by James Coleman
The full extent of the financial crisis facing the over 50s in the New Year has been highlighted in an exclusive survey for Mature Times.
Of those questioned, 65 per cent believed they would not be better off in 2012, only 22 per cent were confident they would be able to save and money worries were cited, by far, as the biggest daily grind, ahead of arthritis and even loneliness.
In a similar vein, topping the wish list for the “best thing to happen” over the next 12 months, a huge 67 per cent wanted cheaper utility bills, followed by financial security, better pensions and an end to overseas conflict.
Commenting on the survey Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said: “There are many pensioners whose incomes are failing to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
“Rocketing bills mean that household budgets are already stretched to the limit and many older people will be finding it difficult to afford the basics let alone anything else.
“We recommend that any older person who is worried about their bills should contact the Age UK advice line or their local Age UK to see if they are eligible for pension credit or any other benefit.”
Our survey also showed just how much contact with offspring and grandchildren is valued by the over 55s. Asked what would make a good present for the New Year, seeing children (35 per cent) was considered more important than better healthcare (19 per cent).
Positives
There were, however some more positive spots in the nationwide survey of 1000 men and women which was conducted exclusively for Mature Times by the leading poll company, OnePoll.com.
According to the results, 2012 will be the year the mature sector gets fit. More than 45 per cent pledged to exercise more, 41 per cent to eat more healthily, while 43 per cent vowed to travel more and 26 per cent to pursue a hobby.
And a huge majority – almost 80 per cent – declared they were ready for the digital TV switchover in the year ahead.
Finally, there was good news for grandchildren. Almost twice as many grandparents (nine per cent) would rather have a new grandchild than...a new pet.
Age UK advice line: 0800 169 6565
Similar Stories
Happy New Year? - 09 January 2012
Could renting in retirement be your New Year resolution? - 11 January 2012
Campaigns & Issues
Lobby for libraries
The NPC officers have given their backing to a lobby being organised by UNISON, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI), Voices for the Library, The Library Campaign, Campaign for the Book and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) which will call on politicians to protect vital library services.
News
WRVS response to Health Committee report on social care
WRVS calls for a decisive leap towards joining up health and social care responding to the Health Select Committee inquiry report.
David McCullough, Chief Executive of WRVS said: “Delivering 21st-century health services will hinge on us switching considerable resources into keeping older people in their own homes and breaking the cycle of isolation that faces many people from their seventies onwards.
Competitions & Fun
Win a signed copy of Citizen James on DVD
CARRY ON’S inimitable Sid James is Citizen James in the hilarious 1960s BBC comedy, which finally comes to DVD for the first time. This long-lost classic comedy series makes its DVD debut, featuring the only known surviving episodes, the complete series one, and two episodes each from series two and three. They will be released as a two-disc set on 6 February 2012 courtesy of Acorn Media.
In series one written by Alan Simpson and Ray Galton (Hancock, Steptoe & Son), Sid (Sid James) is a hard-working layabout, gambler and con-artist, hanging out on the streets of Soho with his sidekick Bill (Bill Kerr), in Charlie’s Nosh Bar and occasionally paying a visit to his long-suffering fiancée Liz (Liz Fraser), to borrow money to pay off his gambling debts and cons gone wrong.
Advertorial
February is travel love month with Silver Travel Advisor
WIN £1,000 CRUISE VOUCHERS WITH VIKING RIVER CRUISES AND MANY OTHER PRIZES
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50). A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
February is Travel Love month at Silver Travel Advisor, and there is a whole range of prizes to be found including the star prize:
Viking River Cruises – win £1,000 cruise vouchers
Health & Wellbeing
Scrap the government's health bill, say BMJ readers
More than 90% of British Medical Journal readers responding to a poll published today think the government's health reforms should be scrapped.
The poll asked: "Should the Health and Social Care Bill for England now be withdrawn?"
Property & Finance
Did you miss the Self Assessment deadline?
If you have missed the deadline for submitting a Self Assessment (SA) tax return and you can show that you should not have been in the SA regime in the first place, then you may be able to avoid any penalties.
Lifestyle
Paula's Wines of the Week starting 6 February 2012
If you really like a certain wine, rather than buying it in single cork-stoppered bottles why not get larger four bottle-sized amounts available in boxes? But if stepping along to the supermarket seems like too much of a chilly effort then try the online winebox retailer InspiredWine.co.uk because they’re offering free delivery during February.
There are advantages to buying wine in a winebox. As the wine is dispensed through a plastic tap all the annoyance of the cork is removed: no more tainted 'corked' wine (this spoils at least one in ten traditionally bottled wines due to improperly sterilised corks) and no more chasing around bits of broken cork that always sink when the index finger sent in to oik them out gets anywhere near them.
Travel & Leisure
£15m boost for sustainable travel
Transport Minister Norman Baker today announced £15m of new funding for sustainable travel projects across the country that will promote economic growth and cut carbon.
The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced in January 2011. This additional funding, heavily geared towards cycling, will support jobs, enhance access to employment and encourage greater use of more environmentally friendly transport.
Have you noticed that that those advocating rises in pension levels to absurd levels like this are all very much younger and have no experience of the ageing process?