Weaver, like me can't get his state pension until he's 67, as he's in Scotland he can look forward to a free bus pass when he reaches 60 though.
When I started contributing to my works pension scheme my scheduled state retirement age was aged 60. I've not yet quite reached 60 but that retirement date just keeps stretching further and further into the future.
I'm not sure what it is going to be now 67,68?
I know I can check on the gov website, but I've seen so many changes affecting me and at the rate they have been doing, who's to say it wont again. I've seen changes 60>62>65>67. Its currently 66 rising to 67 and whilst they originally set a date for 68, they are now proposing to bring that date forward. Even the .gov site says it is under review and although I shouldn't be affected, you can hardly blame someone for being sceptical when they announce further reviews. It's like trying to play catchup and they keep moving the finishing line before I get there.
Another thing I found out that is scheduled to possibly change this year is free prescriptions. It had escaped my knowledge that once you reach 60 you are entitled to free prescriptions. It was a builder/joiner doing some work for me who mentioned this was under review.
Topic came up as he'd seen the rather large deliveries of items I need and he mused that he was due to get free prescriptions in a few months time when he reached 60, but expected that to be withdrawn this year and realigned to state retirement date. Wonder how that will work out for those already in the 60+ age group. It's meant to only affect England, Scotland & Wales remains unaffected.
He was saying he currently needs meds for arthritis etc mainly brought about from doing his job and also gets pain from (RSI?) usage of power tools. So although being in the trade since leaving school at 16, its only the past couple of years he has physically started having problems with certain labour jobs and really could not see him being able to continue doing his job for another 8 years. He said it may be possible for an office worker to continue until 68, but a large chunk of those who perform manual labour type work quite often physically struggle when they reach their 60's.
It's quite a dilemma for any gov, where you have a population living far longer lives than when the National Insurance scheme was brought in. How many of them are physically fit enough to perform manual intensive work. There is also pressure on the NHS for medical conditions that arise later in life. Whilst we may try to live healthier lifestyles, in a way we are just delaying the inevitable. Gosh how depressing.