Advice Please - what would you do?

[Jim H]

Hello all.

I should have put this out to PH a longtime ago before I ended up feeling this way.

I’ve been with my current employer 20 years this Year.
Currently I’m on a final salary pension, but that could change as the government have been looking at it for a while.

With my 20 year service I get extra holidays, in the region of 43 days P/A.

My salary is pretty much minimum £50K P/A.

I work in Nuclear Decommissioning.
I’m an electrician by trade, currently working with ROV operations to support decommissioning.

I was pretty much working from home for two years during covid and it really worked for me. Now, however that is not an option (I’ve asked again for this and been refused).

I now have to attend the office 5 days a week and it’s a tortuous commute. It’s roughly a 60 mile round round trip each day 5 days a week. On my own.

I car shared for about 9 years, that’s not really possible now, there is a train service but it’s awful - I did it for a lot of years and got sick of it.

Im 49, I have a tiny mortgage on a property which is probably worth about £400 K that will be paid off in the next few years.

Im single, never been married, no kids.

Due to Putin flexing his muscles, a shipyard about 10 minutes down the road from me is employing in huge numbers (Dreadnought Program). I served my apprenticeship at that shipyard and have worked there many times, so I would be attractive to them.

I think I can get quite near with the salary, but not the holidays or pension. I really want to retire at age 55 which is not that far away. But I can’t carry on this current situation.

The age of retirement at 55 and drawing your private pension changes in 2028, when I’m 55. Im 55 in the March of that year, the new rule comes in the April ( I believe).

I’d just really appreciate some wise thoughts, of those I know many who are part of the PistonHead community- away from my normal circle of advice.

I fully appreciate my situation may appear a lot better than a lot of people right now, but I can’t describe how miserable I feel in my current employment. It’s basically turning up to earn a wage, it’s soul destroying ..

I know my health is really suffering, I’ve been on the sick 5 times this year. Because I’ve been sick - and I know what’s causing it.

I’ve tried applying for new roles internally with my current employer. 4 applied for, 3 interviews - no dice.

I work on a rather important program which I believe is not good for a move elsewhere.

I’d really appreciate any advice.

Thanks for reading.

Jim.

[Aunty Pasty]

You're unlikely to get 43 days holiday anywhere else if you change jobs. I guess that's a benefit due to long service?

Didn't you do the 60 mile commute before Covid? It was doable then, what has changed? If you just don't fancy it anymore then you have to change.

[StevieBee]

You have to weigh up what you want the most.

The ability to retire at 55 with 43 days of holiday a year between now and then.

Or

Bin that but engage a job that you might enjoy.

But....

Jim H said:

I can’t carry on this current situation

You've already answered your own question.

[hotchy]

6 years to retirement or 18 years. I know what I'd choose. Sure you'll feel youve made the right decision for the first year. When your 55 still doing it instead of surfing tinder for a new nightly date you'll regret it.

[Jim H]

I have another property in Spain, where I spend most of my holidays.

I spend all my holiday time there. And it’s my reward .

I’m not really attached to where I live at all, in fact I think I need a total break.

I have absolutely no ties.

Can you recommend a site where I can look for any work- in the big wild world?

I’d just like a bit more money.

I honestly think this chasing the pension is futile.

[Auslander]

If you're willing to move, then why not move closer to your current role?

Don't underestimate the value of that pension (or the holidays).

It's only 6 years. When I look at my life, the last 6 years have been a blur. They'll be gone and you'll be sitting in your foreign property on a great pension before you know it.

[Vasco]

Jim H said:

I have another property in Spain, where I spend most of my holidays.

I spend all my holiday time there. And it’s my reward .

I’m not really attached to where I live at all, in fact I think I need a total break.

I have absolutely no ties.

Can you recommend a site where I can look for any work- in the big wild world?

I’d just like a bit more money.

I honestly think this chasing the pension is futile.

Could you just move to Spain ?

[Wilmslowboy]

Is it the work (job) or is it the commute?

If the commute, move closer, a lot closer.

As said above don't underestimate the value of the pension, holidays and security that comes with 20 years of service.


6 years is a blink of an eye, you get more time to enjoy your place in Spain, and move there sooner (if you want).

[Peter911]

Auslander said:

If you're willing to move, then why not move closer to your current role?

