Over 60s offers will help so called‘retirees’

I recently received a letter from Boots asking me if I was ready to activate my Over 60s club membership.

This apparently will enhance my current Advantage card status with extra points and give me access to a free health magazine, weekly offers, exclusive events and 25 per cent discount on glasses, which is wonderful.

This information sparked my curiosity and I began to explore where, as an active, healthy 59 year old are there other incentives available to me as I approach my 60th birthday.

From a quick internet search it is evident that 60 is indeed a magical age with the potential to unlock major financial benefits for ‘retirees’ as we appear to be collectively described.

Over 60s deals can be found everywhere: cheap meals and drinks, cinema tickets including tea and biscuits, hairdressing, gym membership, energy, travel (free in Scotland), senior railcards, hotel accommodation, concert tickets, Historic Scotland membership etc.

Personally I’m delighted that retailers are providing discounts to the over 60s. Play your cards right and the over 60s should be able to eke out their workplace pension and/or salary (if you’re lucky enough to have one) a little further each week, whilst enjoying themselves just a wee bit.

This thriftiness will prove entirely necessary to a particular group of women denied their rightful expected State Pension age by the Government. Women born in the 1950s have been singled out for unfair and unequal treatment because of the way the increases to our state pension age have been brought in under the 1995 and 2011 Pension Acts.

For example, my expected State Pension age is now 66 in 2024, not age 60 years in 2018. A significant timeframe with no formal notice from DWP.

Many thousands of women across the UK have similar stories to tell. I will of course like others in my position continue working.

Both the reliability and wisdom of an older workforce resource is well documented. I believe in equality and subscribe to the notion that work is beneficial to ones emotional, physical and financial wellbeing. I have no wish to unfairly financially burden our younger generation.

It is however interesting that the general interpretation of ‘retirees’ in the UK is attainment of 60th birthday! There appears to be a complete mismatch between the rationale of the general population in the United Kingdom and the incumbent Government. Sound familiar anyone?

If you are affected by this legislation visit www. petition.parliament.uk to register your interest.

Sandra McNally, Newhouse, Stirling