Is 65 a milestone anymore?

KIPAX

KIPAX

Seriously Likeable
Suspended / Banned
Messages
21,370
Name
KIPAX Lancashire UK
Edit My Images
No
18, 21, 40 and 65

All my life they have been milestones with 65 being retirement, bus pass, pension.. You made it! :) But as i fast approach my 65th (few weeks) I don't get to retire until I am 66 .. Someone moved the goalposts. All the other milestones can't be moved... Because I have had it in me all my life 65 is the marker.. I still feel it..

But is 65 now a non event or do people still see it as a ....marker ?


Am I even explaining this right ? :)
 
Got my pension on my 65th and a bowel cancer screening kit. Luvly!

The bus pass came on the 60th, although I haven't used it since last March. Once you get your bus pass it gives you access to a senior card for National Rail, which can save a fortune if you take any long train journeys.
 
jerry12953 said:
Got my pension on my 65th and a bowel cancer screening kit. Luvly!
Click to expand...

aaargh :( Wish i hadn't asked now ..

jerry12953 said:
The bus pass came on the 60th, although I haven't used it since last March. Once you get your bus pass it gives you access to a senior card for National Rail, which can save a fortune if you take any long train journeys.
Click to expand...


I might frame mine haha . Cant remember last time I went on a train or a bus.... :)
 
Just another nail :)
I retired just before lockdown, but I've been semi- retired for a few years.
I'll be 64 later this year. Looking forward to a payrise when I get my state pension in a few years.
 
jerry12953 said:
Indeed!:eek: It's nice to know they're thinking of you, though........
Click to expand...

It was depressing when i got a letter from the Anthony Nolan trust saying thanks but no longer needed.. too old :( .. OK not the exact words but :(
 
kendo1 said:
Just another nail :)
I retired just before lockdown, but I've been semi- retired for a few years.
Click to expand...


That was my plan after lockdown to semi retire.... silly me... busier then ever ...
 
Retirement can be difficult for some people, I suspect. I describe myself as semi-retired but photography has kept me going in so many ways over the last twenty years and I miss the motivation I had when I was younger. Of course the big changes that have taken place in freelance photography in the last 10/15 years have contributed to that as well. Every single avenue for earning through photography that I had 15 years ago has either disappeared completely or declined to virtually nothing during that time.

But I hate to think what it would be like if one had an all-consuming career that ended just like that at the age of 65. How would one fill one's time?
 
The only significant thing you'd get at 65 now would be a private or company pension if you have one.
As your a Lancashire resident you can't have a NoWcard (bus pass) until your 66, for me personally at 61 I have to wait till I'm 66 and 2 months old.

For people in Lancashire the NoWcard is for off peak local bus services only (no trains)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
When I got my bus pass a few years ago, I tested it out by getting on a bus - it was the first time in over thirty five years. I was surprised to find that the doors shut behind me. :eek:

I've not used it in eighteen months now for obvious reasons, but it was handy for going to the pub. Maybe next year . . .
 
jerry12953 said:
Retirement can be difficult for some people, I suspect. I describe myself as semi-retired but photography has kept me going in so many ways over the last twenty years and I miss the motivation I had when I was younger. Of course the big changes that have taken place in freelance photography in the last 10/15 years have contributed to that as well. Every single avenue for earning through photography that I had 15 years ago has either disappeared completely or declined to virtually nothing during that time.

But I hate to think what it would be like if one had an all-consuming career that ended just like that at the age of 65. How would one fill one's time?
Click to expand...
I semi retired at 58, my pension then made it possible to work a couple of months a year and holiday the rest of the time.
Now that I am retired I don't have a lot of free time. Hobbies etc take up so much time.
In Scotland we get our free bus pass at 60.
 
65 is just another year! Not looking forward to 70, though, as that is definitely old.

I got my bus pass at 63 as the rule was you get it at the same age at which a woman would get the state pension and that year women were getting their state pension at 63. I've not used it for 18 months because of the pandemic but I shall be using it again soon. I rather like busses - you can admire the countryside without crashing and if you miss your stop, well, just go somewhere else instead - I am a big fan of serendipity. We only have the one car - and I do not like driving - so busses are very freeing. I was slowly visiting every parish church and cafe in Lincolnshire before life stopped me - looking forward to doing the same again.
 