Don't underestimate the value of that pension (or the holidays).

It's only 6 years. When I look at my life, the last 6 years have been a blur. They'll be gone and you'll be sitting in your foreign property on a great pension before you know it.

this.

You haven't said that you are unhappy once you get to work, so this would seem the obvious solution.

[Jim H]

I have a beautiful detached house with panoramic views over an estuary which is stunning.


Moving anywhere closer to a Nuclear Plant on the arse hole of West Cumbria really doesn’t float my my boat.

If you have ever visited Whitehaven, Workinington, perhaps Cleator Moor? Egremont

You have to have seen those st holes.

Moving nearer is not an option.

[bigandclever]

Jim H said:

Moving nearer is not an option.

Why not stay overnight a couple of times a week in some old dear’s spare room for £20 a night.

[smn159]

Is the commute really that bad? I did a 55 mile round trip for 20 years and never really had a problem with it. Used to cycle it in the summer too. Can you vary your start / finish times so that you're not travelling at peak times, if that's the issue?

Can you WFH for one or two days a week to break it up?

FS pension and holiday is worth keeping - especially if changing your job will reduce your income

[lizardbrain]

A new car and a hotel perhaps?

[rugbyleague]

You sure you can't car share from Barrow? Lots of people travel upto Sellafield daily (agree with you I wouldn't want to do it though).

Interestingly I work at said shipyard, and have detached house with a view of the estuary too!

Holidays/pension won't be matched but its only for 5 yrs or so.

Interestingly there are options of a 3 day week, WFH etc. which is rather nice and would compliment your holidays.

PM me if you want to discuss the yard at all.

[Auslander]

Jim H said:

I have a beautiful detached house with panoramic views over an estuary which is stunning.


Moving anywhere closer to a Nuclear Plant on the arse hole of West Cumbria really doesn’t float my my boat.

If you have ever visited Whitehaven, Workinington, perhaps Cleator Moor? Egremont

You have to have seen those st holes.

Moving nearer is not an option.

It's not THAT bad around there. Depending on the value of your house, there are some very decent properties around, too.

The alternative could be a static caravan or similar, somewhere for a few nights a week to save travel.

You'd have to be mad to give up a FS pension when you're just 6 years away from being able to benefit from it.

[lizardbrain]

Rereading the op, if you are taking sick leave it doesn’t really sound like the commute or location is to blame.

How much extra is the pension worth? Vs if you moved job now? In terms of extra annual pension income. And how does that relate to your forecasted expenses? Do you actually need the extra?

My other half has a 50 round trip but loves her job. Moans about the commute but ultimately it’s a small fraction of the day so overall she is happy.

Edited by lizardbrain on Friday 28th October 18:10

[CrgT16]

60 mile round trip so 30 miles each way in Cumbria.

That wouldn’t bother me at all but it does you. Ask them to reduce the visits to the office by 1 or 2 days.

Otherwise get a decent auto and just chill 30 miles trip back home is not much. Imo

[jimwilli]

Can you lodge in a hotel mon to thur. I'd be doing that if no ties at home

[Jim H]

Peter911 said:

Auslander said:

If you're willing to move, then why not move closer to your current role?

Don't underestimate the value of that pension (or the holidays).

It's only 6 years. When I look at my life, the last 6 years have been a blur. They'll be gone and you'll be sitting in your foreign property on a great pension before you know it.

this.

You haven't said that you are unhappy once you get to work, so this would seem the obvious solution.

When I count back, the last six years have been an absolute blur. I know the six in front will also be. But I’m getting weary.

I’ve been working since 16 and I’m getting tired and I’m looking for an easy option - out!

[Jim H]

rugbyleague said:

You sure you can't car share from Barrow? Lots of people travel upto Sellafield daily (agree with you I wouldn't want to do it though).

Interestingly I work at said shipyard, and have detached house with a view of the estuary too!

Holidays/pension won't be matched but its only for 5 yrs or so.

Interestingly there are options of a 3 day week, WFH etc. which is rather nice and would compliment your holidays.

PM me if you want to discuss the yard at all.

I will do, tomorrow.

There is a big recruitment event next week.

I wouldn’t mind going back for some daft reason.

I served my time there on Trident. I’ve never worked in a place like it for having so many laughs.

Barrovian humour is unique .