government pension Now 66 is that right??

kidmugsy

The raising of the pension age for women back up to 65 as announced many years ago: wasn't that a sex equality thing demanded by the EU?

patchwork_cat

bigfreddiel wrote: »

well actually we're all living longer now - 60 is the new 40 - just check out all those pensioners now in their 60's going white water rafting, skiing, running the marathon and so on - so when you 40 yr olds now reach 60+ you'll be whole load fitter than and 60 for you will be the new 30 - i'm quite confident when i'm 80 odd i will be in safe hands with one of you youngsters looking after me.

What a generalisation and false logic. What about the rising level of obesity that is going to shorten life expectancy? Arthritis etc. are not miraculously going to disappear, yes the pain may be better managed, but it will not disappear.

System

WildRedHed wrote: »

Well that`s up to them to fight for themselves

We are!
Within a few decades men's life expectancy is expected to have overtaken women's. Men have given up smoking and take more care of their health. Women are still smoking and are getting fatter, and are getting stressed arguing on web forums about unequal pension rights.

The average 12-year old today is expected to live to 95. Obviously his or her retirement age is going to go up.

dunstonh

patchwork_cat wrote: »

What a generalisation and false logic. What about the rising level of obesity that is going to shorten life expectancy? Arthritis etc. are not miraculously going to disappear, yes the pain may be better managed, but it will not disappear.

It is fact. When the state pension was introduced life expectancy was just 2 years. Now it is heading closer to 30 years (depending on your date of birth)

Obviously there will be exceptions. e.g. 1 in 5 men will die before retirement. Obesity could be an issue which brings the average down but seeing as obesity is a lifestyle choice for most, I can't see why it should make a difference.

kidmugsy

Repeated studies of the elderly show that it is the overweight and mildly obese who live longest: they outlive the "normal". The underweight are shortest lived. I conclude that it's natural for people to become "portly" as they age: obesity is a worry for the young, not for the old.
Anyway, if no solution is found to the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, worrying about weight will look very silly indeed.

atush

as a former biologist, antibio resistant microbes and the mutation of pandemic strains of viruses as my biggest health fears.

chris1

molerat wrote: »

Mrs M was born Feb 55 and her pension age had been at 64 yrs 11 mths for years as per the table in jem16's link and The Pension Act 1995, it is now 66.

Ah, but the plus side is you will qualify for the new higher universal pension, not means tested. Those who retire earlier will get the old lower amount, with means testing for the difference...

bryanb

chris1 wrote: »

Those who retire earlier will get the old lower amount, with means testing for the difference...

Have you got a link for this from an official source?

bilbo51

bryanb wrote: »

Have you got a link for this from an official source?

Well, since no legislation for the changes under discussion has been enacted, I somehow doubt it.

chris1

bryanb wrote: »

Have you got a link for this from an official source?

I expect you can google to find details of the plans announced a year or so ago, and further details announced a couple of months ago. As bilbo51 pointed out, it's not legislation, simply plans, but it seems clear from all the announcements and news coverage that it will NOT be retrospective - in other words, people who have already retired or who reach retirement age beforehand, will not benefit.