0:00:02 > 0:00:03'For the first time in Britain,
0:00:03 > 0:00:08'there are more people over the age of 60 than under 16.'
0:00:08 > 0:00:09You're 83.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11100 years on this earth.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14They've got some amazing volunteers in their 80s and 90s.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17'But what does growing older mean for you?'
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Difficult. Sometimes more than other times.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22- I don't think you should be nervous about getting old.- Yeah.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24It's a wonderful state.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27'Our team is getting to the bottom of the key ageing concerns
0:00:27 > 0:00:29'that you've told us about.'
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Deciding when to retire.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Being more sociable.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Keeping healthy.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Making your voice heard.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Or the cost of happiness.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46'And even if you haven't yet reached your golden years,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49'it's never too early to start planning.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51'So whether you're an old dog, or a young pup,
0:00:51 > 0:00:53'get ready to learn some new tricks
0:00:53 > 0:00:56'as we lift the lid on Holding Back The Years.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:09'At a certain age, the same dilemma ultimately faces all of us,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12'one that perhaps more than any other determines the quality
0:01:12 > 0:01:15'of our older years.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18'To retire, or not to retire?
0:01:21 > 0:01:23'Or what about something in between?
0:01:23 > 0:01:25'Does that exist?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28'Well, I might be able to help you make up your mind
0:01:28 > 0:01:31'because I'm going to be discovering the realities
0:01:31 > 0:01:33'about retirement in Britain today.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36'From going behind secure gates to meet those enjoying
0:01:36 > 0:01:38'a luxury retirement...'
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Wow!
0:01:40 > 0:01:43'To learning how while retirement for others is a real struggle,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46'there is help if only they knew about it.'
0:01:47 > 0:01:51If you're on an income of less than £155 a week,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53come to us, get in touch.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56'And I'll be seeing how a flexible retirement could allow you
0:01:56 > 0:01:58'the best of both worlds.'
0:01:58 > 0:02:0022-6 and that is very good.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03'But first, let me tell you a bit about my attitudes to the subject,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05'just so you know where I'm coming from.'
0:02:07 > 0:02:11'I keep a home in Devon which is one of the country's most popular places
0:02:11 > 0:02:15'to retire for thousands of Britons, but I'm not one of them.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19'Work has always been at the very centre of my world for over 50 years,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21'whether that's as a newsreader...'
0:02:21 > 0:02:25In Washington, a leading official of the International Monetary Fund has
0:02:25 > 0:02:29praised Britain for the success of its economic recovery.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33'Being the first ever female host of Top Gear...'
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Now this is the latest car from Jaguar.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38It's the Phase III 5.3.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40'Or dancing with Morecambe and Wise.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42'Now that was a dream job.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50'And I don't see my attitude to work changing any time soon.'
0:02:51 > 0:02:54You know, in many ways, I think I'm not just very lucky,
0:02:54 > 0:02:59I am also privileged to be able to do a job that I absolutely love,
0:02:59 > 0:03:03which is why the word retirement isn't really in my vocabulary.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05I'm now 72 years old.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08I shall go on making programmes as long as people ask me to
0:03:08 > 0:03:12but when they stop, that's when I shall fill my days
0:03:12 > 0:03:14with all the other things that I want to do
0:03:14 > 0:03:17because that's what I've always done.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22'OK, well, that's my choice but how do you feel about retirement?
0:03:22 > 0:03:26'As with most subjects, things begin with the one thing that none of us,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28'no matter what our age, can live without.
0:03:28 > 0:03:29'Money.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35'Today it's estimated that up to six in seven of us enjoy the benefits
0:03:35 > 0:03:39'of a private, or occupational pension, on top of the basic state pension.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43'It gives the choice to stop working,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46'enjoy a nice life and even take a few cruises now and then.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56'But it's not always been like this.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02'I'm heading back to my childhood home in Plymouth
0:04:02 > 0:04:07'to join my cousin Chris who, unlike me, has opted for retirement,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11'to discuss how our lives have changed since our grandparents' day,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13'when they were old, yet younger than me.'
0:04:13 > 0:04:16It will be interesting to see how the house has changed in 50 years.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- It will.- California Blocks, my father's signature.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Do you remember? They were absolutely everywhere.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23UPVC doors.
0:04:23 > 0:04:24- Good morning.- Hello.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26How very kind of you to let us come back.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- I'm Chris.- Morning.- Pleased to meet you.- Come in.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32'First up, time to get the old photos out.'
0:04:34 > 0:04:36I think that's me about five or six, I suppose.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- I love the cardy. - Don't you like the cardy?
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- I do.- Serious expression.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41Born newsreader there.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- Grandfather, do you remember he worked in the dockyard?- Mmm.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- And again I don't think you remember him.- No, I don't.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53I know when he retired he didn't have a choice.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56He just had... Would he have had a pension from the dockyard?
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I don't know. He'd have had an old-age pension.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02But my image of our grandfather
0:05:02 > 0:05:05is sitting in a chair by the fireside
0:05:05 > 0:05:07smoking his pipe...
0:05:08 > 0:05:13most of the time gazing into the air and doing very little.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I seem to remember that all he did in his retirement
0:05:16 > 0:05:17- was go down the pub.- Mmm.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- Difference in the generations, isn't it?- Completely. Yeah, totally.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I think if our grandparents were looking down now,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28they would be amazed at these choices about
0:05:28 > 0:05:30do we want to carry on and work?
