Job Discussion Forums

[sidjameson]

I am an experienced teacher and I love my job. Unfortunately I have a health condition that restricts the amount of teaching I can do. I really would love to teach about 3 days a week and about 4 hours a day.
Of course the trouble is that many countries make it very hard to do this due to visa rules or the high cost of living.
I really want to settle down and make the country my home too so it needs to be a reasonable place to live.
I am lucky that I can supplement this income from savings. I am also willing to marry a local eventually which may help with the visa. But of course in some countries such as Thailand marrying a local doesn't allow one to work there.
Any suggestions gratefully received. I really hope to make a permanent move to a new land. I am British and 43 if that's needed.

[spiral78]

I've sent you a pm....

[sidjameson]

Thanks for the pm.

The trouble with Europe is that I fear that if I have to reduce further my teaching load then it will be too expensive to continue living there. I also dont think retirement will be possible either.
I will have about 800GBP after retirement at 65 if I last that long. I dont think that will cut the mustard anywhere in the EU.

[spiral78]

Yeah, actually that can be the rent alone in some places....
a .8 contract nets around 2,000 fyi , so .6 roughly 1,600 (very approximate, obviously). Keep in mind that whatever you work in the EU also contributes to your pension.

[Glenski]

You're 43 now and already know what you will have in the bank after 22 years? Nice crystal ball there, sid.

Lots can happen in 2 decades.

I presume you mean that you can work in a classroom, standing and moving around and such, for only 3-4 days at a time per week. What about working at home, or changing to a less active yet teaching-related position? Hard to help much if we don't know just what the malady is (physical, psychological, whatever) that hinders you.

Are there any places you are unwilling to move to?

[Hod]

I am assuming the 800 Pounds comes from a pension. If so, and if your pension planning is one deciding factor, as it should be for everyone, have you looked at an Impaired Life Annuity? If your medical condition might reduce life expectancy, the annuity provider may pay out a lot more than 800 Pounds a month. This also makes earlier retirement a possibility. Not a cheery subject but worth looking at. Good luck.

p.s. For anyone else who thinks 800 Pounds a month sounds low, a 43 year old starting today from scratch and wanting to retire on that amount at 65 would need to save over 500 pounds a month.

[Zero]

Can anyone explain to me how the British pension system works? I am American and just curious. It's a mystery to me.

[scot47]

National Insurance Pensions are similar to US Social Security Pension. You have deductions from salary during working life. Someone in my position needs 30 yeras contributions to get full pension which is just under 100 pounds a week.

In addition there are employment-related occupational pensions for which you pay more in payroll deductions.

Not only Yanks are mystified by the system. I have met many Brits who understand ZILCH of the system. An indicator of a deeply-flawed society and a deeply-flawed educational system.

[Ariadne]

You would probably not want to try to make China your permanent home, but it would fit the bill for your working requirements for awhile at least. University jobs usually require 12-18 classroom hours per week. The classes could be spread over 3, 4, or 5 days a week depending on the schedule. Most schools provide housing as part of the deal. I'm always able to save a few thousand every year even on a fairly modest salary.

Don't know what your health issues are, but you might not be able to get the health care you need in China. (Or you might not WANT it.)

.

[scot47]

Pension Credit for a single person aged 60 plus is currently 132 pounds a week plus rent paid. Plus bus pass and free NHS. What more do you need ?

[sidjameson]

Its also a system that rewards the total none payment of any pension contributions. I really would hope to work and live abroad in my old age, but my bad back really has put a stop to that idea. Just can not do it.

I am left wondering that if I will end up in the UK at 66, I may as well spend all my savings in the next 23 years, pay zero into the system and then collect all the means tested benefits that top up the pension in the Uk to a respectable level.

Of course the worry is that the Uk will be unlivable in 23 years time and/or they have changed the system where the a pensioner with nothing can get decent housing and about 550 gbp to live. But ultimately its my fear of those long dark winters that mean I will ration my savings to last a projected life time.

[scot47]

The moral about pensions is that if you are going to get one make sure it is a truly enormous one. Otherwise you might as well be on means-tested benefits.

The ConDems have just revealed their new wheeze to sort out housing. Have a look at that if you want to have nightmares !

[Hod]

sidjameson, I appreciate you've not had happy times of late, but

[naturegirl321]

If money isn't an issue, China might be good. I know uni jobs have you work about 12 to 16 hours a week. Korea might be good, if you can get a uni job. Same deal, about 12 to 15 hours and 5 months vacay.

[johnslat]

Dear Hod,

"The advice of Scot47, someone already retired, sadly means little to those in their forties or younger."

It will, I think, come as quite a surprise to scot47 to learn that he is "already retired."

As for what may/may not happen in the future, well, no one has a reliable crystal ball. Those who have ant-like dispositions will prepare for the coming winter; those who are more grasshopper-like will probably not.

But even for the ants, there are no guarantees.

Regards,
John