So this week the news has a new focus and although not a new subject it is hard to tell if this issue of work, workers and working is an issue at all or just a simple attempt to target an audience that might help solve a problem. This problem may be perceived or real, that is a labour shortage May or may not exist in the U.K.
If there is unemployment then is there really a shortage of potential employees? in a free country possibly as people choose to work or not depending on their circumstances. In a welfare state where the community collectively pays people welfare money due to their position whether short or long term then there will be those who choose not to work and just collect money from other tax payers. The situations can be from sickness, diseases, disabilities, age or imprisonment.
The U.K. governments are looking to fill gaps in employment by addressing these issues and have focused on the retired people to find a way out. Of course retired people come in all types and ages from the very aged to the 50 somethings who choose not to work for any number of reasons. It looks so these early retirees that the government has chosen to be their prime target audience to balance the numbers, but why not the people on welfare payments?
I am one who chose to retire early and live life as I choose, where I choose and how I choose and what’s wrong with that you might ask. Do the sums and look at taxes that are no longer paid if you retire on a pension. No national insurance, less fuel taxes with no commute and no vehicle taxes. No parking fees, no lunches out or expensive coffees to grab during the expensive commute. And lower income taxes as well. These and other non costs all add up to a considerable savings. As a person living on a pension just the savings from national insurance adds up considerably over the 11 years of not working but I still qualify for a state pension after working 35 years.
To entice an early retiree back to employment the incentives would have to be considerable and overcome the expenses of being employed as well as be a job worth doing, while avoiding moving into a higher tax bracket.
So for example someone makes £30000 pa from a pension which is taxed at the normal rate. No national insurance or added working costs. To be worth working I suggest you would want at least median income so about £35000 making total income of £65000 now taxed at higher rate and with NI taken out and costs of working you might be left with an extra £12000 pa so is that incentive enough to give up freedom to live where and how you wish.
It is often said that to live well you need a purpose and to live well you need enough money. Some will say that purpose comes through work but I disagree and therefore don’t need work to enjoy life.
dairobertsgroup 