Work

Work , or rather when to stop is the top of the political agenda today. The Tories made it clear during the election campaign that they planned to raise male retirement age to 66 in 2016 (estimated cost to me in excess of £5000. Now they re looking at scraping the fixed retirement age and talking to gradually raising the age when an individual will receive a state pension to 70. Seventy was of course the age that people retired when Lloyd George set up the scheme in 1908. Ironically in France there was a general strike because their government proposes to raise retirement age to 61 !

Sadly there is little discussion of relating retirement to employment, a judge may be physically able to work at 70, I'm not so sure about a bricklayer or a gymnastic coach. Flexible working has to be the way ahead, allowing people to ease into retirement over a number of years. I'm beginning to realise that I am both fortunate and far sighted to have been able to do this.

Meanwhile in the world Cup Italy have been knocked out, yes they won four years ago, and England now lead Australia 2-0 in the ODI series. While I want England to win every game, the series may be all over by the time I see the sides play at the Oval next Wednesday.

Finally a new album or download, American Slang by Gaslight Anthem. I was attracted by the publicity that they are heavily Springsteen influenced, but in fairness while they hail from Jersey the similarities are not overpowering, and the album has even quality to stand on its own.