Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
- Dodgy69
- Posts: 5293
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:36 pm
- Location: Shrewsbury
- Has thanked: 1707 times
- Been thanked: 2011 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
Busy = not sitting about all day. Keeping active is the key. Not reading books all day.
Yamaha rocket 3
- Count Steer
- Posts: 11414
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:59 pm
- Has thanked: 6263 times
- Been thanked: 4614 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
Bit busy this morning I'll get back to you on that one...weeksy wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:00 pmGive me a list then of your mon Tue wed this week.Count Steer wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 9:54 pmHa! Within a few weeks I wondered how I ever found time to go to work.
I see this all thr time and I'm really curious as to what people do all day every day
Doubt is not a pleasant condition.
But certainty is an absurd one.
Voltaire
But certainty is an absurd one.
Voltaire
- Mr Moofo
- Posts: 4420
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:41 pm
- Location: Brightonish
- Has thanked: 1788 times
- Been thanked: 1407 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
@weeksyweeksy wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:00 pmGive me a list then of your mon Tue wed this week.Count Steer wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 9:54 pmHa! Within a few weeks I wondered how I ever found time to go to work.
I see this all thr time and I'm really curious as to what people do all day every day
And you do the same - but without including MTB racing stuff !
-
- Posts: 262
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:17 pm
- Has thanked: 203 times
- Been thanked: 212 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
If you are considering retiring and the State Pension will be a significant part of your predicted income , MAKE SURE you get a formal estimate ( preferably in writing ) from the DWP ( gov.uk site ! ) . I was due to retire in 2018 and had been officially informed in writing ( in 2017 ) that I was due to receive the FULL ( new ) State Pension , and there was NOTHING I could do to increase it further . So 2018 arrives and I am now duly informed I will receive nothing like the full new State Pension . I am still currently in dispute with the DWP about this . ( I retired aged 61 , so did not make any further NI payments .......Why would I ?....... I had it in writing from the DWP that I was on schedule to receive a full SP ! )
The point is that there is currently a window ( due to close this week , but has now been extended by , I believe six months ) that you get get your official State Pension forecast , and you get an opportunity to buy back missing National Insurance payments to maximise your SP . You can get a record of your NI contributions from the official gov.uk website . Be careful about any other sites purporting to be gov.uk sites !
Please be warned , and get an official forecast in writing , before you make the decision to retire , if your SP is significant in your future plans !
The point is that there is currently a window ( due to close this week , but has now been extended by , I believe six months ) that you get get your official State Pension forecast , and you get an opportunity to buy back missing National Insurance payments to maximise your SP . You can get a record of your NI contributions from the official gov.uk website . Be careful about any other sites purporting to be gov.uk sites !
Please be warned , and get an official forecast in writing , before you make the decision to retire , if your SP is significant in your future plans !
- mangocrazy
- Posts: 6478
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
- Has thanked: 2319 times
- Been thanked: 3373 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
Depends how you define 'busy' I suppose. I've always been a bit of a DIY-er (as much through necessity as choice), but after I retired I set myself some projects, one of which was to build a brick boundary wall in the back garden incorporating a BBQ. This took me around 9 months elapsed time to complete (including winter, when it was too cold to lay bricks) and was one of the mixture of things to keep me occupied. On occasions I was 'busy' (lots of stuff to do), for most of the time I was 'occupied' (doing stuff at my pace and as and when it suited me).
Plus talking shite on here, of course...
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
- gremlin
- Posts: 5610
- Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:12 pm
- Location: Kent (AKA God's own country)
- Has thanked: 776 times
- Been thanked: 4514 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
Anybody else reckon we need a new sub-forum called 'Aches, Pains, Pensions and...ooh, now where did I put it?'
All aboard the Peckham Pigeon! All aboard!
- Potter
- Posts: 9663
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:32 pm
- Has thanked: 2216 times
- Been thanked: 4611 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
I think I already said it on a thread, but retirement for me simply means doing exactly what I want to, when I want to.
It might be sitting doing nothing for a week, sailing around the world or doing some sort of job, but it will be whatever I want to do without any kind of burdens like having to earn money or be on the clock somewhere.
If you have to make lists or work out a routine then you’re probably missing the point.
