billgates

It's an Internet forum - get over it and keep coming back.

crookesey

I don't have any problem with the public sector, I admit that their pension packages would be nice, but I couldn't stand the tedium of actually doing many of their jobs. None of our public sector friends/acquaintances had any savings worth mention during their working lives, simply because of their very generous pensions.

We knew that we could not rely on equity based private pensions, so started our own buy to let portfolio, our arrangements may appear somewhat cavalier to others, but now that we are divesting ourselves of the properties, and dipping into our capital as and when required, we find ourselves with a very flexible income.

SERPS is now breathing it's last breaths, the private sector is now bracing itself to work until it drops, whilst the public sector strikes because it has been asked to work until the age that the private sector would love to retire at, well at least we have escaped from a very one sided system.

billgates

Spot on. A race to the bottom.

crookesey

If you want to see somewhere that goes all out to attract foreign retirees, just have a butchers at this.

internationalliving.com/countries/panama/retire/

HBG

The area where I live, to the south of the Alicante province, seems to be a retirement haven for former civil service pensioners of all sorts, it is full of them. Overall, they appear a happy and contented lot, even though quite a few are limping around with walking sticks and mobility scooters clog the roads.

I know a lot of people in the private sector envy their often early retirement, but if I was trapped in an upstairs room I would not like to see a 65-year old fireman climbing up the ladder to rescue me.

And if a 65-year old surgeon came tottering up the operating table with me on it, I would try and escape.

rafikiphoto

The high rainfall and humidity would put me off!

crookesey

I agree on the fireman, however there are some fantastic professors of surgery over the age of 65, also I can't see a good CID officer turning into a bad one, the day following his/her 55th birthday, however many retire aged 50, and then return to the force in a civilian capacity. I took a retirement package 6 weeks prior to my 63rd birthday, I grabbed it whilst it was there, but I was well capable of doing my job.

The guys who I feel sorry for are those who were members of private sector final salary pension schemes. Most of these schemes have suffered bulk buy outs into money purchase schemes, where they have suffered the volatility of the stock market at first hand.

Do any of you know why all pension schemes are tested by actuaries prior to them gaining revenue approval? The answer is, in order that none of them can exceed the maximum possible benefits available in respect of the civil service pension scheme, makes you think doesn't it?

crookesey

Sounds like a summers evening in Manchester.

rafikiphoto

Except their rainfall is between double and quadruple Manchester's. Not a climate for creaky bones I think.

HBG

I wish I hadn't looked at that Panama site posted earlier on this thread. The place seems to have most things us expats enjoy here in Spain, and at half or less than the price.

You can live well on a thousand Dollars a month? Not in Spain you can't.

rafikiphoto

Not nearly so much sun and much, much more rain.

Dick Dasterdly

...and many things we don't,

Including widespread corruption and dodgier than average politicians.

Not sure I'd want to be trusting my assets and finances over there.

crookesey

They learned everything they know from the old country.

Hino

Wazza matter my little mate.......play station broke ?

Hino

"work 'em and milk 'em till they drop "