Probably is for someone who has to rely on just a state pension..............
 
I retired at 65 Twenty one years ago.. I have not ever used my buss pass on a bus, but used it a couple of time on a local train.

Though I retired at 65 I worked on, consultant fashion as needed, for another six months to complete a hand over and project.. not worked a day since.

It seems people are retiring "when ever" or "sooner or later" these days, government pension or not. I know one person (doctor) now working a two day week and in his late 50's.
and there seems to be a large number of people qualified for early sick retirements and pensions. the old compulsory 60-65 retirement seems long gone.

In my family, I and my eldest brother seem to be the first generation who has actually and formally retired. The rest seem to have just worked on till they pegged it.

Work styles are changing too. My Granddaughter recently Completed her Law degree LLB and went straight on to take a combined LPC LLM masters level qualification.
This week she has started her first job with a large solicitors firm with the aim of completing her training there. Surprisingly she will largely be working from home via the web.
Even her intensive company introduction course is online. Nearly all her University study has been on line. ( final year of the degree and all of the LPC and masters.) with very little direct contact at all. She was snapped up the first interview she went for. It seems people who function well on line are in demand, even the interview was conducted on line by a senior Partner.
 
Last edited:
I'll be 65 in a couple of months so I know exactly what you mean @KIPAX . No bus pass here until state pension age (66 ) but tbh although I planned to retire and downsize several years ago, I'm really busy with work these days full time, with a client that will probably keep me going at least part time for another couple of years, and a second client that just wants the occasional week or so from me. I'm looking forward to having more time for photography eventually, but I seem to be developing a strong portfolio of part time work both paid and volunteer (TP, Radio Society) that I doubt I'll notice the difference between now and retired!
 
Crikey @Terrywoodenpic I remember when the LLb was succeeded by a one year full time LPC followed by 2 years articles. Obviously these days everyone needs a Masters degree to differentiate themselves, but combining it with the LPC must be a hell of a workload - I think the LPC requires learning judgements on about a thousand cases doesn't it (it used to)?
 
No difference for me but I stopped work at 54!

john.margetts said:
65 is just another year! Not looking forward to 70, though, as that is definitely old.

I got my bus pass at 63 as the rule was you get it at the same age at which a woman would get the state pension and that year women were getting their state pension at 63. I've not used it for 18 months because of the pandemic but I shall be using it again soon. I rather like busses - you can admire the countryside without crashing and if you miss your stop, well, just go somewhere else instead - I am a big fan of serendipity. We only have the one car - and I do not like driving - so busses are very freeing. I was slowly visiting every parish church and cafe in Lincolnshire before life stopped me - looking forward to doing the same again.
Click to expand...
70 is old?
I wish that someone had told me. I am 73 and every day I do a 3.5 mile walk, 30 mins on an aerobic step, 15 mins flexibility exercises and then 20 mins with weights.
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is voluntary. :)
 
Suvv said:
I am 73 and every day I do a 3.5 mile walk, 30 mins on an aerobic step, 15 mins flexibility exercises and then 20 mins with weights.
Click to expand...
I'm a few years younger than you, but I'm worn out just reading that ..
I need a lay down :D
 
Suvv said:
70 is old?
I wish that someone had told me. I am 73 and every day I do a 3.5 mile walk, 30 mins on an aerobic step, 15 mins flexibility exercises and then 20 mins with weights.
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is voluntary. :)
Click to expand...

I go swimming.. 30 lengths one or twice a week and walk as much as I can.. my photogrpahy is sat down for 2 hrs so I tend to get to jobs early and do a walk.. bit overwieght but not smoked for 25 yrs so feeling fit and healthy.. but guessing we all feel fit and young all the time haha
 
I retired about 2 days short of my 65th birthday and was 70 yesterday and have enjoyed retirement immensely.

A friend sent me a card saying I was now officially a member of The Old Farts Club. I told Mrs Tringa and she said she thought I'd been paying the club subscription for about the last 25 years.:)

Dave
 
Tringa said:
I retired about 2 days short of my 65th birthday and was 70 yesterday and have enjoyed retirement immensely.
Click to expand...


