River Dee,: photograph Deryn van der Tang, manager Dorothea Court.
River Dee: photograph Deryn van der Tang, manager Dorothea Court.

All pensioners should migrate to Wales, if the figures published by pensions advisors  Keyretirement.com are anything to go by.

The cost of retirement varies widely around the UK, but it seems that Welsh pensioners need 25% less than their counterparts in the South East of England.  In cash terms, it means that in Wales average living costs in retirement are £9,900 a year compared to £13,270 in the South East.

Analysis of the figures by Keyretirement.com found that retired households spend around 14% of their money on fuel and housing, which adds up to around £1,630 a year. Another £1,560 a year is spent on food and non-alcoholic drinks. The biggest spending is on recreation and culture with 16% of the annual budget, or £1,830 a year.

Something else that’s good about Wales:  if your finances keep you awake at night there’s plenty of sheep around to count to help you get to sleep.

And wherever you live, you don’t have to be lonely.  Friends of the Elderly are inviting volunteers to be a friend, either over the phone or visiting in person.  Visiting an older person can be more rewarding than you can imagine.  See the Youtube video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZPwfpRifCI&list=UU-J-hcs_I8CSDzSiiNTnbLA&index=2

Louise Morse

Louise Morse MA (CBT) is media and external relations manager for the Pilgrims’ Friend Society. She is a writer and speaker, and author of books on issues of old age, including dementia, published by Lion Monarch and SPCK. She is a cognitive behavioural therapist, and her Masters’ dissertation examined the effects of caring for a loved one with dementia on close relatives.

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