Retirement should be a time where you can focus on yourself and what you enjoy doing. However, if you are a carer, it may mean that you have more responsibility than before - but this does not necessarily mean you have to sacrifice your leisure time.
Caring should always be a choice. You may choose to scale down your caring duties or focus more on being a carer.
If you’ve become a carer of your spouse or partner recently, or have had to take early retirement because of your caring commitments, you may find it hard to adjust. It might be helpful to speak to people who have experience with caring in retirement. Speak to your local carers' centre to see if there are any support groups you can join.
Health
Health problems are more likely after retirement age for both you and the person you care for. If you are to continue in your caring role, you need take care of your physical and mental health. It’s also important that you have the ability and skills to carry out the care that the person you're caring for needs. For example, if they have a mobility problem that requires lifting or moving, this could put extra strain on your back and shoulders. Speak to your local authority about any aids or adaptations that are available to help with lifting.
As you grow older, the chances of you or your partner or spouse becoming affected by dementia increases. You can find out about the symptoms in the Dementia guide.
If either of you are affected by dementia, it's important to get specialist support. This may be through your GP, local authority or a specialist dementia nurse. If you are affected by dementia yourself, it is still possible to care for your spouse or partner, but you must be honest about your abilities and get help when you need it.
Carers’ assessments
Having a carer’s assessment will mean that your plans for retirement can still be taken into account as well as any caring duties that you are willing and able to carry out.
It’s important to spend time as a couple doing things you both enjoy so that your role as carer does not take over your role as a spouse. Talk about support with arranging activities during your assessment with your local authority.
Deferring your state pension
The legal age for you to claim your state pension is 65 for men born on or before 5 April 1959 and 60 for women female born on or before 5 April 1960.
Between 2010 and 2020 the state pension age for women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1955 is rising from 60 to 65. State pension age will increase for both men and women from age 65 to 68 between 2024 and 2046.
Depending on your age, you may be able to defer claiming your state pension in favour of claiming a lump sum or extra pension later on. You can read how deferring your pension may affect your benefits in Carer’s Allowance.
Contact your local pension centre if you want to defer your state pension.
The HMRC website has information about the effect pension deferment will have on any benefits you claim.
Living arrangements
If you intend to care for your partner or spouse at home for the duration of your retirement you may need to consider the option of extra support through paid carers at home, or a residential home. If you choose to arrange care for your spouse, remember that it does not need to be permanent.
You should contact your local authority to discuss any change in circumstance and potential change in care. Remember that any level of care you provide should always be through choice.
