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LadyEllen -> RE: Gen X on retirement (4/16/2008 3:48:10 AM)
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Those who left school at and around the time I did, came out into a world where there were not enough jobs. As a result, there are people of my age and around my age (40) that have never worked a day in their lives, and so never contributed a penny to any of the social welfare systems that have supported them through their lives to date. Some of us got what few jobs were available and have worked 20+ years, contributing to all of the social welfare systems which provide for our unemployed former schoolmates. When each group reaches retirement, they are each to receive two pensions. One which is a basic and one which is contributions based or a private pension to which contributions have been made. The contributions based state pension has long been under threat - the governments of the last two decades have been desperately trying to get everyone able to do so, to sign for a private pension. The provision of the state contributions based pension would bankrupt the country. Many signed for a private pension, on promises of it being better than the state pension - and then found that the stockmarket in which their contributions were invested, lost the lot. Meanwhile those selling these pensions are still driving around in their Mercedes..... Personally, I dont believe in handing over my money for a pig in a poke - which is what a private pension is and which many have found out to their cost. And I dont believe that there is anything beneficial to me in saving my money or investing it myself for my old age - because the social benefits system will top up the funds of those who never contributed, whilst my savings and investments will deny me such a top up. There is no advantage to gain for me, in doing the right thing. Instead, I intend to keep working in my business for as long as possible - or at least to draw salary from my business (my kids will run it I'm planning). And I shall sell my house - because otherwise the state will require me to sell it to pay for my care in old age - another investment through my life which will come to naught and leave me no better off than if I had done nothing for myself. And there is the problem - that we have learnt that doing the right thing is of no benefit to us. So it then becomes a little perverse to ask why we dont or wont do it. E
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