Alumimium Shuffler; I've been giving this one a bit of thought. It would make a very interesting case if someone actually brought it to court that the government is taking away a person's means of earning a salary whilst not entitling them to a pension. I'm sure the European Court of Human Rights would have something to say. I wish good luck to anyone who tries. I only had four employers in forty years and two of them were for twelve and twenty-four; and yes, I know how lucky I am.