Are we oldies managing better under lockdown than the younger ones?

Curryman

Curryman

Well-known member
Just a thought, I'm used to being in the house for a good deal of the week under normal circumstances, as is the missus. We both have our own interests and hobbies and just get on with things as days go by, doing our own thing and meeting mainly for meals.

Not a lot has changed since the lockdown, apart from not being able to go out for a day to Skipton or the cinema etc, and on a Thursday when we normally do this we are now gradually deep cleaning each room in the house, otherwise, our daily routine hasn't altered greatly.

We shop once a week and visit the allotment when we can for our exercise, normally once maybe twice a week, and the main difference for us is not being able to see our son, our daughter, and the grandchildren who usually come for dinner on a Tuesday, however that saves a lot of work cooking and clearing afterwards and is preserving my stock of wine and brandy.

Retirement does have its advantages when things like this happen!
 
Talking to someone who was in lockdown in Spain I would suggest that this isn’t really lockdown. There’s street parties ( with social distancing) going on, the parks are packed, I’ve never seen so many people exercise. In Spain you could literally only go to the shop for essentials and the Garda and civics were policing it very strictly, you had to show your receipt or you were arrested or sent back the way you came. Some in this country are following the rules and lots are not. We’re too soft and we won’t be told.
 
You have more disposable income than most and your pensions are intact,unlike the majority of workers who's income has been decimated. Still think a % off pensions would be good,not bothered how much,just some. We are in this together.
 
Scara, agree. On Blackpool Rd Poulton I don't think I've ever seen so many people walking to, and from, town.
Loads of runners too.
Another one of my pet hates is speeding on this Rd. Because there's not much vehicular traffic they all seem to
think that the speed limit has been lifted. 😕
 
Many poor pensioners are used to feeling isolated 😳 . I think it is likely easier for pensioners due to circumstances.
Scara & Davepick makes a very valid point about the lockdown. For all the bleating its not exactly ardent.
Although the vast majority are taking it seriously some others are taking the piss by going out, driving, shopping & taking excercise a lot more than needed.
I do understand though people need ways to 'let of steam'.
 
todayistheday said:
You have more disposable income than most and your pensions are intact,unlike the majority of workers who's income has been decimated. Still think a % off pensions would be good,not bothered how much,just some. We are in this together.
Click to expand...
I worked 52 years for my pension. I therefore think I am entitled to every penny and even now at my ripe old age would physically fight anyone who tried to reduce it.
 
People have never seen so many joggers since the lockdown.
Maybe people should think this is because all the gyms are shut and jogging is an ideal substitute to keep fitness up until gyms reopen?

Just a thought.

Also for todayistheday, pensions are monies that have already been accrued. That's why when you're at work you make pension contribution.
It's like asking you to give a percentage of your savings away whilst the pandemic is here!
 
Scaramanga said:
Talking to someone who was in lockdown in Spain I would suggest that this isn’t really lockdown. There’s street parties ( with social distancing) going on, the parks are packed, I’ve never seen so many people exercise. In Spain you could literally only go to the shop for essentials and the Garda and civics were policing it very strictly, you had to show your receipt or you were arrested or sent back the way you came. Some in this country are following the rules and lots are not. We’re too soft and we won’t be told.
Click to expand...
Agreed. The in-laws live in France, and they are amazed by how lenient it is here compared to France. You can go out (with a paper saying why) but you can only really exercise to the end of the road and for shopping. The Gendarmes are on you within a few minutes of leaving your property, with 135 euro fines for non compliance.
It's not changed too much for me and Mrs Dave, we can still walk the dog on the beach without using the car to get there. Our son had been working 7 day weeks for the last year to save for his house purchase, so he is enjoying the break, albeit with us. He was made redundant due to the virus so lost his house as he was about to sign the contract. Shame - He was looking forward to getting his own place.
 
todayistheday said:
You have more disposable income than most and your pensions are intact,unlike the majority of workers who's income has been decimated. Still think a % off pensions would be good,not bothered how much,just some. We are in this together.
Click to expand...
Survey in the Times yesterday said that those most likely to ignore coronavirus guidelines are Audi and BMW drivers. Anyone surprised?
 
