Denmark has raised the retirement age to 70, how long before free gear follows suit ?

[Heathblue]

We have an under 25's club in the CCMB massive who would prefer that the coffin dodgers deserve squat, Dorcus being the main Protagonist, be careful what you wish for young uns it'll be 80 by the time it's your turn. Some free advice, get saving!!! the government you elected will not come to your rescue. It's currently 67 for me but i will be taking off my steel toe caps at 65 and will be funding myself for two years, although I've not ruled out taking on a contract or two, or maybe doing some part time, but the days of getting up at 06.30 and returning home at circa 17.30 will be be a thing of the past, the second I turn 65 or if my current employment ends sooner, It's doubtful I'll seek another job.

[Tuerto]

Shouldn't this thread be about Denmark? I don't know what others are saying on here, but we were lucky in terms of having the ability to buy a house quite easily and on moderate incomes. We didn't have to be all degreed up to get a poxy job, no zero hour contracts,it was either full time or part time. The poor bastards now have to sell their soul to the banks in order to buy a shoe box, 40 year mortgages, and mot much chance of having a family. We didn't have to put up with all of that. It's a national disgrace.

[jon1959]

Shouldn't this thread be about Denmark? I don't know what others are saying on here, but we were lucky in terms of having the ability to buy a house quite easily and on moderate incomes. We didn't have to be all degreed up to get a poxy job, no zero hour contracts,it was either full time or part time. The poor bastards now have to sell their soul to the banks in order to buy a shoe box, 40 year mortgages, and mot much chance of having a family. We didn't have to put up with all of that. It's a national disgrace.

Agreed. As a boomer I am very aware that a lot of doors started slaming behind me after I had walked through (like the opening sequence of the original Get Smart!). I had dole in the summer when I wasn’t working, full student grant and fees covered apart from a small parental contribution one year (they wrre always means tested), public services ( remember them?), a cheap and integrated bus service, affordable housing (did private and Council renting before buying a mid terrace in 1986 for £15,600 when we were both on about £7,000 salary) and despite the cold wind of Thatcherism I was only out of work for 5 months.

I ended up in a good job with a proper occupational (final salary) pension scheme and was able to retire early at 55 with no debts. True, looking back, some of it was like an extract from the Four Yorkshiremen sketch, but we also had strong and effective trade unions (I was a steward for years) and a culture of not putting up with shit. So lucky for sure - but we also made our own luck.

In less than a week I will be 66 and officially a pensioner. I sympathise with the generations behind me that will have it harder and with much less security.

[Heathblue]

Shouldn't this thread be about Denmark? I don't know what others are saying on here, but we were lucky in terms of having the ability to buy a house quite easily and on moderate incomes. We didn't have to be all degreed up to get a poxy job, no zero hour contracts,it was either full time or part time. The poor bastards now have to sell their soul to the banks in order to buy a shoe box, 40 year mortgages, and mot much chance of having a family. We didn't have to put up with all of that. It's a national disgrace.

I agree with everything you have said above, but how long before Sir Kier follows suit with Denmark ? and then Europe in Lockstep with possibly just the French just burning their country down.

[Heathblue]

Agreed. As a boomer I am very aware that a lot of doors started slaming behind me after I had walked through (like the opening sequence of the original Get Smart!). I had dole in the summer when I wasn’t working, full student grant and fees covered apart from a small parental contribution one year (they wrre always means tested), public services ( remember them?), a cheap and integrated bus service, affordable housing (did private and Council renting before buying a mid terrace in 1986 for £15,600 when we were both on about £7,000 salary) and despite the cold wind of Thatcherism I was only out of work for 5 months.

I ended up in a good job with a proper occupational (final salary) pension scheme and was able to retire early at 55 with no debts. True, looking back, some of it was like an extract from the Four Yorkshiremen sketch, but we also had strong and effective trade unions (I was a steward for years) and a culture of not putting up with shit. So lucky for sure - but we also made our own luck.

In less than a week I will be 66 and officially a pensioner. I sympathise with the generations behind me that will have it harder and with much less security.

When you started work you were to be a pensioner at 65 as I was, I've had two periods out both times for 3 months, one occasion it was by choice, i walked out of a job and went on a what i thought was a deserved break for 3 months 2nd time was not by choice!! took advantage of some grants and did some courses which in hindsight were wrong choices, Engineering seems quite strong at the moment with some decent salaries to be had, of course I'm not looking but was approached a few weeks ago about a role and after some talks was offered it at a salary which should have made me take it, I never and will just see this out until i get the FO tablet, I had all the benefits you mention, my son is saddled with a 40 year mortgage, the point was some of the younger ones on here seemingly happy that Starmer targeted the pensioners and as you and i know, being a pensioner comes about in a flash and we are left wondering where did the years go. The younger ones, glad that pensioners took a shooing will be hoping that those who follow them don't feel the same as them and possibly feel that those who went before them shouldn't freeze or starve to death.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

I agree with everything you have said above, but how long before Sir Kier follows suit with Denmark ? and then Europe in Lockstep with possibly just the French just burning their country down.