0:05:30 > 0:05:34Do we want to spend more time in leisure activities
0:05:34 > 0:05:36and pursuits and travel and all of that?
0:05:36 > 0:05:38And of course we've got the money now.
0:05:38 > 0:05:44Obviously they struggled just to put food on the table in many cases.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47'But what about our parents' generation?'
0:05:47 > 0:05:48ANGELA CHUCKLES
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- And there's Mum and Dad and me, all of us together.- Yes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54'That's me with my parents back in 1948.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57'Did they fare any better in the pensions stakes?
0:05:57 > 0:05:58'Well, yes.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02'It was with the introduction of the modern state pension funded by
0:06:02 > 0:06:06'National Insurance contributions when things started to change for
0:06:06 > 0:06:08'Britain's old folk.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11'Introduced in 1946 as part of the welfare state,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14'the idea behind this was to make sure that people were looked after
0:06:14 > 0:06:17'financially into their old age.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19'From cradle to grave, as the phrase went.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23'I know my parents benefited, but as I'm about to find out,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26'it was still far from the life we have today.'
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Oh, my goodness!- Oh, no!
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- There's even a California...- More.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Gosh, they're everywhere, aren't they?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37But this is so different.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40This is completely different from how I remember this.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- It was all grass.- Grass everywhere, wasn't it?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Do you remember Dad used to have a shed at the back
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- and my dad was always in there doing something.- DIY.- Wasn't he?
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- Always.- I don't know about you but I feel that's where I got a lot
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- of my work ethic from.- Sure.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- Both our parents worked forever, really, didn't they?- They did.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59My dad retired at 65 but my mum was working when she died.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Yeah, well, your mum... Auntie Rose was 70?
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- She was 70, yes.- She was still working but your dad was quite
0:07:05 > 0:07:07different, wasn't he? Uncle Les.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Yes, I mean, he loved his building work and he never really talked
0:07:11 > 0:07:15about retiring, but when he got a little bit older,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18he started to slow down. He had a bit of heart trouble.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Eventually he did think, well,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25maybe it's time to hang up my trowel and give it a rest.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28What do you think he did with his retirement years?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- Wasted. Wasted, really. - 21 wasted years?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33He had no interests, he had no hobbies,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36he had no pastimes that he really got involved in.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38He didn't even read.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39His life was sat in front of a television.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Of course he lapsed into clinical depression and...
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- It was 30 years wasted, in my opinion.- Yeah.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- In my opinion.- But that's not something you picked up.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Well, you have to learn the lessons of history, don't you?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56You see this in front of you and you think,
0:07:56 > 0:07:57"God, I don't want to go that route.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01I'm going to keep active and have a completely different outlook on life."
0:08:01 > 0:08:02Well, I did anyway.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04I thought there's no way that I'm going to be sat in
0:08:04 > 0:08:06front of a television watching daytime TV,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10although I know there's really good daytime TV programmes on.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- You do watch me. - I do, of course I do.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Family support, please.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17But there was no way I was going to end up like that.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- No.- No way.- I'm 72...
0:08:19 > 0:08:23- You'll never retire. - That's what everybody says.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26It's never occurred to me to stop work.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30So the age thing doesn't bother me and I'm still fit enough to do it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32OAP for you means older active person, I guess?
0:08:34 > 0:08:35I think it does.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41'So what lessons can we take away from the past about retirement?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44'Well, it might seem like an obvious point but it's always been about the
0:08:44 > 0:08:47'economy. You get what you can afford.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50'And as we've moved away from no pensions to state pensions
0:08:50 > 0:08:55'to private pensions, in some ways we've never had it so good.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56'Unlike myself, however,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59'some people do choose to give up work
0:08:59 > 0:09:01'and enjoy their retirement to the full.'
0:09:01 > 0:09:06I'm now on my way to a rather luxurious option for retirement,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08if you can afford it.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12'This is Audley Inglewood in Berkshire,
0:09:12 > 0:09:17'one of a growing number of American-style retirement communities here in the UK.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20'But I want to know what it's like behind the secure front doors.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23'How much does it cost and is it worth the money?'
0:09:23 > 0:09:25This must be it. Wow!
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Well, it looks very impressive from the outside,
0:09:40 > 0:09:46a bit like a grand country house hotel, but what about the inside?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Is this a glimpse into the future,
0:09:49 > 0:09:54the way that more of us are going to choose to live in retirement?
0:09:54 > 0:09:58And if so, what do I get for our money?
0:09:58 > 0:10:01'So time for a good old-fashioned nosy around.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05'Originally built as a great stately home in the late 18th century,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08'it's been converted into 91 homes.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13'The cheapest cost around half a million but others are rather more.'
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Wow.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Well, I like this already.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Just look at the size of this room.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26You've got a balcony.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31Huge space. L-shaped, moves around here to a lovely big dining area.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Gosh, get a load of this kitchen.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Now this is quality.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38Yes, I do like this.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41My idea of a perfect kitchen, this.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42Oh, I like that.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49If this is good, what are the bedrooms going to be like?
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Well, that'll do, thank you very much.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Again, what a huge room.
0:11:00 > 0:11:01The bed's a bit soft for me but...
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Wow, look at this.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Oh, look at the bathroom.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Well...you could have a party in here.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Nothing cramped about this apartment at all.
0:11:14 > 0:11:20'The whole place is over 216 square feet and has three bedrooms.'
