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pendy · 23-11-2005, 13:43

A-B is right. The State pension system was flawed from the start. Pensions were given immediately to those who were of the right age, even though they had paid nothing in. So we have a system where those of us paying NI are paying the pensions of the previous people who paid NI, because none of it was invested for the future. The fact that we are also paying massive benefits to those who have never paid a penny into the system, plus free health care (in large quantities), doesn't help one bit.

I have a better State pension than most people, simply because I have paid in more over the years. How long the State will be able to pay it is another matter. At 58, it is a worrying thought. And yes, I did pay into a private pension, but since it was with Equitable Life (as was one of my occupational pensions) the chances of my seeing much of it are very small.

I can't afford to retire at 60, not if I want to have a good lifestyle. Yes, I work at a desk, but I have an extremely stressful job, which demands a great deal of effort and mental energy. On working days I frequently fall asleep at 9:30 because I am shattered.

I have worked hard and paid in all my life. I should be entitled to spend my declining years (shut up, those of you who are muttering that I am well into them) in reasonable comfort, without worrying how to pay the gas bill. Perhaps I should have been an MP - it is their index-linked, inflation-proof pensions that are helping to drain the system. So come on Tony and Gordon, don't plan on retiring until you are 67, but it would help if you died of overwork before getting there - that would be a real help to the State pension funds!

23-11-2005, 13:43	#60
pendy Resting in peace Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London/Oswaldtwistle Posts: 1,123 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 910	Re: Work 'til you drop....! A-B is right. The State pension system was flawed from the start. Pensions were given immediately to those who were of the right age, even though they had paid nothing in. So we have a system where those of us paying NI are paying the pensions of the previous people who paid NI, because none of it was invested for the future. The fact that we are also paying massive benefits to those who have never paid a penny into the system, plus free health care (in large quantities), doesn't help one bit. I have a better State pension than most people, simply because I have paid in more over the years. How long the State will be able to pay it is another matter. At 58, it is a worrying thought. And yes, I did pay into a private pension, but since it was with Equitable Life (as was one of my occupational pensions) the chances of my seeing much of it are very small. I can't afford to retire at 60, not if I want to have a good lifestyle. Yes, I work at a desk, but I have an extremely stressful job, which demands a great deal of effort and mental energy. On working days I frequently fall asleep at 9:30 because I am shattered. I have worked hard and paid in all my life. I should be entitled to spend my declining years (shut up, those of you who are muttering that I am well into them) in reasonable comfort, without worrying how to pay the gas bill. Perhaps I should have been an MP - it is their index-linked, inflation-proof pensions that are helping to drain the system. So come on Tony and Gordon, don't plan on retiring until you are 67, but it would help if you died of overwork before getting there - that would be a real help to the State pension funds!