What’s on your mind?

[The-Real-Deal82]

So in the UK they have been talking of moving the retirement age to 71. Currently it’s 65-68 depending on your age now.
I think one of the reasons those that retire early live longer is they are probably more financially well off.
Poorer people don’t (generally) live as long as wealthy people.

The trouble with later retirement is that not everyone does a desk job. How are bricklayers or metal workers supposed to work even longer?

My retirement age is apparently 67 but my employer will retire me at 65 in line with my contract. I may opt to retire at 60 though and just do without my old age pension for 7 years. There is no way I am giving that much of my life to work, life is too short for that! My Dad retired at 49 but those days are well and truly over.

 

[Herdfan]

My Dad retired at 49 but those days are well and truly over.

Mine worked until he was mid-80's (didn't have to). But other than taking a fishing trip a couple of times a year, he had nothing else to do. No other interests.

I will not be that person.

 

[Apple fanboy]

My retirement age is apparently 67 but my employer will retire me at 65 in line with my contract. I may opt to retire at 60 though and just do without my old age pension for 7 years. There is no way I am giving that much of my life to work, life is too short for that! My Dad retired at 49 but those days are well and truly over.

My Dad was self employed. Retired when he was 73. I expect to never retire to be honest. My pensions are not worth much and Mrs AFB hasn’t worked in decades and probably never will.

 

[mtbdudex]

One’s retirement ”ability-age” is dependent on so many factors, a few of the bigger ones are:
-yearly earnings and budget <> spending
-if children having them “early” say 20’s vs “later” say 40’s
-lifestyle

Living in USA I planned my retirement income on near none from social security, took modest vacations yearly, forced myself a savings strategy and sticking with it. Little things do matter over long periods.

 

[Apple fanboy]

One’s retirement ”ability-age” is dependent on so many factors, a few of the bigger ones are:
-yearly earnings and budget <> spending
-if children having them “early” say 20’s vs “later” say 40’s
-lifestyle

Living in USA I planned my retirement income on near none from social security, took modest vacations yearly, forced myself a savings strategy and sticking with it. Little things do matter over long periods.

Indeed. House owners also came make or lose a lot of money depending on when they buy or sell property.
But redundancy, how many kids one has, if you put them through university etc also make huge differences.
Living within one’s means is not a popular plan. But something I’ve always done.

 

[bousozoku]

So in the UK they have been talking of moving the retirement age to 71. Currently it’s 65-68 depending on your age now.
I think one of the reasons those that retire early live longer is they are probably more financially well off.
Poorer people don’t (generally) live as long as wealthy people.

The trouble with later retirement is that not everyone does a desk job. How are bricklayers or metal workers supposed to work even longer?

Since I'm currently working a retail job, it's interesting to see those already receiving Social Security payments still struggling. I worked in software development over 20 years and, while I didn't make the big money that people at Apple, HP, Microsoft, and Google did, I will be okay once I start receiving payments later this year. I could go without working, but I won't.

The Social Security Administration's forecast for my retirement suggested that 66 years and 10 months would be full retirement. I'm taking payments about two years early simply because my health is not so good but not enough for a disability claim.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Since I'm currently working a retail job, it's interesting to see those already receiving Social Security payments still struggling. I worked in software development over 20 years and, while I didn't make the big money that people at Apple, HP, Microsoft, and Google did, I will be okay once I start receiving payments later this year. I could go without working, but I won't.

The Social Security Administration's forecast for my retirement suggested that 66 years and 10 months would be full retirement. I'm taking payments about two years early simply because my health is not so good but not enough for a disability claim.

Here (UK) the age at which you retire and receive a state pension has nothing to do with how many years or how much you have paid in. Otherwise I’d be retired already as I started paying in at 15. Instead they decide at what age is pensionable.
For years (I mean decades) it was 65 for men. 60 for women. Never really understood why as women typically live longer.
Then it’s changed several times in the last 20 years.
Basically we are all living longer so there isn’t enough money coming in to pay all the older folks.

