What do you call yourselves?

7_week_wonder

A question from my husband last night got me thinking.

Background, he is 56 and about a month ago left paid employment. He is not seeking another job (though he might get a small income from a hobby in the future) and he is not drawing any pension. It is all going very well so far but he last night he was wondering what his "official status" was (I think it was renewing our house insurance that got him thinking).

What do people in a similar situation call themselves? Retired? Homemaker? I'm just curious.

Many thanks.

Goldiegirl

I'm 55, and stopped working nearly a year ago.


When I have to fill out forms or describe my status, it's 'retired'.


I have a private pension, but you can retire from the workforce without having a pension.


'Homemaker' sounds like a person has never worked.

torbrex

If you are still working then he would be called a 'Househusband' otherwise I think retired would do.

moneyistooshorttomention

Sounds like he has taken early retirement - albeit on no income.

So I would tend to say "retired" in his position and not mention the money.

Admitted its a bit different when one retires at Retirement Age as I did (ie female and ex civil servant - so two ways over 60 was my Retirement Age). So I did have part of my pension as income.

I now describe myself as a "nearly full pensioner" - having reached my revised SPA recently (but wont be getting this years winter fuel allowance - due to a date technicality).

Come the beginning of 2016 - I'll describe myself as a "full pensioner" (ie because I'll be in receipt of all my pension income - and know that next time that Winter Fuel Allowance gets paid I'll have mine too).

7_week_wonder

Thanks everyone, I reckon we'll go with retired: whatever it is - it definitely seems to be the right decision for both of us.

Ken68

"Managing Director". I my case I just about manage, and direct the cat.

moneyistooshorttomention

Ken68 wrote: »

"Managing Director". I my case I just about manage, and direct the cat.

Visions of the cat sitting there and thinking "That's what he thinks.....LOL".

Aren't humans supposed to be cats servants?:rotfl:

MarkFromCornwall

7_week_wonder wrote: »

What do people in a similar situation call themselves? Retired? Homemaker? I'm just curious.

Occasionally, when I'm feeling especially pretentious, I describe myself as being 'of independent means' !

amibovvered

Retired, mostly, because it's simpler, except when people make assumptions about me drawing a pension (roll on 2017 and works pension!).

For car insurance though, I put housewife because it is about £30 cheaper!

tgon

I call myself retired. My wife calls me unemployed. I fill out the forms in our house.

SailorSam

Homemaker seems to be female.