Seemingly trivial things that annoy you

Munsford0

We've topped up my wife's contributions twice now, each time filling 3 missing years. As you say, the return on investment is pretty rapid assuming you stay alive.
Last time she phoned them the adviser was quite specific about which years would make a difference to her pension; some apparently wouldn't so no point in wasting the money.

Need to phone them again but Martin Lewis publicising things has made them pretty much impossible to contact

briantrumpet

Stevo_666 said:

briantrumpet said:

Dear clever people, I've got a friend who's 66, and is trying to work out if it's worth topping up her state pension contributions as she's got a gap... she's trying to find out by phone, but...

I've tried numerous times trying to get through to the Future Pensions Team to ask if it is worthwhile topping up... But they ways cut you off.. Doing this for months. If you phone DWP they say they don't deal with this!

Is there a reasonably simple online way to work it out and do it, if it does make sense for her to do so?

TIA

Have a look here Brian:
https://gov.uk/check-state-pension?step-by-step-nav=c0ff9296-e91e-40d1-97bd-008026e90426

My OH had a 4 year gap in her contributions and when we did the maths it was a no-brainer: something like a 3-4 year payback on the investment, so unless you're worried about croaking soon its a good investment.

IIRC we had to create an online account to get an accurate picture of what she had to pay and what difference it made to her state pension payment.

Thanks Stevo - yes, I thought that that should work for what she needs to do, though she says she's tried it. Ho hum, well, I've tried, and thanks for yours and others' help!

First.Aspect

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

Stevo_666

surrey_commuter said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Plus, the further you are away from retirement the greater the chance the rules will change.

I think they count full time education as a qualifying year

True, though me and the OH are within a decade now and we.only have a 4 year gap to fill for one person.

Correct about full time education counting as it did on my NI record. Ditto full time childcare which helped the OH get to 31 years of qualifying contributions despite only working for about 17 years.

rjsterry

TheBigBean said:

rjsterry said:

TheBigBean said:

TheBigBean said:

Being vomited on, again. Seems like a specialist skill of mine.

This one again.

One of your own or random stranger?

Always my own.

Well that's something, I suppose.

pblakeney

"Recent Discussions" being at the top on a laptop and the bottom on a phone.
Trivial enough?

Stevo_666

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

pblakeney

Watching the low clouds travelling west to east while the high clouds move east to west and the wind is picking up.
I’m no expert but I doubt this bodes well.

pblakeney

Ah well turned out just to be rain. Much like Pross if I'm not getting sunshine then I want the drama of a full blown tropical storm.

rick_chasey

Could have done without having half a can of energy drink being spilled all over my suit this morning.

First.Aspect

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

TheBigBean

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

How does forum posting fit into the 100%?

pinno

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

Are you ill?

First.Aspect

TheBigBean said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

How does forum posting fit into the 100%?

It is sprint endurance. That's charging by the hour for you.

First.Aspect

pinno said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

Are you ill?

There aren't many old, practising, patent attorneys. Just old patent attorneys or practising patent attorneys. We have a lot of burn out.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

With regards FT vs PT working. I went part time years ago, best thing I ever did. I fully understand that many can't do so for financial reasons, but I am a strong believer that, where possible, more businesses should trial a 4 day working week for staff. The lack of productivity argument always baffles me, I was far more productive working 3 days a week than 5 in my first PT job. You quickly realise that with most office jobs you waste an inordinate amount of time on pointless tasks. Less time at work sharpens your attention and focusses you on what really needs to get done.

photonic69

I'm annoyed by front indicator lights incorporated into the vast plasticness of the front headlight clusters of modern cars. It makes them hard to see in bright daylight and I've noticed that on recent cars the front headlight on that side extinguishes when the indicator is on, thus reducing illumination in the direction you are turning.
Bring back separate Amber lights in the bumpers.

Munsford0

I'd noticed on newer cars that the fog / driving light comes on when turning; maybe that's to compensate for the missing headlight?

Tashman

photonic69 said:

I'm annoyed by front indicator lights incorporated into the vast plasticness of the front headlight clusters of modern cars. It makes them hard to see in bright daylight and I've noticed that on recent cars the front headlight on that side extinguishes when the indicator is on, thus reducing illumination in the direction you are turning.
Bring back separate Amber lights in the bumpers.

to add to this, the rear indicators set within brake lights that are invisible under braking.

photonic69

kingstongraham

photonic69 said:

I'm annoyed by front indicator lights incorporated into the vast plasticness of the front headlight clusters of modern cars. It makes them hard to see in bright daylight and I've noticed that on recent cars the front headlight on that side extinguishes when the indicator is on, thus reducing illumination in the direction you are turning.
Bring back separate Amber lights in the bumpers.

I think that only happens with daytime running lights.

Stevo_666

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

Fair enough. Just being nosey...I've got at least another 10 years unless something drastic changes. Then will see how I feel.

briantrumpet

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

Fair enough. Just being nosey...I've got at least another 10 years unless something drastic changes. Then will see how I feel.

