I am glad that I am not under 30.

[Nanna]

DD is still working full time at 72. It is his choice though. I don't think he could bear being at home with me all day

[Aggers]

Won't the raising of the retirement age make it even harder for school-leavers to get jobs ?

[Diflower]

but at least you haven't got to work until then Kaz

Mm that's really not fair
Lots of us, like Kaz and I, have not chosen to stop working, but have been unable to continue.
Yes, in Kaz's case, they can afford that, but it's not as if they're rolling in it you know, it makes a big difference to how you live your life.
If it happened to you, you would doubtless somehow manage, but that's not the same as how you planned/wanted it to be.
In my case, I was earning a nice lot, had my own home and was planning on moving, but it all came to a very abrupt end. I had no-one to depend on but me.
It's no fun and certainly not a choice.

[Workingman]

Won't the raising of the retirement age make it even harder for school-leavers to get jobs ?

Ah, at last the $64 question is asked.

Work is like a conveyor belt, and if those at the end cannot get off there is no room for those waiting to get on. This policy will create a problem for those wanting to get on the ladder, and for those wanting to get off.

In some physical jobs the elderly are not capable of carrying out the tasks - think of firemen or builders - what happens to them?

As for personal circumstances, they are just that: personal. I wanted to work through to retirement, but because of health issues I couldn't, so when my RAF pension came through I retired. It wasn't my choice, but I have to live with it regardless. Others work to the old system where one (hubby usually) went to work and the wife stayed home. It's a choice. If those people can survive that way it is not up to others to criticise.

Shell is right that Kaz will not have to work till sixty something, but the trade off is that her and M's combined pension will not be anything like that of two people working through to retirement. It is not really an unfair comment, more a factual one.

[miasmum]

Come off it Di, I didn't mean that at all and Kaz knows I didn't.

I put a smilie on the end because I am pleased Kaz doesn't have to work, it must be lovely. So many of my friends are now retired and having a ball.

If it happened to me, I certainly wouldn't be able to buy nice things, I can't now to be honest and that is with me working. I can assure you when I started work at the age of 16, working until I am 67 was not part of my plan. But having a son that we are just about to spend a fortune on getting him a mortgage because of his disabilities, or a husband that left a brilliantly paid job for one that pay's rubbish but he loves didn't enter my head either.

No one's life goes to plan, shit happens, but I do not agree it is not always fun. I think Kaz has a lovely life, I am pleased for her as much as anything because she appreciates it which is always a joy to see

[miasmum]

WM, I have only just considered myself grown up enough to pay into a pension. I didn't take one out in any of my previous jobs. When you work part time, it seems a huge lump out of your wages, Plus the fact, like most men Tim did have a pension, the first one went into the deep blue sea with Robert Maxwell, the second one has been reduced to a pittance and the third one is still running. So I have always felt far better to have the money now when it is needed than risk paying now and getting sweet FA like has happened to him

I do now have a grown up NHS pension, but only 2 years worth

[Kaz]

My ears are burning

Shell, I 'got' the smile so don't worry, and yes we are fortunate in that Mick earns pretty well and we have a lovely house However, I did enjoy working and am currently trying to get the self-confidence back to restart my hypnotherapy practise so that I can sort of work again I lost the mojo with that after mum and dad died but would like to get it back....I do have a comfortable life but not any good friends here (boy this town is cliquey!!) so I do get bored, you lot are my friends really, and I do miss the daily interaction of working, both the hypno and in sales. I was damned good at sales, so it did my self-esteem the world of good. Maybe I shouldn't put on such a cheery 'face' all the time but I'm not a moaner by nature and am very much a 'glass half full' type of person

Money is still an issue for us, we still have some mortgage despite me paying off a fair whack last year, and we support Becky at the moment, Uni is proving horrendously expensive, and also (unofficially) pay my ex some maintenance for Harry.....our outgoings are huge and we get nothing, no tax credits, not even Child Benefit any more Getting my pension at 60 or even 65 would have meant that Mick could take early retirement on a reduced pension, topped up by my (very basic) State Pension, but that will be impossible now......Mick will have to work until 67 so we will miss out on a good few years of retirement together that we'd looked forward to His dad died of heart problems in his 60s and Mick is already on meds for BP and cholesterol so I do worry about how much actual retirement we'll get together! Nobody makes very old bones in my family either. Losing five years is a big deal to me Sorry, I'm rambling now

I would love to be in a full time well paid job actually - I see my sister working in adult social services and despite her getting a bit tired and stressed sometimes it gives her a very good sense of self-worth and a lot of financial freedom, added to her hubby's good wage, and a very rosy retirement to look forward to I do worry that Mick has to 'keep' me, although he never ever complains, and I do sometimes get the occasional remark from my otherwise lovely MIL about money (Mick's brothers other halves are both in good jobs, one is a teacher, one a school secretary) which hurts because I think the world of her! I do comfort myself with the fact that I paid off a big chunk of mortgage though last year, that took a fair bit off M's shoulders, but it does still bother me!

I know we only really get a two-dimensional picture of each others lives on here really, we only post what we choose to, so I hope I'm not over sharing now with all this but I wanted to put the picture straight

Di I think in many ways we have a lot in common, and thank you for what you said on here, I'm not used to people sticking up for me and it was lovely

Shell you haven't upset me honestly, but things aren't always as black and white as they seem xxxxxxxxxx

[miasmum]

Thank you Kaz, you really honestly didn't have to tell me all that. I know things aren't always as they seem and I know you told me at the meet about some of your 'previous' life. I love my job, it is the one time I don't sit and worry all day and I agree I think if you could get back into hypnotherapy or that type of thing it would be great as you are obviously very good at it, wish I were near enough to be a client. Yes it must be lonely being at home, especially in a town where you don't know anyone I would hate that.

Hopefully if Mick gets his new job, he will be less stressed and he might be able to pay slightly more into his pension and retire a little earlier? You say his brothers have wives have good jobs and can look forward to a rosy retirement, but they don't know that any more than you do, they have the same genes as Mick after all. If it makes you feel better my neighbour lost three of his brothers in their early 60's and he is now 75 and off on a weekend away with his new girlfriend.

My comment was just a throw away comment, there was no thought behind it, because I really truly didn't mean anything by it

Oh and Kaz I think you find all of us on here would stick up for you, because you are so nice x

[Kaz]

[Diflower]

Mm I didn't for a minute think you meant to be at all hurtful, but it does hurt - I know your comment was in reply to Kaz but the constant assumption is that I'm 'lucky to not have to work'