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.

I'd say no obligation.

No, I intend to do what I want , when I want.
All for myself 😁

If they are retiring in their 50s on good pensions then they will have saved a good deal into that pension to enable thqt , and delivered a good deal of tax to the government at the same time

If someone suggested all people have o work themselves to death or agree to be euthanised I would not be surprised

That's not the type of world most of the older generations fought and worked for

It wasn't the OP who said those things. That ignorant post came from @Dotjones .

Pay society back for what may I ask?

Well you have only paid for every once only - you need to pay twice over didn't you know ?

I’m giving nothing back when I retire I cannot wait to be doing whatever I want when I want. Many oh so many work years being told what to do and when so when I retire I’m going be that ‘mad old bird’ people talk about. Only 19 years to go until then

If you do, you probably do owe society something, so yes 20 or so hours volunteering would be a good way to pay back your debt

What debt would that be? also, if you think people 'owe' something then expecting them to pay that back suggests you might want to look up the meaning of the word 'volunteer.'

It’s been asked over and over again what this debt is. No one seems able to explain.

Thank you! @MintJulia, how about an apology because that was both rude and not paying attention.

But the time I retire I'll have done a lot of years in a physically and mentally challenging job, paid all my taxes and paid for my pension at a rate of 11% for all those years. I'm taking a break if i'm honest (assuming my health holds up). I don't feel I've got a debt to repay to society.

The other issue is people always want more from volunteers and no one seems grateful. I have volunteered on the past, but it was always push push push to get more from you. More hours, more money, more more more. And once you started doing more, then even more was expected of you, because you'd already done a bit extra so I'm sure you can do a bit more on top of that... And on it goes.

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

Dunno about anyone else but I had NO problem making that transition; but then I had been preparing mentally since the beginning of lockdown.

It is entirely up to you

No obligation but I would advise doing things regularly, keeping active both body and mind, generally not sitting around at home - much better for mental and physical health.

Neither did I! I did worry that I would but no. I still have dreams that I’m back at work, that my application for the early retirement scheme was not correctly
processed and I have to go back until tbru’ve sorted it, or otherwise I have been sent on a course and I can’t understand why I have to do it as I’m retired. Such a relief to wake up and find I really am retired!🤩

We have been trying to tell my dad that for years. He just drinks and watches TV. Doesn't even leave the house, and has no friends or hobbies. No way will he volunteer. He insists he is happy, so what what can we do?

I retired earlier this year and am living off my savings at the moment. How am I enjoying life at your expense?

@AchatAVendre that's his choice.

Most of the older people I know like keeping active.

There is no debt.

You can do sod all when you retire if you want.

Most people are ignoring the inform volunteer work many people do.

Indeed. A choice that most people will never have again, retiring from a junior admin position in an oil company on a generous final salary pension.

I aim to travel the world 🌎

If I find something to volunteer for a while, I might try it for a short time & then move on, but this is not my main reason for exploring

Too many of my friends have passed away before state retirement

I've planned for early retirement

There is no obligation to volunteer from anyone

Nope.

Is there such a thing as a voluntary obligation?

Those two words don't go together really.

I'm sorry, but how is my post bashing Tory voters?

I said -

DoraSpenlow · Today 16:00

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 was replying to a comment from another poster who seemed to imply that only Labour voters volunteered. I pointed out that people from all walks of life volunteer and that despite many on here thinking that Tory voters were the devil incarnate, many, many Tory voters volunteer and raise money for charities. I also said what a great bunch of people they were.

Not sure how you get to tory bashing from that.

In Scotland there is

Ahem. The unilateral gratuitous voluntary obligation, otherwise known as the promise, is legally binding under Scots law.