Goforgoal said:
I worked 52 years for my pension. I therefore think I am entitled to every penny and even now at my ripe old age would physically fight anyone who tried to reduce it.
Click to expand...
Agree entirely. Not getting mine for anothet couple of years but think anyone suggesting this obviously doesn't rely on a state pension. Fails to mention 80% paid by government and rest by employer. If 2500 per month isn't enough I feel sad for you.
 
I’m ok but probably as I’m watching my disability benefits come in and not having any expenditures bar shopping, phone and internet.

Literally all my “disposable income” just sitting there. The longer this goes on the better the holiday is going to be after this all ends
 
Goforgoal said:
I worked 52 years for my pension. I therefore think I am entitled to every penny and even now at my ripe old age would physically fight anyone who tried to reduce it.
Click to expand...
Millions have gone through education,Uni,apprenticeships,retraining only to be told there is sweet FA for you,the more it goes on will be affecting their future pensions,just the answer I would expect off some of the elder generation,Im all right jack. I could go on but dont want to give you high blood pressure.
 
todayistheday said:
Millions have gone through education,Uni,apprenticeships,retraining only to be told there is sweet FA for you,the more it goes on will be affecting their future pensions,just the answer I would expect off some of the elder generation,Im all right jack. I could go on but dont want to give you high blood pressure.
Click to expand...
You do know people pay tax on their pension dont you?
 
todayistheday said:
Millions have gone through education,Uni,apprenticeships,retraining only to be told there is sweet FA for you,the more it goes on will be affecting their future pensions,just the answer I would expect off some of the elder generation,Im all right jack. I could go on but dont want to give you high blood pressure.
Click to expand...
Is it my fault the world has gone to the dogs? I lived my life in my time, not in this time. It’s not a case of I’m alright jack, it’s just a case of people of my generation have worked all our lives and paid our dues hoping to retire in a reasonable degree of comfort. I could have retired at 65 but I worked until 67, I then had to retire due to ill health. You now seem to intimate I am selfish because I don’t want to give up something I have worked all my life, and paid all my dues, for. I’m afraid any sympathy I had with your argument has now completely evaporated, you just appear to believe because you are suffering everyone else is to blame and should also suffer.🤡
 
The pension argument... Firstly, the pension YOU receive is paid for by the workers of today, NOT by what you paid in. The difference is, as a generalisation, all those who are currently roughly 65 to 85 paid towards the previous generation's pensions when you worked but people died a lot younger. Your generation is lucky in that due to a variety of factors your life expectancy is far greater than the previous generation. However, the pension system was not designed for you to live so long - which is why for current and future workers the age of retirement has had to be raised significantly. So, be grateful that you lived at just the right time... in the "golden age of pensions"... they will never be so generous again and they never have been in the past...but old people who are smug about their luck, the "I've worked for this" argument, please don't be. Just be quietly happy that you were born at the right time.
As for the question from the o/p... Yes, in terms of the financial effect of the pandemic and the relative social effects, you have generally been affected less than younger generations. You are not "managing better", you have been negatively affected less. As long as you don't catch it, of course (and I don't want you to btw).
 
I fail to see where I mentioned anything about money on my post, yet it seems some take exception to me having a pension. I planned my retirement from an early age, saving in pension schemes both private and work pensions. I didn't have big flash cars and still don't have ( a 58 plate fabia) my first trip abroad was in 1986, when I was 39 and I haven't travelled outside Europe at all. In the words of Gordon Brown I have been prudent. Even so we live on around 40 percent of what we were earning when working and anything else comes out of our savings, which earn nothing really, and is not replaced. But I'm happy.

So, that is my reality, not the Playboy life by a long chalk. Oh, and those that don't plan but spend, spend, spend will be worse off than me.
 
Have to say it's the amount of time spent with the Missus which is doing my head in! She finds a job for every hour of the day and starts with a timetable of the day's activities. The sooner I can go back to work, the better! I reckon I'll be skipping there!
 
