You can now work till you drop. Government legislation is changing retirement laws to enable people to work until they choose to leave. Whilst I am all for people working, this change in law does worry me on many accounts.
First and foremost, how are we to create jobs for young people if the old people don’t go? Secondly, employers are now faced with negotiation with their employees of their retirement – this could lead to tribunals, legal cases or just unnecessary aggravation. Thirdly, whatever happened to enjoying your old age. Why are we being encouraged to work ourselves into our graves?
I applaud those that want to carry on working but surely, at 65, if you really want to carry on working, how about community work or voluntary work? My mother-in-law doesn’t want to retire for her fear of retiring. Work is a social place for her an she doesn’t know what to do. An uncle who retired a couple of years ago, teaches English to refugees and provides maths tuition. There are things you can do if you really want to.
I would like to be able to retire before I am 65 and enjoy the latter years of my life. My Mum has been a godsend to our childcare problems, just as her Mum was for her. Maybe, one day, I can be there to enjoy my grandchildren too, if I am not too busy working!
Another crazy Big Society idea…
Bunty