What options does my mum have? 65, no property, no pension.

[Liverpoolgirl50]

As the title states - I’m nervous for my mum. She’s 65, privately rents (has never owned) and hasn’t paid into a private pension. Unfortunately my dad left her in a lot of debt so any savings she had went towards paying that off. She is on a salary of 26k and can cover her outgoings now, but isn’t going to be able to work forever..

She’s on a list for a council property but is very low down for priority. She has done a calculation for universal credit should she not be working and it isn’t enough to cover her bills etc.

She’s told me that she’s starting to worry as she gets older. My husband and I have a young baby and really don’t have the space for her to live with us, but if that’s the only option we have then I imagine we’d have to make it work.

Does anyone here know what her options are, or who she could speak to for advice?

Pension credit ?

I do think this is a reason to have good conversations with relatives and ensure people have things like living wills, discuss DNR etc.

Also to hand down a decent amount of money before you get too old. And tbh make sure you enjoy your money and live for now and don't just save it all up. I see so many people who think extreme frugality and saving is a virtue, but there's a balance to be struck, we never know how long we will have on this earth. Or what our last years will look like.

This thread is fascinating. I have 20 years until I retire. Due to a relationship breakdown I no longer own a property and will never be able to do so. I constantly worry about my retirement. I have a decent amount from a pension sharing order from my ex husband and currently work for the civil service so along with the state pension I’ll be just ‘ok’. From reading all the PPs it seems as if I shouldn’t be overly worried although if anything I would be in a better position the lower my pension is at 68?! Am I missing something or is that what is being said? I have just researched pension credit and as it stands this is something I wouldn’t be entitled too. So I’ll be poorer even though I have a decent pension pot?

You wouldn't be eligible for Pension credit. Depending on the amounts of your private pensions you may still get some help with rent depending how much your rent is. It's not worth worrying over. you are in a good position if you have private pensions and if income is low enough there will be maybe some help for rent and council tax. They don't leave pensioners homeless and you may well be in a better position than someone with no private pension who owns their own home but struggling to maintain it in older age.

That's harsh- my DF lives in social housing but he's worked all his life. Just not high income enough to afford a house once him and my dm split up.

If your mum is 65 then her state pension age is definitely not 68. It's 66.