I have to admit to being a bit worried about retiring.. especially after 3 months twiddling my thumbs through covid ..... I think missus KIPAX is even more worried hahaha
 
Stopping work was the best thing I've ever done. I love not being woken by an alarm clock. :)

As much as I enjoyed my (own company) job, I really don't miss the stress and aggravation and I most definitely do not miss the customers.

One of the nicest things now, is knowing exactly what my income is every month and not having to worry about how I'm going to pay the next bill.

I don't think age really matters - you're as old as you feel. I once said to the other half that I felt like a teenager - her reply was; 'Well you can't have one.' :(
 
I left paid employment at 49 so that was a milestone for me. My 60th came and went and the only notable thing was that I got my company pension, so that was nice.

No one has mentioned a bus pass but I did get my bowel cancer kit and in fact the You're OK letter came today. So that was nice.

My next milestone will possibly be my state pension.
 
Age is just a number, health is what really matters.

I retired at 70, I'll be 76 later this month. I'm just as busy as ever, the only real differences are that I no longer get paid and I no longer have to do anything that I don't want to do.

As for a bus pass, I do have one but busses are complicated, don't understand how they work and they never seem to go anywhere by the shortest route so, so far, I've only used it once.
I'm not looking forward to the day when I need to stop driving, that will really limit the things I do. Right now though, although the DVLA took away my HGV1 on my 65th birthday, I don't need it and can still drive everything else (including a tractor with plant trailer weighing 30 tons [crazy rules] and can still tow trailers behind my car).
 
lindsay56 said:
Crikey @Terrywoodenpic I remember when the LLb was succeeded by a one year full time LPC followed by 2 years articles. Obviously these days everyone needs a Masters degree to differentiate themselves, but combining it with the LPC must be a hell of a workload - I think the LPC requires learning judgements on about a thousand cases doesn't it (it used to)?
Click to expand...
I have no Idea, but she was also helping out online with the citizens advice bureau.
She seems a glutton for punishment. Not so many do the masters/ LPC route. It seems each become a module of the other so saves time. She did her degree at Leeds and The masters/LPC at Manchester. They have not had awards ceremonies for either yet. She has to go down to London to collect the national LPC award. But as you say all this academic work is just the start of it.
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
It seems people are retiring "when ever" or "sooner or later" these days, government pension or not. I know one person (doctor) now working a two day week and in his late 50's.
and there seems to be a large number of people qualified for early sick retirements and pensions. the old compulsory 60-65 retirement seems long gone.
Click to expand...

The pension scheme for doctors was very good (it may still be) and with the lifetime limit on contributions it hardly made sense for some of them to continue.

Terrywoodenpic said:
Work styles are changing too. My Granddaughter recently Completed her Law degree LLB and went straight on to take a combined LPC LLM masters level qualification.
This week she has started her first job with a large solicitors firm with the aim of completing her training there. Surprisingly she will largely be working from home via the web.
Even her intensive company introduction course is online. Nearly all her University study has been on line. ( final year of the degree and all of the LPC and masters.) with very little direct contact at all. She was snapped up the first interview she went for. It seems people who function well on line are in demand, even the interview was conducted on line by a senior Partner.
Click to expand...

Very well done.
 
lindsay56 said:
Crikey @Terrywoodenpic I remember when the LLb was succeeded by a one year full time LPC followed by 2 years articles. Obviously these days everyone needs a Masters degree to differentiate themselves, but combining it with the LPC must be a hell of a workload - I think the LPC requires learning judgements on about a thousand cases doesn't it (it used to)?
Click to expand...
I have no Idea, but she was also helping out online with the citizens advice bureau.
She seems a glutton for punishment. Not so many do the masters/ LPC route. It seems each become a module of the other so saves time. She did her degree at Leeds and The masters/LPC at Manchester. They have not had awards ceremonies for either yet. She has to go down to London to collect the national LPC award. But as you say all this academic work is just the start of it.
 
jerry12953 said:
The bus pass came on the 60th, although I haven't used it since last March. Once you get your bus pass it gives you access to a senior card for National Rail, which can save a fortune if you take any long train journeys.
Click to expand...

