retiring here

[stevewool]

well just read a report about the average brit who wants to retire at 65 says they think they would like £22500 a year to live comfortable, and yes you have guessed it, your money is going to run out very very quickly,
So what do you do spend spend and spend some more then the government can look after you, or do you budget, or move to the paradise and live within your means not expecting anything from anyone, well the latter is the one for me, whats you thinking on this,
Plus did i hear the other day about savings has gone down, the average person is only saving £88 a month and thats us men too

[tiger31]

I believe the average pensioner spends most of their income on keeping warm through the winter and cutting back what they eat leading to more misery. A pensioner could come and live in the philippines quite easily on a british state pension and not have to worry about the gas bill anymore and have good quality nursing care if required but its family ties that would stop most pensioners from making the move. if I had no family and was say 15 or 20 years older I would stay here that,s for sure, because so many old people suffer in england in their twilight years. Thats the one thing I envy about philippinos they look after momma and pappa at home until they die, in the uk you get thrown into a nursing home and just about getting a visit once a fortnight if ya lucky.

[stevewool]

so true in all you say Brain

[Terpe]

The older we get the more likely we are to need care and medical attention.
As it stands right now the NHS is free at point of delievery and can be a life saver.
Equivalent treatment in Philippines would clean out most folks.
That's a key issue to come to terms with one way or another.

Aside from financials that's one big reason to make sure your spouse/partner has British Citizenship

[stevewool]

again Peter you are right in all you say,
Concerning the NHS i am sure in my lifetime it will not be free, but some sort of insurance policy to be taken out by all, just my thoughts,

[Terpe]

again Peter you are right in all you say,
Concerning the NHS i am sure in my lifetime it will not be free, but some sort of insurance policy to be taken out by all, just my thoughts,

My gut feeling is that the NHS is not structured to take care of elderly folks needing complex care strategies. That's not to say it's not good at it, just that it's getting overwhelmed by increases in demand and reported decreases in resources.

So what I'm getting around to saying is that I think care for the elderly will be first to be dropped to specialist providers. Just how that'll get funded remains to be seen, but surely the ever increased costs of elderly care cannot be serviced from current budgets.

On the other hand, this care of elderly seem to be a recognised opportunity in the Philippines with the increase in so-called retirement villages etc with included medical care facilities.

Food for thought

[DaveyWallis]

Is the £22,500 per person or per couple? Per person seems quite high and if that is what this is based upon you have to wonder how the figure is arrived at.

£22,500 is higher than the take home pay of the average wage. You'd think that by retirement age mortgages would have been paid off so you'd need less to live on.

I know that I could live very comfortably on less than half that amount.

With regards to care in later life I'm sure that at one time it was suggested by one of the political parties that at retirement age you could take out an insurance policy for a one-off payment of £8,000 that would provide for all care costs for the future.

It's not materialised yet (to my knowledge) but it did seem like a good idea.

[gWaPito]

My gut feeling is that the NHS is not structured to take care of elderly folks needing complex care strategies. That's not to say it's not good at it, just that it's getting overwhelmed by increases in demand and reported decreases in resources.

So what I'm getting around to saying is that I think care for the elderly will be first to be dropped to specialist providers. Just how that'll get funded remains to be seen, but surely the ever increased costs of elderly care cannot be serviced from current budgets.

On the other hand, this care of elderly seem to be a recognised opportunity in the Philippines with the increase in so-called retirement villages etc with included medical care facilities.

Food for thought

You are still going to be better off here with health and elderly care compared to the Philippines whether our system changes drastically or not.

Like tiger31 said, family ties are what keep most of us here.
I'm about to become a grandfather for the first time which I'm really excited about.

I have two baby boys as well as a grown up son and daughter both of whom are getting married Sept 2014.

My daughter said the other day not to worry about being alone when you get old she said I can go live with them hahaha.


I wasn't saying this 7 years ago when I set up business in Panacan Davao. I was going to move lock stock and barrel and buy a plush home in Woodridge and live happily ever after.

It didn't turn out that way.
That was my first big financial hit.

Like Brian, I'm grateful I didn't sell my house here. ..okay its on an interest only but at least I'm able to pay it off by the time im 65.

The day I stop work is the day I give up on life.

[Michael Parnham]

You are still going to be better off here with health and elderly care compared to the Philippines whether our system changes drastically or not.