0:11:20 > 0:11:26But, and it's a very big but, it does come with a big price tag.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29It's over £1 million
0:11:29 > 0:11:32and that is certainly not a cheap retirement.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38'Not all the homes cost that but everyone does pay a management fee
0:11:38 > 0:11:42'for housekeeping, security, and a wide array of on-site facilities.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48'This place is a world away from the traditional institutional image you
0:11:48 > 0:11:51'might have of a retirement home for the elderly.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55'Which might look something a bit more like this.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04'No, this is more of a retirement community based on an American model,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08'where the emphasis is for on-site property owners being able to
0:12:08 > 0:12:10'maintain their independence,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13'so I want to know if this is a glimpse into how retirement
0:12:13 > 0:12:16'is going to look in a future in this country.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19'To help me answer that question, I'm meeting Nick Sanderson,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23'the founder and CEO here, in the library.'
0:12:23 > 0:12:28Nick, this is now one of a number of similar senior living projects that there are all over the country.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31What really is the concept, the thinking behind them?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Three ingredients really.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36The first is housing, good housing, it's what the British want,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39the British love. They want the opportunity to downsize into
0:12:39 > 0:12:41something that's more appropriate as they get older.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43The second is lifestyle.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46In truth, a lot of people come here as much if not more for the
0:12:46 > 0:12:49lifestyle as they do for the housing.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52And the third is the reassurance that if they need it,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55care is always available, staff available to support them.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00Clearly they've been doing this sort of thing in America for years but
0:13:00 > 0:13:03what's the market here in Britain for this kind of living?
0:13:03 > 0:13:07It's very small. Relative to America, Australia, New Zealand
0:13:07 > 0:13:11it's very small. Something like 16% of Americans over 65 live
0:13:11 > 0:13:13in this sort of accommodation.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15In this country it's less than half of 1%.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18A variety of reasons, I think, probably.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Some people say maybe it's just we have a different attitude to it.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Maybe it's sunshine.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26I don't think so actually. I think it's more on the supply side.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I think the truth is we just haven't built enough of them.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33I don't think it's been embraced the same by providers as much as by
0:13:33 > 0:13:38our customers. Our customers tell us, "Please, please build as many of them as you can."
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Do you think what we're looking at here is the future
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- of retirement living?- I do.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45I never pretend it's for everybody.
0:13:45 > 0:13:46We say 16% of America.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49That's still 84% don't.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52It's not for everybody but for those who...
0:13:52 > 0:13:57Those I think who engage early enough in looking for a quality of life beyond that
0:13:57 > 0:14:01of staying in a home that's not appropriate for them as they get older,
0:14:01 > 0:14:02absolutely it's right.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07What you seem to be suggesting is that nowadays when someone retires
0:14:07 > 0:14:10it's not just a question of leaving work on a Friday,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13taking up a hobby and thinking how am I going to fill the rest of life.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Now there seems to be a much greater choice of ways in which people
0:14:17 > 0:14:19can spend their retirement.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21I think the days of a cliff edge retirement where you
0:14:21 > 0:14:25got your gold watch and stopped and Monday morning waited for something
0:14:25 > 0:14:28to happen, yeah, I think that must change.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33'Well, certainly the people living here aren't stopping.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37'Residents can spend their days in the pool...
0:14:39 > 0:14:41'..fine dining...
0:14:43 > 0:14:46'or, and this is something that I would enjoy, doing Pilates.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48'So since I'm here...'
0:14:48 > 0:14:49Exhale. Use the breath.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Breath in. Engage the tummies.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55It helps to engage the tummy muscles.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Release your pelvis back to neutral.
0:14:57 > 0:14:58That's brilliant.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01'It's fair to say that most people who live here won't be
0:15:01 > 0:15:04'paying for it with average state pensions.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07'No, most people afford a place like this by cashing in their private
0:15:07 > 0:15:09'pensions, downsizing,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13'using their savings or spending the kids' inheritance.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15'But is it really worth it?
0:15:15 > 0:15:17'Well, let's ask those who live here.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21'Julie and Edward moved here when they returned from America to retire.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26'John is a former GP who moved here when his wife died.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31'Susie and John are a former army couple who've recently swapped
0:15:31 > 0:15:34'their cottage for the retirement village.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36'I start by asking them why they moved here.'
0:15:37 > 0:15:44Looking after your own place was what we didn't need any more.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49We'd been doing it for 20 years in our cottage and it was enough.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Just by chance, something came through the door saying
0:15:53 > 0:15:56come and see us on an open day.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59So driving here, and we only lived half an hour away,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02so we've still got all our friends around us,
0:16:02 > 0:16:03driving here, I said to John,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06"There is no way I am living in a retirement village.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09"So we'll go and look..."
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Tell me why you had that negative attitude before you came?
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Because I thought, "Oh, lots of horrible little houses."
0:16:16 > 0:16:18And, you know...
0:16:18 > 0:16:19- Old people?- Old people!
0:16:19 > 0:16:21I know, I'm old!
0:16:22 > 0:16:24But that was my thought.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27And we drove in through the gates and it was wow.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- Wow.- Did you look upon retirement with horror?
0:16:32 > 0:16:35What were your thoughts about retirement before you took it on?
0:16:35 > 0:16:39At first, a few years beforehand,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I was a bit apprehensive and thought,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43"I wonder what it's going to be like."
