Cheated of early retirement

I thought that I had planned my life, but now I am facing an uncertain future.

Back in the 1970 the present prime minister Anker Joergensen finished 80 years of hard work establishing the Danish welfare society by introducing early retirement for people, who have been worn down by hard labor.

So the cleaning lady or worker in factory could retire early when they became 60 years of age.

It is often claimed the introducing of early retirement both finished the welfare society in Denmark and is the compoment that keeps it together. Without early retirement there would not be basis for Denmark being called a nation with a welfare society.

I have planned my life as a hard worker on retirement at that age.

But lately the last two governments in office have found out that the cost of conducting our war in Afghanistan (Our 11th. crusade some knows as the war against terrorism) and our effort of fulfilling the Official Development Assistance have proven to be so costly.

They have to find the money somewhere and because the term of describing retired people in Denmark is "the burden of the elderly" the early retirement was targeted.

Now I like most of the people of my age would be punished if we retire before the age of 62. Hard working like it is expected of people with my background from a working class family without the possibility of a higher education, my health is already failing and I am not even 50.

Two years may seem like a little time for most, but for people with a history in the family of hearth diseases and cancer, it is forever.

My life has fallen apart. Now I live from one day to another without the ability to plan ahead. I have lost all faith in an retirement at some point.

And I am not the only one. Our nation are also under pressure. Stories about diapers being turned and used twice for number 1 in retirement homes are not uncommon. Our society is under pressure and I am thinking of finding another place to live my final years.

It is just hard.