Don't want to retire

Bikefar

Thanks JoeEngland,

I had intended to travel, but I've suffered at the hands of the medics.

I investigated voluntary work, but I need the money. I'm hopeful I can overcome my health issues in spite of the doctors one day so I can travel.

Charities don't need the engineering knowledge I have, but if anyone wants a tech author, please get in touch.

Bikefar

Thanks Aretnap,

Please see what I told JoeEngland.

Bikefar

Thanks Marcon for your reply.

I'm only going by what the pension provider told me. They seemed to say "Your pension has matured now go hither!".
I am aware that when you ring a pension company the person you speak to doesn't necessarily understand the product. The same seems to be true of HMRC.

Bikefar

Thanks for your reply.

After the divorce in 1998 what you had written was "the plan" once the children had flown the nest.
Sadly, in my neck of the woods we don't do communities, and social isolation is a huge problem. Living in a council flat as I do, there's not much scope for hobbies, and as mentioned elsewhere, not much scope for sport until I can get my health issues fixed if the doctors allow.

Firstly, there's my children, but the rest of my family are dead. Retirement plan was;-
1. Find out what was available, (not very much)
2. See what appeals, join it.. (doing my best on that one, many clubs and societies don't have a social side here)

I need the oxygen of other people. I have dear friends, but they all live 100+ miles away. I find making friends easy especially at work, so what good will retiring serve?

Bikefar

thanks, Primrose,
I am already a member of that. Walking club could be good if I could walk without it being painful. I've also joined AmDram but its taken several attempts at different clubs as they are not all social. I have a friend from church who participates on U3A activities, She says "I go to U3A but I wouldn't want any of the people there to be friends." I know so many people like that in South Bucks.

Bikefar

Thanks blues,

Thanks also for being on the ball. I've been a voluntary swimming teacher, called bingo numbers as a volunteer and many others, but not where I live now. I don't have any problem joining things, but immense problems finding things to join. Life in South Bucks is like that. Above my pay grade to change it.

[Deleted User]

Could part of your retirement planning be move away from South Bucks ?

OldMusicGuy

Bikefar wrote: »

I need the oxygen of other people. I have dear friends, but they all live 100+ miles away. I find making friends easy especially at work, so what good will retiring serve?

Nothing wrong with that if that's the way you are. I remember reading about a man in his 80s who started working in the local coffee shop because he was bored/lonely on his own.

Like I said in my previous post, no-one is forcing you to retire. Maybe you should plan to carry on working in a low stress/part time job and as you get older you can reduce your hours. You can use your pensions to augment your earnings as there is now more flexibility about how you take them (if they are defined contribution pensions).

Bikefar

Hi, Thanks for your reply.

My answer is "YES, PLEASE". I've done my bit for my family and its time to move on. I need a job away from South Bucks, where there is a community.

Bikefar

Hi, OldMusicGuy,

Thanks for your reply.

Most of my money is in a pension which doesn't let me draw down. I can take the whole lot.
This brings me back to my original question...
Ho Hummm...
Suggestions welcome!