74-year-old jet-setter proves that reaching retirement age is no reason to slow down
WORKING throughout your 70s to fund annual holidays to Goa is the alternative to carpet slippers and meals on wheels for a couple of Lincoln pensioners.
Great-grandad Kenneth Scott, 74, works six mornings a week cleaning at Asda in North Hykeham and has no plans to retire any time soon.
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Great-granddad Kenneth Scott, 74, works six days a week at Asda so that he and his wife Christine can travel to India once a year.
But Mr Scott, of Stamp End, Lincoln, says he does this so he and wife Christine, 65, can continue holidaying in India.
He said: "Working gets me out of the house each day and I work with a nice crowd.
"We've been going to India each year for 12 years and we love the people and the culture.
"But there's no way we would be able to afford it on my pension and I haven't got much money saved so continuing work gives us the opportunity to do this."
Many of today's pensioners spend their time volunteering, take up a new hobby or spend more time with the family.
Wellingore management consultancy firm Oates Consult is hosting the county's first retirement event at Lincolnshire Showground on Wednesday, October 27.
The free event, called 65 Not Out, brings together experts from financial, healthcare and leisure industries to offer a one-stop shop for retirement planning.
Chief executive of Age UK Lincoln, Barry Earnshaw, said the average life expectancy is now in the 80s for both men and women, meaning people have longer retirements.
He said: "Some people take advantage of this by working longer, while others use pensions and investments and go off to see the world."
The Echo has reported stories of extraordinary pensioner power including the Lincolnshire dance troupe Magic Movers.
The ladies, aged from 61 to 77, meet at St George's Community Hall in Lincoln twice a week to rehearse and even toured Russia with a series of performances in June.
Dennis Ealam, of Laughton Way, Lincoln, became a dad to baby Jessie in December last year, aged 76.
In March, the Bishop of Lincoln, John Saxbee, announced he will retire in January when he turns 65.
Known for his sense of adventure, Bishop John has enjoyed wing-walking and flying with the Red Arrows as well as climbing Mount Snowdon just last week.
He said: "My father worked until he was 65 and then died two years later so he really had no retirement at all.
"But nowadays, you can expect a real period of active life.
"My plans are to learn to cook because I can't boil an egg and to learn to use a computer because I'm a born- again Luddite.
"I also want to join a choir and sing Bach's B Minor Mass before I die."
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by Phil, Lincoln.
Thursday, August 19 2010, 4:27PM
“You learn something new every day I know Ken from the allotments and I would never have guessed he was 74, or anywhere near. A good example of someone keeping his mind and body fit and active.
As for the job that Ken does. My guess is that if Ken wasn't doing the job a polish person would probably be doing it. The reason being that most British workers would see the job advertised in the job centre and say "err, I'm not doing that. It's cleaning. I'm too good for that". It takes someone like Ken who is proud to be doing any job or the Eastern Europeans, i.e the polish, who are proud to have a job and do it properly without turning their noses up at it.
Hilda, I'm not saying you're son would act in this way. Its just what you often see.
One other thing. When I see my grandson, Jake, using my PC I often wish we'd had such things when I was 5 or 6 yrs old. Its usually great to see such young children using computers so competently and sensibly. But then I see such as Matt and Ben on this site and I think to myself why don't their parents stop them using the computer if they can't use it properly.”
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Thursday, August 19 2010, 2:16PM
“"and has i've aready stated sooner a family man getting a wage to keep his family,Than an elderly couples jaunts to India."
Why? Nobody forces anybody to have kids. Nobody forces anybody to travel to India. Why should one take precedence over the other? However, if, as I suspect, you think having kids automatically makes you more important than everyone else, then what if the elderly couple had sacrificed everything to bring up their kids when they were younger? Why shouldn't they treat themselves now?”
by Shep, Lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 1:30PM
“What an absurd set of comments. The article is surely a 'good news' story, i.e man in his 70s still fit and enthusiastic enough to go to work. Can't fathom how some people have a problem with that.
@Hilda - it's a shame your son can't find a job but that's hardly Mr Scott's fault is it? Maybe you could blame Asda for employing someone of 74 - but then again they just want the best person for the job so why should they have restrictions placed on who they can and can't employ?
@Matt - I can't quite work out what your argument is but it seems that you're upset because Mr Scott's still working while some other people of his age can't or choose not to. Not sure why this is bothering you.
Leave the poor bloke alone - he's doing nothing wrong.”
by Hilda, Lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 1:22PM
“@Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Maybe my son wouldn't get mr Scotts job but a family man on benefits might and has i've aready stated sooner a family man getting a wage to keep his family,Than an elderly couples jaunts to India.
Also maybe my son and others like him would have more chance of getting a job if mr Scott and other people over 65 were to retire.
You may think what i say is absurd but i say mouths before holidays.he's had his crack now let someone else have a go.”
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Thursday, August 19 2010, 1:02PM
“"At least the wages would help to keep a family rather than an old couples jaunts to India."
The choice to have children is as arbitrary as the choice to visit India.”
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Thursday, August 19 2010, 12:58PM
“I haven't answered it, Hilda, because it's absurd. The two scenarios are not interdependent because firstly, I'm sure there are other jobs your son is capable of doing and secondly, even if Mr Scott retired your son isn't guaranteed to get his job.”
by Hilda, Lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 12:41PM
“OK, then, Hilda, if there was someone who had a partner and four kids to support, would you be happy for them to have Mr Scott's job rather than your son? Their need is greater than your son's, just as you think your son's need is greater than Mr Scott's.
If the said person with four kids was coming off benefit for the job,i wouldn't mind.
At least the wages would help to keep a family rather than an old couples jaunts to India.”
by Hilda, Lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 12:38PM
“Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
How about you answering a question for a change.
the question being.
So do you think its better that a person should work after retirement age for the money to holiday in India.
Rather than a young person come off benefits have a job and feed his family.
A simple yes or no will suffice.”
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Thursday, August 19 2010, 12:25PM
“OK, then, Hilda, if there was someone who had a partner and four kids to support, would you be happy for them to have Mr Scott's job rather than your son? Their need is greater than your son's, just as you think your son's need is greater than Mr Scott's.
The bottom line is, I'm a libertarian. If you wish to work past retirement age, you should be allowed to. If you wish to employ people past their retirement age, you should be allowed to. Whether other people approve of such appointments or not is neither here nor there.”
by Hilda, Lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 12:08PM
“Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
So do you think its better that a person should work after retirement age for the money to holiday in India.
Rather than a young person come off benefits have a job and feed his family.
Tell me this sneer how are young people to get work when there is a shortage of jobs and yet there are people like this chap well over retirement age still doing a job that they could do.
As i said before he should step down and let others have a job.he'd get a state pension it's not as though he'd be destitute.”