the things that we want to do. We've joined U3A and the many subjects offered keep us really busy; through this we have met many new friends (we did not know a soul here before we moved) so we socialise as often as possible. We walk the dog every day for at least 1.5 hours and often longer, surely you do this? Living in beautiful west wales is like landing in paradise; any season of the year is so lovely. Don't know about you up in Aderdyfi but we don't get much rain here as it normally passes over us during the night and then lands on the hills; there's rarely a day when we don't get at least part of the day that's dry. (Mind you, the wind is extremely strong today). Then there's the gardening of course, have to make a start on that soon. And we've got a few trips in the MH already booked, don't know how we'll fit them in though! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 If there is one thing I prize since joining the great unwashed (self employed) is the flexability. It took me a few years to realise I could take a day off :D Now I think I have just about got the work life balance right, it took a while as we had to wean ourselves of buying stuff for the sake of it *-) So instead of working 7 days a week with the camper sat in the garage for 50 weeks of the year *-) I now start work about 10,30 ish after walking the dog :D stop at 12 for lunch and "Bargain Hunt" and back to work from 1 to 3, then a tea break before knocking off about 4 ish B-) So for me being "better off" has nothing to do with money, the most valuable thing on this planet as far as I'm concerned is something that not even the richest man can buy............................. Time :-D Tempus Fugit 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Just worked out I nearly work a 5 hour day 8-) ......roll on Er in doors pension then I will be able to cut back abit :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekka Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Madmaggott - 2011-02-04 5:59 PMEKKA, I'm surprised that you say you're bored now that you're retired.My OH used to work 6 days a week for 10-12 hours per day. I thought he wouldn't take to retirement but, just the opposite. There is not enough hours in the day for all the things that we want to do. We've joined U3A and the many subjects offered keep us really busy; through this we have met many new friends (we did not know a soul here before we moved) so we socialise as often as possible. We walk the dog every day for at least 1.5 hours and often longer, surely you do this? Living in beautiful west wales is like landing in paradise; any season of the year is so lovely. Don't know about you up in Aderdyfi but we don't get much rain here as it normally passes over us during the night and then lands on the hills; there's rarely a day when we don't get at least part of the day that's dry. (Mind you, the wind is extremely strong today).Then there's the gardening of course, have to make a start on that soon. And we've got a few trips in the MH already booked, don't know how we'll fit them in though! lolI guess like so many in retirement I have come to realise my work was "my life" sadly my employers ceased trading and sold the estate the new owners of which are going in another direction, but thankfully that did not happen until just two months before I hit 65.I was fortunate to manage a fairly large country estate, the money was very poor by most peoples standards, but the non financial rewards were priceless. Yes we do live in a lovely part of the world and we have to be thankful for that, but sometimes you need more. Sadly walking the dog even if we had one would not do it for me. Each to his own as they say, and I guess you do not have to look far to see examples of folk who simply cannot hack retirement and as I see it, myself really having no useful function. I really did not realise the impact on my life of not having this "role"and the genuine pleasure of each different day and the challenges presented. I'm sure that's why the likes of the Rolling Stones, and Bruce Forsyth keep at it, after all they do not need the money, but perhaps they need a different reason to get up, apart from a walk or a trip to the library. As I say it takes all sorts and I can only be happy for people such as yourself, as for me I am actively looking for another position similar to what I had ( not sure if that is a realistic possibility) In the meantime we do look forward to our escape in our "bus" to break the monotony, at least these forums give the grey matter a work out. Enjoy your retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 pelmetman - 2011-02-04 8:42 PM Just worked out I nearly work a 5 hour day 8-) ......roll on Er in doors pension then I will be able to cut back abit :D I just work school hours, suits me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I think you have hit on the nub of the problem with a retirement date ie..........one day working.........next day retired 8-) I think this can be a problem with the self employed :-S My Old man didn't retire until he was 70, although he had cut back to 5 days a week by then 8-) but unfortunatly he carried on spending as if he was still earning *-) I think half the battle with retirement is downsizing your wallet :D If you think you spend 50+ years in employment and then just stop 8-) its not surprising that the mind and body needs time to adjust *-) Thats why I've spent years slowly acquiring the body of a fat bald bloke, no point in rushing it (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 ekka - 2011-02-04 9:46 PM I guess like so many in retirement I have come to realise my work was "my life" sadly my employers ceased trading and sold the estate the new owners of which are going in another direction, but thankfully that did not happen until just two months before I hit 65. I was fortunate to manage a fairly large country estate, the money was very poor by most peoples standards, but the non financial rewards were priceless. Yes we do live in a lovely part of the world and we have to be thankful for that, but sometimes you need more. Sadly walking the dog even if we had one would not do it for me. Each to his own as they say, and I guess you do not have to look far to see examples of folk who simply cannot hack retirement and as I see it, myself really having no useful function. I really did not realise the impact on my life of not having this "role"and the genuine pleasure of each different day and the challenges presented. I'm sure that's why the likes of the Rolling Stones, and Bruce Forsyth keep at it, after all they do not need the money, but perhaps they need a different reason to get up, apart from a walk or a trip to the library. As I say it takes all sorts and I can only be happy for people such as yourself, as for me I am actively looking for another position similar to what I had ( not sure if that is a realistic possibility) In the meantime we do look forward to our escape in our "bus" to break the monotony, at least these forums give the grey matter a work out. Enjoy your retirement.Have you thought of taking up Fishing or buying a Metal Detector. Never know you may find your fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 peter - 2011-02-04 10:27 PM ................Have you thought of taking up Fishing .................. Never know you may find your fortune. How would that work, Peter? Golden carp? :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekka Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Good tip, I'll start saving for a trawler, not sure about the metal detector though, mind you I'm told aluminium cans fetch a penny a piece, plenty of them discarded on our beach, could be as you say a fortune to be made. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 ekka - 2011-02-04 9:46 PM I guess like so many in retirement I have come to realise my work was "my life" sadly my employers ceased trading and sold the estate the new owners of which are going in another direction, but thankfully that did not happen until just two months before I hit 65. In the meantime we do look forward to our escape in our "bus" to break the monotony...... The difference now being that you can escape in your bus for unlimited periods. You don't have to return back home simply because of work commitments. The comparisons you use (Stones and Bruce Forsyth) are an odd choice. These people have never ever worked the monotomy of a production line, worked shifts, or worked overtime to pay a big bill off. Their business is their hobby which just happens to make them millions. Had Forsyth spent his life working in a Factory do you really believe he'd still be working today? I doubt very much he'd even be alive! This might give you something to think on. A close friend of mine who i've known for 32 years took early retirement at 53. He indulged his main hobby of military aircraft photography travelling all over UK and parts of europe. Here is a link to his website. http://valleyaviationsociety.net/Coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=143 He also enjoyed going off to places in his campervan which he often used in conjunction with his photography. Two years ago it all came to an abrupt end when at the age of 57 he had a stroke leaving him unable to pursue either of his hobbies. He's two years younger than me and i've only just taken early retirement. I was at his house the day he had his stroke. There was no warning signals no nothing......it happened in split seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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