The change in Denmark had cross-party support and was introduced due to increased life expectancy and the effect on national finances.
It wouldn't be outrageous if other governments follow suit.

[Heathblue]

The change in Denmark had cross-party support and was introduced due to increased life expectancy and the effect on national finances.
It wouldn't be outrageous if other governments follow suit.

At what point does it stop going up ?, I'm lucky in that I'm no longer a physical worker and just a pen pusher and have been for around 30 years now, so yes I could carry on pushing a pen for another 6 years, I'm not sure that say roofers would feel the same, I get the point of life expectancy but there are many physical workers who I would agree that at 65 they should be happy with their contribution to society and have done what was expected of them when embarking on their chosen career only to have the rug pulled as they see the finishing line.

[the other bob wilson]

Agreed. As a boomer I am very aware that a lot of doors started slaming behind me after I had walked through (like the opening sequence of the original Get Smart!). I had dole in the summer when I wasn’t working, full student grant and fees covered apart from a small parental contribution one year (they wrre always means tested), public services ( remember them?), a cheap and integrated bus service, affordable housing (did private and Council renting before buying a mid terrace in 1986 for £15,600 when we were both on about £7,000 salary) and despite the cold wind of Thatcherism I was only out of work for 5 months.

I ended up in a good job with a proper occupational (final salary) pension scheme and was able to retire early at 55 with no debts. True, looking back, some of it was like an extract from the Four Yorkshiremen sketch, but we also had strong and effective trade unions (I was a steward for years) and a culture of not putting up with shit. So lucky for sure - but we also made our own luck.

In less than a week I will be 66 and officially a pensioner. I sympathise with the generations behind me that will have it harder and with much less security.

Agree 100%.

[goats]

I agree with everything you have said above, but how long before Sir Kier follows suit with Denmark ? and then Europe in Lockstep with possibly just the French just burning their country down.

Never relied on the state and never will for handouts…..b e amazed if I ever get to state pension age!

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Never relied on the state and never will for handouts…..b e amazed if I ever get to state pension age!

What happens if you get seriously injured in a car crash or get sepsis that leaves you wheelchair bound and unable to provide for yourself ?

It's no good saying family will look after you or insurance will pay out because in many cases that only lasts for a while


You have no idea what tomorrow might bring or when you might to drop your pride and get support

[JamesWales]

Agree 100%.

The biggest cause of most of our problems are housing related. It's impact on land values, on prices, on mental wellbeing, community cohesion, benefits payments. Whether it's huge bills for housing support to pubs closing because building 9 flats on there is more viable etc. Most things are tied to it in some way.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

The biggest cause of most of our problems are housing related. It's impact on land values, on prices, on mental wellbeing, community cohesion, benefits payments. Whether it's huge bills for housing support to pubs closing because building 9 flats on there is more viable etc. Most things are tied to it in some way.

Which is why it was such a positive move for the nation that Maggie and successive governments sold off millions of council houses built for the less well off and didn't replace them

👏


Absolute carnage

[Wales-Bales]

Never relied on the state and never will for handouts…..b e amazed if I ever get to state pension age!

You'll probably be offered euthanasia when you get there.

[bobh]

Is this counter-intuitive? Or cart before the horse, or some other idiom?
If people were allowed to retire early, surely that would free up jobs for youngsters?
Their taxes would pay for the pensions, am I missing something?

[JamesWales]

Is this counter-intuitive? Or cart before the horse, or some other idiom?
If people were allowed to retire early, surely that would free up jobs for youngsters?
Their taxes would pay for the pensions, am I missing something?

Just means the age they'll get state pension, not whether they are actually working to not.

I think a gradual rise in the age of the state pension age is fair enough and inevitable as we live longer.

Id also support some redistribution of some things in terms of pension age benefits.

I support the free bus pass at 60 benefit. It keeps people out of the house and socialising and helps those traditionally on low incomes etc

But at the same time in work, we have some healthy 60 year olds on cracking wages buzzing around the city for free whilst we have people in the early 20s on much lower wages paying a decent chunk every week to commute.

