Do you see yourself as a 'Pensioner'?

There are lots of "hidden" pensioner discounts at salons around me. They are not prominently advertised, you have to ask.
I consider myself a pensioner, being over 60, even though I haven't reached the new State Pension age yet. I always ask for the discounts as the qualifying ages vary.
I prefer the US word "senior"!

Of course I am not a pensioner- I have retired.

I don’t think it is a question of whether we consider ourselves pensioners. I draw a pension so I am a pensioner, that is a fact, but it is not how I define myself primarily. If I qualify for any discounts available I use them. Mostly they seem to be called Concessions, and that may cover pensioners, people on disability benefits, students, unemployed etc.
I have a Senior railcard.

I forget I am a pensioner, in my head I am in my late 40's not nearly 70. I think our local hairdressers gives a discount to pensioners and our local fish and chip shop gives pensioners a discount at lunchtime but I have never used either of them. I did get a discount when I took one of my grandchildren swimming , it was half price for pensioners which I thought was very good.

I don’t understand how being over 60 means someone can ‘consider themselves a pensioner’. I would never have asked for discounts before I was on a pension, although I might accept them now that I have one - particularly if it were a case of opting out rather than in.

I understand that prescriptions are different as they are free at 60 because that’s when people start to get more ‘wear and tear’ conditions and if they aren’t treated they can lead to more serious ones, but why should a 60 year old get a cheap haircut when they are of working age?

I ‘retired’ at 57, with 9 years to wait for ‘pensioner’ status. I took my occupational pension at 60, but wouldn’t have dreamed of expecting others to subsidise that choice. The point of a pensioner discount is to help those who are on limited incomes after a lifetime of working- not to pay people extra just for getting older.

In answer to the question- no, I don’t see myself as a pensioner. My pension status is one small part of who I am, and not one that defines me any more than being a knitter, or a mother or a coffee drinker might do.

I'm 72 and don't think of myself as a pensioner, even though I am

Mind you, I don't consider myself to be old until I look in the mirror!

I’m 70. I’ve never been offered, nor asked for, a reduced rate at the hair salon. Ditto nail salon.

Some restaurants around here offer pensioners’ meals.Be wary: they are minuscule. A big con really though I do understand that older people eat less than they used to.

My mother-in-law eats small meals. I think that would suit her but have never seen it offered anywhere.

I’ve had enough labels within my own family - daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother without adding more from outside!

I’ve technically been a pensioner since I took my work pension and early retirement at 61 and regularly use my bus pass but that’s more to do with convenience and saving the service (if we don’t use ‘em, we lose ‘em) than saving money.

I’m not afraid of or trying to hide the ageing process (will never partake of the knife or a needle to look younger - I don’t even dye my hair!) and never knock years off my age and tell folks how my daughter and I look like sisters…

I agree, I don’t think of myself as a pensioner. I am grateful for concessions especially exemption from the prescription charge. I also occasionally get a carer concession such as a cheaper ticket to accompany our disabled adult son -he needs a carer but the visits are for him not me. I did once buy a ‘senior’ fish and chips expecting it to be an extra small portion- it came in a small box rather than paper- and was still more than I could eat.

I do if it saves me money!

I don't hear the word 'pensioner' at all these days and don't think of myself as one. The only place I've seen a lower price is at the gym for 'over 65s'.

I draw a works pension because I was made redundant three years ago but I won't draw my state pension until November 2027.
I do opt for concessions (after all why pay more when you shouldn't need to) But mentally I struggle to think that I'm a pensioner although aches and pains will try and convince me otherwise - my brain still says I'm a teenager!!
I do wish I was still working as I think it keeps you young and loved my job mixing and chatting with people of all ages - maybe that's part of why I can't settle into retirement properly - DH had no problems at all but then he's four years older and had a very physical job so was ready for pensioner status!!

At 75 I am a pensioner obviously but no I don't think of myself as one. In my head I am still that girl in her too short skirts enjoying the attention. I suppose we all feel like that.

Technically, yes a pensioner, because a draw a DWPension. However, at 74, I’m like FGT and have never tried to take advantage of it. (Other than looking helplessly at a flat tyre!)

I'm 60 and the pension age for women is 66 so I'll consider myself a pensioner then!

Until then I'm just an old fogey!

Well, most of the income that pays for my upkeep and pleasures, comes from my state and occupational pensioners.
On the other side no one generically referred to me as a 'wage-earner ' in my working days.

Its all part of the mysogny and misandry that surrounds us, the contempt of general society for anyone who grows old. Pensioner is a term used to constantly undermined and dismissed o;der people by reminding them that they get money without earning it. Be the first woman over 60 to do handstands in space and you will, first be described as 'grandmother of 2' or 'mother of 1. No one ever describes men like that. Although this ultimate unsult is sometimes used for men over 80 - they are described s grandfather of ... the ultimate emasculation.

Mind you I am horrified to read, even on GN, how many of those approaching retirement age dismiss retiring because they see it as a time when you just wander around and live like on an extended cruise in their own homes.

Anyone who thinks like that has a very narrow compass and few hobbies. Retirement can be as active, motivated and rewarding as any job, and for many better than any job they got paid for. The range of voluntary work available goes far beyond working in a Charity Shop or running Friends Cafe at the local hospital - and I do not dismiss either job.

For over 10 years I worked as a voluntary Benefits Advisor and Home visitor for the charity now known as Age UK. My work included accompanying people to Social Security Appeals, as well as more routine form filling.

Retirement is what you make it, and mine has been busy and fulfilled.

I suppose if a pensioner discount were offered at a hairdresser or nail bar we would be upset and shouting 'ageist".
I like my bus pass although it does make me feel a bit old as does my shopping trolley. I hate reading in the news anything about "pensioners". I hate that lazy label. And its often accompanied by a sad face picture.
I can't imagine Charles and Camilla being labelled pensioners.

My grans were both widows they wore aprons wrapped around them 24 /7 day in day out. They cooked and baked for expected guests always had the kettle boiling on the stove. Rain or shine they always had a coal fire burning. They kept their homes clean and tidy other than that they never ever went out of their homes. Our aunties and uncles did their shopping for them every week on a time table. When they were ill the doctor went out for home visits it was considered the normal thing to do then.
It’s a totally different world now most grans and grand dads are so much involved with their families routine. I don’t consider myself or my friends anything like our grans we live active lives. I still feel as I did when I remarried at forty. We retired seven years ago get pensions have ailments (age related). We pack into life what we can and keep as active as possible.
The very word pensioner a person who collects pension after retirement. It’s conjures up for me a stereotype of an old past a sell by date person. It is an out of date word to describe the vast majority of the population we are after all individuals.

Picking up on Monica's point, I don't think I hear it used as a generic term much now. Not like a few years ago.

The word Pensioner conjures up the Chelsea Pensioners to me 😃
Grand old men (and women now, too!).

Not at all, apart from not going to work and having more time to do fun things my life hasn’t really changed.
I am sometimes caught unawares, when visiting museums etc. abroad that they let ‘Seniors’ go in for free!

No, I’m strictly a retiree, and a GOB - Grumpy Old Bag. 🙂