discussion Well that was a pleasant surprise.

[Ian M]

I got a letter yesterday.
I am now officially a Pensioner.
In Denmark we have a scheme where people that are close to retirement age, to Knackered and broken to work, but not enough to be an Invalid, can apply for a so called senior pension. After a lot of papers, a visit to the Doctor for evaluation and a long wait, I got the news that my application was granted!
So after the last five years of being selv supporting, as in an Amature Pensionist, I have now moved into the ranks of Professional Pensionist!!!
Not 100% all the benefits, bus pass and tv licence and all that I will have to wait a few years for but I do get some beer tokens each month! Yeah.
I might just celebrate with a kit or two I have fancied for a while.......After treating the wife to something nice.

 

[BattleshipBob]

Well done sir, welcome to the old farts brigade!

 

[Allen Dewire]

Great news Ian,

It's a lot of work to retire here in Germany too. Paperwork and lot's of waiting and waiting and waiting..........Have fun and, what Bob said above!!!............

Prost
Allen

 

[BattleshipBob]

I have retired but have to wait until March 2027 to get my paws on the state old fart pension, bugger!

 

[AlanG]

Wish we had a system like that here in the UK Ian. Good luck and now you can get some builds done

 

[Jim R]

Welcome to the ranks of the old and knackered.
Since I retired I have never had such a calm and stress free life. Enjoy :smiling:
Jim

 

[SteveH]

I have retired but have to wait until March 2027 to get my paws on the state old fart pension, bugger!

Me too, just an early stop to work, but no cigar yet, roll on 2027 LOL
Steve H

 

[BattleshipBob]

Lucky as being a teacher I could retire at 60, but state pension kicks in when I'm 66 1/2.

 

[Tim Marlow]

I have retired but have to wait until March 2027 to get my paws on the state old fart pension, bugger!

Exactly the same here Bob….I’ve retired, and got my work pension but don’t get the state one until I’m sixty six and a half……assuming the goal posts don’t move again.

 

[Allen Dewire]

Wow, I'm glad I'm an old git fully retired then. It's strange not to get up for work every morn though and each day feels like it's a weekend....Guess I'll just have to live with it..................

 

[Jim R]

I retired early as a teacher. I got my teacher's pension but like others I waited five years for my state pension. In the gap I got a job in a little garden centre as a general dogs body. Did everything - a bit of selling, a bit of driving, planting up etc. Minimum wage but no stress, great people to work with and it kept me fit. I loved it
Jim

 

[Tim Marlow]

After a while you don’t even think about what day it is Allen. Weekends become far less important
My trouble is that starting retirement coincided with Covid, and the onset of my RA, so not only did I not have to go to work, I couldn’t go to or do much of anything else. It took a while to develop some sort of routine, but then, you realise that routine doesn’t matter so much.

 

[SteveH]

Exactly the same here Bob….I’ve retired, and got my work pension but don’t get the state one until I’m sixty six and a half……assuming the goal posts don’t move again.

Took my works pension on my 60th which was the start of the first Covid lockdown.
I would like a little job but will have to wait until Covid is a lot less prevalent.
Good job I have several feet of plastic loft insulation to keep me busy until the Covid tide turns, if ever before 2027 and the state pension.
Just waiting for Eunice to blow over!
Perhaps a little figure work?
Power to all the pensioners, early and fully qualified, you keep the forum fun
Regards
Steve H

 

[Dave Ward]

I've just sorted out the details for my State Pension that I'll qualify for in May. All done on line - letter confirming that arrived Tuesday ( it helps if you aren't married & aren't on any state benefits ). All I need now is the bus pass & I'll be a fully certified crinkly!
Dave

 

[wotan]

Here in Canada we have a Federal pension and a Provincial pension. The Federal comes at age 65 the Provincial you can take as early as 60 but if you wait longer you get a little more. Neither of these two pensions add up to much so we also have private savings accounts, that are tax free until you start to withdraw. I was fortunate enough to be able to retire at 57, and like Tim mentioned my retirement years have been nothing but joy.

Don't mention bus passes though since out here in the country we don't have buses.

John

 

[Mark1]

Another 18 years before I can get the state pension :loudly-crying: with a bit of luck I'll be able to stop working before that though, hopefully! The brains already getting into the retirement mode but the body can't yet

 

[Ian M]

Well the story is I just stopped working five years ago. Lets just say that I was a train reck, so the misses put me out to grass.
This 'senior pension' thing is first a possibility 6 years befor State pensions age. I was expecting them to say no, so I was very happy to get that letter. This will be replaced by the state pension when I turn 68.

 

[rtfoe]

Good for you Ian, I'm semi retired and living off my Employers Provident Fund and monthly insurance pay off and waiting for my savings interest to mature as a lump sum. The corvid has interrupted travelling plans.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[boatman]

WELL from what i can see of it most of you are still youngster's but good that you have retired as that gives the teenages more chiose of job an i am a fully fledged penshioner thats why i keep forgetting things lol
chris b

 

[Graeme C.]

I didn't realise this site has so many old gits pensioners!
Well done Ian, getting something back from them after paying in all your life should be celebrated. I have to wait another 13 years, provided they don't move the goalposts, AGAIN!