Well, here I am, not quite 62, just over 6 months post AVR and CABG. Occupational health have confirmed that I meet the criteria for leaving my employment due to ill health because a suitable role cannot be found for me. I'm a postman (36years)and my smallish delivery office doesn't have any light duty positions. I'm not as fit as I was pre op, takes me a while to get going in the morning and I seem to get a bit breathless if lift anything heavy. Anyway, I will leave with a reasonable severance pay but I'm told that I will not be entitled to any SSP as a I have a occupational pension which I had to take at 60 and I have savings. Feeling like I've served my purpose in life and now of no further use.
Feels like I'm on the scrapheap of life - British Heart Fou...
Feels like I'm on the scrapheap of life
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Redfloyd
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when I was made redundant from a job I loved I was devastated - but found new interests particularly volunteering.
Your life isnt over it has just changed.
Somewhere in your area there will details of volunteer opportunities. If you need help with finances and think there might be a claim, see Citizens Advice Bureau.
Or if you think there might be paid positions around, with short hours, then the Job Centre calls.
Or have you got skills that you can use to do part-time work such as decorating or gardening?
Thanks Happyrosie, I'm not concerned about being bored, I've got so many hobbies and things to do in the house and garden I will have a wonderful time. Financially I'm ok, we've never had expensive holidays, 5 days in Cornwall once a year is our limit and then we are ready to come home😂. I have an occupational pension which I had to take at 60 and a further pension I can take early if I need to, am mortgage and debt free. It was just a shock to be told I'm not fit enough to do the job I've been doing for 36 years. I'm sure once I leave officially and get my lump sum I will embrace early retirement with great enthusiasm x
I totally identify with how you feel psychologically. Our heart problems are different, but that's by the bye. I'm a bit older (69). At 64 for various reasons I decided to move from teaching English here to semi retirement working part time for our village outside, cutting grass, raking leaves, clearing snow etc. When I got diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome with very slow heartbeat requiring the fitting of a pacemaker and permanent Afib I was told to give that up. All very frustrating as I had always been active cycling and hiking. Life is very up and down now. I feel OK then tend to overdo it and forget to take the rests I need then get drained physically which makes me drained mentally and it takes a while to break out of that cycle. I get frustrated when I let people down because I'm too tired to do what I promised to do.
I am beginning to realise that I must live the life that I have, not thinking about what I've retired from but what I'm retiring to. I can confirm what Happyrosie has said about volunteering. I have found visiting patients in hospital once or twice a week is something I can do. I started with the idea of joining a canis therapy group with our dog, but found that it was just too much with the stress of the training classes and exams that we couldn't get through, so the coordinator at the hospital suggested working without a dog. It's a question of finding out what is right for you.
The purpose of life is finding a purpose of life. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Sorry to waffle on.
Cheers CM
When I was 50 I had a life-changing op to remove an acoustic neuroma (in my inner ear) that forced me to give up cycling and made most forms of work difficult. I was left deaf in one ear, and had problems with tear flow -and poor balance that took ten years to improve.
Within three months I found a new hobby, collecting and researching old postcards, which led me to write three books. Three years later a girl-friend, of my teens re-entered my life and in 2005 I took up voluntary environmental work.
My heart op in 2023 has prompted another life change, limiting certain energetic activities several years earlier than I was reckoning on. I'm confident that I can occupy myself this summer, but am wondering about next winter (the recent one was OK). I like to achieve something every day.
Thank you Taviterry for your reply, I've got no shortage of things to do, I've got plenty of hobbies that I've never had the time for, wood turning, carpentry, photography plus all the gardening and decorating to be done. It's all just come as a bit of a shock having never considered retiring early. I'm sure once I get used to the idea I shall thoroughly enjoy it
My dear old mum devoted her life to house-work, latterly only going out twice a week, to do the Big Shop and the hairdresser. In her mid-eighties she was flopping down into a chair around 11am and sobbing that she couldn't do it any more. She had high blood-pressure. Soon after she went into a nursing-home I asked her if she missed looking after her house - "no", she said. And her blood-pressure had lessened.
It was a bit like that with my cycling. I used to ride 7,000+ miles a year, but after 35 years had done enough. I took to walking, which gave me a different perspective of the countryside.
