Business and pension news

Retiring from work and drawing their pension (Sofortrente) is something that most people look forward to after a lifetime of hard work.  Many look upon it has the golden age when they will be able to spend time doing all the things they have never been able to do.  Once retired many pensioners will take up a new interest such as learning a new language or learning how to use a computer and the internet.  For others something more physical might appeal such as swimming, golfing, hiking or even ballroom dancing.  The need to stay active is essential at any age and for pensioners this is just as important.  Many people enjoy gardening and just pottering around the garden, weeding, mowing the grass, digging and keeping the hedges in shape will take up a lot of their time.  Allotment holders are usually retired people who like to grow their own vegetables and fruit.  This not only keeps them occupied but also helps to cut down on the weekly shopping bill.  Organic vegetables such as potatoes, cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots, peas and beans can be very expensive to buy so growing your own is much better. We have all become more aware about eating healthily and over the last few years many younger people have taken over allotments so they can grow their own organic vegetables.

For some people nearing retirement, because of the economy at present time, the prospective of retiring is looking pretty grim.  Many people who were expecting to retire on a good pension which they have paid into for years, have seen this fall very low owing to the credit crunch affecting the stocks and shares.  Where once they might have been looking forward to enjoying a good retirement and be financially secure, it is now a very worrying time for them.  People who have saved all their lives hoping that the interest on their savings will give them a small income have lost out. Interest rates are now so low that savers of all ages have gained nothing.  For many people who retire, the chance to travel and see the world is something they might have been dreaming of for years. Many pensioners have English insurance (Englische Versicherung) and have been able to fulfil their dream.  But for many the retirement that they had been planning will not be possible as the present state of the economy has affected so many people over 60.  Even when the economy is booming there are many retired people who struggle to make ends meet.  They cannot afford to put the heating on in the winter and often have to choose between keeping warm and eating.  Luncheon clubs that provide hot meals for the elderly is one way that can help someone to have at least one hot meal a week but not all pensioners will bother themselves.  As pensions have dropped so low, many pensioners have considered selling their houses to free up some money.  However, at the present time, houses are not selling very well so this is not really an alternative.  The golden years of retirement has lost its lustre for many who have seen all their plans for the future swept away with not much prospect of things changing in the near future. But maybe its not all doom and gloom, we should all remember that things never stay the same for ever and hopefully things can only get better.