How many people actually work until 67 or 68?

[EstoyRobandoSuCasa]

Neither of my parents could have worked until the (current) state retirement age due to different health issues. Luckily, they were able to retire in their early 60s. And now a family friend has just retired aged 64. His state retirement age is 67, but due to worsening arthritis and the feeling that he's slowing down physically and mentally, he's sure that he couldn't manage another three years.

I accept that this country is experiencing a democratic time bomb due to the ageing population, but just because the Treasury needs people to work longer, it doesn't mean that they'll be able to. I know there are people in their 70s and older who are still fit for work and that some of them enjoy working, but I think they're in the minority.

What is the job, if you don’t mind my asking?

My sister lives on £950 a month and is looking forward to her SRP as she'll have more money then. She's very happy and enjoys life

I'm not sure. I work in an office, use several systems, have three screens on my desk and advise on very complex matters, with my brain turning on a sixpence. At 65 I don't have the stamina to keep going long hours and have reduced to part-time but my mind is as sharp. One does get tired as one gets older and I need to pace more. I could do my job full time without my family and social life outside it but I need and want a dual focus.

However, if I had a physical job, retail, nursing, hairdressing or other skilled trades, it would be far, far harder to carry on.

DH and I are 65 and 64. I reduced voluntarily to three days a week; DH is still working full-time.

Of our close friends, about 8 of us, all early to mid 60s, all high earners, only 3 of us are still working. The others have been made redundant. DH and I are quasi public sector, v senior, the other is a Partner of a medium sized law firm, niche area of practice.

I am an office worker and at 63 being at a desk all day is so bad for my joints and flexibility. My shoulders and neck get very stiff and my eyes more sore than they used to. My hip and knee pain gets worse with sitting still. Obviously physically still easier than a manual job but there are definitely negative side effects. I am exhausted all the time and dont have much life outside of work as just don't have either the physical or mental energy to go anywhere after work. I can't retire but may cut some days in a couple of years with the hope that I can salvage some physical health before it's too late.

No choice but to work until I'm medically unfit - whether its 75, 85 or 95.

I've witnessed a lot of women in my industry being made redundant in their early 50s. It's definitely not easy to find a new job at this age so what happens to those people who can't afford to retire but can't find employment?

They have to keep looking for other work. I recently interviewed an older man for an IT role who has been working in a supermarket, because he needs an income. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to demonstrate his technical skills enough, (I suspect he was actually capable, but nerves got the better of him,) but the guy we've actually employed is 60, so it wasn't his age which put caused us to say no. (They were all men - we've had no women apply.)

The same as any other unemployed people. Claim benefits if eligible, including being hassled constantly to apply for unsuitable roles. They will be entitled to 6 months of job seekers at about 90 quid a week that isn't means tested, after that it universal credit. It's not easy to get another job as you get older.

The luckier ones might have savings or a private pension they can take early and/or a working spouse who can subsidise them. Doable if you own your own home and have paid off your mortgage, difficult otherwise.

DH and I hope to carry on working past 67 - I do 30 hrs pw and might drop a day. DH might reduce hours/purchase more holiday allowance.

We find evenings and weekends give us plenty of time to do things we enjoy and use up all our holiday allowance on trips.

I like the structure work brings and don't want to spend my days at crochet club or Nordic walking or backpacking around Asia.

Though if DD has children - I'll pack in work like a shot if she needs me for childcare!

The only people I knew who worked after 60 were people in consultancy who chose their own hours and people who took " fun" part time jobs which were their interest eg working in a wine shop.

I'm going to add to my previous posts. I drive to work. If I had to walk an additional two miles a day, navigate multiple stairs and change trains, with a heavy bag containing a lap top, note book, etc., I doubt I'd manage for long.

This. But the problem is if you only have state pension how would you pay housing cost and all bills.

My parents retired at 60. Neither were in high paying jobs, but they’d paid off the mortgage which I think is the main thing.

Shame that Donald Trump doesn’t think this. He’s 79!

The US process for electing a president costs many millions, takes many tedious months and has resulted in the choice of two presidents in a row who are showing signs of dementia. There must be a better way.

I'd suggest an age limit of 60 max. That could still lead to a president completing their second term aged 68, which is surely old enough for such a huge responsibility.

Totally agree with OP with regards to US president electing process.

I used to manage someone who retired at nearly 68. He’d had his workplace pension for over 10 years, but was waiting for his (younger) wife to retire. His cognitive decline was beginning to be noticeable (although still very good) in his last couple of years at work. 3 years later he has full blown dementia and his wife is his carer. Neither of them have had much of a retirement. I am aiming for 65, and do not intend to increase my hours from 30, which I have been doing for a few years and suits me well, even though dc are now both teens.

I know a couple of people who are still working past 65 but only because they need to financially. Most people I know retired as early as they could & seem to be loving it. They almost all seem healthier & happier than when they worked. I don’t understand why anyone would choose to work if they didn’t need to. So many more exciting things to do with life!

The structure work gives is what I like too. Between my old job and new role I worked casually and effectively very lightly part time for a few months. I found that a lot of retired people I knew, came out of the woodwork contacting me, anxious for a new playmate to help fill their days. Nothing wrong with that but I'm not ready for it. Its made me realise that you really need to think about and plan how you will spend your time when retired. Some do but most just do what they'd normally do in a weekend when working but do it slower and over 7 days instead of 2.

If things carry on as planned (I know they rarely do), I'm going to three days at 60 and retiring at 62. I'm 45 now and just went down to four days - I enjoy my retired day like an old woman and can't wait 😂
My mum died at 75 and I want more than 8 years of freedom.

Isn’t this the point of retirement? To slow down?

My mum died suddenly at 59. I shudder to think of working hard for 40+ years and not seeing the benefits of a pension. My Dad retired at 62 and has spent the past 18years having frequent holidays and a whirlwind social life. I will have to work until 67. I’m NHS, 54, and exhausted. Would love to retire next year but I can’t afford it.

I work in the NHS and right now it’s very hard. Anyone that leaves isn’t being replaced so it adds more strain on the staff left.
i would have worked to 65 but I’ve cut my days down to 3 days and I’m going to retire at 64. I have three grandchildren and I have an amazing husband it’s time to enjoy life and not think about deadlines etc. we have saved so will use some of this to supplement our pensions.