What you had better not ask to the retired.

I have been retired for 6 years . I dont expect people to ask how little pension I get, but happy to say what career I have followed . As for my thoughts they are mine to .. I spend a lot of time remembering good things that have happened in my life and sharing with friends I have made over the years *

Why would it be improper to ask anyone,not just a Lady,what they worked as in their career before,once you've gone to the trouble of finding out from them that they've now since retired? Being able to talk to them about their (former) Job would be a means of finding common ground to be able to talk with them.Having previous Job experience of an issue that you might need clarification about may make someone feel valued as a source of information..OTOH,some people don't want to talk about their Job at all once they've left the workplace! However,Money can be a touchy subject at any time,perhaps especially after retirement..I'd never try and find out how much someone was earning while they were working,and the question of how much of a pension they had now somehow seems even more invasive than asking about someone's wage!

I agree with you that it is not proper to ask a retired person how much their pension is. I am a pensioner myself and when someone asks me that question I always say: "Not enough". As for asking what a person did before retirement some people like to tell. Often when you are retired you don't count for much anymore, you sort of become invisible. So when someone is truly interested I love to talk about it.

Hey you are right. We can ask her to share experiences but it is unfair to ask about pension, what she could have done and she didn't do. It is only hurt her.