That and there isn’t much in the way of spare cash due to other issues. But I’ll not get into that here due to the political nature.

On my mind is this weeks workload which I’m just about to go start.

 

[bousozoku]

I'm thankful that Valentine's Day is finished and hope that people will be their best, not their worst.

 

[decafjava]

Sunset 18:04 today in Geneva. We may yet have a cold snap or so but spring is well on the way and we are getting longer days.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sunset 18:04 today in Geneva. We may yet have a cold snap or so but spring is well on the way and we are getting longer days.

Actually, I was about to write exactly that.

Today - and this is a lovely evening, soft light, lengthening days, some warmth - is the first day that it has seemed to me that spring is well on the way.

I saw daffodils - bliss, joy - and my heart just lifts to see daffodils.

And I had freshly squeezed blood orange juice (three oranges...) this morning.

Farewell winter.

Spring is on the way.....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Was running around paying bills, and savouring - thrilling to - the glorious and welcome sight of daffodils.

Headed into the city, and treated myself to necessities: Milk (Jersey milk, organic milk does not appear to be available), and some of the last of the bread (as I hadn't bought any, over the week-end) from the French bakery, not long before they shut for the day.

I also treated myself to some delicious coffee and sparkling water in the excellent small café in the French bakery, - having ascertained that they were prepared to serve me, as they were already cleaning the place before closing for the day - (they said 'no problem', and remembered my preferences).

And I also ordered (and paid for) my bread for the coming week-end, which they shall put aside for me.

And, just to complete the joy of the day, just before leaving the French bakery, while I was finishing my coffee (and sparkling water) they placed a box (beautifully wrapped), a surprisingly heavy box, on the table in front of me.

It contained a rhubarb and raspberry tart (baked earlier today).

"We can't sell it, we're closing for the day, so, you have it," they said cheerfully,

Wonderful.

 

[scubachap]

Here (UK) the age at which you retire and receive a state pension has nothing to do with how many years or how much you have paid in. Otherwise I’d be retired already as I started paying in at 15. Instead they decide at what age is pensionable.
For years (I mean decades) it was 65 for men. 60 for women. Never really understood why as women typically live longer.
Then it’s changed several times in the last 20 years.
Basically we are all living longer so there isn’t enough money coming in to pay all the older folks.

That and there isn’t much in the way of spare cash due to other issues. But I’ll not get into that here due to the political nature.

On my mind is this weeks workload which I’m just about to go start.

Yes, good points, but there's important little bit to add for anyone in the UK.

The amount you get can be affected by the number of years you've paid in. You need 35 full years for the full pension, otherwise you will get a reduced one.

You can be credited years for various non worky things and you can top up by 'buying years' now. If in any doubt (and say you've dropped out of the about market to bring up kids etc) check it ASAP on Gov.uk, you can probably still do something about it.

 

[scubachap]

The big pension problem here in the UK are going to come in the near future when lot's of people who are renting retire from work with just the state pension. In many cases the pension won't even cover the rent.

At the moment housing wealth is covering up for the pension collapse but that won't last forever.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Yes, good points, but there's important little bit to add for anyone in the UK.

The amount you get can be affected by the number of years you've paid in. You need 35 full years for the full pension, otherwise you will get a reduced one.

You can be credited years for various non worky things and you can top up by 'buying years' now. If in any doubt (and say you've dropped out of the about market to bring up kids etc) check it ASAP on Gov.uk, you can probably still do something about it.

I’ve worked and paid in for more than 35 years thanks.

 

[Apple fanboy]

The big pension problem here in the UK are going to come in the near future when lot's of people who are renting retire from work with just the state pension. In many cases the pension won't even cover the rent.

At the moment housing wealth is covering up for the pension collapse but that won't last forever.

That’s always been my thoughts. Buy a house and at some point it’s paid off.
Rent and you are always paying out.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Actually, I was about to write exactly that.

