It's time to start digging up those Squirrelled Nuts!!!!

Sea_Shell

Arkers said:

Interesting discussion, we live in a chalet bungalow with a main bedroom/bathroom downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs. I really like sleeping downstairs and as someone in my early 50s haven't given much thought about how useful one level living would be when you're older or less able. 

My mother was widowed at 56, and is now living an amazing life in her mid seventies. She's very lucky she has my dad's Officer pension, a war widow's pension(tax free) and state pensions. Hence a very affluent pensioner. This may sound selfish, but I'm dreading her becoming infirm, I know everything will be left to me and not my brother. I've watched my friend's struggle with this situation. Am I the only one who feels that this will impact on the choices they make in retirement? 

No you're not.    It's a hard subject to talk about with others, as everyone has different views on what is "selfish".

Albermarle

Arkers said:

Interesting discussion, we live in a chalet bungalow with a main bedroom/bathroom downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs. I really like sleeping downstairs and as someone in my early 50s haven't given much thought about how useful one level living would be when you're older or less able. 

My mother was widowed at 56, and is now living an amazing life in her mid seventies. She's very lucky she has my dad's Officer pension, a war widow's pension(tax free) and state pensions. Hence a very affluent pensioner. This may sound selfish, but I'm dreading her becoming infirm, I know everything will be left to me and not my brother. I've watched my friend's struggle with this situation. Am I the only one who feels that this will impact on the choices they make in retirement? 

Family responsibilities can significantly impact your choices in retirement.  Not necessarily just elderly parents, but could be illness/disability affecting other family members, or even yourself. Or some unexpected trauma/accident.
Not much point worrying about it, as little you can do about it, and it will hopefully not be like that anyway.

Arkers

Agree, but I can see how families can fall out over this and how it can impact your own choices. I am trying to be glass half full, luckily my mother's retirement income is very healthy, but even she would struggle to pay £1500+ pw for care.( Finger in the air figure!) We have power of attorney, so ticked the necessary legal boxes. Obviously there will always be the unexpected, but ageing isn't one of them.

Sea_Shell

Albermarle said:

Arkers said:

Interesting discussion, we live in a chalet bungalow with a main bedroom/bathroom downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs. I really like sleeping downstairs and as someone in my early 50s haven't given much thought about how useful one level living would be when you're older or less able. 

My mother was widowed at 56, and is now living an amazing life in her mid seventies. She's very lucky she has my dad's Officer pension, a war widow's pension(tax free) and state pensions. Hence a very affluent pensioner. This may sound selfish, but I'm dreading her becoming infirm, I know everything will be left to me and not my brother. I've watched my friend's struggle with this situation. Am I the only one who feels that this will impact on the choices they make in retirement? 

Family responsibilities can significantly impact your choices in retirement.  Not necessarily just elderly parents, but could be illness/disability affecting other family members, or even yourself. Or some unexpected trauma/accident.
Not much point worrying about it, as little you can do about it, and it will hopefully not be like that anyway.

Or the perfect storm of it all happening at once!! 😢

trevjl

Arkers said:

Interesting discussion, we live in a chalet bungalow with a main bedroom/bathroom downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs. I really like sleeping downstairs and as someone in my early 50s haven't given much thought about how useful one level living would be when you're older or less able. 

My mother was widowed at 56, and is now living an amazing life in her mid seventies. She's very lucky she has my dad's Officer pension, a war widow's pension(tax free) and state pensions. Hence a very affluent pensioner. This may sound selfish, but I'm dreading her becoming infirm, I know everything will be left to me and not my brother. I've watched my friend's struggle with this situation. Am I the only one who feels that this will impact on the choices they make in retirement? 

Not at all, it's happening to me right now. My brother is the square root of useless. Our mum is 90 in February, she lives in a retirement flat and copes very well with sight in one eye and severe arthritis. I do as much as I can but not retired yet. He's does nothing and he's retired. He's always been like it wont change so no point in getting up tight about it. I was due to retire on Friday, my 60th and thought that that would give me more time to do more but fate came along and I am now signed off sick for 4 months having the dreaded chemo. Sliver lining is I am being paid for 4 months trial retirement !!!