I'm hoping to go part-time and be more flexible as soon as I can. But not ready to stop everything yet. Starting to feel a bit mortal and not wanting to miss out on doing fun stuff while I'm dithering, given how fast a year passes now... seems nuts that it was almost a year ago that I was watching forest fires at close quarters.

pinno

photonic69 said:

I'm annoyed by front indicator lights incorporated into the vast plasticness of the front headlight clusters of modern cars. It makes them hard to see in bright daylight and I've noticed that on recent cars the front headlight on that side extinguishes when the indicator is on, thus reducing illumination in the direction you are turning.
Bring back separate Amber lights in the bumpers.

Mainly Audi's* innit?

*Pronounced 'Odi' in Jockland.

photonic69

pinno said:

photonic69 said:

I'm annoyed by front indicator lights incorporated into the vast plasticness of the front headlight clusters of modern cars. It makes them hard to see in bright daylight and I've noticed that on recent cars the front headlight on that side extinguishes when the indicator is on, thus reducing illumination in the direction you are turning.
Bring back separate Amber lights in the bumpers.

Mainly Audi's* innit?

*Pronounced 'Odi' in Jockland.

Audi's have indicators??

First.Aspect

photonic69 said:

pinno said:

photonic69 said:

I'm annoyed by front indicator lights incorporated into the vast plasticness of the front headlight clusters of modern cars. It makes them hard to see in bright daylight and I've noticed that on recent cars the front headlight on that side extinguishes when the indicator is on, thus reducing illumination in the direction you are turning.
Bring back separate Amber lights in the bumpers.

Mainly Audi's* innit?

*Pronounced 'Odi' in Jockland.

Audi's have indicators??

It's on the options list.

briantrumpet

First.Aspect said:

photonic69 said:

pinno said:

photonic69 said:

I'm annoyed by front indicator lights incorporated into the vast plasticness of the front headlight clusters of modern cars. It makes them hard to see in bright daylight and I've noticed that on recent cars the front headlight on that side extinguishes when the indicator is on, thus reducing illumination in the direction you are turning.
Bring back separate Amber lights in the bumpers.

Mainly Audi's* innit?

*Pronounced 'Odi' in Jockland.

Audi's have indicators??

It's on the options list.

That's somewhat more plausible than Boeing 737-Maxes offering safety features as optional extras.

The two safety features in question were an “angle of attack indicator” and an “angle of attack disagree light”, both of which were not included in the aircraft by Boeing as standard safety features

orraloon

pinno said:

photonic69 said:

I'm annoyed by front indicator lights incorporated into the vast plasticness of the front headlight clusters of modern cars. It makes them hard to see in bright daylight and I've noticed that on recent cars the front headlight on that side extinguishes when the indicator is on, thus reducing illumination in the direction you are turning.
Bring back separate Amber lights in the bumpers.

Mainly Audi's* innit?

*Pronounced 'Odi' in Jockland.

Mayhap in your Nurn Oirish wee corner but in civilisation...

Stevo_666

briantrumpet said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

Fair enough. Just being nosey...I've got at least another 10 years unless something drastic changes. Then will see how I feel.

I'm hoping to go part-time and be more flexible as soon as I can. But not ready to stop everything yet. Starting to feel a bit mortal and not wanting to miss out on doing fun stuff while I'm dithering, given how fast a year passes now... seems nuts that it was almost a year ago that I was watching forest fires at close quarters.

Not a bad plan - from what I've seen people who struggle more with retirement are those who go straight from working 5 days a week to doing no work at all. Ramping the days or hours over time is probably a good way to adjust.

Pross

Stevo_666 said:

briantrumpet said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Stevo_666 said:

First.Aspect said:

Website tells me I will max out if I carry on paying in.

I assume there's no point if you are just over educated and started contributions late, like me?

Probably not, provided you're comfortable that you will eventually hit the 35 qualifying years required to max out on the state pension.

Well I've got more than another 12 or 13 to go, but that only takes me to 63. I will be still working to some extent by then, and most likely full time, unfortunately.

That will do it.

Why do you reckon you won't be working full time by 63? Is there some sort of mandatory retirement age in your firm?

Hope? Expectation that I won't be able to give 100% 5 days a week at that age?

Fair enough. Just being nosey...I've got at least another 10 years unless something drastic changes. Then will see how I feel.

I'm hoping to go part-time and be more flexible as soon as I can. But not ready to stop everything yet. Starting to feel a bit mortal and not wanting to miss out on doing fun stuff while I'm dithering, given how fast a year passes now... seems nuts that it was almost a year ago that I was watching forest fires at close quarters.

Not a bad plan - from what I've seen people who struggle more with retirement are those who go straight from working 5 days a week to doing no work at all. Ramping the days or hours over time is probably a good way to adjust.

I've been adjusting for years,the joys of WFH