If you can work you should... But why?

[Tryingtokeepgoing]

So, Rachel Reeves is of the opinion that if you can work you should. However, there are millions of us in the 50+ bracket who can work, but don't need or want to work. We are financially self sufficent, happily (ish) paying tax and spending money supporting the services economy on which so much of the country depends. Why should we work? Altruistically, I see my choice not to work as creating opportunities for progression for others...

Why should we work?
What is achieved by encouraging us to work?
If there are benefits to us working, how can she incentivise us to do so?

caveat - I am not a fan of the Telegraph, but it is a direct quote

“If you can work, you should work,” she said after official figures showed worklessness in Britain rose to its highest level in more than a decade.

Are you aware that if you were in receipt of family allowance in your name for your children, during the period you are in receipt of it, you will also earn national insurance (NI) credits, which you need to receive the full state pension. If you (or your partner) are not working, or earning less than £123 a week, claiming Child Benefit lets you earn NI credits you wouldn't otherwise have earned. You can also get credits for any time you are in full time education. So if you had family allowance for 16yrs and did not work, you will be credited as if you did for your pension.

Thank you - two weeks to go! Am in London for a couple of days of a final handover to the team (and another leaving’do’), then back home to tie up loose ends with my team there.

Yes I found out a few years ago that child benefit would count. But I dont know about part years, say I worked for 4 months of the year, and then when the rules changed for how many years and then theres the serps and serps2 debacle.
So in short I gave up and I will at some point bother to look, but it doesnt affect me right now.

Thank you though.

@Wishitwasstraightforward I hear you and I see you.

So many women are let down left by the wayside by their men. It seems to me that only the minority of men are capable of mature, monogamous relationships. It's an injustice that's not even touched on by our modern society. If anything, the state seems to accept and enable feckless men to keep moving on, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. I had no idea how bad it was until my sister's dh left and I saw the horrendous state sponsored bullying that came in the form of the divorce process. He has been able to get away with the narcissistic abuse by proxy via his solicitor. It's almost destroyed her, as she has still chosen to take the "high road" for the sake of protecting her children.

Personally if it were me, I swear I'd be in jail for homicide or dead.

And health conditions are not your fault, but we have a society which "others" people with illness and disability in order to protect the consciences of the young, well and affluent. I never succumbed to the God of smug wellbeing, but I saw them. Young, lucky people in their 30s, seemingly immortal and untouchable, proclaiming their virtue because they spent all their time in the gym. 🙄

I'm not bitter, just wiser. This is starting to sound like a histrionic rant, so I'll shut up. But you are not to blame, and it sounds like you've done a bloody good job of raising our kids and looking after yourself. 😇

If you would never report someone you know is claiming fraudulently, then you may as well be claiming fraudulently yourself because you're part of it and enabling it. No need to complain then. How else would they stop if people like you do nothing?

A huge difference between not agreeing with someone and enabling fraud.

Every criminal is also a friend to someone so they should all protect their friends too. As I said, don't report if you don't want to but stop complaining if you won't do anything about it. It doesn't make you a better person.

I am job hunting at 71, noway I need to financially but I have to get away from my husband at times. Only want 20 hours admin, anyone hiring around Romford?

Not what you are asking, but if you are just needing to get away from your husband then maybe look into getting an allotment. Works for my mum (although she is also working past retirement age for the same reason you want to)😂

Also not what you're asking but if you have admin skills there will be charities who would appreciate your voluntary help. Google for volunteer opportunities in in your area, since you don't need the dosh.

It was supposed to be extreme.