I am so happy to hear this, Mary. It’s been a long wait and you’ve been very patient and I’m glad that you got there in the end – it’s one less thing to worry about isn’t it?
Thank you so much Alison, yes it has been a bit of a wait but I am very grateful for all the support given by everyone, work, doctors and especially all of you with your words of wisdom keeping me
calm through it all.
I will always be very grateful to you all.
Much love
Maryx
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Hello to all and I hope you are as well as can be
ANOTHER wee question…sorry.
My neighbour has given me a couple of mobility scooters to try and I just felt normal again being outside with the neighbours and just going around the cul de sac having a go.
The first one was a titan which was good but I think it is quite bulky and has to be taken apart to go in the car.
He picked that one up and has just dropped off a lighter weight one which is in the shed and I will give it a go when hubbie home from work. This one can be folded and put in the car easily, it can even be pulled behind someone when walking.
I will go to the local care co shop on Sunday and see what they think is best for me.
Sorry again for the long winded post but just wondered if any of you guys have any recommendations.
Much love
Maryx
Take a look at the Motability guide, as they have a decent selection and broken down into the different types available.
Good plan to visit the shop and actually sit in a few, because comfort will be a big factor.
Mobility scooters | Motability Scheme
Just had a wee go on the smaller foldable scooter… scary as I didn’t feel secure. I will look at the Motability site.
I have called the car co and they are open on Sunday so we’ll head down and have a go at a few.
Thanks again and hop you are well.
Much love
Maryx
.
Have you considered a powerchair as an option? I only mention this as there are few foldable types to choose from and might be easier to transport.
Perhaps something else to try out at the shop.
Thanks so much for sending this info, I will certainly have a look.
I will let you know how I get on
Much love
Maryx
Hello to all and I hope you are all as well as can be.
Well things are much the same with me no improvement but I don’t think there is any worsening as such.
This is the ‘new’ me and I have finally accepted it.
It was very hard not heading back to school on Monday when they started here in Scotland but knowing I would not be able to do my job as I had in the past made it a bit easier.
Well that is me officially retired although the pension etc has not yet been sorted. I have been offered a lump sum with a smaller monthly pension which I have been advised to take but I am not really sure what to do?
I have bought a mobility scooter which has been a real help, thanks for your advice “whammel”. I can go to my neighbours or for a walk with the family which is just lovely. Even had to Ireland with us and let me go out with the family which was great.
Thanks again to you all.
Much Love
Maryx
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Hi Mary,
How are you?
It has been suggested I volunteer my time now to charity work. Well the university I worked for does have a charity number, so I may rejoin the staff choir at some point, but only after I’ve had my elective surgery later this year hopefully.
Hope your superannuation is getting sorted anyway. For mine, I opted for maximum lump sum and smaller monthly income, I don’t think there’s much difference if it’s the other way round.
I’m only on the rollator at the moment, but if a mobility scooter can get you as far as Ireland, perhaps I should invest in one soon.
Best regards,
JP
I consulted an IFA about the lump sum business and how much to take as that rather than fixed annuity. if you haven’t yet taken formal advice, I suggest that is worth doing.
Thanks so much. as ever for your help/advice.
Weirdly the financial guy has just been on the phone and he advised me to take the max lump sum with smaller pension.
Think I’ll get hubbie to help get the forms sent away tonight.
The scooter has let me feel more independent even though I am always with folk when out in it. This MS really keeps us trying, thinking and always on the go, even just in our thoughts and minds.
Keep as well as can be
Much love
Maryx
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@marymcdermott . Hello, was just browsing through today’s posts and saw yours. I’m left wondering why your advisor recommended taking maximum lump sum?
From what I know teacher pension schemes are good and like mine (not teacher) increase every year at the higher of inflation, pay rises and ( can’t remember what the third is) for life.
@MPersonally, and unless there is some pressing need for a lump sum I would avoid it. I guess your advisor might be recommending that you invest the lump sum but I would think carefully about that. The value of investments can decrease- they don’t in the long run but don’t provide a good regular income.
Last time I looked, annuities aren’t a good bet.
From what I recall a long time ago I took a mix of lump sum and pension
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Glad to hear you are adapting nicely to life outside formal work.
I was in a similar situation a good few years ago and my employer offered a lump sum too. The sum involved was significantly lower than the monthly payments for 18 years. I ran the idea past my Union for advice and their reply was “why would you want to do that”.
So, unless you have a use for a lump sum, probably a good idea to run it past your Union for an opinion. They are there to represent your best interests, after all.
Apologies if I am missing something.
Thanks for this Han Dog, I worked in school as a support teacher taking groups of children with dyslexia and followed a programme suited to their needs.
The pension is not the best but as my daughter is just about to buy her own home I can give them a hand with their purchase with some of the lump sum.
We have really thought long and hard and been advised by 2 friends/financial advisor .
Thanks for your advice,I will certainly mention this before signing the paperwork
Much Love
Maryx
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That’s a nice thing to do.
I did put my lump sum into investments (through Skipton Building Society) and have just left them there to grow in case or rather until wife and I need some sort of care/help at home .
We are both able to live happily on pensions especially since I got the state pension ( I.e in addition to occupational one).
Must admit, getting older And having MS does focus my mind a bit on finances/income
I thought just the same too: a tax-free lump sum is preferable, as monthly income is taxed anyway, the less the chancellor can get her greedy hands on the better imho.
JP
Sorry for the late reply whammel.
Working all out it does seem the better option and I can help my daughter which makes me feel good, if you know what I mean.
Ah well fingers crossed things work out. Hope you are well.
Much love
Maryxx
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Hello Mary,
I took the maximum tax free lump sum and a taxable monthly income and I’ve never regretted it. With the lump sum I paid off the mortgage, bought my adapted wheelchair vehicle, updated to a newer electric wheelchair, went on a cruise, and began to enjoy life without the daily struggle of trying to get to work.
The major problem for me was that my husband died suddenly (now 2 years ago). Still we did have that lovely cruise together (with very happy memories for me) and we wouldn’t have been able to do that without the pension lump sum.
I love being retired and I hope you do too. Enjoy life as much as you can.
The Ireland trip sounds great. I’ve wanted to go back for another holiday to the home of my parents childhood homes and perhaps I’ll do that again next year. Ireland and its people are truly very beautiful.
Love, Mary
Thank you so much Mary for your very positive reply.
I am very sorry about your husband and so very glad you have such happy memories, he’s always with you .x
I have got my head around retirement now, still really miss it but know it is for the best.
My daughter and her partner are about to buy their first house, exciting times for them, we only have the one so it’ll be strange but so very happy for them.
Ireland, as ever was amazing so very lovely being with family and friends, you really should try to go.
Thanks again to everyone on this site, I know we have not met but truly feel we are a part of a family always there to help out when we can.
Much love
Mary x
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I read one of your earlier replies and confess it raised a smile, because I have done the same thing myself, so understand exactly what you mean. Helping to secure your daughters future is a great plan.
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