0:16:43 > 0:16:46But those thoughts were quickly swept away
0:16:46 > 0:16:49because we've been very busy.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51We do lots of things.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55And here there are so many opportunities to do a whole range
0:16:55 > 0:16:58of things that I'd not thought of beforehand.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59I mean, I play snooker.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02I have a group that I play in
0:17:02 > 0:17:06and I think I'd played snooker twice before I joined the group.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09And swim.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13And there are all sorts of other things that you can be part of
0:17:13 > 0:17:15if you want to.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20And I think for me it was having the time to choose what I wanted to do,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22which has been so lovely.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24But do you do them because you really want to do them
0:17:24 > 0:17:27or is it just a way of filling the time and avoiding boredom?
0:17:27 > 0:17:29No, not at all.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32I don't think I've ever felt bored here at all.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37And that's been lovely because I think one goes into retirement
0:17:37 > 0:17:39not quite sure what you're going...
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Was going to be like
0:17:42 > 0:17:44and boredom obviously after you've been very active
0:17:44 > 0:17:47and busy is something that crosses your mind
0:17:47 > 0:17:51but it has never been a problem for me, not once.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54John, before you retired,
0:17:54 > 0:17:59did you actually hate the idea of not having a permanent job any more?
0:17:59 > 0:18:00No.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- Why not?- No way.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Um...
0:18:04 > 0:18:08We were really quite busy while we were working.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I would feel guilty, I still almost do,
0:18:11 > 0:18:15reading the newspaper during the day because there was always so much to do.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Now it's very nice to occasionally look at the newspapers
0:18:19 > 0:18:22and relax and read them.
0:18:22 > 0:18:28No. I was happy to be retired when it happened.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- The pork loin.- Please. Thank you.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33'So from what you've seen and heard,
0:18:33 > 0:18:34'would this retirement work for you?
0:18:36 > 0:18:40'For me, I think I still prefer my own independence and space
0:18:40 > 0:18:43'rather than moving to a place like this just yet.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46'Plus of course, I'm not good enough at snooker to live here full time.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55'Of course for most people affording that sort of luxury retirement
0:18:55 > 0:18:57'simply is not an option.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00'Indeed, for those living on the basic state pension,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03'survival is the name of the game.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06'I'm meeting up with former nurse Julie Ellis, who,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09'despite having worked for over 55 years,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13'at the age of 78 lives on her own without any occupational
0:19:13 > 0:19:15'or private pension.'
0:19:17 > 0:19:21How difficult is it for you to manage on your money?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23It is difficult.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Sometimes more than other times
0:19:25 > 0:19:28depending when all the bills come in and
0:19:28 > 0:19:31sometimes it's four months at a time each quarter.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35How anxious are you about your financial situation?
0:19:35 > 0:19:36Um...
0:19:36 > 0:19:39I do get anxious but I try not to.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45I think, "Well, if I haven't got it, they'll have to wait."
0:19:45 > 0:19:49And if I've got it I pay it straightaway
0:19:49 > 0:19:51because they put on the bills
0:19:51 > 0:19:54"please pay this by such and such a date".
0:19:54 > 0:19:57So I'll pay it bang on the date, but if I haven't got it,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59they have to wait. You know.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01So you just live on your old age pension?
0:20:01 > 0:20:02You have no other income at all?
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- No.- Do you not have any of the other benefits that you're due, or not?
0:20:06 > 0:20:10No, because there's no other benefits, Angela, none at all,
0:20:10 > 0:20:11as far as I know.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17You've got the state pension and that's it, that's it, really.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Have you ever looked to see whether or not you're eligible for other money?
0:20:22 > 0:20:24No, I haven't, actually.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25- No.- Really?- Yeah.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28So there might be more money out there that you could have.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29There might be, yeah.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34I've not gone into it, put it that way.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Cos nobody's ever asked me that before so I wouldn't know. Yeah.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41'And Julie is not alone.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42'According to official figures,
0:20:42 > 0:20:48'there are up to 1.6 million pensioners currently living in poverty throughout the UK.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53'That's a shocking one in seven with a further 1.2 million living just
0:20:53 > 0:20:55'above the poverty line.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58'I want to get beneath the statistics to see what this means
0:20:58 > 0:21:01'in stark day-to-day terms for people like Julie.'
0:21:04 > 0:21:07When you've paid all your bills, how much are you left with?
0:21:09 > 0:21:10Well, they all come at different times.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12So your bills are what?
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- Rent?- The rent, the water rates, the council tax...
0:21:20 > 0:21:23the electricity, and I think that's about it.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24That's about it.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28But how much are you left with when you've paid all your bills?
0:21:31 > 0:21:34About £50, £50 a week.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35£50 a week?
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- Something like that. - That's not very much, is it?
0:21:37 > 0:21:39No, no.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45So I try to be careful with my shopping, etc,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and going to charity shops for my clothes.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Just gently stretch the arm.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54'The idea of pensioners like Julie being able to afford Pilates classes
0:21:54 > 0:21:57'or swimming lessons is clearly fanciful,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00'but it's also the basics that she struggles to afford,
0:22:00 > 0:22:05'things as fundamental to health and wellbeing as food and warmth.'
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Now what about food?
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Because that's just as important as everything else.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12You don't want to go without food, do you?
