Are you going to retire at 66

We had a choice last year, get the deck replaced or get solar and an EV.

We chose the deck as the old one was dangerously rotten and the weather was glorious, we got great use out of it last year.

This oil shock is definitely going to push more fence sitters towards solar and EVs. 2025 was the year the EU produced more electricity by wind and solar than fossil fuels.

Overall I can see solar being a big saver, but also possibly a pension income stream, especially with people with big gardens that they past caring for.

Is it a DB or DC pension?

If the entrire DC fund is used to purchase an annuity at retirement, then typically no.

If some or all of the fund is transferred into an ARF, then yes.

My current contract states 65 (12 years to go) for retirement I'm not sure if the company is willing to extend it to 68, But either way if i make it to retirement hopefully be out the door at 65.

I've always worked manual jobs out in all types of weather with some office work thrown in , Working shifts days/nights 24/7/365 weekends etc,

Have the house paid for only loan currently is the car loan which be paid off sometime this year.

Pension wise currently have two (DC) one deferred which i was thinking about tapping into the other one with current employer, Between 2003 to 2016 I had no pension so playing catch up with the AVC.

In the mean time i plan on getting the house done up new windows doors back garden reworked solar panels, Just to try and future proof the house rather do it while still working.

I have a number of hobbies so if in good health it will keep me going probably do the odd days work driving either a bus/truck.

Now according to my pension provider the current pension fund projection shows over a million? I'll believe that when i see it.( Will see about taking the 200k lump sum) And will also have to add private health care to the yearly budget for the two of us.

I honestly believe for people retiring in the next 10/15 years that the state pension be gone if you have a private pension, Or the govt will means test the f**k out of you that you be eligible for little or nothing.

But they cleverly gave people the choice to defer the age you can draw your pension so they can keep working, it's very clever what ever about the positions, there are some very clever people working in the departments. Pp

Good point. Plus if you are paying PRSI all your working life it would be a bit much to renege on the contract that says "you will pay tax and PRSI every month for 40 years in return for the state pension.". Imagine saying that to anyone in their 50s now who has been paying for it for the last 30 years.

I don't have much interest in being alive to that age. Given that I am an incel man life would be grim at that age. The only reason most people stay alive at that age is to see their grandchildren grow up.

I would rather die at 60 than end up having to go live in a care home. I can't imagine a worse fate.

They will try and get it in at another time believe me they won't let this go.

My old lad was born in 1932 and often complained about the b*stards in FG (or whatever it was called then) because they took a shilling off the pension in the 1924 budget. It caused widespread bad feeling at the time and I think governments had avoided reducing the pension since.