Retirement

I have just seen on the BBC news a report about the French marching and striking because of the proposals to increase the retirement age from 60 years to 62 years. We also discussed this problem with our plumber last week and he is thrilled to bits that he will reach the magic age of 60 before the new law is implemented.

In this area of France, a lovely, healthy, rural area I hasten to add, the elderly live in excess of 80 years, many well into their 90's (probably down to the daily nip of eau de vie, fait a la maison!). You only have to look at the weekly obits in the local newspaper. So these wonderful elderly people have had 20+ years of the state taking care of them with a very healthy pension but there isn't the money going into the coffers to pay for it and as the elderly population increases because of the wonderful healthcare, preventative medicine being to the fore, more money is needed. We have some wonderful French friends who raise their eyebrows in amazement when we tell them that in England ladies retire at 60 years and men at 65 years. "c'est vrai??, zut!!" "Oh oui, c'est vrai", we tell them. They shake their heads in wonderment!!

I have had some guys stay in the gite this week, one of them has finished early, why? Greve he said... hmm I didn't enquire any more but he will be back he said.... They find it very easy to down tools and strike out here!!

Last weeks budget in the UK was very harsh, but then it needs to be. The previous government had left a huge financial deficit that needs to be rectified. I remember this happening before and having to 'tighten our belts' in the the 70's. It was very hard as we also had three small children and only one income. We had a mortgage and the interest rate rose to 15%, yes it was difficult but we managed. People in the UK who have had it fairly easy over the past few years with a lifestyle beyond their means will have to adjust to a leaner lifestyle. We did not have holidays abroad, gym membership, huge tv's and obviously there were no computers or similar then but luxuries were just not entertained. We even gave up going to the pub on a weekend!! A vist to the cinema was an absolute treat, the theatre was never ever thought about...

We grew to appreciate a better life once the children were older and I was able to return to the workplace, until then the children, and keeping a roof over our head, were the most important part of our lives. Their future was paramount, we had had our past and our future (retirement!) was put on hold. Oh I do sound a bit old fashioned but then that was how we were brought up.

Speaking with our daughters they will cope with the changes, they are all grafters and know how to economise as well. I think that a lot of their friends are of the same 'ilk'. I haven't heard anyone I know complain about the new measures so maybe the journalists are just having a 'field day' reporting the most negative side of the budget.