Going back to work?

I retired 10 years ago, but the increased energy costs have led me to trying to find work again. It is not easy, I couldn't work full time, and part time jobs are few and far between

rosie1959

Wondering why you would get hammered by tax if you were going back to work now aged 60

I think it's because you're earnings are added to your pension and then you're taxed on the whole amount.

If they want retirees to return to the workplace, they'll probably need to address that issue.

My late mother went back to work after she'd retired but by the time she'd added up the transport costs getting to the workplace, and the tax she had to pay, it just wasn't worth the effort.

I retired from teaching 12 years ago aged 60. A few months earlier my DH had been made redundant.
For the first 3 months of retirement we became carers for my terminally ill brother who came to live with us.
After my brother died DH and I volunteered as stewards at a nearby stately home and I also volunteered with the Forestry Commission as an education ranger.
I was able to utilise my teaching skills without the stress of making, planning and the dreaded OFSTED. All in the wonderful setting of an ancient forest.
I chose my hours to suit and there was no pressure.
At the same time our caring responsibilities increased, very elderly relatives became ill and then the grandchildren started to arrive so obviously we helped out whenever we could.

After a few years, both our voluntary 'jobs' ceased and being carers took over.
Later on when things became easier, we volunteered at a local museum stewarding on site and, in my case, working with school groups. At one point, I ran the education department for 3 months (paid) and also became a temporary museum assistant.
I still volunteer at the museum 2 or 3 times month plus 1 day a week working in the forest for an environmental charity and hope to continue for as long as I can.

The point I'm making, is that the vast majority of over 50s are already working one way or another. If not in a paid capacity then as volunteers and or as unpaid carers.
Most of the people I know who are in that age bracket are doing much the same as my late DH and I.
If, by some miracle, the government managed to find us 'proper jobs' what happens to all the organisations that depend on our input or our elderly relatives and grandchildren?
It was fairly easy for us to help our family in times of need as we didn't have to worry about taking time off from work.
I can't imagine how we would have coped if we had that added stress.

After having very many years without paid employment (was a Mother, Carer and then sick myself), I applied for a job when I was 61 years of age and got it. Part - time admin work = absolutely loved it. My hours and responsibilites grew steadily over next few years, and I finally retired just a few months before my 70th birthday.
There had been a time during that period when I thought I was to be make redundant - and applied and got offered another admin job. Happily redundancy did not happen, indeed I was upgraded and had increased hours.

Nearly 82 years old now, I do a voluntary admin job.

Dickens

rosie1959

Wondering why you would get hammered by tax if you were going back to work now aged 60

I think it's because you're earnings are added to your pension and then you're taxed on the whole amount.

If they want retirees to return to the workplace, they'll probably need to address that issue.

My late mother went back to work after she'd retired but by the time she'd added up the transport costs getting to the workplace, and the tax she had to pay, it just wasn't worth the effort.

That’s true but pension age is no longer 60 I don’t get mine until I am 66.

A lot of the focus on getting older people back to work is caused by the Tories unwillingness to admit that Brexit messed up the UK labour market which had a substantial element of immigrant labour within it. Droves of European skilled and semiskilled workers left the UK because Brexit killed freedom of movement and they felt unwelcome. We are now stuck with an anti-immigrant driven policy following the hysterical hostile environment policy. Take control of borders is simply shorthand for keep immigration down. I expect they will put retiring age up to 70.

OH and I both worked well past retirement age because we enjoyed our jobs but we were able to work very flexibly and we both decreased the number of days we worked gradually. If we had had to continue working full time, we probably wouldn't have continued. I think this is the key, older workers need more flexibility and a lot of employers won't offer that.

If you have computing skills, it’s easy enough to continue to work past retirement age. Contracting means that you find a contract for a limited time, and then take a break to suit. Some people like to keep mentally active through work and others manage their time differently. It should be personal choice.

I agree with you (for once ) ronib. Everybody has different solutions. For me, not having the stress of having to do paid work has meant that I have the time and energy to be more mentally active than I have been for years - but it's enjoyable and I'm doing what I do because I enjoy it.