National Retirement Initiative

Lord Wei has recently called for pensioners to be involved in a "national service" of volunteering when they retire. It's great that there is now some recognition that those of retirement age still have something to contribute to younger generations, to society and the economy with their masses of experience and knowledge. It's disappointing that the announcement did not launch a national retirement service to spur employers into action by providing their employees with much needed support and advice about making the transition from permanent full-time employment and the many option open to them, including continuing to earn an income through part-time work or self-employment. Masses of retirees will not have excess time on their hands as they still need to supplement their pensions and may well be involved in the care of granddchildren and their older relatives. More recognition of the existing "volunteering" that older people provide within families as carers would help to create a bit more realism to this initiative.