I see you're in Wales...In England we have to wait another 6 YEARS to get ours. So much for a "United" Kingdom! :mad:
 
65 passed me by and I never noticed ? I took an early retirement package from British Gas (after privatisation) at 50 years old in 1996 ! :oops: :$ I never worked full time again. Just 3 part-time jobs between 50 & 60 and then I stopped playing at retirement, dedicated myself to sex, drugs & rock & roll and never worked in gainful employment again.
74 now, life is good and no regrets whatsoever about the choice I made at 50. :D
 
john.margetts said:
65 is just another year! Not looking forward to 70, though, as that is definitely old
Click to expand...
I have to take issue with that statement. I would define being old as a point in your life when your accumulation of years has made a significant impact on your health, attitude to life and your ability to perform many of the tasks you once performed routinely.
I know many people who using this criteria are 'old' at 50 or much less.
I am 74 + 6 months, I weigh 72 kg, I was 71 kg at age 30. I cycle 80-100 miles a week (4,000+ miles per annum) and my only medication is a low dose statin (forced on me by my GP at age 70)
I say don't accept your decline based on an arbitrary number, 'Use it or lose it'
Old father time gets us all in the end but the choices you make (plus a little luck) will affect when you accept yourself as old.
 
I retired at just under 55, now 62 and no government pension until 66 so never really thought of 65 as anything special at all.

No idea how I found time to go to work, one of life's mysteries
 
I'm 75 this year - I retired in 1993 - the years seem to have flown by.

Was it a good idea retiring at under 50 years old? - it seemed to be the right thing to do at the time, but looking back, I'm not sure that retiring (fully) that early is a good thing.

I did and have spent lots of the time with my kids, and obviously now my grandkids and we have traveled quite a lot.

I'd now say, always ask your wife what she think as she should know you better that most!!!!

65 these days is not that old for many people
 
Last edited:
I'm trying to retire at 53 as due to COVID I am no longer working. However, I'm convinced that my wife has other ideas...
 
I quit at 62 because that was when the mortgage was paid off. I'd have done it a lot earlier if I could, because I'm basically bone idle. My national anthem would be "Busy Doing Nothing"! :D

Three men on bench outside Sidmouth Market TZ70 P1030382.JPG
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sky
Retirement is an odd one, i speak to people and they are adamant that they want to work past 65 and almost think stopping working is bad.
I decided back in my mid 40s i wanted to be done with work by 55 I can't understand people would want to work into there later age.

I am 52 and starting to plan for being done for my 54th birthday.
problem is poor planning by people over pensions so they need the state pension+private pension to make it happen.
 
When I was a child, 1950s, it seemed to be the norm that our grandparents' generation retired at 65, spent about 5 years pottering about in their gardens and then died at the biblical 'three score years and ten.'
The next generation seem much more resiliant. My Dad is 92 and still going strong. For him, after a hard work life, retirement was almost an awakening to the world he wanted.
I was forced to retire from teaching after a prolapsed disc put me flat on my back for three months and two years of physio got me walking again.
I am pleased to have been able to resume my 'other' career as a church organist and I am working through several motorcycle restorations.
On the photography front I have enjoyed exploring the worlds of stereo pairs and reversal B&W processing and I am now playing with trichromes.
When I show the results to my son (26) he says "That's what retirement's for Dad, pursuing the dreams you never had time for."
As a good friend of my father said about his retirement 'The less you do the less you want to do.'
Good advice.
 
Stop counting and enjoy :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nod
I had to quit work at 53 due to spinal problems that have now put me in a wheelchair. However, it had been my intention to retire at 50, so I was overdue anyway. ;)

When I was 15 my school careers officer asked me what I wanted to do when I left school. My reply was 'To be a lollipop man - I won't have to start until I'm 65'.

Having to be a wage slave is a terrible thing anyway; retirement is a much better stage in your life - mine anyway. At least now that I have a fixed income I can budget far more easily and not having a mortgage to pay is fantastic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top