Working full time until 67 - is it possible or realistic?

[Hopthegoodgod]

I will not be able to take private pension until 67 yrs as I started paying in later in life.
Is it realistic to assume I can work full time
( state school teacher) ? Colleagues suggest I am being naive. I am in good health atm and not overweight or a smoker/drinker. However recent comments about how our working memory/body deteriates have got me doubting myself.Would welcome comments on personal experience or opinion?

I’m 62 and work 52.5 hrs a week in adult education. I will not retire. That would kill me. I may go down to 30 hrs when my state pension kicks in. I’ve also just run 5km. I’m fitter now than 20 years ago.

It’s such an individual thing. A few years ago I would have answered that you would be fine, no question.
Then I hit menopause and developed aggressive arthritis which means that it’s iffy whether I’ll even be able to continue to 60.
Its a total lottery, I wouldn’t depend on being able to financially.

I'm 61, plan on working till 66. Don't really see the issue, it's very normal surely?

It’s very personal, I burnt out in my 40’s and stepped back, returned in my 50’s, so yes, for me 65 feels very doable, health permitting.

Unusual to have your balance go and just fall in your 60s. Please see your GP- could have something that’s easily fixed such as postural hypotension or other issues that therapy could help

I know plenty of people working full time at 67 or later (they can retire at 65 here).

I would rather downsize than work until 67, is that not an option?

I agree. I'm almost 66 and have friends in their early 70s, my walking partner is almost 81, none of them suffer from these issues.

I’m expecting work full time into my 60s - currently 58. I think it will be relevant how much you enjoy your job. I have a really interesting role currently and feel I can easily do another five years. I work full time. I think the cost of living will see more people working more hours for longer - which is less of a challenge if you like what you do.
You’re as old as you feel!

This Is a relief to hear!!

I'm a secondary state school teacher and one my my past colleagues worked FT up until she was 68 I think, about ten years ago (started teaching late - after having children, so wanted to do the years to get her pension up). In the end she was encouraged to retire (just became very relaxed about things...arriving to lessons very late with a cup of tea in hand and also overly, inappropriately, vicious with kids) rather than wanting to. Never complained of being tired. I've currently got a colleague happily working 3 days/week on supply who is in his seventies (and managing fine).

It just depends on health though, of course, mental and physical. One of my colleagues is retiring at 62, even though been part-time for a few years now, as a few health issues are starting to appear. Another one is 63 (acts and looks much younger) and still working full-time very happily - don't think it is for the money either (been senior for many years and been in teaching straight of of uni, also has some family money).

If you can I would pay extra into a AVCs or similar now, so you have the option of dropping your hours if you need to.

Of course you can. People live far longer now. I’m 63 & intend to go past 67.

It's hugely variable between individuals. I was fine and very much in it for the long haul until I was diagnosed with a chronic condition in my early 50s. Still working but part-time and having to take it year by year. On the other hand my boss is in her late 60s and as healthy, sharp and competent as she ever was - I can't see her retiring any time soon.

Some of it is luck, but a big part of it is how well you look after yourself.

We need to invest in our bodies as well as our pensions, but I know everyone will face different levels of challenge in achieving that.

I think teaching full time until 67 would be a challenge. I would say 0.6 might be manageable & maybe you will have paid mortgage off by then. I get some of my teaching pension at 60 but not enough to live off. So will have to work but can’t envisage teaching over 60. I am exhausted in my early 50s & keen to retire but mortgage not quite paid off yet & DD wants to go to uni.

I've got over 20 years to go. But if behaviour keeps deteriorating and entitlement increases at the rate it is, I don't think I'll have the energy to keep it up.

Besides which, my mum's dementia kicked in at 60.... which could make teaching quite eventful.

What's your place of work? I wonder whether they all still work because they want to or because they have to?

I'm really not sure our generation will live longer. Most of those who are living forever seem to be women who didn't work; did some little pt jobs around being sahm, or men who retired in late 50s/ early 60s. I live on a street with lots of people in their late 70s and 80s. Most have been retired for 20+ years. The fact that dh and I work ft and leave early/ come home late makes them shake their heads at how hard we have to work.

If we're retiring at 67+, I think it'll be more like my gparents generation, where we drop.

Of its realistic people are living longer. We are going to need to work for longer. People need to look after their bodies better.

Depends on you and your job.my dad worked until 75. I know people in their 70s still working. Teaching sounds tiring though so maybe look to part time or perhaps tutoring when you're in your 60s?

I'm planning to work until 70 if health permits

I'm 72 and there's no way I could go back to teaching due to various health issues.

Depends on who you are, my mum retired as a partner at a firm of accountants at 80, a chap down the road is a bricklayer and is still working (albeit small jobs) ay 86, not that small though, he's mid-way through building a 2 storey extension on a house round the corner.

One of the teachers at my kids old primary looked about 80 so if you're in good health I don’t see why not.

Principal of a big local school just retired at 70. There was no reducing her hours beforehand- she was full-time (very full-time) principal until she retired

We have lorry drivers at work in their seventies and a receptionist who is 82! (She works part time)