Let’s have compulsory national service for 65 year olds

[Barleypilaf]

So, if it’s a good idea to press-gang 18 year olds into national service, why don’t we do the same for those getting their pension? Everyone in the first year of pension should spend at least one weekend per month doing volunteering in their community. It would help to build community spirit, help the NHS and improve people’s fitness.

I’d happily volunteer but I still work (70, education).

Also, this National Service for 18 year olds wheeze is just that, pie in the sky, aimed at goodness knows what voters. No one has the faintest idea how it would work or the faintest interest in doing it, especially the armed forces, who must be horrified.

Excellent idea. I'm up for it.

I'll still be working at that age (3.5years away) so good luck with that!

No. That sounds like something that might be fun. You should be working in the NHS scrubbing bed pans.

Nearly 70% of posters have voted the OP is not being unreasonable. Sad that there are so many bigots on MN.

I don't know how these polls are organised. I am 68 and I have never been polled about anything.

Fair enough. There are good reasons why those in the police get early retirement.

As it happens, I do know an ex policeman who volunteers in a school tracking down teens who are persistent absentees.

But if that’s not for you that’s your prerogative.

I'm retired and volunteer for the National Trust, our local litter picking group, the town's In Bloom group and the local dog shelter. My husband, also retired, volunteers for the RNLI, in the local Oxfam shop, the mens' shed and joins me at the litter picking group.

Almost all of these groups are entirely made up of retired people and I honestly don't think they could continue to exist if retired people weren't already giving hundreds of thousands (millions?) of hours every year for nothing. The National Trust would be unaffordable to all except the very rich if they had to pay all their workers. At my NT property volunteers outweigh paid staff about 10 to 1.

Our volunteering litter picking group is made up of us oldies, young mums and their children and the local scouts. Honestly, it's the best fun and a brilliant example of how we have so much in common across the generations.

It's only politicians who seek to create divisions based on age in order to detract from the crap they've heaped on us over the last 14 years.

I think that it isn’t a bad idea at all! It would help transition people from work to doing zip all day, give them a focus.
inthibk they should be encouraged to work with the under 25s too- keep that generation gap closer in terms of mutual understanding and empathy.
If we’re going to make 18 year olds do it, then why not?

I totally get that but there is a much wider issue that can be seen going on at the moment that is divisive and creating a lot of damage to us as a society and whilst she is making a point it runs the risk of achieving the opposite of what she intends.

OP, you are doing exactly what Sunak wants. Save your anger and cynicism for the person who dreamed up this daft idea.

I'd say, on the purely amateur basis of an AS, that this OP is a general GF. I don't use the term often, but given their repulsive attitudes to all the vulnerable in our society (except seemingly 18 year olds- (unless they are disabled) I'd say this thread was a typical case in point.

Their opinions are very contradictory. They understand little about politics, and less about people.

Yes, the Conservatives have mooted the introduction of some form of national service (military or civil) for literally decades. (us ancient folk refusing to die can remember - it's been in almost all Tory manifestos or kneejerk pressers since time began)

Given that Active is currently full of chicken lickens running around thinking this would ever happen, I think the GFOP didn't know which thread to bitchplop her opinions on first so chose to start her own.

Yes. As a pensioner with health problems, I worked all my adult life, then I spent years caring for my DH, saving the state a fortune. Then I volunteered in a food bank.

Now, I’m not fit enough for much.

We are not all galloping about on cruises, spending the fortune we allegedly get as pensioners.🙄

To be fair most of the pension receiving 65 year olds spent years working and paying taxes in order to get their pensions

I understand the « I’ve worked all my life and now I want leisure » point of view but I do wonder if we need to wake up to the reality that the world has changed and that’s not affordable anymore.
the health and benefits system was set up in 1945 in a world where people were only expected to live a few years beyond retirement. We seem to be carrying on as though that’s sustainable when people may live 20 years or more beyond. If we think generous state provision in old age should continue I don’t think it’s wrong to suggest recipients who can give something back. Obviously those in work or with caring responsibilities shouldn’t be required to

That means that 83% of older people aren't falling for their rot though.

The most interesting part of the article for me was that amongst over 70 year olds support for the Tories has fallen from 67% in 2019 to 43% now.

That's a stark drop in their most reliable fan base....no wonder they're crapping themselves. Serves them right.

The gammons would never vote for it.

Most people my age that I know have brought up children, worked outside the home, cared for elderly relatives and are now looking after grandchildren.
Most of us volunteered at toddler groups and primary schools until we went back to work. Women do the majority of unpaid caring and always have done.

Fine.

Are you setting the same criteria for anyone receiving benefits?

Even those with children should be able to do something when the kids are at school.🙄

I get that, but I just think the « I’ve worked all my life and now I’m entitled to stop » argument has run out if economic road. We can’t afford it. The young are currently feeling the sharp end of this with under I vestment in education, housing and their health needs. The burden needs to be shared.

OP there is one among many flaws in your idea- pensions don't start at 65 any more.

If we think generous state provision in old age should continue I don’t think it’s wrong to suggest recipients who can give something back.

Continue? We are already resigned to the idea that generous state provision in old age doesn't exist. The qualifying age keeps moving up, decreasing the likelihood of people ever receiving it. Full state pension is about half minimum wage.

No, first of all because benefits for pensioners are far more generous than for those in working age, and second because those in receipt of working age benefits should be spending their time looking or training for work - which of course they are required to do already.
if you have school age children you have a full time job already, as any parent knows.

Another ageist bullshit thread.
Make OAP's do some kind of National Service
I've read some nonsense on MN but seriously???
I'm 58, been in full time employment for 42 yrs, won't be able to retire until I'm 67 then I'm supposed to be forced back out to work unpaid, ffs.
When I retire I'll have worked full time for 51 years but that's still not enough?
All those pps that think that's a good idea let's see how you really feel when you get to retirement age and just want a break from the grind of working every day.
I also don't believe 18 yr olds should be forced into any kind of National Service.
How about we show some respect and solidarity towards all generations?

So how long do you expect people to stay in paid employment for? 70? 80?
I started my first job at 14. The only time I stopped work was when I had my children. Dh is still working at 70 and he is tired.

The reality is that people are having to work for longer, yes, and that’s only getting worse.
if you’re fortunate enough not to have to, I don’t see why you shouldn’t give something back. Or forgo your triple locked state pension, perhaps, which is currently paid to large numbers of people who simply don’t need it.