Get the early retirement has become the obsession of Julie Hipkiss, a 62-year-old English worker. With health problems, he had to complete his work day every day, in a job that often involved having to make some physical effort. In the Midlands, where he lived, there were not many job opportunities so he had to stay at the company where he was, an association for adults with autism spectrum disorder.
“It was a vocational job” but little by little his health condition worsened, as he told the newspaper. Guardian in 2024. Osteoarthritis in the knee, sleep apnea and hypertension gradually appeared. All this limited his ability to work.
In 2023 he made the decision to leave his job, although it took him a long time. “My body did not respond as before and each day of work meant a lot of wear and tear,” he stated and later recognized the need to redirect his work life to a less physically demanding position.
At 62 years old he sent his resume but did not get a job
When he became unemployed, Hipkiss sent his resume for six months but no one responded. He lived in the country and knew that “the options were few.” First she looked for a job as an administrator or “anything like that” but she did not find the opportunity to sign a contract or take any course that would help her improve her resume.
They interviewed her to work in hospitality and she said yes. It was not a good idea because far from improving, he began to develop new ailments generated by spending long hours on his feet, shifts without rest, and continuous efforts. His first day was in January and a month later (February 5) he gave the interview in which he assured that he could not take it anymore.
“There were days when it was difficult for me to walk because of the pain in my knee,” and although she went to the doctor on several occasions, she was never referred to the operating room for surgery. “They considered it was not a priority.” And the doctors asked him to meet certain criteria. “They said I was sick to go to work but not sick enough to have urgent surgery or give permanent disability”.
“I don’t mind working the time I have left to collect my pension, but in this state it is impossible”
Julie assures that at 62 years old, “I have five years left to access the state retirement pension” and although many of her friends saw that time as a path of hope, for her “it was a goal that I could not imagine.”
“I don’t mind working, but not under these conditions and what I ask is that the system adapts to realities like mine” since “not all workers age the same, and those of us who have developed physical jobs for which we suffer health problems, should have some alternative.”
“I’m young enough to retire but I can’t work normally, so I don’t fit in anywhere.” He assures that he hopes that one day there will be “a system for people my age so that we can contribute our experience but always in decent conditions.