General Chat

On the 10th June I have to go for an assessment as to why I can't go to work until November when I get my pension.

This will probably mean that I have to go through the motions, for five months, of looking on the computer every day and going to see the bully in the JobCentrePlus( plus what I don't know, they don't even show available jobs any more), for that company that is crying out for an old biddy with out of date skills who hasn't worked for eight years and will be leaving them as soon as she gets the hang of the job.

There are plenty of firms who take on people who are approaching or even past retirement age. Some well known names include B&Q, Co-op, Waitrose. Not everybody sees retirement in their 60s as a preferred option and working at least part time is popular. My GGF stopped working at 89 a year before he died.

I have a friend over 70 who still works full time building and restoring wooden boats. He has gradually taken on more people of all ages but says it is hard to find people willing to work very hard to a high standard. That is why half the yard are over 60!

keep trying

But I have my own things planned for when I get my pension.

I even have the little bit of part time work that I have done all along for the Performing Rights Society. OH has picked up those commissions temporarily.

OH had a limited company which had not yet traded and we had hoped it would be the thing to get us off benefits before my pension started.

Unfortunately, some faceless bod decided that this little business, which had been set up to comply with the work methods of another company that never did supply any work, was taking him over the hours to be eligible for benefits.

Th fact that they never thought to let us know that this was what why we had received no money for six weeks helped push me over the edge.

Helping save the country something approaching half a million in care costs gave me seven years without a proper night's sleep.

I am not costing anything like that much, will be off benefits soon, apart from my pension which I worked for most of my life expecting to claim two years ago.

If there is one thing I don't want to do it is to keep bloody well trying, especially not to take a job from a young person who needs it much more than I do.

I especially liked your last paragraph Sharron. Sometimes I think it is selfish of older people to continue to take jobs from the young ones especially if they have enough money. If they haven't got enough then a little part-time work should help but give the youngsters at least a fighting chance.

Older people need money too and not all have a tidy pension many don't.
Living off just the state pension is next to impossible.

That is why the law has been changed making it much easier for older people to work if they wish / need to.

State & public sector pensions were set up without much regard to how they would be funded in the future. It was assumed that somehow "growth" would cover the mathematical impossibility of paying unfunded state pension and way underfunded state employee pensions. The assumption was wrong hence the changes in the state pension age. Similar changes in public sector pensions are inevitable such that pension age all round will probably end up at 70. The alternative is a hefty rise in income tax.

I have been caring for my mother, who is way past 90, for ages. It is a real hassle for which I receive nothing but it certainly costs me in lost potential income. I cannot see any reason why such care should be balanced against pension/benefit rights.

The reason my GGF worked all his life is that he believed that if he stopped he would pop his clogs. He was all too right. Same happened to his son who went away at 80.

'Work till your dying day - if you live that long'.

A lot of retired people prefer to 'work' in the voluntary sector. I was quite happy to retire at 60 and have thoroughly enjoyed my retirement, and I in no way feel guilty for that. Just because some are happier working we should not criticize those who are happier not doing. :-)

A lot of older people are working because they were optimistic about how they would pay off their debts.

I hope this is just a box ticking exercise.

Otherwise you can just see this happening: you get a job, wait for start date, do the training and wow congratulations you have completed your probationary period of employment - Gee thanks - I'm off now - it's time for my pension to come in. :-)

Asuming you've been passed as 'fit' by your GP, do what others in the same situation do and go through the motions.

Sign up to various websites, spend 30mins a day looking at them and send a rubbish application letter/CV off to a few. If on the off chance you did get an interview either tell them the truth that you'd resign in a few months, or wear the most unsuitable clothes you have!

Applying for and getting a job these days is enough to send you loopy. Long drawn-out application forms, inane questions and then a second interview because someone is scared to make a decision the first time round. And we're not talking high-flying stuff - did all that years ago. My time has been wasted on more than one occasion when I've wondered if I'm in La-La Land, as the job being described sounds nothing like the one I applied for...

I've found the jobcentre staff, and modus operandi, much nicer now than it was 10 years ago.
They actually have appointments, instead of taking a number, and are now very polite.
I suggested that, at 58 'retraining' wasn't appropriate - but I would go on a plumbing course :-D

The army has recently "retired" a sergeant fitness instructor because he was over 60. He was apparently fitter than most people half his age. Fortunately the RAF took him on in the same role and rank. Army's loss, I would say.

I reach the magic age of 65 next month.

I've been to Centrelink (in Oz), as I should be entitled to a pension.

The questions they ask!!!!! It's not automatic.

Do Brits get asked so many questions?





:-(

Don't think so.

I am being assessed to see if I can find a job for the five months until I get mine.

Have just saved the country something like half a million by keeping the old man at home and not putting him in a nursing home for them to pay for and I didn't even claim housing benefit we were entitled to for the first three or four years.

I just want a little bit of hassle free benefits while I go "Aaaaah".

According to the government site, you have to claim it. A letter is supposed to be sent out 4 months before you are due to retire telling you what you need to do.

You could download a blank form from here, just to see what info they want.
https://www.gov.uk/state-pension/how-to-claim

It's all changing next April. A friend sent for a Statement of what he was likely to get. Even the DWP weren't sure!

They're not being very understanding with you Sharron. Hasn't anyone looked at Fred's notes?

It's about time you go "Aaaah", as you've been holding your breath for years!

They can't be serious, expecting you to find a job that you'll only hold for a few months.



At Centrelink, I was expecting the question........ what were your great-granny's bloomers like? I was ready for them.......... cream flannel, with lace around the legs! I know, because I saw them on the washing line. I remember laughing hysterically at the size of them!

The man at Centrelink couldn't grasp the fact that my parents came to Oz under the Assisted Passages system, as migrants; which means they didn't have a passport! What sort of training do these people get? They wanted to see my Australian Citizenship certificate, as well as Driver License, medicare card, bank details, tax file number....... etc etc etc.

They gave me a file number and a "one off" password to use on their website. When I got home and logged on, their system crashed. 'Phoned the general number, and was told I couldn't be given a new password because whoever I dealt with in the first place didn't tick the box to say they had seen photo ID. grrrrrrrr Went back to Centrelink, got a new password and used their computer...... and spent nearly two hours trying to answer questions! A few days later a fat envelope arrived in the post, with about 20 pages, questions for my DH to answer. So far no questions about granny's bloomers.

Went back last Thursday, saw a very helpful person. Hopefully they now have all the information they need.

Geez, I started work when I was 16, surely I'm entitled to a pension!

Scozz,


It does get easier :-)

After two years of mucking about, my annual Oz aged pension is now valid for TWO years rather than one :-|

LS - Sharron has been caught in the Government campaign for getting people of working age back into work instead of claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

As with all beaurocracy, there is no place for common sense.

TBH, the Assesment could be helpful to those who have longer until they are entitled to draw the OAP especially if they've been long term unemployed and lost the will to seek employment. Things like helping to write a CV, work experience or retraining.

That is so true.

I do have my little job for the PRS but OH is having to do it while I am on sick. I will be back to doing that when I get my pension (who would not go back to being paid to sit in pubs listening to music?) and, no doubt, pick up a little something else.

I worked freelance from 1980 and rarely had less than three jobs at once so I am not very understanding about people who have no intention of working.

I just want a bit of time to unwind now.