Re: Taking workplace pension at 55
Originally Posted by
Lion Queen
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I m so sorry you lost your husband Nic, far too young (hugs) xxx
After he died (he was 51) I was left with the proceeds of the 4 pensions he'd taken out during his working life, plus the firm he worked for paid me a years basic salary tax free, a Death in Service payment.
I couldn't touch that money, if I could I would have retired years ago, so I was careful with it and tried to make it work as hard as I could without taking any risks with it. I am not averse to using the interest that money made though, my opinion is I made it work so the interest it earns is mine. I did manage to save a small amount as well.
It's that interest and savings plus the lump sums from the my own 2 pensions that are financing my retirement. The original cash is still there, still earning interest.
If there was a problem with the house, or the dog needed expensive treatment or if I needed to replace my car I would be happy to dip into the original cash but I just can't use it to finance me sitting on my arse when I'm still fit enough to work. That would feel...wrong, just wrong.
And really, given a choice, I'd give it all up and have him back like a shot