h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"how can a sickly person of my age be worth more than someone who worked 45 or more years?"

I think the answer would reside in your probable remaining life expectancy. You get paid more when you do get paid, but chances are the payments will stop sooner than hose for healthier people. On average of course.

Thinking on it a little, there might also be a consideration that a sickly person may expect more necessary expenses than a person going into retirement.

In any case, I certainly did win. I'd not be eligible for the national pension for another 4+ years, and even then, about half of what I will receive now.

You should apply for a job as David Cameron's policy advisor.

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of being retired?

Or do you mean that Cameron's advisors do less than the average retired person?

I was responding to an earlier post, so it looks a bit out of context now, sorry.

This an open conversation of sorts, Icy. I'd be interested to know what content you were referring to, as I do gather that Mr Cameron is not at all well liked for many reasons.

Oh, it was your earlier posting about disability benefit being relatively high. Not that I have specific information on Cameron's latest assault plans on the welfare state, it just seemed the kind of thinking that he would welcome in his close circle.

So the welfare state is under assault in at least three different countries?

Ah, I see. No, I wasn't suggesting that it was anything like "too high", I just found it surprising that the disability was higher than the retirement measure.

I wish you a long life, Nick, or at least as long as the state can afford to grant you retirement benefits.

Well, as short as my working life was - about 40 years of contributing to all of the systems - I plan on being just cranky and cantankerous enough t0 annoy folks a lonnnng time.

The point is, you *did* contribute to the system. More power to you, and I wish you a good life.

Thanks Paul, and I hope health and weather are agreeing with you in "retirement".

For some months, this little computer and battery thing in my chest has decided to rest nearly "vertical". This week, it is again aslant - say 35 degrees cocked to the right to to any other observer. So again, angled to align with my tattoo.

Sheesh.

(Casual mention - little pinch pain in the chest is not just once or thrice a day, but sometimes far more often and lasting a couple of hours)

That might be a sign that it needs to be checked out.

Cool old Guy with the same thoughts
"Also rereading start of this conversation.

>>I was "loaned" a device for at home that will monitor the electronics as I sleep, and every 3 months take a full scan and reading to send the results up the land-line to the experts. If at any time something is sufficiently "off", they'll call me.

Perhaps it is tiome to call them ? "

I sent a letter to my cardiologist a couple of weeks ago, mentioning the 'pinches'. No response to that part, but I am to have a full appointment with him in February. These appointments include an EKG, a full echocardiogram (live watching of every aspect of the pumps) and a consult.

Good luck with that.

I have well become accepting of the fact that this is a down-hill ride, with a sudden stop any day. Maybe as little as today, 3 years hence or maybe even (and very unlikely) as much as 10 years. The mid-point seems as likely as any. Doesn't mean I'm going to be stupid and push with my feets'es to ride faster ! ...

It's better to be over the hill than under it.