0:22:12 > 0:22:17No. I go to the cheapest places, supermarkets,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19and I buy food for one.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23And if it's food for one,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26like beef,
0:22:26 > 0:22:32then I get a dish of mashed swede and carrots for £1
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and that lasts me two days.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39I have, like, pork tongue.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42That's £1 and you get six slices
0:22:42 > 0:22:44and I have that with Italian pasta,
0:22:44 > 0:22:49but that lasts for a few days so I buy, like, that all the time.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54'It's another reminder that the quality of your retirement
0:22:54 > 0:22:57'is fundamentally affected by what you can afford.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00'But what's also extraordinary about Julie is that she doesn't feel sorry
0:23:00 > 0:23:04'for her situation. In fact, she's even come up with some rather
0:23:04 > 0:23:06'unique tips for saving money.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Well, first of all, I don't have a washing machine.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I wash by hand, and if I have sheets and duvets,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14I put them in the bath
0:23:14 > 0:23:18and put hot water on and sometimes I stamp up and down.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20If people saw me, they'd think I'm crazy.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Anyway, I dry them in the bathroom
0:23:23 > 0:23:25and if it's the summer and the spring,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I put them outside on the clothes line.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I always buy uncreasable, so I don't have to iron them,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33so I don't have to use the iron.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Obviously a couple of things in my wardrobe I have to iron,
0:23:37 > 0:23:41but not very much, about once a year, if that.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45If I run out of shampoo and I need to wash my hair,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47I use washing-up liquid and it's great.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51I keep my electric lights off
0:23:51 > 0:23:54and I've got the light from the television and the streetlight.
0:23:56 > 0:24:03I bring my bedding, pyjamas and dressing gown in here,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05and I change where it's warm,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08and as I've only got to go next door I run in and go straight to bed.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10I've got a duvet.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14I've got no electric blanket, no hot water bottles.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I just get in there and cuddle up and that's it
0:24:17 > 0:24:19and I don't even put the light on in my bedroom
0:24:19 > 0:24:23because I can see the lights from outside coming in.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26So I'm saving all the time.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30You do live a very frugal life with everything that you do.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37Are you constantly aware that you just don't have enough money to live
0:24:37 > 0:24:39life the way you might want to?
0:24:40 > 0:24:42I try not to think about it.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44I'd like to do more but I can't
0:24:44 > 0:24:48and it's no use worrying about it because you get ill.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51So I try and do what I can through the week and through the
0:24:51 > 0:24:54months and I leave it at that.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57I try not to dwell on it.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59That's the word I'm looking for, dwell.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03'Pensioner poverty, of course, is nothing new and in many ways
0:25:03 > 0:25:05'is a lot less prevalent than it once was.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10'Back in the really bad old days,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14'if senior citizens couldn't afford to look after themselves or have family to do it for them,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18'they were often put in the poor house or poor farms in rural areas.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23'Thankfully these are now a thing of the distant past,
0:25:23 > 0:25:27'and yet meeting Julie has shown that the situation is far
0:25:27 > 0:25:30'from perfect so I want to know if anything can be done to help her
0:25:30 > 0:25:32'and those like her.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37'So I'm meeting Martin Rogers, who is head of Age UK in Exeter.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45'And right away, he seems to have some good advice for pensioners like Julie.'
0:25:45 > 0:25:51- Of course, the old-age pension is round about £119 a week.- Yeah.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Now the Government has a top-up system to bring everyone up
0:25:54 > 0:26:00to a level so that no-one should have less than £155 a week coming in.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03But the problem is so many people don't claim that.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08So nearly 40% of people who are eligible for pension credit
0:26:08 > 0:26:11don't claim it and the difference that could make for people
0:26:11 > 0:26:14on average is something like £42 a week.
0:26:14 > 0:26:20So a huge thing that Age UK is doing is saying if you're on an income
0:26:20 > 0:26:24of less than £155 a week, come to us, get in touch.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27We can easily do a benefits check.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31It's very simple and we can find out whether you can improve your income
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and therefore your standard of living and the choices you can make in your life.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39'Well, that will be music to Julie's ears and to anyone else
0:26:39 > 0:26:41'who didn't know there were top-up benefits to be claimed.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43'But why aren't they're applying?'
0:26:43 > 0:26:48I think we're talking about a group of people who have been
0:26:48 > 0:26:51self-sufficient, very self-sufficient in the past.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54They are proud. They're not used to asking for things.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56And they certainly worry, I think, about saying,
0:26:56 > 0:27:00"I think I should have this" and then getting knocked back and almost
0:27:00 > 0:27:03being seen as though they're trying to get something they shouldn't have.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06When you add that into sometimes...
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Even in this day and age there's sometimes a stigma maybe about going
0:27:10 > 0:27:15to a charity to get advice, even though it could be Citizens Advice,
0:27:15 > 0:27:16it could be Age UK.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22There's still a barrier and that's what we have to get over.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26We have to be much better at communicating to people
0:27:26 > 0:27:29that this is not a luxury for you. This is your right.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32This is how the government's been set up.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36At the moment every year we have something like £3.5 billion
0:27:36 > 0:27:39of unclaimed benefits for older people.
0:27:39 > 0:27:423.5 billion! It's crazy.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45'All of which is great advice,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48'but for Martin the ultimate lesson to be learned is for tomorrow's
0:27:48 > 0:27:50'generation of pensioners.'
0:27:51 > 0:27:52We've got an ageing population.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Things presumably can perhaps not only not get better,
0:27:55 > 0:27:57they might get worse.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59So what is the challenge for the future?
