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Original poster

No pension, no savings...help

22 replies

josethe36 · 09/03/2019 14:32

I am in my late 40s and after many years of suffering depression wasn't able to work and start a pension. I have about 3k in savings, no property etc I feel suicidal over this sometimes as I feel it is impossible to ever catch up with my peer group.

Any advice welcome about where to start? and how to catch up

OP posts:

Mrscog · 09/03/2019 15:03

Ok, well - firstly you probably won’t be able to ‘catch up’ but you can get yourself in to a better situation. What is your current position? Are you working now? Will you be entitled to a state pension? Do you currently rent?

Original poster

josethe36 · 09/03/2019 15:50

I am not getting benefit. I don't think I am entitled. Am living with family so no rent etc for now Not working

OP posts:

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 09/03/2019 16:01

The best time for someone your age to start saving was 20 years ago.

The second best time for someone your age to start saving is today.

Just build on the £3k you already have. You could look into pensions but as your not a taxpayer they might not be beneficial to you.

It not so very bleak, when you say you are living rent free with family do you mean your parents? Whats their age and housing situation?

TalkinPaece · 09/03/2019 17:32

Why do you feel the need to "catch up"?
You are living rent free
If you are too ill to work, why are you not getting benefits? You are entitled to them.
If you can afford to eat and socialise,
stop comparing yourself with others
as you do not know what else goes on in their lives.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 09/03/2019 17:40

Are you able to work now? Do you earn enough that you can continue building up your savings?

When you were unable to work, were you signed off as medically unfit for work and does that give you national insurance contributions towards a state pension?

Original poster

josethe36 · 09/03/2019 18:42

Sometimes I was signed off but never contributed enough over the years so I think I don't qualify for a state pension. Not able to work now.
I will try to sort out benefits of some kind.

OP posts:

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 09/03/2019 19:00

What treatment/ support do you have for your depression?

If you are unable to work due to depression you should be eligible for benefits. If you don't need them for day to day living, save it.

Do you think there is any work you could do? Are there any support services in your area to help people into work?

Original poster

josethe36 · 09/03/2019 19:18

Am hoping to work from home any suggestions of a low stress job?
not taking any meds got fed up with them.
Am sure there are local support for work. I don't feel interested in anything really as bad as that sounds

OP posts:

MLMsuperfan · 09/03/2019 20:17

Entry level work from home jobs are both rare and badly paid. That is the reality sadly.

Are you well enough to work part time out of the house?

Take advice about benefits. If you are diagnosed with depression that may count as a disability.

GetRid · 09/03/2019 20:28

I would ring the state pension people to see what advice they have. You may be entitled to national insurance credits for when you were unwell and/or you may be able to pay for your NI gaps.

As for as working from home goes, unless you have a particular skill or qualification I can only think of dog walking, sorry!

blue25 · 10/03/2019 00:07

Well you can't really pay into a pension if you aren't working & earning any money, so not sure how you can catch up.

Mrscog · 10/03/2019 00:16

I think you need to get proper advice re benefits and NI contributions. Don’t bury your head in the sand - you’ll feel better knowing the facts.

Home jobs are limited. Why not start off as a professional competition enterer - people win lots! Also surveys/mystery shopping etc. Start small and see what happens. Dog walking not a bad idea, or something like ironing? Do you have the space/facilities to do some ironing for people?

AdoraBell · 11/03/2019 23:59

As suggested call the state pension and look into doing some things like dog walking/ ironing if you can manage those.

OldGrinch · 12/03/2019 11:46

Op have a look at the Entitled to website. Easy benefits calculator on there www.entitledto.co.uk

S0medayAga1n · 12/03/2019 12:56

If you are not working, you need to claim your National Insurance payments, because these go towards paying your state pension. I believe you need 35 years of National Insurance contributions to claim the full state pension. You can check your state pension and your National Insurance on www.gov.uk website. Suggest you contact job centre to check your claim, never assume !

Grace212 · 12/03/2019 12:58

when you say you "got fed up" with your meds, what do you mean?

I wouldn't be functioning and working without mine.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 12/03/2019 17:36

If your antidepressants weren't helping then you need to return to your GP to ask about other antidepressants and therapy. If several antidepressants haven't helped, ask if you can be seen by Psychiatry. I would also ask the job centre if they have any courses or programmes for people long term out of work - I know someone who was sent on a free training course by the job centre which was useful. Also check if your local library or community centres have any activities you could attend to widen your horizons and gain confidence.

Realistically you can't start saving/ a pension without some money coming in. You may qualify for additional benefits for being unable to work due to depression which you could save if your family keep covering your living expenses, but realistically if you aren't being treated for depression the benefits assessor may query your diagnosis.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 12/03/2019 17:38

Sorry I didn't mean they would query the diagnosis. But they may expect someone with severe depression to be seeing a doctor regularly and be on some kind of treatment.

Josethe362 · 13/03/2019 17:28

Hi I am the OP I had to make a new account as I lost my email account and had to make a new one. thanks for the replies. I have got UC and PIP claims going and the pension situation is slightly better than I thought after checking their website.
Thanks for all the replies.

I am not currently under a doctor but prob should go that route just had bad experience in past with meds.

Josethe362 · 13/03/2019 17:34

That is what I meant by fed up..one made me cut my hair off...

TalkinPaece · 13/03/2019 17:36

Hi there Jose
If you did not get on with one doctor, see if you can see a younger locum because younger doctors have more up to date knowledge

Theladyofthehouse · 13/03/2019 17:45

OP you definitely need to get a GP. If you go onto universal credit the default is full time or job search. If you need to get adjustments to the hours you job search/work you will need medical evidence. If you too ill to work at all (even a week or more) you need a GP note.

You definitely need current medical evidence for PIP for disability that changes such as depression. (As opposed for example to a person who has autism who may not be having regular medical treatment.)

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