I feel really old now!

I for one am feeling really glad to be old at the moment. (I'm 71).
I don't have to go to work, so not risking my life, or losing my job or my income as I have pensions. My children are grown up now so I don't have to worry about their being in school with Covid, or have to keep them entertained at home, or get them to do school work.
I've had my flu jab and my first Covid jab.
I'm not a teenager wanting to see my boyfriend or pals. I can Sykpe or phone friends and family, but don't need to be in a pub or cafe with them.
I do miss open mic nights and travel, but I can wait, and in fact enjoy being at home, doing whatever I like.
I feel very lucky to be having to go through the pandemic at the age I am. I'm not too old so I can look after myself.
It must be dreadful for most other people though, in fact anyone who is below retirement age.
So no complaints from me.

When I was in my early 50’s a sales assistant at a famous chemists beginning with B asked me if I’d like to apply for an over 60’s discount card. I was furious and embarrassed her when I explained that I was nowhere near 60. I was particularly cross because B .... should have trained her to be far more diplomatic and not ASSUME someone’s age. I didn’t even look over 60 (I like to think!!)

Accept graciously and enjoy! When I'm asked if I would like help putting groceries into my shopper I smile sweetly and say "Yes please"! No sense in fighting against it.

Covid and letting my hair go grey has aged me. But never mind I have my health and thats more important.

entitled not emailed. DYAC.

I had a letter from the pensions people today saying that there had been an error in their calculations and that I am now emailed to WFA. That did make me feel old in a way that getting my state pension didn’t. Weird!

My dd sent me a screen shot that my little GD had taken of me reading a story online to her. I looked hideous in the photo and told my dd to delete it. She said ‘But that’s the best photo!’ ???

I’ve been getting mine for fifteen years now, very welcome it is,too.

It did not make me feel old. I just accepted it ad being part of my pension

PS I did wonder what the £10 was?

I love getting the £200 fuel allowance. Means I don't worry about the cost of keeping the house warm. It's nice to have something back at pension age for all the years of work we've put in.

I am old and I look old but I don't feel old. I feel about 35, that's a nice age to be.
I get the WFA now, plus that odd little £10 which seems strange.

I have had my WFA for a few years now, but it doesn’t make me feel old.
I told my daughter we are getting a new shower and will get grab rails fitted too. She said” but they are for old people”. I instantly felt years younger, as she doesn’t think of me as old.

I enjoy the perks which have come with age although I haven't used my free local bus and train pass since February for obvious reasons. Two months ago it was replaced by a national bus pass.. I can but dream...and came (finally!) with my state pension (reduced). I now find I'm not entitled to a Winter fuel allowance! Grrr.

Bazza. I recall going home after a Gynae appointment and telling friends the doctor looked about thirteen!.....I was only in my 50s then . ha ha

Oh Bazza I totally agree, in fact, I actually refer to my doctor as the 12 year old! In Greece all men over the age of 18 must serve in the Armed Forces for 9 months. At the age of 65 it struck me that the majority of them look like young gauche school boys. This would have been the age of some of our young men who fought in WW1 & 2

I think the £10 Christmas bonus is paid to everyone on a state benefit or pension.

Bus driver was remonstrating with a pair of teenagers who were messing about and suggested they could have easily knocked over that old woman near them. I seated myself upstairs in the mindset of. . I didn't see anyone else get on. Took a while for the penny to drop. Have had many a laugh at that over the years. Yes, I am now MUCH older!!

What made me feel old was the realisation that all doctors and policemen are twelve.

No things like fuel allowance don't make me feel old.

I have worked and paid income tax, so I feel entitled to them.

What did make me feel old at 69 was hearing a nurse say, "I must go, I have promised to help an elderly lady downstairs".

Admittedly, she was speaking to a new mum in the obstretics ward of the gynaecological dept. but all the same...

Pippa22

What is the criteria for the £10 Christmas bonus as sure I don’t get it. Is there a criteria ?

I think I started getting mine when I got Disabled Living Allowance. I thought that every state pensioner received it but I may be wrong - don't think it is means tested.

Thank you Kate1949, perhaps I don’t look at my statements well enough!
I remember years ago hearing the Christmas bonus being discussed on the radio and people saying they bought grandchildren’s Christmas presents with it. Either that conversation was a very long time ago or presents were very modest.

Pippa I believe the £10 Christmas bonus goes to everyone who is drawing a state pension. It goes into my bank in December.

I have received the winter fuel allowance for several years now and whilst I do not consider myself poor or vulnerable, every penny goes on my fuel expenses. I live in a small flat with no gas connections. Heating with only electric heaters is very expensive.

At nearing 70 I don’t even think of myself as ‘grown up’ let alone old, until I look in the mirror, which is as little as possible.
I worked with ‘older adults’ in social work for many years. I tended to view clients as people without attaching a label.
Hopefully will feel ‘grown up’ one day!

Witzend

Goodness, @Esspee, I must ask my elder sister and BiL about that - they’re partial to Saga cruises!

Dh and I once saw a very weary and worn out looking party of Saga customers, sitting in a hotel foyer with their suitcases all clearly labelled. It was in Hermanus, on the S African Garden Route - we’d been looking for accommodation and had just turned down the only room they could offer, since its only view was over a car park.

I’d assumed that they just weren’t enjoying their holiday very much, but maybe they were exhausted from all the shenanigans!

They probably were exhausted Witzend. We got talked into joining two friends on a two centre Saga holiday. We consider ourselves fit 70 year olds but it was ridiculous. Three hour coach journey to one site with only quick comfort break on the way. Once there another quick comfort break then two hours walking around ancient site and town. Six hours from breakfast before we could even stop for a coffee. Delayed in traffic on the way back so straight into dinner and so it went on - no time to enjoy the ambiance of places visited. Never even got the hotel with beautiful view we were promised. Instead stayed in one with wires hanging out of walls. Will never travel with Saga again.