Mum lives just on state pension and attendance allowance but copes no problem. I am paying a small mortgage on her flat (against my house really). Proceeds will go to me, but of course there is always the care issue so my planning involves receiving nothing and paying the mortgage for another 7 years.

Recent events have changed my priorities, I just don't care anymore, if I reach it I have a £22K DB at 65, £210K DC, £115K SS Isa & full SP so I am just going do want I want, have what I want, I have just paid for my 60th party on Saturday that's costing upwards of £3K, next on the list is a share in a racehorse, always wanted to own a racehorse.

Arkers

Ytrevjl said:

Arkers said:

Interesting discussion, we live in a chalet bungalow with a main bedroom/bathroom downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs. I really like sleeping downstairs and as someone in my early 50s haven't given much thought about how useful one level living would be when you're older or less able. 

My mother was widowed at 56, and is now living an amazing life in her mid seventies. She's very lucky she has my dad's Officer pension, a war widow's pension(tax free) and state pensions. Hence a very affluent pensioner. This may sound selfish, but I'm dreading her becoming infirm, I know everything will be left to me and not my brother. I've watched my friend's struggle with this situation. Am I the only one who feels that this will impact on the choices they make in retirement? 

Not at all, it's happening to me right now. My brother is the square root of useless. Our mum is 90 in February, she lives in a retirement flat and copes very well with sight in one eye and severe arthritis. I do as much as I can but not retired yet. He's does nothing and he's retired. He's always been like it wont change so no point in getting up tight about it. I was due to retire on Friday, my 60th and thought that that would give me more time to do more but fate came along and I am now signed off sick for 4 months having the dreaded chemo. Sliver lining is I am being paid for 4 months trial retirement !!!

Mum lives just on state pension and attendance allowance but copes no problem. I am paying a small mortgage on her flat (against my house really). Proceeds will go to me, but of course there is always the care issue so my planning involves receiving nothing and paying the mortgage for another 7 years.

Recent events have changed my priorities, I just don't care anymore, if I reach it I have a £22K DB at 65, £210K DC, £115K SS Isa & full SP so I am just going do want I want, have what I want, I have just paid for my 60th party on Saturday that's costing upwards of £3K, next on the list is a share in a racehorse, always wanted to own a racehorse.

Sorry to hear about your health issues. Have been there myself back in 2019. I don't blame you for enjoying your retirement on your terms. Enjoy your party and thanks for sharing. 

Albermarle

 next on the list is a share in a racehorse, always wanted to own a racehorse.

Hopefully one that wins !

Kim1965

Albermarle said:

 next on the list is a share in a racehorse, always wanted to own a racehorse.

Hopefully one that wins !

Check its got four legs before buying in. 

QrizB

Albermarle said:

 next on the list is a share in a racehorse, always wanted to own a racehorse.
Hopefully one that wins !

We live in racing country and I know a couple of people who own racehorses. Slow ones. They were given them for free  

(Horses are expensive to keep, so a free horse isn't exactly a bargain ...)

Albermarle

QrizB said:

Albermarle said:

 next on the list is a share in a racehorse, always wanted to own a racehorse.
Hopefully one that wins !

We live in racing country and I know a couple of people who own racehorses. Slow ones. They were given them for free  

(Horses are expensive to keep, so a free horse isn't exactly a bargain ...)

Digressing a bit here I know . Racehorse owners effectively subsidise the racing industry ( along with the paying customers/punters). Apart from a few super rich international owners, who make money from breeding, most owners do it more for love than money. Even if you have a winner, the prize money in the UK is poor.
So owning a racehorse is not a very MSE thing to do, but it can be fun and you get to hobnob in the Owners and Trainers bar !