You should be entitled to esa surely,I claimed 2yrs ago,wasn't working and had national insurance years
Thanks for your reply. I'm fully paid up with NI contributions having paid them for 45 years. I've been on the DWP website and because I have an income from an occupational pension which I had to take at 60, there was no option to leave it to grow further, and because I have reasonable savings and fortunate to be mortgage free I can register as sick or unemployed but according to the benefit calculator I would get zero payment. I'm ok financially, I'm not going to starve and I have another pension I can take early as I won't be paying in any more but it just a bit of a shock to be told I'm not fit enough to do the job I've done for 36 years. I don't think I'll be bored, certainly not to start with as I've got so much gardening and decorating that I haven't done for years due to working so much. I was just feeling a bit down but I'm sure once I finally leave work I'll be able to move onwards and upwards.
I had to give up work at 58 and I claimed ESA and PIP, I also had my works pension, time has flown by and I now get my OAP 😂 pension after waiting an extra 6 years for it.
I do think I'm so unwell that I can't work, just can't do the job I used to do and everything has happened so quickly in the last 3 weeks it's taken me by surprise
I was the same went to work on the Friday didn't really feel to good, I made an appointment with my GP and when I got there I collapsed in the surgery ambulance called, severe heart failure and cardiomyopathy, it was two weeks before I got home and I couldn't go back to work, I had been in my job for 30 years. It was so sudden, I did take a long time to accept it. Now I can't believe it's been 8 years! Char
I too was thankfully approved at the higher rate for ESA due to advanced heart failure, I'm 58. I am also in the process of applying to have my pension paid early.
As far as I know, as I have paid full stamp for forty years, my savings and being mortgage free don't effect my ESA. However, any other income, such as a pension, of over £85 per week must be declared and my ESA will be reduced accordingly.
Having worked my entire life the process of applying for financial assistance was a tough pill to swallow, as for PIP, I honestly can't face applying!
I'm not ill enough to claim PIP, I'm capable of doing something, maybe part time and not too physical. I think I am still improving, does take me a while to get going in the morning, not much good before 10 and if I don't have a quiet hour or so in the afternoon I'm done in by 7. Working for Royal Mail I had to take my first pension at 60, I took max lump sum, smaller pension. There is another that is due at 65 but I could take it now if I wanted too. Everything has happened so fast in the last 3 weeks it's been a bit overwhelming.
Ring citizens advice
Contact your local job centre for an interview you should beable to claim UC and have the health forms and have a face to face assessment with caseworker . Plus you should beable to claim PIP but would advise you get the CA to help fill in the forms . I found the caseworkers at the job centre treated you like a human being but the PIP people are robots .
I was born with rare hereditary neurological condition and didn't get my diagnosis until I was 63 few weeks before my 64th birthday in 2022. PIP gave me zero on everything but with the help of the Brain Charity they got me a solicitor pro bono. She told me I was entitled to UC and my caseworker sent for the health forms for me. And she was lovely told me phone appointments from now on as she didn't want me struggling to get in .
I had a face to face UC health assessment as after my PIP phone assessment I didn't trust them . I was awarded UC from when I first saw them and then the health UC .
I won at the PIP tribunal a support worker from the Brain Charity went with me . The judge apologised for the way I had been treated .
Took me 35 years to get disability benefits. I was turned down every time as they said no diagnosis. Even with my neurological condition plus my heart condition the rotters still gave me zero on everything . If it wasn't for the Brain Charity and the solicitor they got me still wouldn't have it . And I sent 45 pages of proof of my conditions with my form .
I went to the CA 3 months before I got my state pension last year and they helped me get some pension credit it's less than £100 per week but having it means I got the winter fuel allowance and £150 warm home discount from my energy supplier. As before that I only had my heating on for 3 hours a day during the winter when the prices shot up. Which of course made my health worse.
You are still of use and still have a full life to live . Charities always need help . And there are plenty of groups out there you could join. I go to a sit fit class,move it or lose class,craft group and tea and chat group.
Plus local adult learning centres and colleges run all sorts of courses there is bound to be something you would like to do . And you are never to old to learn something new. Plus any skills you have can be past onto young and older people .
Live your life to the full and have fun. 😊
Thank you for your advice, I wouldn't get PIP, I'm capable of doing most things just not the job I've done for 36 years. I've looked into SSP, UC etc and although I am entitled to it, because I have an income from an occupational pension I had to take at 60, reasonable savings and own my own home according to the benefit calculator I would receive £0.
