Work sensible or not?

[Prettystuffed]

Hi All, I am soon to start on a Biologic similar. I work paid in a local Charity Shop. The work is busy and heavy. Often my hands fingers and thumbs are painful after a shift. My question is some of my work involves till work. The shop is busy and full of 'sick people' You know what I mean. My concern is that I will open myself to catching germs !!!! Anybody offer any advice? I shall be 65 in March so only a year and a bit to go to my pension. If this disease gets worse as the years progress would I be better to enjoy myself as much as I can now? I have sero positive RA and Sjogrens syndrome

[Hidden]

If you feel you are still up for working then do it as it will keep you busy and active. I work with the public and I am always nervous about the cold side of things but I suppose unless I am in ambubble the chance will always be there.

Tough decision but maybe worth a try. I use my hands a lot and they have been shredded this past week but my head is making me keep going at the moment.

It is such a personal illness this.

Good luck

[Prettystuffed in reply to Hidden]

Hi Thank you for your reply I do agree with you in many ways. I enjoy the interaction with the other people that work there. The downside is I get very tired and then get grumpy with my other half. Who really doesn't understand all the implications of this condition He says his fingers hurt too. If only he knew the pain that we suffer when the joints swell .Good luck to you too xx

[Mmrr]

It is very difficult to know what to do for the best, but life must go on. I'm on Baricitinib and pretty much do what I want. I wash my hands frequently and use a hand sanitizer after being on public transport. I am a member of a spa but don't use the enclosed steam rooms /sauna, preferring the outside heated pool (in Scotland!) Or the ordinary pool.

I don't visit my wee 18 month old, grandson if he is full of the cold with a snotty nose, or for a couple of days after he has had live vaccines, it doesn't seem sensible. Otherwise I just get on with it, but I'm kind to myself, I don't do things which put a strain on my hands, feet etc, otherwise I just keep as mobile as I can.

[Prettystuffed in reply to Mmrr]

hi Mmrr Thank you for your reply. Its nice to know how other people cope with the same situation. I am probably worrying unduly. i really enjoy your input to other people's questions I have learnt a lot from this forum. xx

[JFlay]

Hi, looking purely on the pension side of the issue, have you had a pension forecast for your state pension? As we now have to make NI contributions up to pension age it would be worth checking how much giving up work early would affect what you will get. Sorry about your situation ☹️

[helixhelix in reply to JFlay]

I thought you just (just!) had to contribute for 35 years to get full state pension. So as long as you have enough years you can stop when you like.

[JFlay in reply to helixhelix]

Not now! the rules have changed fairly recently. I had to ring the Future Pensions Centre last week about my voluntary class 2 NI and I also looked at my record online. I had done my 35 years, have always worked full time, now I have to contribute for another 5 years to get the full amount!! 🙄

[Kerensa21 in reply to JFlay]

That got me worried, are you sure? Just saw this; i’ve done 42 years, small ill health retirement from work. It doesn’t seem fair as you could have paid in more than someone who worked up to state retirement age?

moneywise.co.uk/pensions/re...

I’m not sure what voluntary class 2 are tho, self employed?

[JFlay in reply to Kerensa21]

Yes I'm sure. I had worked over the 35 years, last time I checked I was entitled to full pension, but not now! I have to pay in for 6 more years!

I pay voluntary class 2 as I'm self employed.

[Kerensa21 in reply to JFlay]

Then you’re saying the money wise article is wrong? I paid full class 1 but don’t know if that’s different; have to check pension forecast yet again 🙄 I knew it was 35 years + now but not that; surely they should let people know?

[JFlay in reply to Kerensa21]

I'm just saying what the pensions people told me. I thought I had paid in enough years to get the full amount when I retire at 66. I've worked full time from age 17 with no gaps. To get the full amount I still need to pay it for 6 more years.

gov.uk/new-state-pension/ho...

[Kerensa21 in reply to JFlay]

That’s awful, thanks jflay, similar to me, i’ll check mine; seen the government site but it doesn’t cover all bases.

