Retirement - future

[Aug69_]

When I was diagnosed I thought I would last 20 years before the combination therapy stopped working and now am told I will live a normal life span. I haven't taken out/ really paid into a pension up until now as thought I would not need too. So it looks like I will still be working at 75. on the bright side I will be alive. I wondered if I was the only one who had not planned ahead following my diagnosis ?

[Ryan1979]

Just want to say that I find it inspirational when I see comments from people that have lived with hiv for a long time. In hoping I'm the same. Great to hear that the medication has worked....

[SJ65]

forward planning following diagnosis....yes we will be alive and struggling to survive no doubt .the only pension plan i have is the Work Place Pension and one that hasn't been paid into for 25 years ( changed job, it was linked to the job ) . Moved to london and was diagnosed a year or so after .

[Chrissuffolk]

I paid into my pension at work but I do worry about what might happen later in life. Maybe we should start some sort of Poz commune and look after each other!!!

[Aug69_]

That would be funny, poz only club can't get in if you are negative lol

[GLADDY in reply to Aug69_]

your comment put a big laugh in my face. funny

[pauldecle Partner ForumLink]

Hell yeah,

I spent all my pension when I got diagnosed and had a great time thank you.

Now I will probably have to work till I drop but as you say I am still alive, happy and have been with my husband for 25 years.

I know I should worry about my future finances but I have not regrets.

The first thing I often say to those who are newly diagnosed is "Don't spend your pension"!!!

Paul

[Trotski]

Read my post "Go on Living, I Guess!"

[Ydontujustdie]

I was advised not to think about saving but to party, drink, smoke, take drugs. Do steroids ( the doctor even gave them to me ) do human growth hormone, go on holidays ( we could go to Ibiza for free) , spend money ( the positive discount scheme got 25% off at loads of shops), eat as much as possible, spend money as fast as it could be handed over from the DWP. and basically live as if you would die tomorrow because that was what was expected. My ex (RIP) used to go out and get pissed every night and whenever he ran out of benefit he would go to the social security office and get another wad. I'm sure most of the deaths in the 80's were more due to alcohol poisoning than AIDS.

I worked and paid a mortgage and pension BIG MISTAKE, The DWP have stolen my pension after making sure I pay tax on it so I pay trice for something i no longer have, AND used it as an excuse to cut my benefits. I can't get to court because first I have to go through the complaints procedure and they simply ignore letters demanding to acknowledge my complaint. mr McIntyre and Anna Hannah at the DWP have had a hilarious time working and abusing the rules between them to nick everything I worked for including my flat.

So I would say that even though your life expectancy is unlikely to be any different now just because you have HIV,

My advice;

DO NOT BUY A PENSION. BECAUSE IF YOU DO NEED FINANCIAL HELP FOR SOMETHING HEALTH RELATED THE DWP WILL TAKE IT FROM YOU AND STILL BOOT YOU OUT OF THE OFFICE WITH NOTHING. THEN THE TAXMAN WILL TAX YOU ON SOMETHING THAT THE DWP HAS STOLEN FROM YOU.

[Danoherbaculture]

HI Chris. I live in a commune in Suffolk already. I went on a UKCAB (worth googling them type UKCAB and HIV) training course and one poz lady said she didnt want to have someone wiping her bum as an old lady who couldnt handle the fact she was living with HIV. I thought business idea: Care home, but like idea of co-housing with care staff better.

[Danoherbaculture]

p.s. I maybe am part of a growing trend of people that have never saved in a pension. Relying on getting wiser as I get older - better not lose my marbles.

[codyodie]

I also felt that my time was running short when diagnosed with HIV in the late 80's. I have always worked, but spent my retirement fund on what I thought would be my last vacation before dying.

Now, I'm on SSI disability, and docs tell me I'm going to live a long, healthy life. I had not planned on this when diagnosed nearly 30 years ago.

They gave me, at that time, a maximum of 5-6 years to get funeral plans set before I die.

So, guess if I ever get back to the job force, I'll be working until I die. Planning from the start again. No life insurance, no retirement. Just a measly $923.00 disability a month to live on.

So, what's a guy to do with the rest of life before me, but still being broke ?