Anyone live on £900 a month?

Yes definitely- although my income is more and I have a savings buffer and most months spend less than £900 including a rent payment. My bills are as low as I can get them, my normal (pre Covid) activities are quite cheap via public transport and I don’t spend much on beauty or clothes. It suits me but we’re not all the same. Sit down and do a realistic budget sheet before you make your decision. Good luck

I agree once more with Casdon- we were trying to be helpful and those were our thoughts- take them or leave them.

Again this is personal but it is better to downsize while you are physically capable because as others have said in the past, it is a mega burden if left too late.

As somebody mentioned, she is fearful of having to replace kitchen items. My fridge freezer and washing machine took a permanent holiday at the same time and when one is desperate to replace those items it is not always easy to find bargains.

It took some fighting but my daughter has just qualified for PIP because of her MH - had to go to Tribunal though but then at least we got a fair result

If you would like to PM I can give you some tips and places to go that will help you with that.

Also if you do not resign, and let them 'medically retire' you, would you not be entitled to some Universal Credit too based on your NI Contributions over the years?

I live on a bit more than that but it's not easy .....

I think it is very doable, I quit work early because of my mental health, the sense of relief after I left was incredible. You wont look back. Yes there was a loss of income but the difference to my life more than made up for it. My daughter told me a few months later she felt she had got her old Mum back. I wish you the very best if you decide to go ahead and quit .

i would just like to say i am 75 and have to live on less than £750 per month. It is hard work.

As you are retiring with ill health you may be able to claim attendance allowance even if you love alone This can be nearly £90.00 a week. Google it. There is no means test.

That’s not the case catta5, here’s the average income information:

The government's most recent data (taken from 2017/18) shows the average weekly income for pensioners to be £304 – that's after you've taken away direct taxes and housing costs. This works out at around £15,080 net per year. The average retirement income in the UK is also affected by regions.

I’m sorry if I’ve upset anybody, I know many people manage on less, but I was trying to give an informed perspective given OPs circumstances, it wasn’t meant to be one upmanship.

Most of us live on a lot less I live on 175 a week and still save but I have no rent or mortgage and pay council taxes just over pension credit those on that are the best off my friend is and has a holiday every other month as no c/tax and free extra winter payments no glasses,dental treatment etc

ajswan I’m not being negative I don’t think, I was just saying that it takes a certain amount to maintain the life comforts that you already own and still have an enjoyable life without worry. Isn’t the suggestion of a part time job a practical way of doing that?

Nannan2. Not sure I’ve seen anyone being smug. Just lots of people trying to offer their thoughts and advice - which is what was asked for. If you don’t have anything positive to say then I was always told to say nothing! Maybe you and your goat should give this post a miss.

I live on a lot less than £900...!!! Les than £660 in fact, so yes, you can do it ...!!!

Charleygirl5

I am inclined to agree with Casdon. 8K is not a lot of money to fall back on, the cost of small jobs add up. Would a part-time job be possible or could you rent a room? Maybe a short term rent to see how you were coping and if it was worth it financially.

If we ever return to normal, maybe house sitting would be an option for earning some cash? I do not know where you live but where I live, dog walking or sitting is also a lucrative job. Again in normal times, feeding a cat if the owner is away?

Good luck.

Why are you and Casdon so negative. Maggie go for it. You will have more than enough to live on, and you have savings. I built up a load of clothes and shoes etc when I was working. So I would have enough and not need to buy anymore. For goodness sake don’t take in a lodger or downsize. If you are suffering with ill health, now is the time to go. I had a very stressful job. I prepared a resignation letter and left the same day. It was so exhilarating and my friends and family sent loads of messages saying well done for leaving. Your life will change for the better. There are loads of organisations that will help and social groups. I have no private pension and I manage very well. Go for it Maggie before your health gets worse.

Your health comes first! I think you will be fine as you have no outstanding debts plus you seem savvy with finance! Always have a cushion for new boiler or other emergency You should try for PIP but get help to complete form as tricky! Attendance allowance for over 65s! Reduced council tax, free prescription , eye test ! Cook fresh etc! I think you will be fine and good luck from one who retired at 58 after 36 years of teaching and never looked back ??

I def think you should do it and you could, assuming that all your calculations are correct. We live on a little more than that for 2 of us which covers all our main bills and joint expenses. We are lucky as we have work pensions too but keep the bulk of those for ourselves to spend as we see fit - very little during lockdown! I’m sure that with careful budgeting it will be fine. And whilst 8,000 may not seem a lot to many, I never had anything like that as savings when my family were growing up and I know that my children don’t now. Good luck and I hope it all works out well for you.

It depends on what you lived on before retirement though Nannan2. OP has her own house and runs a car, and wants to hang on to both, as she has explained. The comments are given in the light of that.

I was stupid enough not to take out any private pension scheme so I live on my state pension which is almost that sum mentioned by the op. I manage alright as long as I'm sensible.
I even run a car and take moderate holidays by siphoning off some income into savings accounts by dd every month. I make sure I've always got a cash cushion for emergencies.
But everyone's outgoings are different so you need to do the sums.
Sounds to me like retirement would be great for you.
So good luck that you achieve it.

Don’t forget the electricity bill will go up because you will be at home more.

I live quite happily on £1100 a month and pay rent out of that so yes I’d say you’ll be fine if you are mortgage free and will add state pension to your £900. Riches indeed!

I had to balance this several , well many, years back, when I had to retire or become redundant..

and yes, I managed... depends on outgoings obviously, needs, also, and extras,, well again depends on what we feel we need, and what we can do without.

And yes, i acknowledge some of you who are honest enough to say you do or have lived on a lot less- i applaud you- but its the some who are almost smug in saying 900 isnt enough etc that get my goat.?

I live on my own and run a car and I manage quit well on 900 a month and even manage to save a bit out of that as well

Do you have hobbies, I took voluntary redundancy from my job ten years ago, I now search charity shops and boot sales for high end clothing to sell on eBay, I am also a mystery shopper so I eat out for free, just have to give a report on my experience and get paid a small amount for doing it, I have been entering competitions for over twenty years and win regularly, mainly small prizes, recently won a six month pasta delivery prize. I collect codes from newspapers which you can change into vouchers like Argos, Daily Mail is a good one. Join the freebie sites, use apps like Snapyoureats, I am just about to cash in £20 which I will receive in the form of a Tesco voucher just from sending (photo) in my food receipts, shopmium is good for free and discounted food, maybe some of these ideas might interest you and provide you with an interesting hobby as well as implementing your income.

Instead of retiring you should go on sick. When I became too ill to work I got full pay from work for six months then half pay for a further six months. After the first six months I also qualified for ESA and eventually PIP. This will get you closer to your state pension retirement age. You may get contributory ESA which will not be affected by any small pension you may receive. Don't forget to check if you are eligible for any housing benefits and you may qualify for a winter warmth payment via your fuel company. I received £140 credit on my winter fuel bill which makes life much easier when the weather is cold.

Good advice from Moth62 to speak to Occupational Health and consider early ill Heath pension, if available.
Or if not, look into New Style ESA which will be based on your NI contributions. Ask Citizens Advice for help with completing the health questionnaire for ESA and PIP.
Look at Turn2us for a benefit check. They also have information on grants available , so put in your job details- you may be surprised what you can access.

I’d suggest trying for pips if your retiring for ill health .