I get where you are coming from. It's hard to retire from work you've done so long, even under normal circumstances. It's not just a job, it's a way of life! I found it really difficult to feel as if I could no longer contribute to the job I loved. And yes, you do feel like you've been "put out to pasture". But it will eventually become enjoyable. I agree with what others have said about volunteering for something. I know you have lots of hobbies and things to do, but volunteering can give you that bit of self esteem which comes with feeling you are still of use to society. I would suggest that you find something a little challenging and out of your usual comfort zone if you can. That in itself can bring you satisfaction. I wish you the very best of luck for your new phase of life.
So Redfloyd, do u see your purpose in life as being a postman? You are much more valuable than that. My dad was a postman but more that that he was a carpenter, a bricklayer, and a wonderful dad who did loads of overtime to help ends meet. Be proud of all you have achieved and plan to enjoy the rest of your life. We may not have our engines running at full throttle but we still have gears including cruising speed. Cheer up young man!
Thank you Greenthorn, I'm just like your dad except for the bricklaying but I can make up for that because I can repair computers 😂I am happy, my delivery office has closed and we now have to travel 45 mins each way and do the same job in the same time. I only did it for a fortnight before I became ill and I hated it. So, yes I am happy, happy to be leaving a job which has changed so much and is due to change even more in the future and not for the better. It's all just happened so fast, 3 weeks ago I was worrying if I would be able to go back to work in April and then suddenly I'm offered a way out. I'm sure once it's all been rubber stamped and I've officially left I will move onwards and upwards
Thanks Redfloyd, that was good to read, as was so many of your supportive replies. I retired from part time work at 71 but since then have focused on Voluntary work at two hospitals and last year I began teaching piano to vulnerable adults at a London charity. So in that time I have improved as a pianist and also am much more confident in speaking with people.
It probably helps that I don't have a good memory for I'm able to focus on moving forward - no heavy baggage to carry!
Very best wishes for the future and do keep in touch from time to time
you can apply for pip
Wouldn't qualify, if I can use a chainsaw and axe, albeit not for as long as I used to and walk my dog a mile or two a day I don't think I would get PIP. I'm in no hurry, need to get a bit fitter first but I'm sure a job locally will pop up.
Some really good suggestions here! I would agree with looking at voluntary opportunities locally. I’m 77, had heart failure during Covid, now AF, pulmonary embolisms, type 2 and arthritis and have been involved with mental health charities, Citizens Advice, an open garden scheme and the local foodbank since retiring. We old, past it volunteers actually keep the community going - it really pisses me off when I hear all this constant guff about support for ‘working families’ and pensioners being a burden.
Start with the local Council for Voluntary Service or Bureau and see what is needed that matches your skills/experience/interests, or try Citizens Advice.
What have you always fancied doing but couldn’t find the time? Join a choir, find a course for a new skill, try the local U3A (University of the Third Age). Like every other kid in the 60s I taught myself some basic guitar stuff. My wife bought me a course of proper lessons as a 70th birthday present, and I’m still learning.
And look again at PIP - it’s the only disability/health benefit that is not means-tested or affected by your income or savings and you can apply until you get to about state pension age. Get help from CA filling the tedious form in, and don’t give up if the DWP turn you down at first. 70% of people win their appeal.
AND enjoy your new-found freedom - it sounds like you’ve planned your future well and paid your dues. When your state pension kicks in, you’ll be like a pig in muck!
Hi Redfloyd. I left my job with a severence package that gave me 6 months to find some other employment. In the period beween agreeing to go and actually going I was diagnosed with CAD needing urgent surgery. I am 60 and thinking that even if I survive this I might never be able to get another job, the "scrap heap" thought has played on my mind too.
I like electronics and programming and since leaving work have had time to look at a few longer term problems that I have not previously been able to resolve in my hobbies. This has taken up significant time and now the sun is out I need to go outside more but I am not sure when I can fit this in. I also enjoy woodworking and have quite a few power tools including a laser cutter (amazing!!!); my daughter has inheritted the interest in wood and wants to play at any chance. My grandson keeps demanding to play mud kitchens, wife wants to go to the shops, dog wants to play ball, and I still want my lights to flash in a defined sequence. So many jobs, more overtime than you can imagine. This isn't a scrapheap, I am now just working to make other peoples lives more enjoyable.
Last night I had a discussion with a friend that underwent surgery last week, we are planning to take on odd jobs, fit kitchens and build sheds "when we are both better"
I have worked full time since I was 16, paid pensions, didn't have expensive lifestyle. I am on the scrapheap but I am sifting through the pile to see what I can find to interest me!
