British pensions

Decision on bringing forward UK pension age rise to 68 delayed until after election https://www.theguardian.com/money/2...n-age-rise-to-68-delayed-until-after-election

And after the next election whichever government is in power will suddenly decide that a rise to 68 is the right thing. As the French would say, 'quelle surprise'.
Just saying. No agenda. No real opinion. Just saw it and think that's what will happen.

 

Opportunity there for Labour to commit to no change after next election. Tories have left the gate wide open

 

We've just seen Paul O'grady sadly die at 67. Now please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not saying he's not a grafter. But imagine a person his age, but they don't have the ability or wealth to pick & choose when they want to work later on in life, they have no choice but to do hard manual labour at that age. Paul O'grady had a lot of health issues, had he not had a comfortable life later on, he may have died years ago - are we seriously as a nation going to rise the pension age? Especially as the average life expectancy is slowly declining again - in the US, it's dropped a whole year & half in one year.

 

Yes 50 years graft and you can have 8 grand a year WTF

 

But only when you're 97

 

I don't have any real opinion on the pension age because I don't fully understand it all. I mean of course I understand what it means to me and others but I don't know anywhere near enough about the financials of paying the pension to everyone, how much it costs and where that money comes from with an increasing population etc. Is it realistic to think it should be as it is now? to be even lower? higher? I have no idea personally.
But one thing I do wonder about is is the life expectancy lower because of covid or is it genuinely lower if you take out the few months of covid deaths?

 

There’s some study’s been done that people who retire at 55 live longer than 65 retirement,seems obvious like 10 more years graft at that age,but figures back it up apparently

 

You can find study’s all the time. I remember one where it showed that out of all the occupations, people who were in the teaching profession have the shortest life-span after retiring. I think it’s a sad indictment of this country when we think about if it’s feasible or not to retire at 65; 66, 67 or whatever, when plenty just shrug their shoulders that the top echelons of society keep being blessed with tax breaks of whatever description. Also, let’s not forget the relatively paltry amounts paid as well

 

I retired at 56, I was working a stupid shift system and I'm convinced if I'd carried on till 65 I wouldn't be here now. Since retiring I've had open heart surgery, which I came through ok and do not take any heart medication at all now. I put that down to having a brilliant life and keeping active and fit since retirement. I have just started hormone therapy for Prostate Cancer with radio therapy to start in August, my latest PSA test was 0.3 down from 5.3 after just 1 injection, I don't feel any different now than I did before I was diagnosed, again I put this down to retrng early and keeping fit. The shift system I worked involved double backs, IE,days to nights to afters, Sunday night was a 12 HR shift doubling back to afters with a 1 o'clock start. This was in a steel works so imagine doing that at 65 never mind 68. It's ok for those that work 9-5 in nice conditions, I've always said that those making the decisions on policies like this should have experience working in jobs like this for a couple of years and then see what they think. In the past at least the Labour party had a large contingent of manual workers in their midst that knew what it was like. Now they're all career politicians that don't know jack 5h1t about life outside of the comfort zone.

 

I’ve only 1 issue with your post, please don’t underestimate the negative mental impact of work, it’s not just the physical side that impacts. Many office workers suffer this even though they work in clean surroundings etc. Indeed, some call- centres have been described as the modern sweat shops.

 

I would suggest that if you can retire at 55 then in general, you've had an easier, more prosperous life than someone who has to work until 65.

 

Should you ever be fortunate enough to meet Lady Kaht, I suggest you don't mention the raising of the state pension age for women from 60!

 

You're right, I was only quoting my experience, my son and daughter in law are teachers and they work 10hrs a day and work at home Sat and Sun catching up on paper work and planning, they are under intense pressure daily and I fear for their future health. When I said 9-5 in nice surroundings I should have made clear I was meaning the decision makers not the ordinary under pressure workers. My bad.[/QUOTE]

 

Not really, I only got to finish because I took redundo and an early pension.

 

They’ll be coming for sick pay next , because there’ll be a lot people going on long term sick

 

And if this government take us out of the ECHR, like they want to, then you won’t have a leg to stand on, pardon the pun. You won’t have any rights to sick pay

 

Longer life is an average statistic. Often, reasons for this are overlooked. Improved working conditions, healthcare, diet, fitness awareness & (dare I say.?) a more mixed, integrated society. Also, (no disrespect to our armed services people, seriously) the UK hasn’t had a population damaging war in a long time, from where new stats are founded..
But it doesn’t account for everyone. Inherent, generational problems etc, increased mental health problems from a relentlessly commercial modern world. People born & equipped for industries that no longer exist, or were sold off & struggle to find their place in society..

Some are protected, most are not..

 

That's fair mate. So do you think it should be raised to 68?

 

I don’t think it should, no. My Civil Service pension is worth **** all. & my situation is different..
I will paint & draw as long as able.. Mrs C has a good eye for commercial opportunities for stuff I have already made. There’s money to be made. Without hurting anyone.. I ain’t bothered about selling out.

 

I started at 24 in NHS on the old 30 year pension scheme. I'm hoping to retire at 54.