to be annoyed that so many on mn seem to begrudge pensioners?

[Slartybartfast]

for mainly being too rich
so many of you seem to think that those who have retired at 65 and are likely enough to have a good pension have somehow cheated

Actually some of them retired at 60 or even worse were able to take early retirement at 57!

I remember the time when people were encouraged to take early retirement rather than redundancy because it was cheaper for the organisation as they didn't have to pay out.

I also remember when women HAD to retire at 60 whether they liked it or not and many did not as they still felt they had a lot more to give in the workplace.

FIL retired at 55, MIL worked for 5 years pre pregnancy and never worked again. FIL boasts he has more money coming in now through pensions and investments than when he was working. They spend very very little, have 'saved all their lives for their old age' and now are actually older and needing taxis, caters, stair lifts etc, will not spend it!
I don't begrudge old people being wealthy. I begrudge the attitude of many of holding onto this money at all costs, falling about all over the place in unsuitable living accommodation and the knock on effect on families and the NHS left to pick up the pieces. Often completely avoidable.
Maybe years as a district nurse has tainted my view.

I worked with someone who was devastated when her age was discovered and she was forced to retire 😔

I begrudge the attitude of many of holding onto this money at all costs, falling about all over the place in unsuitable living accommodation and the knock on effect on families and the NHS left to pick up the pieces

yes insisting on remaining in a large house but expecting family members to help with domestic work and gardening, either downsize or pay for a cleaner and a gardener fgs!

My parents never expected us to help like that. They encouraged us to leave for university and forge lives in other cities. They bought one house for life and lived in it for 50 years.

I think that many baby boomers who have savings and hold on to them do so because first, they remember a time when the welfare state was very rudimentary and second, it is safety money, as they obviously do’t have means to ever earn more, so if, say, they need a new roof or a new boiler, at least they know they can afford it. If you’ve been through hard times in the past, or know people who have, you are more cautious with your money

So very true. You put the money away for a rainy day. The trick is knowing when the time's arrived to put the umbrella up.

And any millennial who's feeling aggrieved about the housing situation, check out the thread about the single guy living in a 3 bed social housing property and renting three rooms out. Then see what you think about boomers!

nNina22
That is correct ~ they don’t believe in debt and are frightened of being dependant on other people.They also remember the stories their parents and grandparents told them of ending up ‘in the poor house’ if they had no financial safety net.
My MIL has had to replace her boiler, washing machine and eaves in the last month ~ thankfully she had her safety net (now very significantly wiped out). I used to keep telling her to take a well earned holiday ~ but she was more realistic about what her savings had to be used for as she got older. I’m glad she was frugal, or her bill would have been mine. Alas ~ future bills will be mine!