Now I'm a Senior Citizen!

I’m 69 and still work three shifts in a care home, 18 hours a week. I could barely manage on my state pension before all this cost of living prices and gas and electric prices going to rise stratospherically .Just glad I don’t drive a car…

Shinamae, my car is a 2004 model and thankfully still running ..unlike myself! Due to poor mobility, cannot use public transport easily so have to rely on old motor -just wish/pray that the astronomical fuel hikes get sorted ASAP!

I just take each day as it comes and really try not to worry about things but I’ve got a feeling if things don’t radically improve there will start to be pockets of civil unrest in this country,if it really does come to the fact that people have to choose to eat or heat,that can never be right … I remember the poll tax and all the riots that were about that and I can see that sort of thing happening again… you can only push people so far

I can remember the days when you had to leave your job when you reached state pension age. I knew of a couple of ladies who really struggled as their income was hugely reduced. Thankfully now we have many options and it is up to us when we retire/give upworking. I happily carried on working past my state pension age and we had decided we would both retire when my OH reached state pension age, which we did. Retirement is one of those things you must prepare for most of your working life and keep re-visiting your plans as circumstances change.

I wouldn’t want to be referred to as a pensioner or OAP and definitely not a senior citizen, but we have no power over the way in which other (younger) people describe us. I may be 71 but the figures are reversed in my mind.

My state pension is due September I retired three years ago just before lock down. Mentally I don’t feel older still young but my body tells me I am getting old with arthritis!
I am me I don’t want to be stereotyped or labelled as old a pensioner or senior citizen either. Grumpy old lady coming out here does that show my age….no it doesn’t I have always been a bit grumpy!

[Redhead56] Same here with the widespread OA but always had a bright outlook about retiring don't mean to come across self pitying and maybe its leftover Covid pandemic symptoms together with what is going on in the world but feel my personality has changed and yes, i can get enormously grumpy and irritated! Can't wait for Bday Prosecco and Champagne later!

Happy Birthday Bea65, enjoy your celebration? ? x

Enjoy your day Bea65 I will join you with a Rose Cava later?

I've always liked the American term "senior citizen". (Often abbreviated simply to: "seniors".) For me, it has more gravitas & status than: "OAP". For instance, if there's a special ticket price, it will state "seniors' rate". (IMO this sounds much better than "over 67's rate"!)

I am 66 on 22/6. Not heard a thing about pension after applying for it. Anyone recently reached this age and heard anything? Online tells me there are delays and if you phone you are on hold for upwards on 40 minutes. Congrats Bea on your birthday

Germanshepherdsmum

I wouldn’t want to be referred to as a pensioner or OAP and definitely not a senior citizen, but we have no power over the way in which other (younger) people describe us. I may be 71 but the figures are reversed in my mind.

Me, too.

But I don't know an acceptable term.

I don't like OAP - 'old age' in this instance is superfluous, if you are a pensioner, you've reached an age whereby 'pensioner' is a sufficient description.

Definitely don't like 'senior citizen' although I suppose logically it's more apt.

How about "perennials"?

Happy birthday wishes Bea65 cheers!

A ‘pensioner’ is some who is in receipt of a pension. So if you are receiving a pension you are objectively a ‘pensioner’.

Generally I avoid the terms (except that glorious one, retired) however I did ask in a high street supermarket offering a 10% discount to those over 60 on Tuesdays if I’d been given “the pensioners’ discount”. I could see without my specs!
?
If I buy a bottle of wine, I like to joke with the assistant that I haven’t been challenged about my age!

*couldn’t
Happy birthday Bea65.

Elaine1,
I am 66 at the end of July. Have had my invitation code so went online and filled in form. There was a query as they called me but said everything in order. I have a twin sister who heard more or less straight away about her pension, I.e, how much and date of first payment. I'd not heard anything so called DWP and they told me it was in the process of being finalised. Still not heard anything so this week called again and nice adviser said she would e-mail claims dept as a matter of urgency and should hear within the next 10 days. I will ring again if I've not heard anything. Also , I got through straight away. Hope this is helpful to you.

Happy Birthday Bea65 ????

Shinamae

I just take each day as it comes and really try not to worry about things but I’ve got a feeling if things don’t radically improve there will start to be pockets of civil unrest in this country,if it really does come to the fact that people have to choose to eat or heat,that can never be right … I remember the poll tax and all the riots that were about that and I can see that sort of thing happening again… you can only push people so far

I do think some action is needed, and I'm surprised it hasn't happened already.

Davida1968 I agree "Seniors" sounds better andI think in Eire, they also refer to elders, as Seniors...so I'm a Senior

Ghastly Americanism.

Germanshepherdsmum ..what is Ghastly Americanism? Half of my family are American - LA and PA relatives...find your comment ghastly! Have a nice day now

It’s an expression imported from America, one which I dislike intensely. I didn’t say that Americans are ghastly.

THANK YOU all for Birthday messages- had lots of cake, Bolly and Prosecco...never slept better!