Two months. If it’s too soon or too late after the first it’s not as effective. I’m due my second one in a couple of weeks. Due to immunosuppressed reasons rather then old reasons ;-p
I heard it was 2-6 months. I had the first in January so I may just ask in a couple of weeks.
2 Likes
I had my first last October and was told to arrange the second one for this month (April) so that would be 6 months. I don’t know if there are different variants of the vaccine though.
We are going through saving programme at work like most public sector/civil service bodies at the moment. Saw it coming so started to look at what early retirement and possible voluntary redundancy might look like. So was finally offered VR last week and today accepted that. I have really long service although VR is capped at 21 months of salary and 29 years in the Civil Service pension scheme and some in other db schemes so all a bit of a no brainer. Last day likely to be in 5 perhaps 6 months time due to the delays setting up new retirements due to Capita change.
It will feel strange but have plans on how to fill my days, I have secure social housing, no kids so the small reduction income is more than manageable. Will by 60.5 when it happens.
26 Likes
Nice one Paul. Pretty sure you won’t regret it! 
1 Like
Thanks Jim. appreciated. Lots of planning gone into it and would have to work another 4 years without VR to have anything like the same outcome. Plus with the direction of digital/IT not sure I have the energy to retrain/deal with the fall out from what I suspect will be a number of failed AI initiatives.
1 Like
Go for it Paul.
I took a redundancy option and have no regrets.
Part of the reason was I wasn’t sure I really had the energy or enthusiasm to cope with a another big tech change and a change in the management team.
Frankly, the time was right although I was 67.
1 Like
Well done. I did the same at 57 and never regretted it.
I do volunteer work as a driver and PAT testing at a charity shop. You’ll be able to find lots to do.
3 Likes
Great news Paul. As @Jim says, you won’t regret it.
I certainly don’t.
3 Likes
Sounds very familiar.
Well done, you won’t regret it.
Lucky chap getting a VR package!
Holiday, new kit,…?
1 Like
Afraid not, or not for a little while. Did a big upgrade on the system last year and most of VR will go into the pension itself, most likely to remove the early retirement reduction on the part of the pension that has a 67 retirement age. Plus need to allow a decent buffer for possible payments delays with Capita. They are improved but not completely, however waiting until that point wasn’t an option without loosing VR and a risk it being just redundancy or even finding myself job matched into a new role.
Will however go away on a long haul holiday once everything is running smoothly, and still plan a city break in Helsinki in May.
4 Likes
Have you looked at the option of putting the vr amount into a draw down pension? 25% cash free immediately and then draw down as you need.
1 Like
I have looked at the option but it’s better in the DB pension and I don’t need the 25% due to the £30k tax free I get from Civil Service VR terms.
2 Likes
Visited Arundel Castle today. The gardens were excellent—reassuring, really, given the £58 it cost the two of us to get through the gate. They claim to have over 110,000 tulips in bloom.
However, the day was ultimately defined by coming across this work of art (in a shop in the town centre)
10 Likes
Beryl Cook?
This image displays a painting created by the renowned Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero (1932–2023).
faces look wrong for her style
from Google Lens.
This image is of a print or reproduction of a painting by the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero (1932–2023), known for his signature style of depicting figures in exaggerated volume, referred to as “Boterismo”.
-
Artist: Fernando Botero.
-
Subject: The painting, often titled “La casa de Raquel Vega” (1976) or similar interior party scenes, features voluminous, rotund figures typical of his work.
-
Style: The painting exhibits smooth surfaces, muted colors with vibrant accents, and voluminous forms that explore social themes with a sense of humor or satirical commentary.
Signed prints are quite valuable apparently.
1 Like
Great result Paul! I’m sure you’ll love it.
2 Likes
FWIW I took the offer of VR and ran for the exit and never looked back. No regrets. Your gonna love the freedom to do as you please every day of week.
1 Like