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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 71 is too old for state pension age?

976 replies

winterwonder1 · 10/02/2025 16:16

This isn't just for people who are 21 now - that's for people born after 1970 - so 55 now. I can't imagine being fit enough to do my job at 71.
DWP State Pension age will have to rise to 71 says report | News Shopper

DWP State Pension age will have to rise to 71, new report says

New research suggests that workers born after April 1970 will not reach UK State Pension age until they are 71

https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/24923959.dwp-state-pension-age-will-rise-71-says-report/

OP posts:
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10
MrsMurphyIWish · 10/02/2025 16:20

My pension age is currently 68 so what’s a few more years hey?! Seriously, I find teaching a struggle now at 46! TPS is now linked to state pension age so I guess the options (for the majority of us) are continue working in current job, change jobs or - what I imagine - claim sickness benefits when too ill to work any longer.

caffelattetogo · 10/02/2025 16:20

Absolutely too old, particularly in poorer areas. Isn't the average life expectancy in poorer areas something like 68?

TigerRag · 10/02/2025 16:21

Totally not the point - but if older folk are taking the jobs, what about younger people and the lack of jobs?

And what jobs would older people be doing? I couldn't imagine a 70 year old firefighter, surgeon, etc

WonderfulUsername · 10/02/2025 16:22

YANBU, I'm 55 (born in 1969) and I'm struggling a bit now on really busy work days, when the work can get physical with heavy lifting etc.

Mind you, I'm menopausal and my thyroid is knackered.

caffelattetogo · 10/02/2025 16:23

Plus there will be no grandparents to help with childcare etc.

Duckinahat · 10/02/2025 16:23

You’re supposed to save up to retire early. State pension is not supposed to fund years of retirement. That would be very expensive.

BashfulClam · 10/02/2025 16:23

My mum is 71 and has dementia…I have a high risk of similar!

wipeywipe · 10/02/2025 16:24

well as healthy life expectancy hasn't changed much yes it is.

Treeleaf11 · 10/02/2025 16:24

What happens if you lose your job in your late 60s? Who is going to recruit someone this age

SpringIsSprung25 · 10/02/2025 16:24

I don’t believe schools would employ teachers of that age.

wipeywipe · 10/02/2025 16:25

But the demographics don't work hence why they want to push it out.

Original poster
winterwonder1 · 10/02/2025 16:25

Duckinahat · 10/02/2025 16:23

You’re supposed to save up to retire early. State pension is not supposed to fund years of retirement. That would be very expensive.

I thought private pensions topped up the state pension, not replaced it. And who will employ me when I'm too old and worn out to do my current job?

OP posts:
wipeywipe · 10/02/2025 16:25

You’re supposed to save up to retire early. State pension is not supposed to fund years of retirement. That would be very expensive.

If that were true we wouldn't have this issue...

MyUmberSeal · 10/02/2025 16:25

I find the prospect of not retiring until I’m 71 utterly depressing. Yuk.

wipeywipe · 10/02/2025 16:26

And let's ignore wage stagnation, high housing costs, high taxes & less generous private pension schemes...

Mainoo72 · 10/02/2025 16:26

Everyone who can needs to fund their retirement through work/private pensions. State pension will just be a bonus if we get it, it really can’t be relied upon. The age will just continue rising because state pension for all is expensive.

NameChangeForReason · 10/02/2025 16:26

Duckinahat · 10/02/2025 16:23

You’re supposed to save up to retire early. State pension is not supposed to fund years of retirement. That would be very expensive.

That would be great, if so many workplace pensions, including my own, weren't tied to the state pension age.

Original poster
winterwonder1 · 10/02/2025 16:27

caffelattetogo · 10/02/2025 16:20

Absolutely too old, particularly in poorer areas. Isn't the average life expectancy in poorer areas something like 68?

Only people in richer areas will get a pension in that case. The rest will have already died.

OP posts:
MrsMurphyIWish · 10/02/2025 16:27

Duckinahat · 10/02/2025 16:23

You’re supposed to save up to retire early. State pension is not supposed to fund years of retirement. That would be very expensive.

I have been saving into a pension since I was 21. It is tied to state pension age so I can’t claim it til then.

jellyfishperiwinkle · 10/02/2025 16:27

But the demographics don't work hence why they want to push it out.

There are a lot fewer Gen X than Boomers though. But then only about 15% of us have any pension at all.

Felizsenora · 10/02/2025 16:28

TigerRag · 10/02/2025 16:21

Totally not the point - but if older folk are taking the jobs, what about younger people and the lack of jobs?

And what jobs would older people be doing? I couldn't imagine a 70 year old firefighter, surgeon, etc

There is no lack of jobs

ARichtGoodDram · 10/02/2025 16:29

The changes already made are already making a big difference in some places.

I live in a place where for donkeys years it was a rite of passage for teens to have their first jobs at a tourist attraction. They worked weekends and holidays, some did after school.

Now the bulk of those jobs are taken by people who have retired from their career jobs, but can't afford to retire fully. Same with a lot of Saturday jobs. Even the local paper is delivered by an older chap.

I think it's having a major impact on the maturity of the young people - everyone takes that step of maturity when they get their first job and it's just not happening at the same ages as previously.

Mainoo72 · 10/02/2025 16:29

winterwonder1 · 10/02/2025 16:25

I thought private pensions topped up the state pension, not replaced it. And who will employ me when I'm too old and worn out to do my current job?

Show quote history

State pension tops up a private pension if anything. I couldn't live off an 11k state pension anyway. My DB pension will be 4 times that.

TigerRag · 10/02/2025 16:29

Felizsenora · 10/02/2025 16:28

There is no lack of jobs

Show quote history

But are they full time?

Newmeagain · 10/02/2025 16:30

TigerRag · 10/02/2025 16:21

Totally not the point - but if older folk are taking the jobs, what about younger people and the lack of jobs?

And what jobs would older people be doing? I couldn't imagine a 70 year old firefighter, surgeon, etc

I don’t think it’s going to be a case of older people taking jobs away from younger people. I think there is going to be increased inequality among older people - the ones that have an excellent private pension and the ones who really struggle and can’t find a job in their late 50s and 60s.