How can I carry on working until I'm 67?

[hulmegirl1]

I work in the NHS and it's a physically and mentally demanding job that although vital is not well paid.
I am in my mid 50s and am definitely a lot more tired than I used to be.
Quite often I get home (my job means I'm standing most of my shift) and I'm exhausted physically and mentally.
I can't see that I can carry this on until I'm 67. My husband is five years older than me and self employed and doesn't earn much so we rely on my meagre salary to ensure the bills are paid.
Does anyone have any ideas how we are all going to cope with this new reality?
I know if I'd been advised a lot sooner I'd have made very different decisions.
I still have never had a letter advising me of my retirement date and really was not aware until well into my 40s.

My husband is 60 in 4 years time and us going to retire then
The mortgage will be paid and he get his pensions
I’m going to work 4 more years after that and then retire when I’m 60
No way am I going to work till I’m 67
I think it’s bloody outrageous that we are expected to work till we are 67

I'm in my early 50's and too will retire at 67. I used to do an NHS job where I was on my feet for 12 hours a day or night shift but have recently changed to a more sedentary job where I am sitting for a large part of the day. Could a change of job be an option for you? I'm still exhausted but at least my back and legs don't hurt as much.

I would definitely recommend starting to look at ways to move to a less physically demanding job. Unfortunately with life expectancy what it is now it is inevitable that pension ages will rise.

I feel the same OP. I'm a teacher and just don't think I'll be able to teach for that long.

Do you not have the option of taking your NHS pension at 55?

I don't as I am under the "new scheme", but am very jealous of those who do! If you're in your mid 50s you should be under the "old scheme"?

Could you look for a job in a less demanding area, like outpatients etc?

You cope by either saving and retiring early or by switching to a less demanding job/going part time.

Out of interest, what different decisions would you have made if you'd known earlier?

Retiring at 60/65 is all very well if most drop by 70. Not so sustainable if the majority are living into their 80s+

I wonder the same. Plus what happens to the hoardes of people who are made redundant and restructured out at 55 - not easy to get a brand new job when you’re up against lots of professionals in younger age brackets. Ageism is alive and kicking. And horribly unfair for those approaching 60 who had no time to do anything significant with upping private pensions.

Makes me laugh when I see the adverts encouraging us to apply for a state pension forecast. Why? What’s the point if they keep changing it for the worst every few years? Not everyone can afford a financial advisor to review things that often, if at all.

Ticking time bomb...

It's difficult to advise on what path to take without knowing your current role but given that it sounds like you will have another 12 or so years of work it is worth looking for a more desk based job now.

Alternatively are there any adjustments that could be made, ie if you were disabled in this role what would they do.

Are you saying you cannot access your NHS pension until you are 67?

I am 68 and still working 5 days a week. Do all my own housework and gardening and look after a husband with MS. No problem for me.

Job change, downscale, go part time, seriously look at how much you really need to live on. If you are exhausted all the time, it’s more of an existence than a life.
I’m on half the salary I was a few years ago, but I now have high hopes of actually living to 70.

This is a concern for me also. I am nearly 50 and don’t do a physical job, but am mentally so over it. I suspect peri menopause has something to do with it but I am just so cynical about it all. Have quite a hefty mortgage too!

What is more likely is that your employer will find a reason to get rid of you so they can employ a younger person with less baggage (health issues, hospital visits, possibly less up on the fast moving world of technology). How many of us struggle with our older parents getting frustrated with current technologies like texting and the internet? That’ll be us in the work place in 20 years time

I think it’s bloody outrageous that we are expected to work till we are 67

With respect insancerre I personally don't think it is reasonable to expect younger generations to bank roll decades of retirement.

The 60/65 retirement age was set when people were expected to live 7 years after retirement.

My retirement age is set at 68 and I wouldn't be surprised if it goes up more, I accept if I want to retire earlier I have to fund it myself.

Good for you, CG, but how does that help the OP?
You sound like an ex head of mine, she had no problems and refused to accept that others might.

Cotton good for you but that's not very helpful to op

All thanks to Jeremy!! I think the overall idea is hat they want us to die before we collect our state pension and then it goes back to the state.
How long have you worked in the NHS. There is still the option to retire earlier and take your pension x

You're right OP it's not realistic for many of us that we will be able to work until 67.
I think a financial makeover via moneysavingexpert.com or similar can help you get your costs down. Maybe then it might be possible to go part time.

For some expenses drop at this age due to no dependent children and mortgage paid off.

Quite honestly though I don't think there are enough suitable jobs for people in this age group. And if you are only fit enough to work part time how do you manage financially? Maybe downsize if you own a house? I think this is a time bomb that will be a nightmare for many people.

I think it’s bloody outrageous that we are expected to work till we are 67

I really don’t think it is at all. Of course if you’re on a physically demanding job the. It might be hard but nowadays when many people will live another 20 years and are often in good health there’s no reason to stop working. My dad is 69 and working 3 days a week in a senior role, my FIL is still working in his late 70’s and I had a meeting today with someone in her mid 70’s still flying all over the world for work.

If my health allows me to I plan to work until I can’t.

@mintbiscuit

I am 31 and won't be able to access my full NHS pension until my state pension age, which is ccurrently 68, but will probably change. The NHS pension scheme changed in 2015 and I hadn't been working for the NHS long enough to stay in the "old" (much better!!) scheme.

Which reminds me I need to book an appointment with the pensions advisor in our hospital to see what my options will be for an earlier retirement (if any!)

Can your husband look at changing job or work more hours?

Can’t you look at pension transfer and getting 25% out at 55?

I agree, 67 seems harsh but, as a nation we are living longer and it’s a question of economics

I am a teacher and can retire at 67. I will not be able to teach teenagers at that age - they have no respect at all for anyone over 50!

I have chronic health problems, but not bad enough to get any disability benefits. As I get older I am struggling more and don't see how I will work until 67 in any job. The problem is I can't afford to not work.

There is a big difference between living and being able to work. And well off people have on average 9 years longer of living healthily than poorer people. So I don't give a fuck if someone in a senior role at 67 is still fit and healthy. There are much less people on low pay who fit and healthy at 67.

I suspect I will just be unemployed and very very poor before retirement.

I meant it’s outrageous as women of my age were expecting to retire at 60