Like tiger31 said, family ties are what keep most of us here.
I'm about to become a grandfather for the first time which I'm really excited about and I have two babies and a grown up son who to is getting married soon they too are trying for babies. I'm a family man through and through, it's the way I've been made.
My eldest said the other day not to worry about being alone when you get old she said I can go live with them hahaha.
I wasn't saying this 7 years ago when I set up business in Panacan Davao. I was going to move lock stock and barrel and buy a plush home in Woodridge and live happily ever after. It didn't turn out that way.
That was my first big financial hit.

Like Brian, I'm grateful I didn't sell my house here. ..okay its on an interest only but at least I'm able to pay it off by the time im 65.
The day I stop work is the day I give up on life.

The day I retired was the start of my life, no work, no worries, no mortgage, beautiful home, Philippines twice a year, Cornwall every year, new car every year (no finance), could do anything I wanted in life and no problems in life until, I met my Beautiful Maritess, I then gave everything away, ended up with nothing zilch, worked all my life without a single day off work ever, lost everything I'd worked for. But I don't regret it, because I found what I've always wanted and now I'm happy!

[malditako]

The way i see it...retiring here would be a nightmare for me...i rather be sick at back in phils surrounded by my family and happy people than getting treatment here inside a lonely nursing home

[Terpe]

You are still going to be better off here with health and elderly care compared to the Philippines whether our system changes drastically or not.

I really believe that's a debatable issue.
It certainly hinges around personal circumstances and family trust.

It's very easy to think that our families will take care of us when that time comes, but all I ask is that you think seriously and with honesty about that prospect.
We're not talking about the normal active and reasonably healthy 65 year old.
We're talking about relying on family to undertake the everyday personal care of those who cannot take care to themselves.
At it's simplest level that entails help with personal hygiene, continence management, assistance with meal preparation, assistance with eating, personal assistance and simple daily medication/treatments.

Don't be lulled into a relaxed sense of security. It's no easy task at all. Not everyone can cope with that. Here in UK the vast majority of folks do not want to cope with that, that's why we have a culture of sticking the vunerable elderly into care homes.
Easy to say, but very rarely happens. Often it become a full time job with little or no respite.

I'm not at all convinced I'd be living a life worth living here in UK under such circumstances. As it stands right now I'd be so much happier with my extended Philippine family around me and taking care of me and bringing laughter and shining moments my way.

Just one negative aspect to retirement prospects for me here in UK

[Terpe]

It's true that there a many pensioners who have a reasonable standard of living.
They are the ones who are in receipt of their state pension PLUS one or more other sources of retirement income.

The majority of pensioners are not enjoying a relaxed standard of living.
Too many pensioners, especially those living alone, cannot afford to eat well and greatly suffer during winter-time trying to put by enough money to keep warm.

Reading what Steve mentions it seems that the £22500 is the figure that most people aspire to for a reasonable retirement life. That what they imagine they could live well on.

Being 65 and retired isn't easy to visualise in terms of needed financials.
It's still a young age, many 65 year olds continue to work.
Being retired doesn't mean costing less to live than it did before retirement. It's comparative. Folks have more time available to them. Unless they stay at home in their armchair watching TV the living costs don't change much. Mostly their income has dived down. But they still need to live a life, still need entertainment, still need the same foods and general housekeeping. Still want holidays and outings, probably more than when they were working.

My advice to everyone is to take some actions now to secure a happy and financially stress free retirement.
Not being alone in your sunset years is key IMHO

[andy222]

I agree with what you say Terpe. I have worked in end of life units and care homes. Many have family but the stresses of life for relatives take over i.e. they have to work for a living and do not have time to visit the dying patient. Such is life in the U.K for the average family. Like you say Terpe at least in the phils you would have your family there with you. Working in the places which I do brings a way of looking at things in a different way to the normal person with a 9-5 job. I see some tragic cases I can tell you.

[raynaputi]

The way i see it...retiring here would be a nightmare for me...i rather be sick at back in phils surrounded by my family and happy people than getting treatment here inside a lonely nursing home

That's how I see it too . I wouldn't trust my old me with anyone other than my relatives back home than in any care home here in the UK.

[stevewool]

lots of intresting comments ,
being from a family of 13 you would have thought we could look after our mum, but like some have said before we all need to bring home the food and pay the bills so its hard, mum wanted company and when alone she was fightened,
We all did what we could and to tell the truth some thought others could do more but then again why should they if you cannot,
Mum went into a home to see how she could managed and every day i went to se her all she wanted was to come home , but there was no one to look after her 24 hours a day, its not only the parents that suffer you and your partner and the kids all do, at first its ok then say that after a few months, even though you love them they can be a pain in the .... too,
Most of us from the west are not brought up the way my Ems has been, family first all the time, here its go out into the world and make a fortune and if you can help out but dont worry if you cant sort of thing.
I dont want my kids to look after me and i dont want to be sitting in a chair looking out of the window waiting for my meals either, ok ok i dont mind that if there is a view of alona beach and some pretty ladies passing by in bikinis,

[gWaPito]

I really believe that's a debatable issue.
It certainly hinges around personal circumstances and family trust.