Today - and this is a lovely evening, soft light, lengthening days, some warmth - is the first day that it has seemed to me that spring is well on the way.

I saw daffodils - bliss, joy - and my heart just lifts to see daffodils.

And I had freshly squeezed blood orange juice (three oranges...) this morning.

Farewell winter.

Spring is on the way.....

Cold snap predicted for Saturday onwards.

 

[scubachap]

That’s always been my thoughts. Buy a house and at some point it’s paid off.
Rent and you are always paying out.

Good advice - but unfortunately these days it's not possible for many people.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I’ve worked and paid in for more than 35 years thanks.

Caring responsibilities (children, elderly parents) - thus, taking time out of the work force - mean that many women cannot pay in for 35 years.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Cold snap predicted for Saturday onwards.

Yes, but today was wonderful, a day full of the promise of spring......and that lifted my heart.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Caring responsibilities (children, elderly parents) - thus, taking time out of the work force - mean that many women cannot pay in for 35 years.

If you a caring for children you don’t have to. It’s paid by the government.

But of course it’s not always the women doing the child rearing these days. Mostly I’m sure, but not always.

Anyway I’m currently paying Mrs AFB missing years.

 

[scubachap]

Also, if you've been self employed it can be complicated, and many cleaning, delivery and caring jobs are now self employed / zero hour contract type things. I would advise everyone to check anyway.

 

[bousozoku]

The big pension problem here in the UK are going to come in the near future when lot's of people who are renting retire from work with just the state pension. In many cases the pension won't even cover the rent.

At the moment housing wealth is covering up for the pension collapse but that won't last forever.

That's why California in the U.S.A. has so many homeless elderly. Those who can get Social Security payments never get enough, but on the you-pay-you-get system. Those who work retail can barely survive now.

Does the UK have rooms for lease? I rent a room for almost as much as the two bedroom apartment I had almost 10 years ago, which is almost as much as my first mortgage payment in 1998.

 

[Apple fanboy]

That's why California in the U.S.A. has so many homeless elderly. Those who can get Social Security payments never get enough, but on the you-pay-you-get system. Those who work retail can barely survive now.

Does the UK have rooms for lease? I rent a room for almost as much as the two bedroom apartment I had almost 10 years ago, which is almost as much as my first mortgage payment in 1998.

Yes. Especially in places like London. But I’d not want to do that. Before we were married Mrs AFB lived in a house share. A 4 bed house with four separate people renting a room.
But at least the landlord had some scruples. There was a separate lounge etc. in some situations they would make that a bedroom as well.

I always wanted to buy my own home. Even if it was very difficult at first especially I made it my top priority.

 

[bousozoku]

Yes. Especially in places like London. But I’d not want to do that. Before we were married Mrs AFB lived in a house share. A 4 bed house with four separate people renting a room.
But at least the landlord had some scruples. There was a separate lounge etc. in some situations they would make that a bedroom as well.

I always wanted to buy my own home. Even if it was very difficult at first especially I made it my top priority.

I bought my first house at 38 years old, brand new and built for me. That was a good experience, even though I waited longer than expected. I was moving 1100 miles to help my parents and I sold the house and paid cash for the next one, which was larger but older.

It feels a bit backwards to live in someone else's house with three other renters, hoping daily that nothing goes wrong.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I bought my first house at 38 years old, brand new and built for me. That was a good experience, even though I waited longer than expected. I was moving 1100 miles to help my parents and I sold the house and paid cash for the next one, which was larger but older.

It feels a bit backwards to live in someone else's house with three other renters, hoping daily that nothing goes wrong.

I lived with a couple of friends for a couple of years but one of them owned the house. I was probably about 20 then.
Mrs AFB and I rented a place (on our own!) whilst we saved a deposit to buy our first place. For only about 18 months though. I worked 7 days a week, often for more than 12 hours a day to save up. That was tough but I knew I wouldn’t be renting for long.