Morally obliged to volunteer if retired?

[notnownorma]

Just that, really. If one has no grandchildren to care for, is one morally obliged to give something back to the community if no longer working and in good health? If so, how much time is "enough"?

Inspired by a conversation I recently had with someone thinking of retiring soon.

Nope.

As someone who ran a volunteer led children's group and now chairs a uniform/baby bank I'd encourage anyone who wants to volunteer to do so. I'd also encourage anyone who doesn't want to volunteer to please not volunteer.

It's always very, very obvious when someone doesn't actually want to be there and it just makes things awkward, annoying, and harder for everyone else.

@Dotjones

I’m not yet retired but already volunteer and will do more when I do retire, regardless of any caring responsibilties I may have.

What ‘debt’ am I repaying.

Yes I think retired people, if they have good health and no caring duties, should help out with some kind of voluntary activity. There are so many vulnerable people out there who really depend on voluntary organisations and charities, and anyone who has lots of time should offer an hour or two a week.

The problem is pensioners on final salary schemes retiring in their 50s then just enjoying life at our expense, they're the ones who ought to be made to do unpaid work.

@notnownorma is not unreasonable not to want to volunteer if she doesn't want to.

But your attitude @Dotjones stinks. I shouldn't be surprised I suppose - Mumsnet can always be relied upon for ageism

@Arbesque why?

By your logic everyone who has any disposable income should also donate part of it cause there's always people living in poverty

Anyone who can donate blood/organs should, because there's always a sick person in need.

Where does this "duty" stop?
Just because there is a need doesn't mean that I (or anyone) has a moral reaponsibility to address it.

What a load of pish.

The state pension age is currently 66
The state pension age will be 67, 68+ for people of other ages

Do you realise that someone at 66 could be looking after their sick partner, spouse, pet or elderly parents, neighbours or friends. Infact I know people in their 50s that do these things already.

Secondly, not everyone in retirement is a "stay at home" person. Some people wish to be travelling or doing hobbies away from their local area. Some people want to travel the world !

Thirdly, do you realise that there is no mandatory retirement age for some jobs, which means that some people could still be working FT or PT past state retirement age.

No there is no obligation to volunteer, but some people will

No there is no obligation to give to charity, but some people will

I believe in some Asian countries it is the law that you need to provide & help your elderly parents & some could live to well over 100

You cannot "dictate" how people spend their time !

As someone who works for a charity desperately in need of volunteers and several dozen short... no! There should be no obligation, moral or otherwise, for you to volunteer.

You should volunteer if a) you have a good beginner's understanding of the particular area of work and the issues involved, b) you are prepared to commit to it, c) you have the requisite skills to do a decent job at it, and d) you are going to find the work and commitment genuinely rewarding.

We get far too many applications from people who want to take up volunteer work because they "feel like they should" or they have sweet, sparkly fantasies about saving the world and "giving something back". These tend to be the people who don't complete the application process, or only last a week or two in the role. Not ideal for us when we don't have much staff capacity to waste on recruitment, or giving bored locals a free "sense of purpose" for a month until they get tired of it.

If there's a cause you're genuinely drawn to, and your skills/availability match up, then go for it!!!

No obligation

I am going to add that during my working life, I have participated in a variety of volunteer roles.

In that case, perhaps I don't wish to do any volunteering in my retirement

People have choices

People want freedom

Op

Do you currently volunteer ?

Are you planning to volunteer in your retirement ?

All sorts of people volunteer not only Labour supporters. I hate to break it to you but one of the children's charities I volunteer for is - apart from myself who has voted for all parties in my time - completely run by supporters of the Conservatives (I know this will come as a shock to some). I know this because they are all also involved in the local Conservative Ladies Association. A great bunch of ladies who have helped raise much needed funds over the years as well as turning out in all weathers (outside activity) despite all of us being over 60 and some are in their 80s.

I just think, if you havecan hour or two to spare it is a good thing to offer to help out in some way.

I wonder how many of the people who feel no impulse to help out at all are happy to avail of meals on wheels for their parents or lifts for them to hospital appointments when no family member is available? Or extra help with reading for their kids in school, or the opportunity to attend mother and toddler groups or other activities in community centres, or send their children to scouts and girl guides? These and many other things only happen because of volunteers.

I actually know people well into their eighties who are exhausted from volunteering but can't stop because younger retirees are not offering to take over.

The more people who offer the less any one individual has to do.

You are perfectly entitled not to feel any compunction to volunteer, I am perfectly entitled to think it's a bit selfish. (Assuming you have the time and the health to do so)

This.

However what are you going to do with your time?

Being bored shitless and sitting on your arse doing nothing isn't good for your health.

Volunteering is a way to do something to keep you mentally and physically active.

If you want.

I think a lot of people would go utterly insane if they didn't do some volunteering.

I've friends in their 50s who are doing lots of bucket list type stuff but they still have lots of time left and they can't just do things that involve spending money.

That's all very well, but a lot of vulnerable people need more that Betty down the road popping in for a coffee and a chat. For instance, I worked (actual paid work not volunteering work), with vulnerable deaf adults, some of whom didn't see anyone else between my weekly support visits. There were plenty of people willing to visit them none of whom were accepted....the reason? Not one of them knew BSL. It's all very well saying that people should help out, but if they haven't got the skills required in some cases, then it counts for nothing.

I actually know people well into their eighties who are exhausted from volunteering but can't stop because younger retirees are not offering to take over

Of course they can stop, it's entirely on them if they're pushing themselves to exhaustion.

Yes znd then the meals on wheels don't get delivered, the hospice has no one to deliver coffee and books to patients, the phonecat the homeless centre isn't manned, the foodbank can no longer operate......

I'm talking about services that depend on volunteers, not substitutes for specialist assistance.

There is no obligation but volunteering does help the transition from around 50 years of work to ‘a life of leisure’.

When I retired I took 5 volunteering roles, Cub Leader, School Governor, Charity Shop, Driver (taking elderly to clubs, appointments etc and helper at local Care Home)

Covid wiped out most of those roles and I left Cubs this year. I’m still a Governor and also lead walks for the local ‘Health Walk’ group and the Ramblers.

I like to do it while I still can but some volunteers are very poorly treated and taken for granted - subject to internal politics and increasing demands.

I enjoy volunteering but nobody should ever feel obliged to do it.

Are you saying all those services are run by people in their 80s?

Many of them where I live are largely dependent on elderly people who started volunteering when they retired 15 or 20 years ago, yes.

No No No.
you’ve done your time paid your taxes. Now it’s your time.to do what you want.
if you feel like volunteering then please do if it makes you happy.
Its a good way to meet new people and keep you active and give you something to look forward to.

I’m 53 and are planning to retire from a well paid job next year but will be looking for a job I Want to do. a big wage doesn’t interest me anymore and I’ve had enough of the b£&lshyt I have to put up with.

Still, they can easily stop. The fact that they feel responsible doesn't make them actually responsible for it. It's their choice to continue (and act the martyr)

Yes and yes, although nothing like 20 hours a week! My conversation with about to be retired friend was about what they felt they "ought" to do with their time.

Giving back to the community includes inform stuff.

So if you have neighbours who are fragile and live on their own, then you doing things like bringing their morning paper, walking their dog or getting their shopping with yours is giving back. So is sitting out on the street daily while youngsters who live on the street play and/or talking to passersby.