0:27:59 > 0:28:04I think one of the worries is now that it feels as though we've gone
0:28:04 > 0:28:06beyond occupational pension schemes.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10If they can't be afforded, we all need to take more responsibility
0:28:10 > 0:28:12ourselves for putting money into a pension pot.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14But annuities aren't paying very much.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Interest rates are very low.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20So that is a worry for people and we don't know quite how that's going to
0:28:20 > 0:28:25play out about whether people are going to be in a better or a worse place in the future.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29So what I'd say to people is you need to start thinking about
0:28:29 > 0:28:33this now, whatever your age, and plan ahead,
0:28:33 > 0:28:37because you're not suddenly going to be somebody different when you hit 65.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40It's you and you're going to want to do the same things.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44So think about how you can make provision.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45Get advice.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51Look at your finances and see how much can go into that pot
0:28:51 > 0:28:53that is going to give you the quality of life
0:28:53 > 0:28:55that you want when you decide to retire.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59It's going to be really difficult to get over to a 20 or 30-year-old that
0:28:59 > 0:29:02if they want to maintain their lifestyle into their 70s,
0:29:02 > 0:29:04their 80s and maybe their 90s,
0:29:04 > 0:29:06that they are going to have to start thinking about it now,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08not when they're 64 and a half.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13I know. I think about my own kids and how difficult it is for them and
0:29:13 > 0:29:15they're struggling at the moment, never mind thinking
0:29:15 > 0:29:1940, 50, 60 years ahead.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22But the really problematic thing is, I think,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25if people think, "Oh, well, it's so gloomy,
0:29:25 > 0:29:27"it's not worth doing anyway, cos who knows?"
0:29:27 > 0:29:29and they don't make any provision,
0:29:29 > 0:29:33then I think we're riding for a fall and that could be very difficult.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36'So here's the news.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40'There are top-up benefits out there for the likes of Julie.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46'Back on the high street, I'm meeting up with her again at the local charity shop
0:29:46 > 0:29:51'where she's undoubtedly the queen of spotting a bargain.'
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Did you get that lovely coat here?
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Yes, £1.50.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- What?- £1.50.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Blimey. That's the bargain of the year.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09- Anything else?- Yeah, the trousers was, I think, 50p or £1,
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- I'm not absolutely sure on that one. - Yes?
0:30:12 > 0:30:17And the scarf was 50p but not from here,
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- it was from another charity shop. - Yes.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23I try and shop and get all my clothes from charity shops cos they're cheaper.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26So what I do is instead of going to ordinary shops and spending
0:30:26 > 0:30:31£16, £20, I come in there and get them for five or 3.99.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35- Or a coat for £1.50. - Yeah, and it's lovely.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41You are a star of the charity shops, clearly.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43It's a jolly nice coat, that, isn't it?
0:30:45 > 0:30:49'Places like this, of course, have always been vital in filling in the gap that's left in some
0:30:49 > 0:30:55'pensioners' finances between those with a private pension and those who rely solely on the state pension,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58'which is why, I guess, they're called the third sector.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03'Indeed, charities are absolutely vital for the estimated 26% of over-60s
0:31:03 > 0:31:07'who claim to be just getting by when it comes to the cost of living,
0:31:07 > 0:31:11'with volunteers, fundraisers and those who donate
0:31:11 > 0:31:15'providing day-to-day social care and assistance to those who need it most.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18'And, since I'm here, I've been roped into doing a shift.'
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Isn't that beautiful? Have you got somewhere special to wear it?
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- Thank you very much. Do you need a bag for that?- No.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Are you looking for a bargain there?
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Well, yes.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- That was going to be for you, was it, Pauline?- Yes, a belt.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38With leggings underneath it would look magnificent.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41How long have you two been volunteering here?
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- 13 years.- Wow!- Five.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- Five years?- I couldn't cope with more than one afternoon a week.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- With all these women.- True.
0:31:51 > 0:31:57It's enjoying being here and being with people and really having a good
0:31:57 > 0:31:59time. It's fun.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01I suppose we should keep on going filling up the bookshelves.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03We've got rather a lot of books here, haven't we?
0:32:03 > 0:32:07'It's clear that places like this offer not only bargains to older people
0:32:07 > 0:32:11'but also a place where they can feel useful and yes, work.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14'Which, I guess, is why I'm having such a great time.'
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Hello.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20'And pretty soon it becomes clear that I'm helping in more ways than one.'
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- Where did these all come from? - Angela.- What?
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Look at that!
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Now what price may I put on that one?
0:32:27 > 0:32:29- £1.50.- Thank you.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34- There you go.- Thank you very much. - Thank you.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39'So far I've met people at either end of the social spectrum
0:32:39 > 0:32:42'and I'm starting to see that there might be a danger that retirement
0:32:42 > 0:32:44'is a two-tier system.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48'Some people can afford to retire, some people can't.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50'But I'm wondering if there's a middle ground.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55'You might not know this, but ever since 2011,
0:32:55 > 0:32:59'most of us don't actually have to retire, not if you don't want to.
0:32:59 > 0:33:04'Before that, once you'd reached 65, most employers could insist on it.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07'Today in almost all cases, that's not allowed.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12'And some people are taking full advantage of this new arrangement,
0:33:12 > 0:33:15'people like the lady I want to talk to next, which means an early start.'
