Sir – I wish Mr David Buckle a long and happy retirement (Report, February 11), but his stepping-down at age 60 highlights the unaffordability of the Local Government Pension scheme as it stands.

Since his skills require no manual effort I expect that, for a time, whilst drawing his handsome pension, Mr Buckle will engage in other remunerative work as a consultant or company director.

I am over 60 myself and have worked for 38 years in the NHS. Because of contractual ‘tendering’ shenanigans, I have, for 12 years, been excluded from my own pension scheme.

Those years of lost contributions can never be recovered. I cannot now retire until I am 66. I am disappointed then to find that some of my council tax will go toward the ‘feather-bedding’ of retirement at 60 of a very well paid administrator, who could also reasonably be expected to work until aged 66.

I can only hope that his successor is appointed on terms more favourable to we who fund this largesse.

John Collins
Chalgrove