I wasn’t trying to give anyone financial advice, just asking a question about those 2 acronyms.
Yes I did, silly me. Post now corrected, thanks!
It’s important to maintain healthy nourishment.
I’m lucky enough to have orange tees in my garden so I’m guaranteed natural, good quality orange juice, so I usually chuck some Absolut vodka in it and all it a Health Drink.
Just turned 66 today, so will start getting the State Pension.
Actually I retired from work in 2016, so it is only a notional milestone for me.
They don’t advertise it much but you can ask for the SP weekly. Brings forward the arrears and smooths it out. Important for some, not others.
Thanks for sharing, didn’t know that.
I’ve been doing it about a month, you have to phone them on the “change of circumstance” option. I like getting £230 every Friday.
I get my first full months payment on Wednesday, but will be changing over to weekly payments, once again, thank you for highlighting ![]()
Do you still get a book and have to go to the Post Office ?
I got a letter on Friday advising what my pension for this year will be.
Basic pension has increased by 4.8%, SERPS (or whatever it’s now called) has increased by 3.8%. That doesn’t seem fair.
My wife asked if her pension would also be increasing. ![]()
No.
It’s not about fairness, it’s the way it works. The state pension is covered by the triple lock, SERPS isn’t. My pension will be going up by CPI, just like SERPS.
You returned to the forum three weeks ago and started opening a string of threads, of which all bar the water one seem to me to be connected to this. My apologies if I am being presumptuous, but it seems you have reached a crisis point and are making sweeping changes, though whether to restart yourself, or to prepare yourself for the inevitable is unclear. I hope it is the former: Mortality is something that connects us all - as certain as taxes and that energy costs will rise. As we age we experience increasing numbers of deaths around us, reminding us of our own mortality and the fragility of life. Getting the best out of life is vital, however long that may be, 3 years, 33 years, or 3 days - don’t forget you may only be a third of the way through yours! I hope the changes you are making allow for all possibilities, including reaching the age when King Bill will wish you happy birthday!
In my own case (I’m 6 years older than you, and retired at 67), I plan to carry on enjoying things for as long as I am able, hoping that will be another 30 years but aware that it might not. My only preparations specifically for the inevitable are things like will, power of attorney, finances, and providing information for those I leave behind should I go suddenly*. No downsizing or simplifying unless I wish to for other good reason, no stopping activities, etc. No stopping my moderate alcohol consumption, drinking for the pleasure of the drink, not for the alcohol - that is my one vice (my diet is already well balanced). However in my last (and previous) house move I did, give thought to my home being suited for living if/when my physical abilities start to cause limitations.
(*Note to self: this reminds me that I planned to start writing an autobiography - not something polished for publication, but notes of everything that occurs to me my offspring may find interesting or useful to know about me. My thought was to start now and try to get into the habit of scribbling a paragraph every day, on whatever subject occurs to me, that though random could later be assembled if it then seems sensible).
To suppose I may live to the age of 195 is overly optimistic I feel! I’m 65. But I know what you mean. I didn’t think my other threads were really connected to this, but again I suppose I can see what you mean. To say I’ve reached a crisis point is perhaps putting it too strongly but I do feel that for all knds of reasons it’s prudent to take stock and prepare as well as one can for the future. What that might entail will of cause vary widely from one individual to another. I don’t think it’s a ‘one size fits all’ scenario though there’s probably a degree of common ground. As a general observation from myself, the people I’ve seen happiest and most content in later life, especially my own parents and my in-laws, all ended up living rather simple lives unencumbered by lots of needless possessions and pointless activities. Just my own observation and interpretation. Others may justifiably see it differently and reach different conclusions.
I concur! 95 more realistic oerhaps!
Life expectancy has been increasing over our lifetimes, and lots of people live well into their 90s these days - and they started out 30 years ahead of us. I am an eternal optimist, so of course that is reflected in my view. The people I’ve known who have lived longest kept themselves active mentally and physically, from writing with associated research together with cycling/walking, to active participation in community, charity or religious groups/activities or professional societies etc, or taking up new hobbies from beekeeping to amateur dramatics, choirs or music groups. None sat at home for long watching telly (also AFAIK none had hifi!).
In my recent house move I got rid of some stuff that I recognised that in reality the chances of my ever using was close to zero, but other stuff I kept in the expectation of returning to certain hobbies when I have time, e.g. after house remodelling finished and when as will probably happen my days of being able to travel a lot become limited by either or both of insurance and capability, or desire. I have yet to have time to do many of the things I promised myself on retirement - 4.5 years ago!
I’m 75. I’ve got a stoma, metalwork holding my thoracic vertebrae on place and two collapsed spinal discs.
I’ve also lost most of the treble and bass awareness in one ear.
They shoot horses, apparently.
Heyho. ![]()