A friend of mine is 86 and works 2 nights a week in a supermarket, they always have openings for Friday and Saturday nights. He loves it even though he wants to retire when he is a bit older. I don't know where he gets the time!!!
If you like the walking and delivering aspects, have you considered seeing if any "old people" in your area would like a daily paper or bottle of milk delivered just because you can?
Having read many of the comments, I love your positive attitude. Retirement is more about refocusing and the time does go quickly. I took early retirement mainly because after over 6 years of managing my own time a management restructure meant I would go back onto a 24/7 roster with the people I was managing. I retired fit and well but something (felt like bad flu) damaged my heart's electrical system and I ended up.with a pacemaker a year later, though I had been doing almost everything I wanted to up until then. Five years on, living a completely normal life and, having tried my hand at a preserved railway until that was pushed into a siding by the events of 2020/21, I am now more involved in my local church. There is so much that can be done, and it is lovely to make the alarm clock redundant. I do miss parts of my job, but things change and we all have to move and adapt. Enjoy the new chapter in your life, you are blessed to be financially stable and I am sure you will be an encouragement to the new friends you will make as you follow your hobbies.
Thanks for that, yes I count myself very lucky that I am ok financially partly through luck in being able to buy my council house at a discount, rightly or wrongly that's how the system was, and I've worked an awful lot of hours over the years, always doing other jobs as well as being a postman. Once everything has settled I'm sure I will enjoy my unexpected early retirement.
I am compiling a list of jobs that need doing which is getting longer and longer. I too have a shed full of power tools, since I've been off work I've bought a bandsaw and a table saw on marketplace. It's wonderful having the freedom to just go somewhere at a moments notice to pick up a bargain. I'm planning on replacing all my petrol garden tools with Stihl battery tools when I get my severance pay. Not only will it make it easier for me but as we found out when I was in hospital for a month my petrol tools that worked for me didn't want to work for any body else who was willing to help. Also if I'm well enough I might do some gardening locally for other people. I'm fairly sure I won't be entitled to any benefits but once the dust has settled and I see how much I've got coming in I might be pleasantly surprised and find I can live on what I've got. I've worked an awful lot of hours over the years to get what I've got I really ought to enjoy it. Wishing you all the best.
I know just how you feel. I was a teacher who had to st op work at 39 years old because of spinal problems. I had to claim my pension on grounds of ill health. It was a final salary pension which at the time was wonderful but you can imagine that my final salary 40 years ago is worth absolutely nothing now. Sure I've claimed many more years than is usual but it doesn't match the cost of living but it's just enough to stop me from being able to claim pension credit.. Salary aside it was a huge shock to have to give up work so young. With a young child I managed to distract myself for a few years but then it hit and I desperately needed a reason to go on a goal in life if you like. Do find something you can do even if it's unpaid volunteering. Also do plan your finances carefully . What seems ok now wouldn't be in 20 years and from what you've mentioned I doubt you would qualify for benefits even with a letter from Occupational therapy.
hi. I completely understand where you are coming from and it's understandable. I had to take ill health retirement from work at the age of 44 and it was a huge shock although I knew that I wasn't well enough to work. Fortunately I had a very good occupational pension and was financially secure. I was extremely lucky to have financial security but the psychological impact of retirement at that age was huge. I felt completely useless and depressed. I did have mental health input and slowly but surely I've rebuilt my life. I bought a little dog who I walk every day and she doesn't care how often I have to stop or how slow I go. I read a lot and spend time with my family. I go out with my family occasionally and now that my husband has retired I don't feel so isolated. I guess all I'm saying is that you will feel better in time but what you are experiencing is a normal reaction to life changing circumstances. I think the key is to make sure that you don't isolate yourself. I wish you well. X
Just as an afterthought, can you nit claim contributions based ESA? It's not means tested
So sorry to hear your story, that must have been awful at the time. Fortunately I have lived in or around my home town and having been a postman for 36 years I know a lot of people so isolation shouldn't be an issue. I'm sure I'll be fine when everything is sorted out, it's all happened so quick. Thank you for the suggestion of contribution based ESA, I will have a look at that. x
Thank you for your kind words. Definitely have a look at contribution based ESA. I claimed it when I was put on half pay sick leave. I was still getting a wage but qualified because it was less than my usual salary. It's not means tested. I'd never heard of it before but a relative worked for the DWP. You need to speak to a benefits advisor too as a lot of benefits don't count an occupational pension as an income. Like me, you'll be new to the world of DWP and it's very confusing.
