bigbalu
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Hi to all fellow members,I have been lurking here for some time now reading other members' posts with interest, however this is my first post. I am now in my sixties and have been a spark all my working life, nearly 50 years now (including an apprenticeship), mostly contracting in the industrial sector and with spells in factory maintenance. I have only been employed for 5 months in the last two and a half years, I have lost count of the number of job applications I have made, when a prospective employer asks for my date of birth I know that it will not go any further, the 5 months of work was with an agency, my "consultant" must have been inexperienced because he didn't ask for a date of birth, just told me to start on Monday and to ensure I had a hard hat, boots and a hivis vest.
I have read many posts on various forums complaining about the curse of the agencies, whilst we are willing to work for them they will never be eradicated, employers will always use them rather than employ directly especially for short term contracts. At one time I really thought a Labour government might do something but they did very little in 11 years, and now with this lot there is no chance of any improvement.
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As I approach official retirement I offer some advice to younger members, SAVE FOR A PENSION Along with low rates, paying someone to pay your wages , no holiday pay, uncertain status with the taxman, no guarantee of notice, is one not so well known drawback, not being liable for Class 1 N.I. contributions. All the additional Class one contributions made over the years have gone towards an enhanced state pension (2nd tier), however paying class 2 contributions only will just go towards a basic pension. Class 4 contributions levied by the taxman at the end of the tax year have no bearing on the final pension. As I have spent long periods working for agencies I have lost out on a considerable additional 2nd tier state pension. I know along with all the other pressures of modern living and trying to make ends meet I do urge all younger members to give this some thought and not end up like me after all these years of work. Enough rambling for now, good luck to all and keep fighting the fight.
I have read many posts on various forums complaining about the curse of the agencies, whilst we are willing to work for them they will never be eradicated, employers will always use them rather than employ directly especially for short term contracts. At one time I really thought a Labour government might do something but they did very little in 11 years, and now with this lot there is no chance of any improvement.
.
As I approach official retirement I offer some advice to younger members, SAVE FOR A PENSION Along with low rates, paying someone to pay your wages , no holiday pay, uncertain status with the taxman, no guarantee of notice, is one not so well known drawback, not being liable for Class 1 N.I. contributions. All the additional Class one contributions made over the years have gone towards an enhanced state pension (2nd tier), however paying class 2 contributions only will just go towards a basic pension. Class 4 contributions levied by the taxman at the end of the tax year have no bearing on the final pension. As I have spent long periods working for agencies I have lost out on a considerable additional 2nd tier state pension. I know along with all the other pressures of modern living and trying to make ends meet I do urge all younger members to give this some thought and not end up like me after all these years of work. Enough rambling for now, good luck to all and keep fighting the fight.
