Government Okays Forced Retirement for 65+

NCD News: Government Okays Forced Retirement for 65+ - 29.09.09

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Government Okays Forced Retirement for 65+: >>>> Homeserve, the domestic insurance group, has sold off the emergency repair side of its business. It has been bought by LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds. Its valuation had been reduced by £97m after it posted a loss for the first half of 2009. Homeserve is now hoping to focus on building a worldwide membership. LDC is planning on re-branding Homeserve Emergency Services as the Evander Group.

>>>> Sheilas Wheels have been canvassing its members recently and have come up with the definitive list of the best and worst household gadgets. The Sheila's Wheels Home Insurance study found that 6 out of ten women could not live without a microwave or a vacuum cleaner. The kettle and hair straighteners also came in the top ten. Top of the list was the television.

Top of the worst gadget list of all time was the pointless shower radio, which pulled in 49% of the votes. The electric nail file scored 38% of votes while the soda stream and the teasmaid came in the top ten. The women surveyed said they had often been persuaded by television ads and recommendations from friends to buy something they later regretted.

We're normally intrigued by such polls as often (despite their obvious ink-grabbing motives) they provide some curious results. Here, however, a bland poll has produced bland results. We're only reporting it because it's a slow news day. Sorry.

>>>> The Mail have this weekend covered the story of Meryn Evans who forgot she was due a payout on her critical illness policy despite having breast cancer in 2003. It wasn't until she contacted her financial advisor on another matter that she discovered she could have claimed. The policy, which was with Scottish Widows, paid out within three weeks giving Meryn and her family a much need £50,000.

>>>> Specialist insurer PJ Hayman has launched the first policy designed to cover medical bills arising from overseas cosmetic, dental or elective surgery. The underwriters, AXA have said the policy will only cover operations which take place in registered and regulated hospitals. Where normal travel insurance will cover people for unexpected medical mishaps, this type of insurance will cover people for things they have chosen to do.

The scheme will not, however, cover heart or cancer operations. With an excess of £100, premium holders will be covered for medical emergencies up to £5m.

>>>> The UK High Court has upheld the law which allows employers to forcibly retire workers once they reach 65. This can happen without any warning and without any redundancy payments. This is bad news for a number of compensation cases which have been spearheaded by Age Concern and Help the Aged on behalf of people who did not want to retire. The Government has however said it will review the retirement age in 2010. The action was brought by the age related charities as they felt the current law was not in line with the EU Equal Treatment at Work directive.

>>>> Research carried out on behalf of the AA has found that 7 out of 10 male motorists admit to being distracted by an attractive woman while behind the wheel. (Even less surprising than Sheilas Wheels poll!) This is compared to just 25% of women who claim the same. However 75% of drivers male or female would take their eyes off the road to look at a nice view. Other distractions include low flying planes, billboards and roadside art. According to the AA minor shunts are more common in August - perhaps due to the warmer weather and skimpier clothing!

>>>> Young drivers are being disadvantaged by the scrappage scheme according to carsite.co.uk. The typical first car, which is low in value is becoming hard to find and this is pushing up prices. With the new car dealerships calling for an extension to the scrappage scheme, second hand car dealers worry that the increasing prices, coupled with high insurance may mean that young people are priced out of the market completely. †