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Original poster

To think that constantly increasing retirement age will just cause an increase in health related benefit claims?

158 replies

PyongyangKipperbang · 19/08/2026 19:59

I am early 50's and have worked in hospitality for years, a very active job.

I am feeling it now, I really am. Back, general fitness and plantar fasciitis. Longer to recover from physical exhaustion. On it goes.

Surely people in physical occupations like mine, nursing, trade, retail etc are going to need to stop far sooner than people in desk based occupations? When we physically cannot keep going (my retirement age is 67 currently) what do we do?! Our health issues are often caused (or at least, exacerbated) by our careers, and our skills are not those that would transfer into office based jobs. Even if they were, there simply are not enough jobs for us all on top of the people our age already doing them.

So what is the alternative? I cannot see any other way than to claim benefits until state pensions kick in. And dont forget that a lot of people in manual jobs dont have private pensions as these have always been traditionally lower paid jobs. Those of us born in the 60's/70's were sold the state pension dream, we didnt need to worry about private pensions. It only became clear that actually we did when it was too late for those of us on lower salaries to make enough provision for old age.

OP posts:
5128gap · 19/08/2026 20:36

In an ideal world as we got older our jobs would shift so the focus was less on doing it ourselves and more on training and supervising the next generation. We'd be valued for our experience and knowledge rather than just our graft.
Unfortunately older people face the double whammy of being considered young enough to keep working but too old to be as relevant as the young.

Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 19/08/2026 20:24

SatansScrotum · 19/08/2026 20:04

I really wish people wouldn't just shrug off office jobs- have you ever worked in an office with someone in theor later years who simply can't be arsed or are ineffective or perhaps their mind is slowing down or they can't keep up with the work?

But I do agree we can't keep raising the age because people will be too knackered for physical work and job-blocking the youth in office jobs.

You're comparing apples and oranges. I am talking about tradies who cannot physically build a wall, or a hairdresser who cannot stand for 10 hours a day any more. I am really struggling with the (av) 20,000 steps a day my job demands.

If an older employee cant be arsed, or struggles to keep up, well yes that is an issue but a different one to what I am discussing.

OP posts:
GentleIron · 19/08/2026 20:20

Yes, primary school teaching at 66 won't be much fun.

Smoosha · 19/08/2026 20:13

Of course it will. The people on here who always yell that the pension age should be increased to 75+ I’m sure all work in lovely office jobs from home.
I’m also in a job that is already causing me a lot of pain. And I’m not even quite 50 yet. I’m also self employed so while I have a small private pension I don’t benefit from employers contributions etc.

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 19/08/2026 20:07

YANBU, it's not the solution it's made out to be.

SatansScrotum · 19/08/2026 20:04

I really wish people wouldn't just shrug off office jobs- have you ever worked in an office with someone in theor later years who simply can't be arsed or are ineffective or perhaps their mind is slowing down or they can't keep up with the work?

But I do agree we can't keep raising the age because people will be too knackered for physical work and job-blocking the youth in office jobs.

Raspbellies · 19/08/2026 20:01

Yanbu. I suspect the increased retirement age is already increasing PIP / universal credit claims.