Retirement

[MrGongGong]

get rid of those rash notions!

Great label http://www.raster-noton.net

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I am embarking on a completely new career of freelance photographic archive work.

Good call; the very best of luck to you.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Have you lost your marbles?

Well - it's not a proper job, though, is it?

[Richard Barrett]

Well - it's not a proper job, though, is it?

That's what my mother has been saying for 30-odd years.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

That's what my mother has been saying for 30-odd years.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

That's what my mother has been saying for 30-odd years.

It's what I said to my son for many years, when he was trying to be an actor. Now he works in the City.

[ahinton]

It's what I said to my son for many years, when he was trying to be an actor. Now he works in the City.

..so is now succeeding as an actor?...(!)...

[mangerton]

I don't think I've contributed to this thread yet. Although of retirement age, I'm continuing to work; fortunately I'm able to do so. Yesterday I received a letter from a pension administrator relating to a small pension from a company I worked for many years ago. It (the letter, but thinking about it, so was the company) was a shambles. I phoned the administrator this morning, and said, "I'd take Option 2 like a shot, but I don't think that's what you meant."

Them (after a long pause): "Errm.... no. We'll look into this, and send you another letter."

Me: "I can see why Private Eye call you what they do."

Still, on the bright side, miss m announced her engagement this morning, so my retirement has been deferred by a further five to ten years.

[richardfinegold]

Have a great day Cali - take it easy cycling home!

[teamsaint]

I think the thread title might be better with a question mark.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39352654

Lets hope MPs, unions, and pensioner pressure groups rally round to stop yet another attack on workers.

Plenty of money, if the will is there to spend it properly. The country has never created more wealth, never had more people in work.

[ardcarp]

The thing which annoys me (and did so in spades about the appalling rise in women's pension age a few years ago) is that a contract is broken. Whether it is written or implicit, one expects that the taxes and NI contributions one begins paying at age 18, 21 or whatever will result in a State Pension at a specified age. Mrs A. was lucky in that she just sneaked into the 'retirement at 60' cohort. Friends a few years younger have to wait another 5 years.

When the government (any government) does a statistical projection about the number of retired people in x years' time, its immediate solution is to increase the retirement age to fit the 'pot' of money available. As Teamsaint suggested above, it's the flippin' pot that needs to be increased...by taxing the wealthier part of the nation...who will be receiving comfy occupational pensions AT THE EXPECTED AGE anyway.

[MrGongGong]

The thing which annoys me .......is that a contract is broken. .

Indeed it is annoying when this happens
But why would one expect anything else from politicians ?

[Dave2002]

When the government (any government) does a statistical projection about the number of retired people in x years' time, its immediate solution is to increase the retirement age to fit the 'pot' of money available. As Teamsaint suggested above, it's the flippin' pot that needs to be increased...by taxing the wealthier part of the nation...who will be receiving comfy occupational pensions AT THE EXPECTED AGE anyway.

Unfortunately in this "democratic" society, voters never seem to vote for sense, or increased taxes. Many people just put up with the chaos and muddle which they themselves have voted for - at many levels. However, governments do seem to renege on commitments when it seems to suit them. Politicians, often with party allegiances (2 way?) also behave collectively in ways which are not necessarily in the interest of "all the people". This causes division and further unwanted effects. Rich vs middle class vs poor. Workers vs non workers. Scotland vs England. North vs South. Healthy vs Sick. Old vs Young. Able vs less Able or Disabled. Working class vs just about everyone else.

Re increasing the size of the pot - there is an issue about whether it's really up to the government or any public body to provide pensions. Administration of pensions in the private sector seems haphazard, with some very poor pension arrangements (nasty capitalist bosses raiding pension funds) though some private sectore pensions may be good. Many public sector workers don't get paid too much, but do get a somewhat more reliable pension. However there are many private sector or self employed workers who also don't get paid much, and some of these may have real problems as they approach retirement.

There are some big social issues behind this - and I can't solve them. Neither, it seems, can anybody else.

[Nick Armstrong]

I think the thread title might be better with a question mark.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39352654

Bloody hell. I feel doubly fortunate to have listened to advice early on and been able to start making arrangements in my 30s...

Are you retiring completely?

Then there is a particular thing I could do a few times a month from next year on a freelance basis (at a couple of organisations encountered via work) if so inclined.

Well I haven't been so inclined... and doubt if I shall be. Complete retirement is proving a joy, and I've no current plans to shoehorn any sort of work into the schedule...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Unfortunately in this "democratic" society, voters never seem to vote for sense, or increased taxes.

Taxes are a sign of a civilised and caring society.