It's very easy to think that our families will take care of us when that time comes, but all I ask is that you think seriously and with honesty about that prospect.
We're not talking about the normal active and reasonably healthy 65 year old.
We're talking about relying on family to undertake the everyday personal care of those who cannot take care to themselves.
At it's simplest level that entails help with personal hygiene, continence management, assistance with meal preparation, assistance with eating, personal assistance and simple daily medication/treatments.

Don't be lulled into a relaxed sense of security. It's no easy task at all. Not everyone can cope with that. Here in UK the vast majority of folks do not want to cope with that, that's why we have a culture of sticking the vunerable elderly into care homes.
Easy to say, but very rarely happens. Often it become a full time job with little or no respite.

I'm not at all convinced I'd be living a life worth living here in UK under such circumstances. As it stands right now I'd be so much happier with my extended Philippine family around me and taking care of me and bringing laughter and shining moments my way.

Just one negative aspect to retirement prospects for me here in UK

Peter, I don't expect my darling daughter thought for one moment the implications of taking on an old fart like me in the hopefully 3 decades to come, I'm using my mum as a benchmark.

My ex ex father in law was unceremoniously dumped into a care home and that was where he died.

Don't you think what you Steve and Stewart are doing appeals to me? I can tell you it does. I'd give my high teeth for what you guys have got. .im jealous!

I've married 2 filipina Peter. .both have left me an emotional wreck and in financial straights.

I would love to set up home there with family who's going to stand by me. .for sure I'd lay my life down for them.

My daughter says I've been so unlucky coz it was Filipinas who looked after her granddad in the care home. .really really wonderful people. .
My faith at the moment is shot with the opposite sex department.

[gWaPito]

Not all elderly end up in care homes. Would be interesting is there were any stats on this.
My grandparents were not in care homes neither was my dad. .Most led active lives until death.

All the more important we take responsibility for our own health early on, giving us a bigger chance thus saving the heartache for family and friends.

[Terpe]

My post wasn't aimed at you personally Mark. I was just sharing my own personally held views on one of the issues that might come to all in the end.

And you hit upon the most important point. Many folks reach a ripe old age with reasonable mental capacity, good health and still active. Those folks are lucky and IF they could foresee the future could settle wherever they want without worry.

Doesn't matter about stats. None of us know what's just around the immediate corner let alone 1year 5 years or 10 years from now. All of us have our own strategy for dealing with that and our own personal planning logic. There's no right or wrong way, just different ways.
Let's just try to find a happy way.

Just as it's important to recognise that issue when thinking of retiring to Philippines, it's also important (for me) to consider the same scenario of retiring and staying here in UK.

Part of the fun for me in this forum is that I feel I can share idea and viewpoints and folks will critique those rather than make value judgements and comment about me as a person.
Well mostly........I'll duck out of discussion threads that focus on the person rather than the opinion.

[stevewool]

lots mention about the NHS and the phils, and i understand what you are saying too, but going to the phils you say goodby to the NHS and all that it can give you, yes you may be able to come back and have this and that but thats no guarantee,
As long as you can finance you heath problems if they happen and by not paying insurance policies i know i will be ok , we all must take care of our health but god willing my health will not stop me making my future plans work

[gWaPito]

The day I retired was the start of my life, no work, no worries, no mortgage, beautiful home, Philippines twice a year, Cornwall every year, new car every year (no finance), could do anything I wanted in life and no problems in life until, I met my Beautiful Maritess, I then gave everything away, ended up with nothing zilch, worked all my life without a single day off work ever, lost everything I'd worked for. But I don't regret it, because I found what I've always wanted and now I'm happy!

I'm well happy for you Michael. I tried to give you a reputation. .apparently I must spread them around.

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but, I do find it liberating and refreshing talk like this. .similar to leaving the confessional box. .you could do cartwheels

[marksroomspain]

I really believe that's a debatable issue.
It certainly hinges around personal circumstances and family trust.

It's very easy to think that our families will take care of us when that time comes, but all I ask is that you think seriously and with honesty about that prospect.
We're not talking about the normal active and reasonably healthy 65 year old.
We're talking about relying on family to undertake the everyday personal care of those who cannot take care to themselves.
At it's simplest level that entails help with personal hygiene, continence management, assistance with meal preparation, assistance with eating, personal assistance and simple daily medication/treatments.