It might be sitting doing nothing for a week, sailing around the world or doing some sort of job, but it will be whatever I want to do without any kind of burdens like having to earn money or be on the clock somewhere.
If you have to make lists or work out a routine then you’re probably missing the point.
-
- Posts: 844
- Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 7:00 pm
- Location: East of West
- Has thanked: 682 times
- Been thanked: 642 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
Having worked for 51 years, studied hard, worked stupidly long hours and co-raised two kids, I believe that I have earned the right to be as busy as I want and to define busy. Seeing how some much younger folk claim being busy, then I'm really busy. If that makes sense.mangocrazy wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:20 amDepends how you define 'busy' I suppose. I've always been a bit of a DIY-er (as much through necessity as choice), but after I retired I set myself some projects, one of which was to build a brick boundary wall in the back garden incorporating a BBQ. This took me around 9 months elapsed time to complete (including winter, when it was too cold to lay bricks) and was one of the mixture of things to keep me occupied. On occasions I was 'busy' (lots of stuff to do), for most of the time I was 'occupied' (doing stuff at my pace and as and when it suited me).
Plus talking shite on here, of course...
- Horse
- Posts: 11215
- Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 11:30 am
- Location: Always sunny southern England
- Has thanked: 5945 times
- Been thanked: 4930 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
I heard it described as 'retiming'. You decide what you do, and when.
I gave a nice list earlier, but how much actually happens remains to be seen. Only one has a minimum time - I have to log at least 20 hours a month for CFR.
Even bland can be a type of character
- Potter
- Posts: 9663
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:32 pm
- Has thanked: 2216 times
- Been thanked: 4611 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
I only find I’m busy if I put time limits on something.
If I ignore the clock then I can define my own busy because there is no deadline.
If I ignore the clock then I can define my own busy because there is no deadline.
-
- Posts: 4702
- Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2020 6:51 am
- Been thanked: 2499 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
That's availability and not call outs I take it?
One of the reason I left my driving job was the tacho regs didn't play nicely with Coastguard hours. It took me years to get a straight answer from them about my tacho status when at home on rest but on call for the CG.
- Horse
- Posts: 11215
- Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 11:30 am
- Location: Always sunny southern England
- Has thanked: 5945 times
- Been thanked: 4930 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
Yup. I can be doing other stuff, while waiting.cheb wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:02 amThat's availability and not call outs I take it?
One of the reason I left my driving job was the tacho regs didn't play nicely with Coastguard hours. It took me years to get a straight answer from them about my tacho status when at home on rest but on call for the CG.
I've only just started, still getting practical experience, have had shifts with calls and some with none. One other local CFR said recently they had seven calls in a day.
No tacho to worry about.
Even bland can be a type of character
- Count Steer
- Posts: 11414
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:59 pm
- Has thanked: 6263 times
- Been thanked: 4614 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
I suppose, instead of 'busy' I could have said 'fully and happily occupied'.
I didn't actually intend to retire at 55 and had a few irons in the fire for period contract work but found that I was quite enjoying myself doing all the things I would have liked to do but formal education and work got in the way. I hadn't had a 9-5 or Monday to Friday job for a long time so all my 'spare' time ie what was left of it, was taken up doing stuff that needed to be done or on much needed holidays
It was a bit like popping out into the total perspective vortex. I always wanted to understand music and play something, so I did. Went on several residential courses to learn new arts and craft stuff and made things and sometimes sold them really just for the pleasure of it.
The other thing I found was, even with lots of paid expenses, how much it (used to*) cost just being at work and how much less money I needed so I lived off the piggy bank and didn't draw any work pension for 5 years. (Still got one + AVCs I haven't touched but will have to do something with them in a few years time). TBH, I feel better off now than when I was at work but the mortgage was paid off a couple of years after retiring and a few things matured and kept the piggy bank topped up. I guess, in the jargon, I 'fixed the roof while the sun was shining'.
I don't miss having a job.
* before all this working from home, sitting in your pyjamas business.
I didn't actually intend to retire at 55 and had a few irons in the fire for period contract work but found that I was quite enjoying myself doing all the things I would have liked to do but formal education and work got in the way. I hadn't had a 9-5 or Monday to Friday job for a long time so all my 'spare' time ie what was left of it, was taken up doing stuff that needed to be done or on much needed holidays
It was a bit like popping out into the total perspective vortex. I always wanted to understand music and play something, so I did. Went on several residential courses to learn new arts and craft stuff and made things and sometimes sold them really just for the pleasure of it.