0:33:17 > 0:33:22It's just after six o'clock in the morning and I'm about to meet a highly qualified
0:33:22 > 0:33:25and much respected nurse who works at the local Torbay Hospital
0:33:25 > 0:33:29here at least three days a week. What makes her extra special,
0:33:29 > 0:33:33though, is that this nurse is 83 years old.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- Good morning, Angela. - Good morning, Monica.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- How lovely to see you. - And you too.
0:33:42 > 0:33:43- I hope you've got the kettle on. - I have.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- We need caffeine this early in the morning.- Absolutely, do come in.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Monica, I hope you don't mind me saying this,
0:33:50 > 0:33:56but most ladies of 83 at six o'clock in the morning would be in bed,
0:33:56 > 0:34:00cup of tea, maybe watching the telly and thinking about breakfast.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02- Yes.- You're going to go to work.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- Why do you still do this?- Why?
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Well, I would think probably two years ago,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10it might have been different
0:34:10 > 0:34:13because I still had my husband and we had plans.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18When I lost him last year, them plans have to change.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22And my job of work has been my lifeline.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26I could not have coped without all the support that I had from my
0:34:26 > 0:34:30- colleagues.- But I know you retired, didn't you?
0:34:30 > 0:34:32When was that and how old were you?
0:34:32 > 0:34:36I was 65, because in those days, you had to go at 65.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38I did not want to go.
0:34:38 > 0:34:43I was contacted by Torbay Hospital, the sister in outpatients,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46and she said, "I understand you're retiring," and I said,
0:34:46 > 0:34:49"Yes, today I'm retiring."
0:34:49 > 0:34:52So she said, "Look, we're really short of staff here,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54"would you like to come and do a few hours for us?"
0:34:54 > 0:34:57I said, "Yes, I'd love to. When do you want me to come?"
0:34:57 > 0:34:59She said, "Come on Monday."
0:34:59 > 0:35:02So you retired Friday and went back to work Monday?
0:35:02 > 0:35:03Yes. I said I'd be there.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07- You had a weekend off? - I had a weekend off, yes.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10She said it would only be for a month or so until we get sorted.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12And I'm still there.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- You absolutely love your job, don't you?- I do, yes.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19But aren't there moments when you think, "Why am I doing this?"
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Pull the covers up above my head and stay in bed.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25No. I can honestly say no, that has not happened to me.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29It's no hardship for me because I love being there.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41'Thankfully, Monica's employer has managed to find a flexible working
0:35:41 > 0:35:44'pattern that fits her needs perfectly.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48'She works 14.5 hours a week, three days of the week.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50'Apart from that, however,
0:35:50 > 0:35:55'she performs every duty a nurse half her age would be expected to do.'
0:35:55 > 0:35:58That is very good, Jackie. Thank you very much.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02You can put your things back on and take a seat in the waiting room, if you would.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05'And according to those in charge, she does it exceptionally well.'
0:36:07 > 0:36:12- Morning.- Hello.- Your next patient that you're going to see is a 90-year-old lady.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16'Sally Ward Booth is the senior doctor on duty today.'
0:36:16 > 0:36:22So what exactly is the role of nurses like Monica in the way that they interface with patients?
0:36:22 > 0:36:23How does that help you?
0:36:23 > 0:36:25It's really important in clinic.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28When we see patients it's a very high stress environment for them and
0:36:28 > 0:36:33they're usually coming to have some pretty unpleasant news or some tests.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38There's a high degree of anxiety, so having an experienced nurse at their
0:36:38 > 0:36:42side supporting them is really valuable for them and Monica does that very well.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Do you find personally as a consultant that there's a real value
0:36:45 > 0:36:50in having someone of 83 who has all of those years of nursing?
0:36:50 > 0:36:54She's seen it all, so it's very helpful to have her around, yes.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56How would you assess her, then?
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Well, she's very kind.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00She is very professional.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04She is always proper and correct. She's always in good spirits.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06I've never seen Monica grumpy or miserable.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09And she's very supportive to her colleagues,
0:37:09 > 0:37:14to me in clinic and also to the patients that she's there to look after as well.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Do you think that because she has not just the experience,
0:37:17 > 0:37:22and the age but she's got, because of the age, a way with her
0:37:22 > 0:37:27with the patients which actually helps to put them at ease which ultimately must help you?
0:37:27 > 0:37:30She does, she does. I think she is very reassuring to the patients and
0:37:30 > 0:37:33I think that's because of the wealth of experience she's had, yes.
0:37:36 > 0:37:41'But what's perhaps more striking to me is how she's just treated as
0:37:41 > 0:37:43'another colleague around here.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44'She's certainly not a novelty.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47'In fact, she's just one of the gang.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52She's very witty. She's outwitted me quite a few times.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54She's got a very dry sense of humour.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58And I always make a point of having a hug with Monica when she arrives and when she goes.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Sometimes, she tries to sneak off. I think she doesn't like them sometimes.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04I always manage to grab her.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Monica demonstrates that you can keep your fitness and stay well
0:38:07 > 0:38:10and still work as a nurse.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13And I know people who do go to the gym with her who say,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16I wish I had the same level of energy that Monica has.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20She's cherished and valued here in this unit.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24She's a great team member, we love working with her.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29If you cut her in half, you would see nurse written through Monica.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33'Praise indeed. And as Monica reaches the end of her shift,
0:38:33 > 0:38:37'it's the chance for us both to sit down and reflect on just how long her career has been
0:38:37 > 0:38:40'and how times have changed.'
