My story

26.05.11 - Joy Waters

I am one of the women facing an increase of almost two years in my pension age and like many others, I am desperate to get the government to listen.  For the first time in our lives we are wishing we were just four years older and would now be retired.  Nobody argues with the principle of equalisation but a three year difference in pension age over the course of one year seems so very harsh. 

I only work part time with a net salary of just over £7000 per annum to enable me to look after my grandchildren.  My daughter needs to work to pay her mortgage and child care is too expensive.  My parents are in their 80s and in need of more care as age and infirmity catch up with them.  Looking after my family is my greatest privilege and pleasure but it is demanding and knowing that I will now have to work for almost two more years has left me completely dismayed.  I have just survived a redundancy round and discovered that my private pension is just over £600 per annum.   My husband had already been made redundant when this was announced and we had considerably changed our retirement plans and expectations.  We live quite happily on a very modest income but knowing I will now have no choice but to retire three years after him seems like a blow too far. 

I am not particularly disadvantaged in any way but this has upset me more than any other political issue in my life and I have never felt so strongly about anything.

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