The other thing I found was, even with lots of paid expenses, how much it (used to*) cost just being at work and how much less money I needed so I lived off the piggy bank and didn't draw any work pension for 5 years. (Still got one + AVCs I haven't touched but will have to do something with them in a few years time). TBH, I feel better off now than when I was at work but the mortgage was paid off a couple of years after retiring and a few things matured and kept the piggy bank topped up. I guess, in the jargon, I 'fixed the roof while the sun was shining'.
I don't miss having a job.
* before all this working from home, sitting in your pyjamas business.
Doubt is not a pleasant condition.
But certainty is an absurd one.
Voltaire
But certainty is an absurd one.
Voltaire
- Yorick
- Posts: 16278
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
- Location: Paradise
- Has thanked: 10113 times
- Been thanked: 6649 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
I'm sure you enjoy your weekends?weeksy wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 6:53 am But that and other things are not 'doing things' are they? They're more passing time because you've fuck all else to do?
I mean you don't sit at work daydreaming about missed opportunities for 30 mins in the local pool.
Luke going for a long walk, sure it's nice, it's great but it's not "don't know how I had the time to go to work" busy
It's just like weekends every without thinking about work on Monday.
- mangocrazy
- Posts: 6478
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
- Has thanked: 2319 times
- Been thanked: 3373 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
I quite often need to ask what day of the week it is. I suspect that defines retirement for a lot of folk, and I'm comfortable with that. The big thing is the fact that your time is now your own to spend how you wish.Yorick wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 11:05 amI'm sure you enjoy your weekends?weeksy wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 6:53 am But that and other things are not 'doing things' are they? They're more passing time because you've fuck all else to do?
I mean you don't sit at work daydreaming about missed opportunities for 30 mins in the local pool.
Luke going for a long walk, sure it's nice, it's great but it's not "don't know how I had the time to go to work" busy
It's just like weekends every without thinking about work on Monday.
It's no coincidence that in my father/grandfather's generation, when you retired the typical gift from work was a carriage clock. This symbolised that you were now being given back 'your time'.
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
-
- Posts: 13487
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:57 pm
- Location: Milton Keynes
- Has thanked: 2610 times
- Been thanked: 6013 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
My mum got a Barometer.
Something about pressure? I dunno...
Something about pressure? I dunno...
- Tricky
- Posts: 1784
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:46 pm
- Location: Chilterns
- Has thanked: 2537 times
- Been thanked: 2542 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
Bustaspoke wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 7:24 pm Age 61,I retired a couple of months back,not missed it for a minute.I took one pension 18 months ago as I was retiring but got talked out of it at the last moment.I have another pension that I''ll take when I'm 65 & the state pension when / if I get to 67.
For the last 3 years I've been shunting trailers round a depot & what I noticed was that as the drivers came in to finish their shift some of them would hurry up so that they could go home,but others would hang around talking to everyone,then you'd see a few of them talking on the car park.I realised that for some of them,as well as work,it was a big social thing
The shunters are a team of 4 & on my last day I said to one of them,age 71,'I don't know how you do this at your age,fair play to you if you enjoy it but I've had enough'.His reply was that he hated the place but it wasn't as bad as being at home with his wife
Another driver used to joke with me about retirement & one day he told me that he'd mentioned me to his wife as he found it hard to believe that I would pack it in,but over a few months he started to think about what I had said & what I would do with my time,he realised that he had no hobbie's,in effect all he had done all his life was work & he wouldn't know what to do with all that spare time.I'm sure there are a lot of people like that
Not me though
I'm 61 and retired just over a year ago now, and I will admit I found " being retired" really quite difficult mentally until probably 3 or 4 months ago when it just sort of clicked in my head properly.
Aside from all my own pleasure stuff I've had a lot going on the last year , mainly as a result of having parents near and then at the end of life and it's definitely not been a case of my ever being bored or not having something to do for me, as I've done loads and still have a list that I haven't got around to yet that's as long as my arm.
