Re-employment after retiring question

[Stressed]

SoCo
I was the same when I retired. I didn't realise how "Toxic" certain parts of the LFB was. I was pushed to apply and was given a job in FF development at Babcocks training LFB recruits. I never managed to start the job because of a permanent shoulder injury.
Now 4 years on doing my self employed H&S training I'm so happy to be away from the brigade (not the people). Being away from the LFB I'm sleeping better and my health has improved. No shift work also helps

[bill.advanced]

I remember well coming back from the training school keen to learn looking forward to what lay ahead in 1974 only to be told “THE JOABS FECKED”.
Now I was fortunate because I reckon I got out in 2004 just before all the changes, I reckon I worked during possibly the best period ever in the fire service. When I retired however I did not miss the job one iota. But I did and still do miss some of the great people I worked with. Sadly some have passed away, and I have lost contact with some of them. The only reason I came on here was due to the commutation issue, I have only once returned to my station to hand over a bottle of malt to my mate who was retiring that day.
I cannot comment on Socos or stressed posts, because they saw different times from what I saw, with different demands, different rank structure, different working routines, years without a decent wage increase, I could go on. But even in my time folk (not all) were desperate to get out, it seems it’s always been that way, and possibly worse now. I suppose now thinking back I was pleased to get out, but then I worked till quite recently. But I can recommend retirement now that I am fully retired.

[Kwacker]

This post was it previously an ops post, are you taking an opportunity away from a serving person. Don't be that person who stops others progressing.

No, the posts I am referring to are not ops posts, nor have they ever been ops posts.

Ok I'm gonna ask why do this?

Everyone's personal circumstances are different. Your post retirement life choices work for you, they are not necessarily going to fit other peoples circumstances. But I will try and answer your question.......

Ok I'm gonna ask why do this?

Again, circumstances. I find myself currently in a position I would not have dreamed I would be in. I separated from my wife last year and I'm now looking at the cold, hard fact that just under half my lump sum and a chunk of my annual pension has been swallowed up by the separation. Another outgoing expense is child maintenance. I have also lost the house I lived in for 17 years and I need to get myself, somehow, back on the mortgage ladder. So no shiny new car/motorbike/motorhome, no lavish holidays, no paying off the last of the mortgage for me. A quiet part time job to provide beer tokens isn't going to cut it for me.

I didn't plan for my retirement to pan out like this, but like I said 'personal circumstances' are a factor.

Hopefully the above has answered your question.

[bill.advanced]

No, the posts I am referring to are not ops posts, nor have they ever been ops posts.



Everyone's personal circumstances are different. Your post retirement life choices work for you, they are not necessarily going to fit other peoples circumstances. But I will try and answer your question.......



Again, circumstances. I find myself currently in a position I would not have dreamed I would be in. I separated from my wife last year and I'm now looking at the cold, hard fact that just under half my lump sum and a chunk of my annual pension has been swallowed up by the separation. Another outgoing expense is child maintenance. I have also lost the house I lived in for 17 years and I need to get myself, somehow, back on the mortgage ladder. So no shiny new car/motorbike/motorhome, no lavish holidays, no paying off the last of the mortgage for me. A quiet part time job to provide beer tokens isn't going to cut it for me.

I didn't plan for my retirement to pan out like this, but like I said 'personal circumstances' are a factor.

Hopefully the above has answered your question.

I am truly sorry to hear of your problems Kwacker, and it serves perfectly to underline that not all our circumstances are the same. Some may need to work for longer for personal reasons such as yours.
I have a good friend who was in the same position as you, but without your child maintenance. Hopefully one day you will see better days, my friend did, he met and married his current wife, and it’s all behind him now. All the best kwacker.