I am glad that I am not under 30.

[miasmum]

I think people are lucky not to have to work or to be able to retire early, if that is their choice

However, if it's not then obviously that is a completely different situation

[Diflower]

Yes that would probably be lovely

[Osc]

The retirement age over here is creeping upwards as well but not as drastically as the UK - yet. We wanted for quite some time to get out of a job we had come to hate, especially since our last robbery, but couldn't see it being possible financially - the pension fund into which Mr. Osc had been paying for over 30 years was walloped by 2/3rds, and a few other financial things went bellyup in the recession. However, almost two years ago, we got our accountant SIL to look at it again for us, and he had a whole different outlook on it particularly with Mr. Osc coming closer to pension age and we could see that it might be possible. So we made the decision, finished May 2012, and it's the best thing we ever did. Financially it was all a bit tight for a while, but now that he is on his Transition Pension with full OAP next year, it has eased a bit, and tbh, we are using some savings to get in a few decent holidays because who knows what tomorrow will bring. We will possibly be selling our house next year and moving into our smaller premises when all the work gets done, and the proceeds of the sale will provide our proper retirement fund - not what we had planned originally, but hey, we go with the flow and are happy not to be working any more. We were lucky though that Mr. Osc was eligible for the Transition pension, as they are stopping it at the end of the year.

[Kaz]

Sounds like you just got in under the wire there Osc - that's brilliant

[miasmum]

so much of these type of things are down to timing. Well done Osc, I am so glad you don't have to risk life and limb anymore running the PO

[Workingman]

My timing was brilliant, not. I had a private pension I took from job to job till one day a firm went bust. There was no point in cashing it in as I would have only get a fraction of my money back so it went dormant - interest only. Then came the interest crash all the way down to 0.5% - not exactly a money-maker. Best thing I can do now is start to take the pittance payments when the OAP kicks in and hope that I get back at least what I put in.

[Kaz]

Nightmare Frank xxxx

[Workingman]

It's not that much so I am not that bothered Kaz, but can you imagine either of our girls paying in for forty-odd years only to get a worthless pension at the end of it.

I am always aware of the small print rider these companies use: Remember the value of blah, blah, can go down as well as up.

It sure can!

[Kaz]

I get where you are coming from xxx

[KateLMead]

I get where you are coming from xxx

Just big (((((((((Kaz)))))))) I think you are fabulous, your confidence will return! And all that you have been through will benefit you professionally and your clients as you administer your skills to those who have similar problems.