I got this letter yesterday:
As my wife, putting on her doctor's hat asked, "How does that make you feel?"
I suppose I am grateful to have got here.
And I am a little surprised that I am about to be categorised as 'old'.
But am pleased that there is still such a thing.
And worried that there might not be one day.
There are so many emotions linked to that letter.
I am going out bird-watching for the day with an old university friend to think about them. He hits 66 four months earlier than me. I'll ask him how he feels.
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Richard – I recall receiving the same letter about 18 months ago. It didn’t make me feel old at all, but I felt a pleasant reassurance that I was about to receive some stable regular income alongside some workplace and private pension payment which would enable me to choose when, what and how often to take on other paid or pro-bono and voluntary activities! Enjoy the freedom and reassurance, you’re not old.
I am definitely not old
Thanks
I received my copy of that letter 8 weeks ago and I’m still taking it in.
A lifetime has gone by and I have never felt so depressed.
I remember hearing about global warming in the 70’s and here we stand 50 years later and we have only made things worse.
We have had 45 years of neoliberal boll☆cks which has slowly destroyed the working class of every democracy in the world.
We had 13 years of labour government that only tinkered around the edges trying to ameliorate things for the poorest but refused to admit what the core malaise was that infected our whole lives.
We have suffered 31 years of tory government that has killed hundreds of thousands through corruption incompetence hatred and down right stupidity.
Ahead it would seem it will be starmers turn to tinker around the edges making no real change or permanent difference to people’s lives.
When I think back to my childhood I reaped the benefits of being born into the brand new NHS system all my good schooling and my friends going on to university totaly free of charge and with a good grant system to support them throughout their further education all this 12 years after the end of 2nd world war. Its hard to believe that the countries housing stock had been decimated the economy was 200% in the red and many many young people of that cohort were dead or injured.
The problems we faced could never have been overcome with a thousand years of neoliberalism.
The achievements made in those first 30 years after the war were truly astounding and yet here we are and they are virtually all undone, my melancholy is hard to describe.
So much to agree with
I’m many years older than you, but you’ve taught me a lot. Feel good about that.
Thanks
I’ve recently started my state pension and I certainly don’t feel as old as I thought my grandfather was when he was the sane age – if that makes sense. And if, as we are sometimes told, you are more likely to vote Tory the older you get, all I can say is I’m getting younger every day 🙂
🙂
I was lucky enough to have a deferred Local Government Pension that paid out last year when I was 60, good job I didnt link it when I changed employers in 2006
Ok here’s the short version
I grew up in a Britain with secure well-paid jobs, social housing, final salary pensions, properly-funded NHS and social care, free tuition and student grants, and affordable rail fares. deapite the government love affair with neoliberalism I’ll never believe it’s impossible to have those things again
Don’t give up (as Peter Gabriel once sang)
Getting old as I’ve been told is a privilege not reserved for everyone.
I agree with that
Hence my appreciation that I have got here
I am aware that not all my friends have
Don’t worry to much Richard I also had my letter and at 86 next month still feeling young it’s all in the mind so keep bird watching and continue with your blog and join the club.
Exactly what I will be doing
It seems to me that walking is key, plus some luck.
The biggest contributor to a good old age, assuming other health luck, is being able to stand up, I.e, to balance. If that goes everything else seems to do so.
You do need to walk hard and fast to and from your bird-watching site, because you can’t do that when you have arrived. Strolling is better than not strolling, but the health benefit is much higher if you get your heart really pumping – but I am sure you have been getting that advice from your nearest and dearest!
I guess your Nat Insurance payments may have been more complicated than mine – I hope you have amassed 35 years worth.
I was not at all affected emotionally by the arrival of my state pension, because I had taken an advantageous early retirement and was well used to beibg retired; it just made me better off. And yes, I too was very privileged to have an index-linked work pension – just like everyone should have, IMHO. I comfort myself that there is a multiplier effect with older people having good pensions!!
I am well advised!
And I got the 35 years in – mainly from self employment
I drew my pension from June this year. It enabled me to go part-time.
But it felt odd.
On one side I thought this is what’s due.
On the other, WTF did half a century of work go.
Richard thank you for all you post, I have learned so much.
I agree
As I noted a while ago, I am giving up being a practicing accountant. That is it as far as retirement goes for me, as yet.
Other work aspects may go in due course. But much won’t. And yet this feels like a big change.
The friend I met yesterday thought the feeling liberating, but as much for free travel in London, which he intends to use to the full.
“As I noted a while ago, I am giving up being a practicing accountant. “
you haven’t done accounting for over 20yrs
That will be news to those who have been my clients in that period
And shows what a lot of twaddle your trolls write
I got my letter about a month ago and will finally get my pension in February. I know exactly what you mean about not quite knowing how I feel about it. Grateful? Relieved? Terrified that my children won’t have it when they are old? Sad that too many didn’t make it? All of these.
It is quite odd, isn’t it.
I won’t ‘retire’ so there is no ‘right of passage’ event to this, and yet there is something really quite significant about it.
Nature only recognises the present.
My Mexican in-laws (mi familia politica – great isn’t it? Better than mis suegros) say, in their birthday greetings: “Un año más, un año menos.”
Which means ‘one more year, one year less’
Another year over; a new one just begun.
Interesting how many of your readers are of of pension age. I’ve got the best part of two decades to go. It is already two years further away than it was and could be three by the time I qualify. 65, 66, 67, 68. Based on the experience of my parents and in-laws, enjoy yourself as best you can while you are able to do so. Including the bus pass!
Even my wife has to wait until she is 67
I will definitely get the bus pass – I like using them
When I was feeling down recently, my friend reminded me of that old adage ‘the only thing worse than growing old is not growing old’
Keep up the good work for as long as possible.
Your friend was right
Dear Mr. Murphy,
A bittersweet feeling.
On the one hand, the feeling of closing a stage of your life and entering the selective club of “pensioners.” On the other hand, being able to change the “chip” that “there is life after retirement”, and certainly also full of joy and satisfaction (in my case my grandchildren).
A warm greeting and “welcome to the club.”
Thanks
But I am rather hoping grandchildren are still not yet….
Congratulations Richard!
I got my pension two years ago- I didn’t get a letter to inform me so had to go through hoops to apply!
Also,as a waspi woman,it was six years late ! Don’t get me started!
More power to your elbow ,xx
That change still irritates many, I know
I can’t help thinking we have something wrong still about pensions.
Enjoy every minute of being a state pensioner.
Both my parents worked hard, but died in their fifties. My elder sister and I have reached the pension age, and we’re waiting for my younger sister to join us.
We intend to have a celebration and will offer a toast to our beloved parents.
I am always a little surprised to reflect on the fact that my other did when she was 55. I already have many more years than her. My father made it until 92. I recognise the randomness of life and am glad I am here.