Fixed retirement age axed, but will we work longer?

Great if people wish to work longer through choice I am all for it and it is safe to do so but some c manual jobs will prove difficult to most of us has we grow older.
The reality is we no longer have the large manufacturing bases that employed many thousands of people and Britians manufacturing industries are still shrinking. To keep on an ageing workforce will give less job prospects to our younger generations. This highlights another sad choice many I suspect would like to retire early but cannot afford to we should all be able to retire and live with some dignity.

I am still working, albeit part-time, and at aged 66, do not feel it is unusual at all. I feel able to continue for many years yet, and am sure that my valuable experience helps me to play a productive role.
My only concern is for younger people who cannot currently get jobs. I rationalise this by saying I’m not taking a job away from them by doing my role, as it requires specific qualifications and probably years of experience. In fact, from a personal aspect, by continuing to earn I have been able to financial help my children to continue in additional education which has eventually led to employment. Without my addtional income, this may not have been possible.

The company that employed me for 27 years, offered me early redundancy when I was 56. I then set up my own business and continued working until I was 69 years old.

I was very pleased to work so long. I finally retired so that my wife and I could spend more time together

RE: Later Retirement
I was fortunate to be able to work until I was 72. The extra money was enjoyable, but I appreciated the sense of self-worth more! ^5 was too young to retire – for me. Now I am ready for a less stressful, energetic daily routine & much enjoy leisurely walks with the dog; all-day watercolour painting trips tp the Sussex Downs; picnics by local beauty spots with my wife; reading several books each week – none of which was really feasible, or even wanted, before I retired.
But, I wasn’t a labourer or a sewage worker – earlier retirement might have been much more attractive then.

I worked in IT development from 1966 (yes there were some commercial computers back then) until 2005 – 10 years in permanent jobs and 30 years in freelance contracts (durations ranging from 1 year to 9 years). Between 2005 (when my last contract was outsourced to India) and 2007 I applied for over a hundred jobs (mainly freelance, but a few permanent). I had the appropriate experience for each job application, but only got 3 interviews (unsuccessful). I believe that my age was a major factor for my failure. After 2 years without work and hitting 60 in 2007 I gave up. I have scraped by on Pension credit and dwindling savings ever since. I would love to have continued working in IT development.

People should be able to work for as long as they want but it does create some problems. I can predict there will be more unconscious incompetence (and yes this happens at any age) taking more and more careful management thus eating up valuable resources. Like driving licences – I think people should re-test to prove their competence regularly to prove capability and not just desire. It might keep a few others fresh along the way! And thus saving the long and expensive process of dismissal and stress for all concerned.

With high unemployment there is much to do in enjoying and living a healthy life in later years. If not financially challenged then there is a world of voluntary work to keep brains ticking and to develop a sense of self-worth and satisfaction.

I first retired from NHS after 39 years( the last 15 in nursing management) in 1993 at age 57-when the tories cut the NHS to the bone, I was at home for a year and then decided I was bored I then went to work on a helpline for the next 9 years, that was a huge learning curve and hugely enjoyable, working with people from diverse backgrounds,professions and ages,I learned a great deal and made many friends it was sadly reorganised into an information line and I left -I worked with another professional helpline for a further year and retired for the third and final time time at the age of 68. Since retiring I have been working with a charity for older people which i greatly enjoy. So long as people are fit and have a choice of when to retire then fine, unfortunately in the future some people may have no choice because of poor pension provision.

It depends – We have high unemployment – especially amongst the young – allowing people to work after 65 will have an enormous effect on the young unemployed – particularly with this appalling government’s policy of throwing public service workers on the street to ‘save’ money.

Dear Persons

I am in my seventy eight year of my life and my wife is all so in her mid seventies and our family one dead and the others gone to fin for themselves.
The fuel allowance is reduced and I have a problem with my circulation it appears to be a disease called PAD some think it’s shin splint but it may be a combination of the two, The way it affects me is when the temperature drops a bit my leg and foot freezes and when I am walking
I have to use a hot water bottle on my feet in the house and drag it around as I move in the house when I’m standing or sitting I can manage great with the hot water bottle over my feet
I am to go in for some check up, but the hospital has not contacted me in say 6 or 9 months and Dr Canny phoned them about it last time I was up,and sure they must be busy and short of funds
The Mass media was asking people like me to respond to the web site but I don’t know if I got the best one,if you can assist please reply. I Air Tricity supply my electrical power and the DSWFare pass their reduced payment on to my accunt at theUlster Bank GalwayCity

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