Hi - I am having to give up my job in June as I will be 65 - it's crazy - I would like to carry on working but who will employ me!! I am a secretary and have a computer at home - anyone got any ideas of working from home? Or any other ideas really. I only have my pension and will have to give up my car if I can't find any work. I hate the idea.

Cass

Hi Folks - interesting thread. I have been self employed all my career and I have never been out of work. I work in Education and also do secretarial work/self assessment tax returns/VAT returns for a network of clients/ private tuition and coaching for youngsters who need help etc.. I work as a freelance journalist and also produce random articles for a range of magazines/journals. I write books and I run creative writing courses. I run awareness training seminars for people who are looking to start their own business.

No this is not an advert!!!!

I'm just pointing out that there are always openings for enterprising people whatever skills you have. The whole point is actually recognising that you DO have skills that other people may wish to utilise. Anyone wanting a one to one chat can check my profile. I have just reached 60 and have no intention of retiring. However, another point raised on this thread about pensions. Why defer what is yours at 60/65. You might not live to pick up much after 75, so take it now and if you don't need it, invest it. A bird in the hand . . . . as they say . . . . .

Cass,

The mention of the puppy reminded me of one of my friends who funds her holidays with taking in pooches for holidays, etc. I have met some of these dogs and they are all adorable and give her great pleasure - it keeps her healthy (she is 74 and line dances 5 nights a week) This year she is off to Las Vegas and has booked all the big shows which is an expensive holiday - so there is money to be made.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to give me your ideas for home working - I will certainly explore down some of these avenues. Any more advice please keep it coming.

Cass

If you folks have been forced to retire this may interest you .

you are forced to retire at age 65 or above you can bring a claim at the employment tribunal. If your employer has not followed the correct retirement procedure you will have a claim for age discrimination and/or unfair dismissal. Even if your employer has followed the procedure correctly, you can still bring a claim and this should be stayed (put on hold) pending the outcome of the ‘Heyday case’.

On 6th December 2006, the High Court heard a Judicial Review brought by Heyday, part of Age Concern, challenging the ‘default retirement age’ which allows mandatory retirement of employees over age 65. The case has been referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

On 8th November 2007 the President of the Employment Tribunals made a direction that all relevant tribunal cases should be stayed pending the decision of the ECJ. This covers all cases relating to the retirement of employees age 65 or over, where the retirement procedure has been followed.

If the ECJ agrees with Heyday’s interpretation of the European law, some parts of the age regulations would have to be amended. Employers would not be able to rely on the ‘default retirement age’ of 65, from the date the law came into force. So any employees over 65 who have been forced to retire at any time from 1st October 2006 can put in a claim for age discrimination and unfair dismissal in the hope that they would eventually be covered by revised legislation. Any such claims must be submitted to the employment tribunal within three months of the date of dismissal. The decision of the ECJ is expected in late 2008 or early 2009.

What can you do if you are forced to retire?

If you are age 65 or over and you are being forced to retire by your employer, you can take the following action:

Inform your employer of the Heyday case that has been referred to the ECJ. Explain that there is a possibility that the ECJ will find that mandatory retirement ages are unlawful. Explain that because the position is uncertain, the safest option for them may be to allow you to continue working. You can raise these arguments when making a request not to retire.
If your request to continue working is refused you can submit a claim to the employment tribunal for age discrimination and unfair dismissal. You must submit your claim within THREE MONTHS of the date you were dismissed. On the claim form you should request that the claim be stayed pending the outcome of The Queen (on the application of The Incorporated Trustees of the National Council on Ageing) v The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
If your employer has not followed the retirement procedure correctly, for example if they did not hold a meeting with you to discuss your request not to retire, your claim may go ahead without having to wait for the result of the ECJ case, as this is likely to be an unlawful dismissal under the law as it stands now.
Source - Age Concern.

In my neck of the woods, Uxbridge, people pay £10 an hour to have their dog walked. One of the walkers I meet has a pack of five. If a household has 2 dogs she charges £10 for the first one and two for the second. Stupidly I don't charge for the dog I take out because he's a delightful Border Collie a pleasure to be with.

might be worth checking with your local FE college as many are really desperate for teachers who can teach things like electronics, engineering, sales and marketing. Like many on here I was also going to suggest dog walking, but what also about house sitting when people want to go away (you will need insurance) advising small businesses on sales and marketing, refurbishing sewing machines washing machines etc. and selling them on. If you are anywhere near London there is also a market for people to do shopping for busy business people, Good luck. I am going to ahve to defer my pension thanks to Bankers and Gordon Brown, probably be 80 by the time I get around to retiring. Enjoy yours.