Government wants to coax over 50s back into work

Do that many people retire at 50 to 60 to make that much difference? Maybe Doctors, Civil Servants, but many people have to keep working until Pension age.

Did they calculate how many people would be available in that age range I wonder ?

I meant GPS rather than Doctors - most of ours GPS retired at 55.

We- the over 60s-- are already volunteering and keeping all the charities going. I have no time for paid work.

I wonder what the incentives will be!

I’m over 70 - I would need to be collected and delivered home by Taxi and have a well paid part time sitting down job, preferably something to do with reading books, a long lunch break with decent food paid for by the Employer - Oh and very long holidays.

Then I might just be persuaded back to work.

Although I really don’t think I would bother.

My neighbours daughter, early thirties, no children is too tired to cook a Christmas lunch.
She finished work on Wednesday.
Sadly she is typical of a lot of young people, I really believe retired people will bring a lot to to the table.

I find it hard to believe that there are so many over 50’s (but not yet reaching official retirement age) who have stopped working and are therefore largely responsible for the labour shortage - I don’t see how they can afford to if not receiving a pension. I imagine that there are a whole host of factors causing labour shortages including Brexit (like it or not), when so many European workers left the UK to return home, and many of these positions are not being filled by UK citizens, even though the government promised they would be. Of course, it’s so much easier to blame the over 50’s isn’t it? Or covid, or the Ukraine invasion, or the weather 🙃…. or fill in further blanks with whatever comes to mind.

Surely there’s a mismatch? The over 50s who have retired early will in the main be professionals, whereas the jobs shortage is in the main in unskilled roles. I really can’t see what would tempt people who could afford to retire back into the workplace to do those unskilled jobs.

If I knew of 50+ year olds who were living the life of Riley after lockdown and no longer working, I would believe the government.

I know lots of 50+ year olds all busy working and wishing they could retire, but couldn’t possibly afford to do so for years to come.

So I think this is yet another lie, to hid the truth.

Its not a lie. Why do people just not want to believe something just because they think it doesn't paint them in a good light? Out with 5 friends this week, four of us had stopped work in the last few years, while still in our fifties. All, happily, "living the life of Riley". Which means not getting up in the dark at 6:30am to go to work, and deciding what we want to do all day. And accepting that we might have a bit less disposable income because of that.

Link to the report, plus graph attached.

publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5803/ldselect/ldeconaf/115/11502.htm

I retired at 60. Burnt out I suppose. I have seriously been thinking about finding some sort of job. I do have a voluntary one but feel a bit guilty seeing all the 'help wanted' notices in local businesses and shops. I don't think I'd be much good though and reckon any financial gain would be stealthily removed. I'll stick to my voluntary one.

We don’t have many people living in our lane but 2 households have stopped working because their parent (s) have died and left them considerable amounts of money.
I guess 50 to 60 yr olds can access their private pensions at 55 and if they have elderly parents can inherit at that age, often enough to retire on, let’s hope they’ve done their sums!

We retired in our 50s. Were not living the life of Riley but we are Living rather than just surviving as we were when we were working.

I hope that doesn’t include over eighties. If it does I might have to refuse on the grounds I am not fit for purpose.
Also my dh can’t apply for jobs as he doesn’t know how to do a CV. Otherwise we are willing. Meanwhile a very big thank you to the younger amongst us who can still work. Thank you and a very Happy Christmas.

What they actually need to do, is to make childcare an awful lot cheaper. A lot of women with young children, who would like to go back to work, simply can’t, because the ruinous cost of childcare would be more than they can earn.

This is plain common sense, so obviously no government, especially a Tory one, will ever do it.

Wonder how many of these "retired" people who need to boost their income have simply moved into a cash in hand side hustle for something they enjoy or can do as ad when they want?

Grandparents are acting as carers for their ACs.

Self employed are possibly working cash in hand.

Others have inheritance and PP to live on, maybe after the Pandemic people are deciding to live for today and worry about tomorrow, well ……tomorrow? I just hope we don’t see poor, broke pensioners when they are older

Me and many of my colleagues/friends retired at 55 ( we are nurses) ....several of us have returned ( me includex) but just 2 days a week....not really worth it to return for any more....too much tax .....but then mostly we are gone by 60....I'm 58 and may manage another year but then I will be done

Witzend

What they actually need to do, is to make childcare an awful lot cheaper. A lot of women with young children, who would like to go back to work, simply can’t, because the ruinous cost of childcare would be more than they can earn.

This is plain common sense, so obviously no government, especially a Tory one, will ever do it.

But many low paid can claim up to 85% of childcare free with UC

Many of my colleagues retired following covid, it showed them a better way of life, I currently spend 2 hours in traffic a day, leaving when it's dark etc, I love my job, but would retire early in a heartbeat (am in my fifties).

Whitewavemark2

If I knew of 50+ year olds who were living the life of Riley after lockdown and no longer working, I would believe the government.

I know lots of 50+ year olds all busy working and wishing they could retire, but couldn’t possibly afford to do so for years to come.

So I think this is yet another lie, to hid the truth.

Why do you think its a lie? I know loads of 55 plus people who are retired....NHs/ LA/ banking / police/ fire service ....I could go on.....all with a big lump sum and very decent pension ( myself included) ....throw in an inheritance and lots can live ' a life of Riley ' 🤷‍♀️

Most people reaching 50 still have kids in uni and a mortgage how can you afford to retire with those two large expenses still ongoing? I retired early (60) to care for my husband who had a life changing stroke. So if they want to provide the care that I provide free of charge which I very much doubt.

Re-enter the job market if you can!

Young(under 35) managers practice rampant ageism like you wouldn't believe. And many like female job applicants to be in full command of The Four B's.......bubbly,bouncy,busty and blonde. Plus dewey-eyed youth.

But you will never get them to admit it......

Casdon

Surely there’s a mismatch? The over 50s who have retired early will in the main be professionals, whereas the jobs shortage is in the main in unskilled roles. I really can’t see what would tempt people who could afford to retire back into the workplace to do those unskilled jobs.

I think this is true.

I also think that there is no need to feel guilty or in any way criticised for taking early retirement, if it's an option. I don't know about the life of Riley, but I certainly don't regret leaving work at 57. I worked for 41 years - what's to feel guilty about?

I do a bit of consultancy, which brings in a little bit of money that subsidises my pension, but it also stops me feeling 'past it. That is something that I wish could open up to more older people, as we have experience and expertise to pass on if we are so inclined. It makes far more sense than asking us to compete with younger people with more energy but less experience.

I have one friend who was a pathologist with the Met. She works on the tills at a supermarket and loves it.
Another had a very senior position in a branch of the NHS.
She retired years ago and now works in care in a non managerial role, or as she puts it: the coal face end.