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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WWYD or advise About my Aunt?

7 replies

FelicityFlops · 06/02/2022 19:54

I have the most wonderful aunt, but I can see she is in a bit of a mess.
She is 63 and has lived in the EU since 1988.
She married late, at 41, but her husband died when she was 45. She has a small widow's pension, which did cover her basic costs until this year, when her health insurance increased to almost the amount of her pension.
She owns her own house, which she paid for, nothing from my uncle at all. She has some savings and is still working, but thinks she will need to work until she dies, as she will probably only get about another 300 or so in pension.
She does have a good job, at present, and saves.
What can she do?

OP posts:
gobbynorthernbird · 06/02/2022 19:56

Is it feasible for her to downsize?

HotPenguin · 06/02/2022 19:58

Can't she claim citizenship so that she gets free healthcare, or is she in a country where everyone is paying similar amounts for health insurance?

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 06/02/2022 20:11

Downsize, lodgers or benefits seem to be her choices if she hasn't got enough income.

ToykotoLosAngeles · 06/02/2022 20:14

Equity release?

FelicityFlops · 06/02/2022 20:53

She has dual nationality. No free healthcare, as far as I know.
The house is not worth much, so no equity release.
Lodgers possible, but nobody will do the work to get the house up to scratch, she has been trying since 2016.
It is a nightmare.

OP posts:
Totalwasteofpaper · 06/02/2022 20:55

Lodger would be a good choice.
Its fairly high yield and tax free.

She should also read up on FIRE principles (financial independence retire early) while it likely won't work for her in terms of retring early it will help her with money management and saving.

FelicityFlops · 11/02/2022 15:51

Thanks for all the suggestions.
As I said before, my aunt is not in the UK and, as far as I know, has no intention of returning.
The property market, where she lives, does not work in the same way as the UK. It is unlikely that she would find anyone to lodge. I should add that the house she lives in isn't really in a fit state to provide an acceptable standard of accommodation.
As far as I know she is not entitled to any benefits, although this might change as she gets older/can no longer work.
What a pickle. She freely admits that she doesn't know where the last 20 odd years have gone!
Sadly downsizing would be a challenge. Firstly she would need to find somewhere suitable. I have seen options for the over 55s near where she lives, but they all seem to rely on a steady income.

OP posts:
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