Population decline

[bobzmyunkle]

That would be my sister 👍.

Given your riches, couldn't you sub her a few quid so she can have a bit more leisure in her old age?

 

[CXRAndy]

Given your riches, couldn't you sub her a few quid so she can have a bit more leisure in her old age?

I've already paid off her tiny remaining mortgage. If she ever wants something, then obviously I would help.

 

[Ian H]

@CXRAndy was maintaining that he knows someone in the USA in their 70s who is happy working 60+ hours per week voluntarily.
I'm maintaining that if someone in their 70s is working 60+ hours in the USA it's because they need health insurance, and in the UK it is unheard of for a pensioner to be working 60+ hours per week. We'd also I think regard it as desperately sad.

Yes, you are right that people have different levels of pension and if you only have state pension your options may well be more limited, but it doesn't mean that people on a state pension are all looking for full time jobs.

Thing is, there are people who work because that's all they know - they have no other interests, no sports, no intellectual pursuits, they don't read. They're the kind who drop dead as soon as they stop work, and everyone says how sad it is that they didn't live to enjoy retirement.

 

[CXRAndy]

Yes there are people like that. She does do many hours volunteering. That's her other interest.

 

[icowden]

Thing is, there are people who work because that's all they know - they have no other interests, no sports, no intellectual pursuits, they don't read. They're the kind who drop dead as soon as they stop work, and everyone says how sad it is that they didn't live to enjoy retirement.

Absolutely.

Sometimes work is what keeps people going, but it doesn't have to be full time. A good example is that back when I was singing in the local church choir our elderly organist was first reduced in hours and then they decided to lay him off (his playing was still excellent, albeit sometimes a bit slow). He passed away a few months later. Everyone felt it was linked as for him, playing the organ gave him so much joy and a focus for his life. He was in his late 80s but playing was his retirement job.

 

[icowden]

I've already paid off her tiny remaining mortgage. If she ever wants something, then obviously I would help.

And she definitely isn't working full time to ensure she has health insurance?

 

[HMS_Dave]

Absolutely.

Sometimes work is what keeps people going, but it doesn't have to be full time. A good example is that back when I was singing in the local church choir our elderly organist was first reduced in hours and then they decided to lay him off (his playing was still excellent, albeit sometimes a bit slow). He passed away a few months later. Everyone felt it was linked as for him, playing the organ gave him so much joy and a focus for his life. He was in his late 80s but playing was his retirement job.

As a fellow organist, he'd have definitely enjoyed playing that in his spare time too. I don't think people should link that to his death, imo.

 

[icowden]

As a fellow organist, he'd have definitely enjoyed playing that in his spare time too. I don't think people should link that to his death, imo.

Well everyone did. It effectively isolated him as he no longer wanted to attend church if he wasn't playing. I used to cover for him if he was unwell. Doing some cover work for the next two weekends as well. Haven't done it for a while so I'm still trying to get my feet back in train!

 

[BoldonLad]

@CXRAndy was maintaining that he knows someone in the USA in their 70s who is happy working 60+ hours per week voluntarily.
I'm maintaining that if someone in their 70s is working 60+ hours in the USA it's because they need health insurance, and in the UK it is unheard of for a pensioner to be working 60+ hours per week. We'd also I think regard it as desperately sad.

Yes, you are right that people have different levels of pension and if you only have state pension your options may well be more limited, but it doesn't mean that people on a state pension are all looking for full time jobs.

Ok, so, you know Andy’s sister better than he does, seems reasonable. 😊

Don’t think I said that state pensioners are looking for full time jobs, merely pointing out that Pensioners are not a uniform block, living in the home counties with inflation proof pensions.

 

[icowden]

Don’t think I said that state pensioners are looking for full time jobs, merely pointing out that Pensioners are not a uniform block, living in the home counties with inflation proof pensions.

Well, all pensioners have inflation proof pensions as pension amounts are linked to inflation and increased periodically by the Government (triple lock)

 

[BoldonLad]

Well, all pensioners have inflation proof pensions as pension amounts are linked to inflation and increased periodically by the Government (triple lock)

Touche, but, I meant Public Sector inflation proof pensions, and, if there is such a thing, a private sector inflation proof pension, not State Pension, but, I think you knew that 🙂

 

[CXRAndy]

And she definitely isn't working full time to ensure she has health insurance?

Don't ask me, she has always worked all her life. She gets insurance through her work, I know for a fact that's the case because she got a small blood clot in her leg. She told me all about the service and follow up she got. Amazing service, several specialists, Ultrasound, MRI and drugs

 

[Ian H]

That's another reason many Yanks have to keep working - the cost of health insurance.

 

[icowden]

Don't ask me, she has always worked all her life. She gets insurance through her work, I know for a fact that's the case because she got a small blood clot in her leg. She told me all about the service and follow up she got. Amazing service, several specialists, Ultrasound, MRI and drugs

And she's in the lucky position of having insurance, having a provider who paid out, and being able to afford the copay. Let's hope she doesn't lose the job she's having to work just so she has health coverage eh?

She's just so lucky that her retirement plan involves not retiring.

 

[CXRAndy]

She's made her own luck, working hard all her life, set herself up in another country for over 30 years.

At some point she will have to face the decision of slowing down and retirement. Her 401k will kick in and hopefully she has enough saved to be comfortable