Curryman said:
I fail to see where I mentioned anything about money on my post, yet it seems some take exception to me having a pension. I planned my retirement from an early age, saving in pension schemes both private and work pensions. I didn't have big flash cars and still don't have ( a 58 plate fabia) my first trip abroad was in 1986, when I was 39 and I haven't travelled outside Europe at all. In the words of Gordon Brown I have been prudent. Even so we live on around 40 percent of what we were earning when working and anything else comes out of our savings, which earn nothing really, and is not replaced. But I'm happy.

So, that is my reality, not the Playboy life by a long chalk. Oh, and those that don't plan but spend, spend, spend will be worse off than me.
Click to expand...
There are some very bitter young people around wilf,
They don't seem to understand that with these new plastic notes you cant even light your cigars with tenners anymore
 
BlackpoolWolves said:
The pension argument... Firstly, the pension YOU receive is paid for by the workers of today, NOT by what you paid in. The difference is, as a generalisation, all those who are currently roughly 65 to 85 paid towards the previous generation's pensions when you worked but people died a lot younger. Your generation is lucky in that due to a variety of factors your life expectancy is far greater than the previous generation. However, the pension system was not designed for you to live so long - which is why for current and future workers the age of retirement has had to be raised significantly. So, be grateful that you lived at just the right time... in the "golden age of pensions"... they will never be so generous again and they never have been in the past...but old people who are smug about their luck, the "I've worked for this" argument, please don't be. Just be quietly happy that you were born at the right time.
As for the question from the o/p... Yes, in terms of the financial effect of the pandemic and the relative social effects, you have generally been affected less than younger generations. You are not "managing better", you have been negatively affected less. As long as you don't catch it, of course (and I don't want you to btw).
Click to expand...
Not quite correct. My wife started work at the age of 15, with the governmental promise of retirement at 60. However due to the profligacy of successive governments they decided to increase the retirement age. At first gradually, then with increased acceleration. The upshot being her retirement age was increased to 66. However she didn’t have enough time to increase her pension contributions so had to suck it up. So don’t think a) we are the lucky ones and b) that you are the only ones who have been shat on.
 
Goforgoal said:
Not quite correct. My wife started work at the age of 15, with the governmental promise of retirement at 60. However due to the profligacy of successive governments they decided to increase the retirement age. At first gradually, then with increased acceleration. The upshot being her retirement age was increased to 66. However she didn’t have enough time to increase her pension contributions so had to suck it up. So don’t think a) we are the lucky ones and b) that you are the only ones who have been shat on.
Click to expand...
Not having that at all

The reason pension age has gone up, as above, is because people are living much longer than when your wife was 15, very simple.

Apparently we're all in this together, except pensioners
 
Only thing that does my head in is I know someone that retired in their late 40s and is on a combined pension of 22k. I earn what I think is a very good basic salary of 22k but I’ll work almost double the amount of years they did and probably get a lesser pension when everything will have probably doubled in price in comparison. In my very limited knowledge theirs no contest.
 
Hankey2009 said:
Only thing that does my head in is I know someone that retired in their late 40s and is on a combined pension of 22k. I earn what I think is a very good basic salary of 22k but I’ll work almost double the amount of years they did and probably get a lesser pension when everything will have probably doubled in price in comparison. In my very limited knowledge theirs no contest.
Click to expand...
My last word on this subject. Perhaps all the current workers will be happy if us pensioners go about as usual catch covid 19 and die within the next couple of months. There will then be more money for them, we will be out of the picture, everybody happy. By the way this will include your parents/ grandparents.
 
Goforgoal said:
My last word on this subject. Perhaps all the current workers will be happy if us pensioners go about as usual catch covid 19 and die within the next couple of months. There will then be more money for them, we will be out of the picture, everybody happy. By the way this will include your parents/ grandparents.

Wow, so my take on pensioners today getting a better deal than I will get makes me want them to die?
I think you’ve taken my opinion completely out of context
Click to expand...
 