From the gov.uk website;
If you are ill or have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work you may be able to get New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
New Style ESA is a fortnightly payment that can be claimed on its own or at the same time as Universal Credit (UC). If you get both benefits, your Universal Credit payment is reduced by the amount you get for New Style ESA.
New Style ESA is a contributory benefit. Normally, this means you may be able to get it if you’ve paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions in the 2 full tax years before the year you’re claiming in.
I would have been on 1/2 pay starting next week and would have been able to claim what I thought was SSP because technically I was still employed. From what I was told by my manager this morning I will be gone by today or Monday. It's all happened so quick. I need to make an appointment at the job centre when everything is finalised. My wife has has a lot of dealings with DWP in her line of work and with her parents so if there is something available she'll find it. x
Redfloyd, my heart goes out to you! You've discovered, like many working men and women, that you are now surplus to requirement, a useless meat eater. The state will pay you enough to keep you alive but not any more. The inhumanity of it all, whilst billionaires get even more tax breaks and billions are spent to bomb Russians, Palestinians and Yemenis and whoever else gets in the way of big business. Welcome to the 21st century.
Nah, I'm not surplus to requirements, there's plenty of people out there who need me, they just don't know it yet!!
What has your personal political diatribe got to do with this thread? I have reported it to the admins!
Everything.
This Forum is to support other members with heart issues, we are not interested in your political opinion which has nothing to do with the originators post
Geoff51Heart Star
I had my Heart attack at work at the age of 58, 15 years ago, 2 stents, 12 weeks sick leave which was all the company paid, cardiac rehab, saw the company OH and was offered light duties. I have been a baker all my life like my father and grandfather before me and know nothing else, so I decided to return to full time baker, which involves a lot of heavy lifting and physical effort. Yes it was a little hard at first helped by the support of my work colleagues I made it through to retirement at the age of 65, I am now 73 and apart from COPD from the flour dust I am still reasonably active. what I am trying to say is yes there is life after a HA maybe slightly different but its up to you if you want to give up and think you are finished you are not. Try to carry on with your present job you will not regret it I didn't!
Sound advice, unfortunately my job completely changed 2 weeks before I was ill. Instead of being on my doorstep I had to travel 45 minutes each way to a different delivery office and expected to complete my round. So basically doing the same job but in 90mins less time. Unfortunately this is the way Royal Mail is going which is why some people don't get post for days on end. It's unlikely I will be replaced, the others will have to cover my duty. Although it was a shock to be offered to leave under ill health it couldn't have worked our better for me. As one door closes another one opens............ hopefully
Lots of advice here about voluntary work and benefits, but I’d say get a paid job, maybe part time and a bit more sedentary. I bet there’s a lot of 60 somethings who couldn’t do a post round, but there are lots of other things out there. I am 68 have an occupational pension and an aortic valve coming up to its second anniversary. I’m lucky enough to be able to do some work from home and I’m just about to retire for a second time, but I’ve really enjoyed the buzz of working and a bit of extra money which pays for the fun stuff. I’m stopping now, on my own terms and having reached state pension age!
Thanks Petitlady, couldn't agree with you more. Everything has happened so fast it's taken me by surprise. I'm not going to rush into anything, thinking I might enjoy the summer and start looking for something after I've completed my long list of jobs but definitely part time. Maybe I just need a bit longer to get back to how I was before my op. Take care and enjoy your "second" retirement x
life is just about to start!! I was a paramedic I had a HT followed by a quad CABG so I was retired at 55. Yes you feel like it’s time for the scrap heap but trust me it soon becomes apparent “why the hell did I waste so much of my life working “ life is about to begin remember you should be dead but your not you were given a second chance so go out there and make the most of it. If you get down at the start just talk to people this is a great site and you’ll be surprised how many people just want to chat.
Good luck.
Martin
Thanks for that, you are quite right, life restarts many times, when you start working, get married,have kids, kids leave home and this is just another phase. I don't regret working as much as I did, it enabled me to look after my family, buy my house and have a bit of savings. I had always planned to finish work at 64 so I'm just a couple of years short. I've got so much to catch up with garden and house wise I won't be bored for quite a while. Might find something part time in 12 months or so, I'll see how it goes. Overwhelmed but the support on here. Wishing you all the best. S
You are the exact opposite of my brother in law. He couldn't wait to retire and he used the slightest thing not to go to work.
It's because it wasn't expected or planned for. I'm coming to terms with it and I think it will be ok
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