Need to boost my income but how?

jojorose

I'm in my early sixties, married to an ex steelworker who has both his state pension and his work pension.

Since 2019 I ran a business on Etsy and employed my son and a few casual workers in 2020 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer.  I continued to run the business but doing less and less. Etsy caused issues in June and I ceased to trade. At this time we moved back to the mainland, while signing the papers to move I was called into the hospital and it was not good news. 

So I have no income, £7,000 savings of my own and a new house that we own but financially we are strapped. We row and it's over money. 

I am no evidence of disease right now and quite well but I am terminal. I'd like to think two or three years. Too young to get my state pension.

Am I employable?  Last time at 50 i applied for 120 jobs before I got one. Here I am early 60s.  No degree and no recent training.  Oh and I have a slipped disc so can't sit all day or stand for long periods.

Any ideas because I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to nothing?

Marcon

jojorose said:

I'm in my early sixties, married to an ex steelworker who has both his state pension and his work pension.

Since 2019 I ran a business on Etsy and employed my son and a few casual workers in 2020 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer.  I continued to run the business but doing less and less. Etsy caused issues in June and I ceased to trade. At this time we moved back to the mainland, while signing the papers to move I was called into the hospital and it was not good news. 

So I have no income, £7,000 savings of my own and a new house that we own but financially we are strapped. We row and it's over money. 

I am no evidence of disease right now and quite well but I am terminal. I'd like to think two or three years. Too young to get my state pension.

Am I employable?  Last time at 50 i applied for 120 jobs before I got one. Here I am early 60s.  No degree and no recent training.  Oh and I have a slipped disc so can't sit all day or stand for long periods.

Any ideas because I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to nothing?

That's a lot to deal with - no wonder you row with husband, especially if money is tight.

You say you 'moved back to the mainland' which suggests you were on one of the (UK) islands. Have you checked and made sure whether you have any entitlement to any state benefits? Try https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

You don't say if your husband is actually retired from work - just that he has state and work pensions, which suggests he is. If so, could he return to gainful employment of some sort to ease the pressure?

Is equity release on the house a possibility?

You say 'Etsy caused issues'. Could you resurrect your business now, perhaps through ebay or even returning to Etsy?

Have you looked at what jobs are available for remote working/WFH? Googling will yield many results, plenty of them unsuitable, but there might be a gem in there waiting to be uncovered.

LightFlare

What skills have you acquired over time ?

Make a list and then look at how any of them might generate an income

jojorose

I don't think my husband should have to return to employment he's worked like a dog since he was 15.  However doing a search for remote working is great.  I've done all sorts over the years so am versatile just older and vocal

Archerychick

jojorose said:

I'm in my early sixties, married to an ex steelworker who has both his state pension and his work pension.

Since 2019 I ran a business on Etsy and employed my son and a few casual workers in 2020 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer.  I continued to run the business but doing less and less. Etsy caused issues in June and I ceased to trade. At this time we moved back to the mainland, while signing the papers to move I was called into the hospital and it was not good news. 

So I have no income, £7,000 savings of my own and a new house that we own but financially we are strapped. We row and it's over money. 

I am no evidence of disease right now and quite well but I am terminal. I'd like to think two or three years. Too young to get my state pension.

Am I employable?  Last time at 50 i applied for 120 jobs before I got one. Here I am early 60s.  No degree and no recent training.  Oh and I have a slipped disc so can't sit all day or stand for long periods.

Any ideas because I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to nothing?

I’m sorry to hear about your illness. I believe that in some cases you can access your private pension (if you have one) early if you have a terminal illness, probably worth researching. I found this  - https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/practically/money/pensions#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20a%20serious,is%20less%20than%20one%20year.

Marcon

Archerychick said:

jojorose said:

I'm in my early sixties, married to an ex steelworker who has both his state pension and his work pension.

Since 2019 I ran a business on Etsy and employed my son and a few casual workers in 2020 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer.  I continued to run the business but doing less and less. Etsy caused issues in June and I ceased to trade. At this time we moved back to the mainland, while signing the papers to move I was called into the hospital and it was not good news. 

So I have no income, £7,000 savings of my own and a new house that we own but financially we are strapped. We row and it's over money. 

I am no evidence of disease right now and quite well but I am terminal. I'd like to think two or three years. Too young to get my state pension.

Am I employable?  Last time at 50 i applied for 120 jobs before I got one. Here I am early 60s.  No degree and no recent training.  Oh and I have a slipped disc so can't sit all day or stand for long periods.

Any ideas because I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to nothing?

I’m sorry to hear about your illness. I believe that in some cases you can access your private pension (if you have one) early if you have a terminal illness, probably worth researching. I found this  - https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/practically/money/pensions#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20a%20serious,is%20less%20than%20one%20year.

If the pension hasn't come into payment, you can take the whole lot as tax free cash if life expectancy is certified by a medical professional to be no more than 12 months - and OP has already indicated that (happily) it's a bit longer than that.

Otherwise a private pension can be accessed at any age (no minimum) if someone meets the grounds for 'ill health early retirement' specified in the rules of their particular scheme, and there is supporting medical evidence in writing to confirm.

jojorose

Thank you. Private pensions already used up.  I am entitled to nothing. I will be at some point though as my condition deteriorates to the 12 month scenario.  I am looking into the remote working option and have started trimming my CV.  Im working on renaming my qualifications so they don't scream my age.