Goforgoal said:
My last word on this subject. Perhaps all the current workers will be happy if us pensioners go about as usual catch covid 19 and die within the next couple of months. There will then be more money for them, we will be out of the picture, everybody happy. By the way this will include your parents/ grandparents.
Click to expand...
😂😂😂 strange old boy.
 
Goforgoal said:
My last word on this subject. Perhaps all the current workers will be happy if us pensioners go about as usual catch covid 19 and die within the next couple of months. There will then be more money for them, we will be out of the picture, everybody happy. By the way this will include your parents/ grandparents.
Click to expand...
No, we don't want you all to die. For me, it's the lack of appreciation/understanding shown by some current pensioners (that they have a much better pension situation than either the people who came before or those who come after) that I find irritating. Just some empathy towards others less fortunate would be nice. The post by the o/p, in a time when a lot of the younger generation have been hit financially hit hard, I found to be insensitive - especially when a lot of this younger generation are working hard to keep them safe and taking personal risks with their own lives in the course of doing so.
 
Blackpool Wolves said - 'the post by the o/p, in a time when a lot of the younger generation have been hit financially hit hard, I found to be insensitive'.

Once again I state that I did not mention money anywhere in the post as you can see below.

The OP by me in full -

'Just a thought, I'm used to being in the house for a good deal of the week under normal circumstances, as is the missus. We both have our own interests and hobbies and just get on with things as days go by, doing our own thing and meeting mainly for meals.

Not a lot has changed since the lockdown, apart from not being able to go out for a day to Skipton or the cinema etc, and on a Thursday when we normally do this we are now gradually deep cleaning each room in the house, otherwise, our daily routine hasn't altered greatly.

We shop once a week and visit the allotment when we can for our exercise, normally once maybe twice a week, and the main difference for us is not being able to see our son, our daughter, and the grandchildren who usually come for dinner on a Tuesday, however that saves a lot of work cooking and clearing afterwards and is preserving my stock of wine and brandy.

Retirement does have its advantages when things like this happen! '

Pray tell me which part of that do you find insensitive? Is it the fact that I have an occasional Brandy, I drink about two bottles per annum, a glass of wine a couple of times a week, having a day out and a pub lunch once a week, or is there something in there that you have misread, misinterpreted or that I haven't explained very well?

I honestly give up.

Just to add, have you ever been on the brink of insolvency? I have.

Have you ever been made redundant and out of work for 9 months? I have.

Have you ever had a business which you have built up and then had your rent tripled thus making your investment worthless? I have.
 
Curryman said:
Blackpool Wolves said - 'the post by the o/p, in a time when a lot of the younger generation have been hit financially hit hard, I found to be insensitive'.

Once again I state that I did not mention money anywhere in the post as you can see below.

The OP by me in full -

'Just a thought, I'm used to being in the house for a good deal of the week under normal circumstances, as is the missus. We both have our own interests and hobbies and just get on with things as days go by, doing our own thing and meeting mainly for meals.

Not a lot has changed since the lockdown, apart from not being able to go out for a day to Skipton or the cinema etc, and on a Thursday when we normally do this we are now gradually deep cleaning each room in the house, otherwise, our daily routine hasn't altered greatly.

We shop once a week and visit the allotment when we can for our exercise, normally once maybe twice a week, and the main difference for us is not being able to see our son, our daughter, and the grandchildren who usually come for dinner on a Tuesday, however that saves a lot of work cooking and clearing afterwards and is preserving my stock of wine and brandy.

Retirement does have its advantages when things like this happen! '

Pray tell me which part of that do you find insensitive? Is it the fact that I have an occasional Brandy, I drink about two bottles per annum, a glass of wine a couple of times a week, having a day out and a pub lunch once a week, or is there something in there that you have misread, misinterpreted or that I haven't explained very well?

I honestly give up.

Just to add, have you ever been on the brink of insolvency? I have.

Have you ever been made redundant and out of work for 9 months? I have.

Have you ever had a business which you have built up and then had your rent tripled thus making your investment worthless? I have.
Click to expand...

