Convincing a lady it is not the end of life having to retire in her late 50's

Why do anything? With a redundancy payout, her own house and a good pension, assuming good health - DO EVERYTHING!!

PS HUNTERF the word is "woman" - remember?

Ah, don't make HUNTER say woman.

He'll feel like he is being unchivalrous.

If she does not want to retire from working completly she could get a different job, start her own business or even more to France and enjoy her life, at 50 and with loads of money in her pocket she has many many options and I wouldnt mind being in her shoes.

Me neither Mey

Oh don't you just feel soooooo sorry for this pooooor woman?

Not.

HUNTERF There could be a good reason why she has never married or else she might have her sights set on you ! BE PREPARED.

She could do some volunteering.

She can't be forced to retire on grounds of age and could challenge that decision. Redundancy is a different matter.

Hunterf, why do you feel the need to do anything?

Hi Mey

She is in her late 50's so it may be a little late to start her own business but she may be able to ger a part time job.
I think she should give serious thought to something like a bungalow. The house she is in is in a prime area of London so it is worth a lot but it is half way up a hill and I really think the general area is not really suitable for retirement.
If I was not so close to my daughters and granddaughters I might consider somewhere like Christchurch.
I don't think I would like to live in Bournemouth but I would like to be within a few miles of the sea.
That said I only now visit London about once a year.

Frank

Hi baubles

I could have probably taken legal action that I was being retired on the grounds of age but when I saw the pension and redundancy figure I could not get out of the office fast enough.

Frank

Has she expressed an interest in moving at all, Frank?
You do seem to be taking a lot for granted - why not wait until you've actually sat down and talked to her before you map out her future for her?

I was made redundant at 59 and did not have the advantages that this woman has: I had to wait 18 months before the pensions kicked in. But I negotiated a training package as part of my redundancy settlement and trained to teach ESOL which gave me some very satisfying teaching experiences. I was planning to teach abroad but GD1 still needed me around and then the other GC began to arrive. Unfortunately I also began to fall apart physically, but I at least have my family and friends. Doesn't this woman have any friends, other activities and interests?

"I don't think she has ever been married.
Any thoughts on what I should do."

Why do you need to do anything. I take it you don't want to marry her?

I would kindly like to disagree that being in your late 50's is too late to start your own business.

I am in my 50's

The Princes Tust has a charity that helps people to start their own business and one of the criterias of help is you must be 50 and above.

In my opinion it all depends on the indivdual and I would never really let age get in the way of something that I wanted to do.

I mean I wouldnt do anything embarrasing you understand like enter Britains got Talent at 70 or wear a mini dress at 70 but you get my drift.

I would hope that in her "late 50's" the poor old dear would still be able to go up or down the odd hill - London is not the Himalayas. A "prime area" sounds like a nice place to live - Hampstead, Chiswick, Richmond, Putney, Fulham? Why move?
And why should she want or need a part time job? The world is this woman's oyster, don't make her feel old !
There is a lot to be said for being on a town certainly when you are retired - no need to keep a car, she will get her "Freedom Pass"(for free public transport) when she is 60, museums, galleries, concerts, theatres - better than the Costa Geriatrica - unless of course that is what you like.
And as Baubles says you can't be forced to retire, redundancy is different- has she been offered voluntary redundancy, perhaps with enhanced pension rights?

How do you know, Mey? You might feel differently about it when you're 70!

Well said mey (but if you do want to go for BGT, I'll vote for you!!)

hunter
"I think she should give serious thought to something like a bungalow. The house she is in is in a prime area of London so it is worth a lot but it is half way up a hill and I really think the general area is not really suitable for retirement."

She is only in her 50's unless she is disabled I am sure she can manage the hill.
why doesnt she just throw the towel in [shock

No I am pretty sure I wont wear a mini dress at 70

Well thank you kindlygracemum

With all due respect, Frank I think the consensus is that if any of us were told to buy a bungalow 40 miles away, and get a part time job because we were too old to do anything else (and not onky over the hill but unable to get up it ) our response would be pithy.l

only why is my typing wonky (or wonly)??

Ana

No way would I try to force her to move but I will talk about it to her.
There are food shops at both the top and bottom of the hill so she could have problems in say 20 years time as she is about half way.
She does drive but I would not like driving in that area.
There is an underground station about half a mile a way but I don't think I would like going on it on a regular basis when I get to say 80.

Frank

But you haven't explained why you feel it's your job to sort out her life, Frank. Has she no family? How much do you actually know about her?

Frank - this is sounding positivley antediluvian.
1) YOU may not like driving in that area (where is it BTW?) that doesn't necessarily apply to anyone else
2)there is such a thing as internet shopping for the heavy stuff - even for younger people!!
3) there are taxis for evenings - and frankly, areas of the south coast are no less safe
4) Are you in a position to force her to do anything?
5) 20 years' time is a long way away
6) There is a very adequate bus service you know
7) Your friend is not an old woman - so why do you talk about her as if she were in her dotage?