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Monica, it's nice to sit down and take the weight off your feet, isn't it?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45It's lovely. We haven't had a break this morning.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47We've been very busy.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50End of your shift now. How do you feel at the end of it?
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Satisfied. A good job done.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Yes. Good job done.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Now, I know you said you wanted to show me some photographs.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59- Didn't you? Have you got them with you?- Yes, I have, actually.
0:38:59 > 0:39:00There we go.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05What are these? These are of your early nursing days, are they?
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- Oh, my gosh.- I think they're a bit older than that, even.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10- Is this you as a student nurse? - Yes, it is.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- Where was this?- St John's Hospital in London.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- And you were how old then?- 19.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17South-east London.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Did you always know that you wanted to be a nurse?
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- Yes, I did.- Why? What was it about it?
0:39:22 > 0:39:25I don't know. It just attracted me and that's what I wanted to do.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29- And I did it.- This is St John's Hospital in Lewisham.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- In the operating theatre? - In the operating theatre.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35So, this is me and I was a staff nurse in theatre.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38So, let me ask the inevitable question.
0:39:38 > 0:39:43You're 83. You retired when you were 65 and two days later
0:39:43 > 0:39:44came back again.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Is there going to be a point where you say,
0:39:47 > 0:39:51"Actually, that's enough, I am going to retire"?
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Well, I don't feel like it at present.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00And I did, in fact, say to one of the consultants some months ago,
0:40:00 > 0:40:05"If you find I'm not pulling my weight, or you think I've lost my marbles, please tell me."
0:40:05 > 0:40:07And he said, "I will tell you."
0:40:07 > 0:40:09- And he hasn't told you yet. - He hasn't told me yet.
0:40:12 > 0:40:13I'm hanging in there.
0:40:15 > 0:40:20Well, I don't know about Monica just being a role model to the young nurses here at the hospital,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23I think she's an inspiration to everyone of us.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29'So, what have we learned about the reality of retirement?
0:40:30 > 0:40:34'If you can afford it, then the choices for retirement are there.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38'You can live a new kind of life you perhaps never thought was possible.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42'That said, financial hardships do exist.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44'But there is help and advice out there.
0:40:44 > 0:40:49'And, of course, there are new ways of enjoying a flexible semiretirement,
0:40:49 > 0:40:52'which are becoming more and more of a possibility.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57'I'm finishing back where I started with friends and family in Devon,
0:40:57 > 0:41:01'where I'm meeting up with the next generation to share my own thoughts
0:41:01 > 0:41:03'on retirement and the future.'
0:41:03 > 0:41:05I've had the most fascinating time,
0:41:05 > 0:41:09really looking into retirement from all sorts of aspects.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14I mean, what it's done is it's put into context that, really,
0:41:14 > 0:41:17retirement means different things to different people.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21It offers different choices to different people, depending, basically,
0:41:21 > 0:41:25I suppose, on how much money they've got and how they've planned for it.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27I mean, have you both thought about retirement?
0:41:27 > 0:41:28Have you planned for it?
0:41:28 > 0:41:30We've definitely thought about it.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33I, for one, know that I have set a point
0:41:33 > 0:41:35that I will finish my current career.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- Which is?- Early 60s.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40I don't plan to work much beyond that and, after that,
0:41:40 > 0:41:42I'd like to pursue my other interests.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44It's making sure we've got provision
0:41:44 > 0:41:46that we can actually enjoy that time.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50I'm not expecting it to be, you know, Princess yachts,
0:41:50 > 0:41:54and Ferraris but, hopefully, it's enough to have a nice time.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Oh! Catherine was!
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Is retirement something that you're anxious about?
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Or are you looking forward to it?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Quite looking forward to it.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09I love my job but I'm very much looking forward to doing, you know,
0:42:09 > 0:42:11those things when we retire. Together.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17'Well, that's their view but let's end by hearing from the wide array of characters that I've met
0:42:17 > 0:42:21along the way in this episode of Holding Back The Years.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24What do they think is the perfect age to retire?
0:42:24 > 0:42:2651.
0:42:26 > 0:42:2870.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30I would say 65-70.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35If you're happy with your work, 65, I would think.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37I would say, for me, 60.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39There's really no limit as to what your capabilities are.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41It's very much a personal thing.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Well, I did say I was going to stay until I was 90.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47So, I've got another couple of years to go.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49Probably about 90. Yeah.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52- Yes.- That's a good round figure, isn't it?
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Good round figure. Unless we're pushed out.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57When they are ready.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59When they're ready, my lover.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01No other reason.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06I suppose, in many ways, this programme has reinforced what I already thought about retirement.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08In that, it's a brilliant concept,
0:43:08 > 0:43:11providing you have planned
0:43:11 > 0:43:14and financially set yourself up so that you
0:43:14 > 0:43:18have a choice, to either continue working, to volunteer,
0:43:18 > 0:43:21or just fulfil a few lifetime ambitions.
0:43:21 > 0:43:26On the other hand, if you are reliant on the state pension and benefits,
0:43:26 > 0:43:31it's tough. It's more surviving than living.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33So, to get the best out of retirement,
0:43:33 > 0:43:36you really do have to plan so that
0:43:36 > 0:43:39you can ensure that the last years of your life
0:43:39 > 0:43:42are some of the best years of your life.