What do you think it will be like for you.......Retirement

atrottel · February 16, 2016

Zatara said:
Im in Manila at the moment but will be in Singapore again soon i think. I just read that some countries can pass for the UK pension to be sent to an applicants bank account...philippines is one.

Yes, the main thing you want to keep an eye on (if you are a while away from a pension) is whether there is a reciprocal agreement between the UK and the country where you retire. If there is - and there currently is with the Philippines but not with Singapore - the pension increases every year in line with the UK. If not, then it doesn't.

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/how-to-claim

Zatara said:
I guess id need to wait till i hit retirement age to do so, for my swiss pension i pulled it out and used it as it was just a few grand

A "few grand" invested in a pension at 25 is a big difference to a "few grand" at 65...

Zatara said:
Are there actually any good things about the state pension at all or i may as well invest in something else.

Depends what kind of contributions you are paying. If they are Class 2, in my opinion you pay chickenfeed for what you get.

bol-uk · February 16, 2016

cduff said:
Good post.
Given that we are generally living a lot longer these days, retirement could be a long time. I think, it is important to keep yourself busy and approach retirement in a positive way. Charity/voluntary work is a great idea. Maybe taking up a hobby or learning a language to keep the old brain ticking over. I hope at some stage to have Grandkids but there is no guarantee of if/when. Definitely want to get over to GP some time (from Oz).

Yes, Grandkids (the thought of) is a major factor in my lifestyle change (or attempt at). I cannot keep getting hammered and then expect to live well until I am 90. I'd love to live long and be healthy but it won't happen the way I smash it. I eat well but it's the rest of it that will kill me

cduff · February 16, 2016

bol-uk said:
Yes, Grandkids (the thought of) is a major factor in my lifestyle change (or attempt at). I cannot keep getting hammered and then expect to live well until I am 90. I'd love to live long and be healthy but it won't happen the way I smash it. I eat well but it's the rest of it that will kill me

Well, at least you'll have lots of great stories to tell the Grandkids!