For me my problem with retirement was a mental one- a sort of uneasy feeling of most things suddenly being far less time-critical than they have been for pretty much all of my adult life to date , and a real feeling of loss of some self-worth because I felt wasn't producing anything ( not that I ever did really produce anything other than money in my working life ), and still should have been doing more.
I guess at least some of that was because I have been and probably still am what most people would call quite driven- I have worked without a break all of my life since leaving college, aside for a year and a bit off 30 years ago traveling, and stopping all that suddenly , even though I'd thought about it and had given a long period of notice to exit my working life it just felt really strange, and almost like I was doing something illegal too
After just over a year I've come to terms with that feeling- I'm not saying that I won't ever " work" again, as I think I probably will at some point but I'm fortunate enough to not have any concerns about money so I have the choice and don't have to ever have to unless I want to- Iccy sums it up well in a sentence below better than I have I think
Anyway, it's taken a while but I'm now really comfortable with this lifestyle, am embracing it, and loving being able to do things that I never really could before, like lots of trips anywhere I/we fancy almost when we fancy , ad-hoc daytime pints or lunch etc with mates, green-laning /muddy biking ("enduro " in yorick-speak) on weekdays , and I can pretty much spend as much time as I want in the garage or house, garden etc faffing about
Yup pretty much nail on the head for me, and how I view it nowPotter wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:40 am I think I already said it on a thread, but retirement for me simply means doing exactly what I want to, when I want to.
It might be sitting doing nothing for a week, sailing around the world or doing some sort of job, but it will be whatever I want to do without any kind of burdens like having to earn money or be on the clock somewhere.
If you have to make lists or work out a routine then you’re probably missing the point.
-
- Posts: 3664
- Joined: Sun May 03, 2020 10:11 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 1242 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
I recognise all that!Tricky wrote:For me my problem with retirement was a mental one- a sort of uneasy feeling of most things suddenly being far less time-critical than they have been for pretty much all of my adult life to date , and a real feeling of loss of some self-worth because I felt wasn't producing anything ( not that I ever did really produce anything other than money in my working life ), and still should have been doing more.
-
- Posts: 3664
- Joined: Sun May 03, 2020 10:11 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 1242 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
In Feb last year, I was moaning:
It took from New Year until May, before they started paying.JackyJoll wrote: ↑Sat Feb 26, 2022 6:57 pm
The later scheme has paid nothing yet, because there are Additional Voluntary Contributions. No money can be released until the AVC money is settled in an annuity (or whatever the pensioner does with it). I did not know that, until they sent the forms last November.
Yes it has taken this long for the fate of the AVC money to be negotiated.
- Potter
- Posts: 9663
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:32 pm
- Has thanked: 2216 times
- Been thanked: 4611 times
Re: Pension stuff, how's it all looking ? HAve you prepared ?
I'm struggling to find the right word for it, but possibly guilt(?) about quitting work when you're perfectly capable of carrying on?Tricky wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 12:17 pm
For me my problem with retirement was a mental one- a sort of uneasy feeling of most things suddenly being far less time-critical than they have been for pretty much all of my adult life to date , and a real feeling of loss of some self-worth because I felt wasn't producing anything ( not that I ever did really produce anything other than money in my working life ), and still should have been doing more.
I guess at least some of that was because I have been and probably still am what most people would call quite driven- I have worked without a break all of my life since leaving college, aside for a year and a bit off 30 years ago traveling, and stopping all that suddenly , even though I'd thought about it and had given a long period of notice to exit my working life it just felt really strange, and almost like I was doing something illegal too
In another thread I said that I'd probably feel guilty about not achieving what I know I can. E.g. if I know I am capable of providing a very nice life for my family, then it seems selfish not to, but you can extend this to infinity, so as another example, I know that if I carry on until I'm sixty I will be able to make all three of our kids well-off just by handing them a cheque, and so it doesn't feel quite right to stop just because I have enough for me and my wife. I've been lucky, maybe they won't be, so why throw my luck up the wall and chance theirs.
That's why I probably should stop asap, because otherwise I'll never get out of the mindset that I'm a father/provider/worker.
The trouble with a lot of people is that they don't retire until they're old and by then they're completely hardwired and can't stop being who they have been for 50-60yrs
Last edited by Potter on Thu Apr 06, 2023 1:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.