Have You Had a Mid-Life MOT?

GOVERNMENT INTIATIVE - The government have launched a new intiiative called the mid-life MOT. 

This is what the UK government has to say. 

What is the mid-life MOT?

The mid-life MOT is free online support to encourage more active planning in the key areas of work, wellbeing and finances. It is aimed at both individuals and employers and can support you to make decisions that will ensure the future retirement you want.

Why is this important to me?

At some stages in your working life, you could be at risk of falling out of work unexpectedly, including through redundancy. Additionally, health problems and caring responsibilities disproportionately affect people over 50. Once out of work, it can be difficult to get back in.

Many people underestimate what they will need in later life. Planning ahead can boost your resilience in crucial areas. Start your MOT journey now by asking yourself:

My work: Am I confident I can continue in my current job, or do I need to protect myself by reskilling? Will caring responsibilities or other priorities mean I need to work more flexibly?

My health: Am I taking the right steps to maintain or improve my health? Would workplace adjustments make it easier for me to stay in my job for longer?

My money: Do I have enough savings to maintain my current lifestyle? I’m confused about pensions, what are my options?

My work and skills

As your circumstances change as you get older, you may find that flexible working arrangements can make difference.

Workers often view flexible working as a good way of helping them to stay in work. You have a right to request flexible working arrangements from your employer. You may also consider becoming self-employed.

Read examples of people who have benefitted from flexible working.

Keeping up to date and learning new skills are important as you get older.

The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. You can also take a free skills assessment to find out what kind of jobs could suit you.

Support is also available for those in Scotland and Wales.

My health

Many people have to give up work due to a health condition but good, appropriate paid work can be beneficial for your health and wellbeing. Giving up work might be avoidable if support is sought at the right time.

In addition to providing financial support, work can give you routine and the opportunity to develop social networks.

You may be entitled to a free NHS health check every 5 years. You can also get great tips and support on how to stay healthy by visiting the One You website, where you can take an interactive health quiz which will give you a personalised score.

You may also be eligible for support under the Access to Work scheme.

Support is also available for those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The peak age of caring is between 55-64 years. Managing caring for others with work responsibilities can sometimes be challenging, this can have a negative effect on your employment.  Getting support at the right time could help you balance paid work and caring responsibilities.

Carers UK offer expert, tailored information and advice if you are caring for someone and are struggling to balance your responsibilities with work. They can offer help online and over the phone.

My money

How resilient are your finances if your circumstances change? Do you know when you will have built up enough pensions to retire and carry on doing the things you enjoy?

The Money and Pensions Service offers free information on your financial options, including workplace and personal pensions which could enable you to better manage your finances. If you are self-employed, you can have a free one-to-one mid-life MOT.

The Government are bringing out what the calla mid-life MOT. 

You can get help to plan your retirement income. You can also check your State Pension online to find out how much you might get and when you can claim it. The full new State Pension is around £8,750 a year, but yours may be more or less, as it’s based on your National Insurance record.

Are you an employer?

Did you know that by the year 2021, one in three of the working-age population will be over 50?  You can realise the benefits of an ageing workforce by supporting a mid-life MOT in the workplace. Toolkits are available for larger and smaller (pdf) employers alongside an employer guidance pack (pdf) which details changes you can make in the workplace.

ABC Note: Back in 2017 the Personal Finance Society (PFS) said this: 

Advisers are sceptical the idea of a ‘mid-life MOT’, as proposed by Cridland and backed by the Personal Finance Society (PFS), would work in practice.

A number of advisers said they had doubts about the practicalities of the idea, not least because they were concerned about the take-up by the general public.

PFS chief executive Keith Richards (pictured) had first written to the Chancellor following the publication of the Cridland report to call for the implementation of the measure, which would work like a financial health check, encouraging people to take stock of their finances from age 50.

The facility could be incorporated as a trigger in the pensions dashboard and would allow people to consider their existing financial and lifestyle plans, as well as receive guidance on where to obtain help in the future.

Renewing his calls in response to the government’s plans to increase the state pension age to 68 by 2039, Richards said: “Yesterday’s announcement [of changes to the state pension age] was an inevitable step, but it needs to be backed by further action to mitigate the impact on thousands who will ultimately be affected in the future, including a campaign to educate consumers about the need to save for their life in retirement.

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