Don't be lulled into a relaxed sense of security. It's no easy task at all. Not everyone can cope with that. Here in UK the vast majority of folks do not want to cope with that, that's why we have a culture of sticking the vunerable elderly into care homes.
Easy to say, but very rarely happens. Often it become a full time job with little or no respite.

I'm not at all convinced I'd be living a life worth living here in UK under such circumstances. As it stands right now I'd be so much happier with my extended Philippine family around me and taking care of me and bringing laughter and shining moments my way.

Just one negative aspect to retirement prospects for me here in UK

Thats what my wife loves about me is that I have looked after my parents all my life and still have my father living at home with us at the ripe old age of 78.

He is failing in health also his memory is not too good but I would never abandon him no matter how hard it gets and my wife has made me swear never to put him into care, as they both get on like a house on fire and she deems it remarkable that some of us westerners still have values like the filipinos.

[gWaPito]

You're a lucky man to have such an understanding loving wife Mark.

Many of us western guys in UK with Filipino values

Although my mum would call it old fashioned values.

Nowt wrong with being old fashioned

[marksroomspain]

Cheers gwaps we still have our little disagreements (tampo lol) but we are in early stages but my family adores her and she has a bloody mindset like no other...

Anyway I really do hope you find the happiness that you certainty deserve take care buddy...

[gWaPito]

Cheers gwaps we still have our little disagreements (tampo lol) but we are in early stages but my family adores her and she has a bloody mindset like no other...

Anyway I really do hope you find the happiness that you certainty deserve take care buddy...

Thanks Mark

You all take care too

[tiger31]

lots of intresting comments ,
being from a family of 13 you would have thought we could look after our mum, but like some have said before we all need to bring home the food and pay the bills so its hard, mum wanted company and when alone she was fightened,
We all did what we could and to tell the truth some thought others could do more but then again why should they if you cannot,
Mum went into a home to see how she could managed and every day i went to se her all she wanted was to come home , but there was no one to look after her 24 hours a day, its not only the parents that suffer you and your partner and the kids all do, at first its ok then say that after a few months, even though you love them they can be a pain in the .... too,
Most of us from the west are not brought up the way my Ems has been, family first all the time, here its go out into the world and make a fortune and if you can help out but dont worry if you cant sort of thing.
I dont want my kids to look after me and i dont want to be sitting in a chair looking out of the window waiting for my meals either, ok ok i dont mind that if there is a view of alona beach and some pretty ladies passing by in bikinis,

er steve how do you get away with saying STANDING AROUND WATCHIN GIRLS GO BY IN BIKINI,S is emm on this forum hahahaha if i said that I,D get a swift left hook m8

[tiger31]

aint it ironic when you bring a child into the world and your wiping there backside changing nappies then you get old and then need your daughter to wipe your .... and clean you as you get old and unable to do it yourself DREAD THE THOUGHT what goes around comes around

[mickcant]

well just read a report about the average brit who wants to retire at 65 says they think they would like £22500 a year to live comfortable, and yes you have guessed it, your money is going to run out very very quickly,
So what do you do spend spend and spend some more then the government can look after you, or do you budget, or move to the paradise and live within your means not expecting anything from anyone, well the latter is the one for me, whats you thinking on this,
Plus did i hear the other day about savings has gone down, the average person is only saving £88 a month and thats us men too

I have been retired since 2009, and still live in the UK.
My total income is around 10,000 a year.

I can live ok on that, but as I have said before could not sponcer anouther Filipina to be with me (even if I did find one willing)

My lifestyle is simple but good for me.
Mick.

[London_Manila]

Medical care there in the Philippines is not good
My x Pat friends there go to Thailand for medical care
My dad is 93 and has heart problems and takes loads of pills every day
He is in and out of hospital nearly every 6 months
If he had lived in the Philippines he would have been dead years ago

People in the Philippines seem to die young normally of a stroke or heart attack
If you do have problems with your health over there the follow up care just does not happen

Retire over there for sure but when your health starts failing head back to the UK fast

[stevewool]

[QUOTE=tiger31;454059]er steve how do you get away with saying STANDING AROUND WATCHIN GIRLS GO BY IN BIKINI,S is emm on this forum hahahaha if i said that I,D get a swift left hook m8 [/QUOTE, she knows me well , i only have eyes for her, and she is standing watching me write this too

[jake]

Thank you for such an enjoyable read