Will you still be able to do your current job when you are close to retirement?

[alwaysstressed]

I work a pretty physical job that I've done all my life, im not trained or skilled in anything else.
I am 42 and I am a dog groomer and all the bending and lifting and being on my feet all day is already taking its toll on my body and I really don't think I'll be able to do this when im say 60-65, but what will I do? This is all I know.

Does anyone else have physical jobs that you just can't see yourself managing to do when you're older?

What is this lovely job,??

Only if my brain can keep up and I haven't had some kind of breakdown/burnout by then. I work in criminal justice.

Teacher and think 60 will be my limit. In my Dad's generation lots retired at 55. People at companies like BT, British Gas, teaching, social work, police. Then they got another job at 55 plus their pension.

I am concerned for our children & don't think they will get a pension. I think they will need to start private pension at a young age to have any hope of a retirement.

I'm 59 and I've recently changed jobs from one I was starting to find physically difficult to a mainly desk job I should be able to do comfortably until I retire.

I'm a health care professional,I doubt I'll be able to do this at 68. 60 would be a push

I'm 53 already knackered! Would love zmore active job. ,..

Why though? Genuinely, isn’t it use it or lose it? Surely being active is the best way to stay active?

Im a teacher. No way could I be in the classroom at 68. 60 will be my max but trying to wrangle a class of teenagers will be hard going at that age as it is.

I have a teaching colleague who is 74 . She's finally retiring this year!

Me too! I'm 39 though.

Currently doing the degree so I can progress, haven't decided which direction though. After over 20 years I'm feeling it my back, knees, shoulders etc.

I'm the same. I'm 45 and feeling the pain (surgeon). I want to start a postgraduate certificate that will get me out of surgery and any potential mistakes are low stakes. I'm looking at teaching or supporting colleagues in some way.

I'm worried that there will be older surgeons in my profession that will carry on beyond their physical or mental capability because they can't afford to stop.

There really is a need for a careers advice service for us mid lifers.

I've got a desk job now, some teaching hours, lots of working from home. People in my department quite often work into their 70s. I will go at 61 if they offer voluntary severance. I'm 57 now.

Doubt it. I’m a special needs teacher and it can be pretty physical. The thought of doing it for another 20 years is horrifying. My plan is to build up my creative business so I can retire early and do that instead.

Yes but I have a desk job that is mostly wfh. Having said that I hope I'm not there for the next 30 years I need more of a challenge at some point 😅.
I used to be a teacher which I enjoyed for a decade or so, but absolutely not a chance I could be doing it close to retirement.

Sorry to pick on you as you’re not the only one saying this, but-it should be perfectly possible to move continuously and well! I do a physical job with lots of lifting but my posture is good, I do yoga to vary my movements and I’m careful. Pushing 40 and love it. You have to look after your body whatever you’re doing-people who sit down all day have back problems!

You have to look after your body whatever you’re doing-people who sit down all day have back problems

Exactly

I’m shocked how worn down everyone sounds. I run 40km a week, do 2 hours of Pilates, lift weights daily and work 9-3.30 every day running my own company. I intend to stop in my 70’s. I’m in my 50’s and feel fit and active.

No, I'm a housekeeper in a hotel. For a few different reasons I want to be out of my job in the next couple of years but physically I get tired in the busy season now and I'm only 40.

I'm a 59 year old carer and i think i'm gonna be ok to work till i'm 67. as long as i don't have a health scare i should be ok. will work less hours though.

Yes, until the age of 65 as stipulated in my contract…

Not quite what you asked but when I was 16 I did a residential 6 week dog grooming course. Ran by a woman in her 60s who owned a dog grooming salon. As additional revenue they offered NVQ level 2 courses with room and board provided.

Would becoming a trainer be something you could look into?

Yes I'm a civil servant. Loads of my colleagues are late 60s. I probably won't travel so much through!

Why don’t you take on an apprentice? There are government incentives, you can reduce the physicality of it and there is then the option to move on to teaching dog grooming etc.

How do you propose that the stock gets on the shelves then?

I only made it until I was 60 - 39 years of teaching 30x 4-7 year olds, sitting on the floor, bending over them at low tables, being an “ actor” and full of enthusiasm for hours on end finished me off by then!
I made up my missing NI years by caring for grandchildren a couple of days a week.
I loved my career ( well the bits that involved teaching children that is, not all of the other nonsense) and was sad to stop.
Lived more frugally on small teachers pension and savings until I reached state pension age at 66. Not sure it would have been manageable if I’d been living alone though.

Yeah i could but by then all of my directors/company owners will be dead probably so the job probably won't exist. It's a market very much aimed at the 25-50yos so not sure I'd get the same job elsewhere then my company eventually ends.

I'm a teacher - I worry no one will want me post 60 ☹️