i want to retire!

So very sorry that you are stuck in this trap Lynb. My feeling is your doctor could be your best support here but I think you should follow Mishap's sound advice.

I stopped work at 50 to help my then pregnant daughter who was very poorly. Also arthritis meant I could not do my job as well as I would like. I did not claim benefits. Fortunately my OH was able to support the two of us but it did necessitate downsizing and major belt tightening. Once again I was lucky because it was possible for me to draw my pension at 60; OH is five years older than me.

These days it is so hard and the Government has made it hugely difficult for everyone. I should like to see the 'Decision Makers' have to cope with the same situations that 'normal people' survive.

I had to leave a job because it was making me ill, and when this was explained to DWP they did actually award me JSA.

However, TAB12's statement Experience is being valued more and more now a days is in many cases utter crap it, depends a lot on where you live, what you would like to do and what transferable skills you might have.

But hey, what do I know?

You do not have to work until state pension age, you just will not get a state pension until that age. If you have a personal pension, it can be taken any age from 55. You will not get as much as if you wait until 65 or 66. You have to weigh up the pros and cons.

I was terrified of them moving the goalposts before I was able to retire [which was last October]. It was only then that I realised how tired I was, so I feel terribly sorry for people that have to continue working.

Yes, I have to work till I'm 66 too. Am 60 in June and feel worn out at work though I do enjoy doing something useful.
DH retired 3 years ago so I'm just jealous probably!

Never really thought I wanted to retire . I thought I would be bored but now I see friends who have taken early retirement I am quite envious of the free time they have. Only problem is I now have to work six years longer than I thought. Just lucky my job is not physical.

The change in the pension rules is truly dreadful for those such as yourself caught in this trap.

Can I make a couple of suggestions?

Are you able to talk to the HR department at your work; or the boss if it is a small firm? Tell them that the work is taking a toll on your health and discuss whether they are able to accommodate your needs somehow.

If this gets you nowhere I think you should talk with your GP - tell him that you cannot manage the work because of your pain. He may be able to do something about that; or to recommend that you stop the job you are doing - in which case you would be in a better position to apply for benefits.

Would you be able to live on benefits to which you are entitled? Are you living alone? Perhaps you should talk to CAB and find out what you might be entitled to, then you will have a clear picture of what the future could hold.

If u lose your job then u can get help but if u leave your job then its a different matter. I'm going to have to carry on for a while n now the warmer weather is here it doesn't take as long to get my joints going,but come autumn/winter again its not going to be good again! It just pains me that there are younger people who need n want jobs but the government insist that us 'oldies' carry on when they would be happy to stand aside and let the younger people workshop I feel I've done my bit n now I want 'me time' to spend time with my grandkids,read my books n just be me.

Lynb. It's so unfair isn't it. First you thought you could retire at 60 then the rules are changed so you thought you'd be 63+ Now they moved it again to 65 or 66. I was born in 53 so only got the extra 3 years. A year later and you got an extra 5 or 6. Not that my comments make it any easier. I just wanted to commiserate and say you shitty short end of the stick. I think TAB is right start looking for a change now. It's somtimes easier to get another jobif your employed. I really don't know anything about the benefit system apart from what I hear from others but could you take shorter hours and claim some top up benefits. My husband meets lots of people who tell him it's not worth working more than 16 hours as it affects their benefits and they wouldn't be any better off. I get a little anxious about my ability to keep up the pace of work now. I hate that I'm the oldest person in team so I know how you feel.

It's not right, is it? Hope that you can find something less tiring Lynb.
If you own your own house, then you can't claim housing benefit can you? The doctor would have to say that you qualify for job benefits because of your medical condition [arthritis] perhaps?The state pension should kick in soon for you though[2/3 years?]If it all gets too much go and talk frankly to your GP.

Lynb1954 you should be able to claim housing benefit and council tax and job seekers allowance, my neighbour is 59 and claims all of those things and has done for nearly a year, since she lost her job.

Please do not think that no one would be interested in employing you if, you wanted a different job, Experience is being valued more and more now a days.

I feel for you because I can feel the sadness in your thread, but there is hope, just for the sake of it and you have nothing to loose, apply for a couple of jobs and see what happens

It is worrying Lynb and even if you could claim, the chances are it wouldn't be enough to live on