I really don't think you should have to explain yourself to people who clearly can't read and obviously have money on the brain.. 👍 Its financially a difficult time for alot of people (might be their reason for being so bitter). Some company's are paying their staff who are furloughed the extra %... Should they have to give up their 20% to be the same as the majority of furloughed.. No! Whatever you get for your pension is nobody's else's business! Main thing is you take care of yourself and screw the people who are ignorant towards you.
 
The basic pension is not a lot of money. Are some suggesting the older people that paid into a private pension or employers one are now penalised?
Seems harsh.
Some older people were 'thrifty' all their lives and went without so they could enjoy a comfortable retirement.
Is it right to take that away.?
Dont forget many eventually end up in rest homes & may have to sell their property to pay for it

Perhaps 'their crime' is that in the main they were more responsible & didnt evoke a 'have it now' mentality.

I agree most likely had more job security. However they probably lived more within their means & did without. I bet very few were 'livin it up' by maxing out credit cards then blaming banks for allowing them to do so?
I know many who max out a credit cards are not living it up btw but just an example of the 'live now, pay later' culture.
 
Last edited:
Getting back to the Op.... Myself and my good lady are in our 50s and are coping well with the current situation... Pottering around our garden... Occasional cooling drink and munchies etc... Now our next door neighbours are a nice youngish couple 30ish are struggling... You can here them huffing and puffing muttering 'I'm bored' and standing with hands on hips looking lost... Bless them... They admit that staying in is doing their heads in lol.
He has polished his car daily and cut his grass to within an inch of its life... All the neighbours go out and laugh... He joins in and it all helps get through the day.
 
I'm in my 50s and not sk bad as still at work but had to self isolate for 2 weeks and did not enjoy it at all - not sure but could not get into book ,films - dog walk was highlight of every day
Mrs seems to manage better than me
 
As Tower power said, getting back to the O/P :- MrsDP and I are doing OK. One thing is, we never argue (I would always be wrong
anyway 😕 ). We have a great relationship built over many years of understanding, and intuitively know what the other is thinking.
We each know how the other is feeling and thinking and make the necessary adjustments.
We are happy to have each other.
P.S. She has never moaned about me following my football team.😁
 
Just spoke with a Sister up at the Vic,she says the old folk are a fkin joke. They need to be in a stricter lockdown or there will be many many more deaths. I know its hard for some but for the jokers on here,its time to take it serious.
 
todayistheday said:
Just spoke with a Sister up at the Vic,she says the old folk are a fkin joke. They need to be in a stricter lockdown or there will be many many more deaths. I know its hard for some but for the jokers on here,its time to take it serious.
Click to expand...

I'd like to take YOU seriously, but some things are just impossible......
 
Not sure age has anything to do with managing the lockdown, but being on your own YOUNG OR OLD , living in a small flat with no outside space, being a single parent living in cramped conditions, must be one hell of a challenge at any age.
I am fortunate to live with my best friend we have been married for coming up to 56 years, but how I would manage on my own I wouldn't like to contemplate, I know I would find it very tough going.
 
While taking my constitutional I have noticed it's the older ones who struggle to maintain the 2 metre gap, and my wife reports it's them who ignore the one way system in Asda. Maybe it's part of that Brexit voting, nothing metric mentality 😁
 
Of course we manage better. We had it worse during the Falklands you know, you couldn't get corned beef for weeks.
 
todayistheday said:
I asked if she thought nurse's would get a pay rise in the near future,she said, I doubt it.
Click to expand...
A very good point. If anyone deserves a pay rise in recognition of what they do, it is NHS and care staff. They are thanked by everyone from the public to the PM - time to back the words up with financial recognition IMHO. I saw the Care Minister being interviewed by Piers Morgan last week. She refused to support the lifting of a 1% cap for care staff, saying they are well paid for what they do FFS.
 
Todayistheday has certainly got a terrific bias against pensioners. He must have had a bad experience with one once. It seems whatever ills befall this country or anyone in it, everything from unseasonal weather to a pandemic is the fault of the old. Give it a rest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top