[helixhelix in reply to JFlay]

What, they’ve changed them again!!! I stopped working full time when I had 32 years as that the requirement then was 30 years, and went self employed. Since I didn’t earn much, and didn’t think I needed more years I claimed exemption from NI for next 5 years. Then to my horror I found that they’d moved goalposts to 35 years. But I never realised so now I won’t get full pension as far to expensive to buy back the years.

Surely they can’t have changed again as only a few years ago....

[JFlay in reply to helixhelix]

Yes they have, not sure when it was? If you want to find out your pension forecast this is the number 0800 731 0175 you can also view your forecast online but you have to set that up with ID etc.

[Prettystuffed in reply to JFlay]

Hi I had a state pension forecast some years ago which said I had paid enough. Then of course all change another five years !!! This was one of the reasons I went back to work. Unfortunately I only do 19 hrs per week and this apparently is not enough to have contributions paid. So on that score I'm wasting my time. it doesn't seem fair as I can't physically do more at the moment.

[helixhelix]

I agree with others about just being normally sensible and not worrying too much. I’ve been on biologics over a year now with no problems - hardly a sniffle. And working does help in many ways. If it’s physically hard for you could you ask to do shorter shifts, or only work part time? But only you can decide what’s best for you!

[Prettystuffed in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks that's nice to know that you manage ok. My husband died a number of years ago of Leukaemia. I tended to notice how disgusting people are because of his compromised immune system. Maybe I'll be ok. Hopefully.

[HappykindaGal]

I’m on biologics. I work, go to conferences, all sorts. I did have a cold last month, but nothing that stopped me doing anything. See how you feel? You can always stop if it’s too difficult for you.

[Prettystuffed in reply to HappykindaGal]

Thank you that's very comforting to know. I think that's very good advice. xx

[Bessieboo1]

Hi, I’m on biologics and have been for about 6 years. I am also a registered nurse and work in a busy ophthalmology outpatient department. When my old manager knew I was starting on biologic meds she said we can’t carry you if you are going to have lots of time off sick, in fact you know where the door is!!!! Well she was proved totally wrong, since then I have not had a cold and the only time off I have had is following surgery. I do struggle with my hands being deformed and painful but you can’t give in to it!! Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Xx

[Prettystuffed in reply to Bessieboo1]

Hi Bessieboo Thats really good because you must mix with an awful lot of germs in your work. I have always been fit and healthy . The only time i've had off work is when I can't put my foot to the floor (ankle) I work with a wrist splint if its bad Can't do with ankle as it takes all your weight. It just worries me as I don't cope well with illness Ha Ha.

[Georgiab123]

I’m the same age I work in a school I’m trying to get PIP but not so lucky I’m going to appeal it’s getting to much now

[Prettystuffed]

I would be very grateful for pip. However they don't seem to understand how RA works. Let me know how it goes xx

[Georgiab123 in reply to Prettystuffed]

I will iv got the welfare rights, doctor and consultant on my side

[Prettystuffed in reply to Georgiab123]

Welfare rights ?

[Georgiab123 in reply to Prettystuffed]

Yes they helped with my form and are going to tribunal with me

[charisma]

Hi Ps, good comments offered already. Re SP age eligibility etc, even some people with over 35 years’ contributions will miss out IF their employers ‘opted out’ ie paid reduced rates.

Many money sites do give wrong advice. Best way ahead is to ensure you have an accurate forecast of your SP entitlement, from the Gov. Then you can make a much better informed decision.

Because the rules were changed for me in 2011-12, and I had 30 years paid by 2009, there was a clause written in to protect women in that position so I got the full new pension a year ago.

Perhaps the Judgement expected via courts (Back to 60 campaign) on Oct 3rd will be just. I’m not relying on it though, especially with the latest increases announced to SP age eligibility for both men and women.

But the request of a few years’ compensation paid to each affected 1950s woman would help so much to offset losses and give a bit of security now too.