Personally id shift it. Free bus travel from 65+, and half price bus travel for people up to 30 or whatever.

[jon1959]

Just means the age they'll get state pension, not whether they are actually working to not.

I think a gradual rise in the age of the state pension age is fair enough and inevitable as we live longer.

Id also support some redistribution of some things in terms of pension age benefits.

I support the free bus pass at 60 benefit. It keeps people out of the house and socialising and helps those traditionally on low incomes etc

But at the same time in work, we have some healthy 60 year olds on cracking wages buzzing around the city for free whilst we have people in the early 20s on much lower wages paying a decent chunk every week to commute.

Personally id shift it. Free bus travel from 65+, and half price bus travel for people up to 30 or whatever.

Is it bus pass at 60 in Cardiff/Wales?

Where I live it is at pension age - and that seems the norm everywhere else in England where I know people who qualify.

I achieved pension age today and submitted my bus pass application this morning.

Living the dream!

[JamesWales]

Is it bus pass at 60 in Cardiff/Wales?

Where I live it is at pension age - and that seems the norm everywhere else in England where I know people who qualify.

I achieved pension age today and submitted my bus pass application this morning.

Living the dream!

It is yeah! I know a few people who benefit. And good for them, but as I say, I would shift the benefit to younger people a touch.

Happy birthday btw and congratulations on reaching the age, not everyone does!

Get yourself a pint of Stones and a good pinch of snuff!

[jon1959]

Get yourself a pint of Stones and a good pinch of snuff!

After I've taken the whippet for a walk!

Good knowledge on Stones though. The brewery closed in 1999 (now posh flats) but Stones returned 4 years ago, brewed under licence by the True North Brew Co. Not sure why - Stones was an awful ale. But Abbeydale or Thornbridge are all excellent - and in more and more local pubs.

[JamesWales]

After I've taken the whippet for a walk!

Good knowledge on Stones though. The brewery closed in 1999 (now posh flats) but Stones returned 4 years ago, brewed under licence by the True North Brew Co. Not sure why - Stones was an awful ale. But Abbeydale or Thornbridge are all excellent - and in more and more local pubs.

Stones Bitter Premiership was - I think - the old name of the Rugby League championship. Other observations of Sheffield pubs is the aforementioned snuff and quite randomly the small crisp packers of cheese and crackers that I have never seen anywhere else.

Been to the Washington several times, and other places. A very impressive number of pretty normal pubs in the city centre compared to Cardiff.

[Wales-Bales]

After I've taken the whippet for a walk!

Is that a euphemism?

[Wales-Bales]

I achieved pension age today and submitted my bus pass application this morning.

Living the dream!

Happy birthday Jon!

[jon1959]

Is that a euphemism?

What else?

[jon1959]

Stones Bitter Premiership was - I think - the old name of the Rugby League championship. Other observations of Sheffield pubs is the aforementioned snuff and quite randomly the small crisp packers of cheese and crackers that I have never seen anywhere else.

Been to the Washington several times, and other places. A very impressive number of pretty normal pubs in the city centre compared to Cardiff.

I have never come across snuff in a Sheffield pub (unless that is code for something else) but the cheese and crackers were a thing many years ago.

[Tuerto]

I have never come across snuff in a Sheffield pub (unless that is code for something else) but the cheese and crackers were a thing many years ago.

Buthchers in Canton. Crusty cob, thick slab of cheese and a chunk of onion with butter, nothing else, simple, and on the bar sat on a tray so that anyone and everyone could size them up by giving them a good prod with their fingers, fag in other hand of course. 30p, bargain.

[Eric Cartman]

Just means the age they'll get state pension, not whether they are actually working to not.

I think a gradual rise in the age of the state pension age is fair enough and inevitable as we live longer.

Id also support some redistribution of some things in terms of pension age benefits.

I support the free bus pass at 60 benefit. It keeps people out of the house and socialising and helps those traditionally on low incomes etc

But at the same time in work, we have some healthy 60 year olds on cracking wages buzzing around the city for free whilst we have people in the early 20s on much lower wages paying a decent chunk every week to commute.

Personally id shift it. Free bus travel from 65+, and half price bus travel for people up to 30 or whatever.

Id probably cap a journey at 2 quid or less for everyone and fund the rest at this point but I would get strung up by the daily mail comments section. I don't really see any reason why older people need it to be free, link it all together better and give people some kind of weekly pass via an oyster type totting up process that makes a journey cost almost nothing if you use it a lot. I think Burnham might have got an oyster style system sorted in Manchester so it's difficult but possible.

There are so many good reasons to push people towards buses and if they were busy/full more routes and a better service would be viable.