AIBU to be concerned that my State Pension is referred to as a 'Benefit'?

The state pension has always been a benefit. It's very unfair, the 'new' state pension paid since 2016 is higher than the old one and you don't need so many qualifying years. Unfortunately I had the years but not the pension - I get the old one.

Germanshepherdsmum

We don’t pay for our pensions with our NI contributions. Our children are paying for them. Has anyone here paid as much NI per week as they now receive in SP? No. And remember that NI was supposed to cover healthcare too.

The reason that carer’s allowance is no longer paid once you receive the SP is because it is supposed to compensate you for not being able to work (or work full time) due to caring responsibilities.

I was just going to say the same thing! We paid NI to fund the pensions of those who were receiving it at the time, as well as all the other things funded by insurance contributions, so it’s not really accurate to say we’ve ‘paid into’ our own pensions. I believe there were extra payments we could pay to increase our pensions ( SERPS), as I know I get ‘extra pension’, and also half of the Bodach’s extra pension since he died.

I have another seven years to wait for my (state) pension/benefit.
I was the one who cared for my darling children, juggling temping with school holidays. My ex husband took the child benefit, the business we grew together and his military pension. I didn't fight for a share, he was an abuser and I wanted out asap.
I'm currently caring for my DH who has cancer. I don't have carer's allowance as we have savings.
Thankfully my second husband does have a pension, but will that even be advantageous to me?
We've worked hard to own a house outright together. That's one blessing to fund our care in old age, if we are privileged to reach old age.
Quite honestly I am beginning to feel more anxious with each passing year. I dread to think how my DDs feel about their finances as pensioners.

54schnoodlelove

The State pension is currently paid at the same rate whether you have paid all your contributions..or not.
You're wrong there it everyone gets the same rate

Greciangirl

Maddyone.

Pension credit has not disappeared along with the new state pension.
I’m still getting it.
Where did you get that information?

You are quite right. Guarantee credit is available to all. Savings credit is different and broadly applies to people who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 but there are special circumstances for couples. All explained here:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/pension-credit/

Carer’s Allowance is an overlapping benefit, meaning it cannot be paid to someone getting another income- replacement payment.

We don’t pay for our pensions with our NI contributions. Our children are paying for them. Has anyone here paid as much NI per week as they now receive in SP? No. And remember that NI was supposed to cover healthcare too.

The reason that carer’s allowance is no longer paid once you receive the SP is because it is supposed to compensate you for not being able to work (or work full time) due to caring responsibilities.

JuBut

I heard this too! On breakfast TV last week, a lady messaged in about caring for her Mum, receiving carers allowance, but when she got to state pension age, the carers allowance was taken off her because her state pension was classed as she benefit!!! We pay for our state pension with our NI contributions so it is a right to us not a benefit!!! It's another thing the government will test and remove from us in the future, what a joke!!!

Carers allowance is a poor payment I agree but it is to compensate the claimant for being unable to work due to caring commitments. Thus it stops at state retirement age

Thank you. Yes, there are all kinds of ways to get National Insurance credits listed here:

www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

This shows what NIC counts towards. It isn't only the state pension.

www.gov.uk/national-insurance/what-national-insurance-is-for

Note some are called pensions, some are called allowances and one is called a payment - but they are all benefits.

Maddyone.

Pension credit has not disappeared along with the new state pension.
I’m still getting it.
Where did you get that information?

Benefit or not we’ve earned it I’m still working at64 in childcare and counting the months to retirement.

I heard this too! On breakfast TV last week, a lady messaged in about caring for her Mum, receiving carers allowance, but when she got to state pension age, the carers allowance was taken off her because her state pension was classed as she benefit!!! We pay for our state pension with our NI contributions so it is a right to us not a benefit!!! It's another thing the government will test and remove from us in the future, what a joke!!!

A benefit does not have to have been contributed towards - read TinSoldier’s post above. And yes, you can get a SP of sorts if you haven’t paid NI, through credits during childcare and by inheritance from your spouse for example.

Surely a benefit is non contributory, when the state pension was brought in women could choose whether to pay into the system or rely on their husbands contributions. Can you get a state pension if you haven’t contributed? You can get housing benefits without.

I have noticed inmany systems whereby you can claim a "free" item eg solar panels, reduced heating tariffs, broadband rates if in receipt of one of a very long list of benefits, state reti There is no mention of state retirement pension. The Governments may use the phrase "benefit" but not when it comes to other systems offering reduced prices. Private, Local Gov pensions were all contributed to by individuals, don't hear them being referred to as benefits. Suppose all those retired MPs are receiving benefits too.

State Benefits can be means-tested, contribution-based or available to claim through some qualifying reason eg disability, maternity, bereavement etc. The rules and regulations vary, are complicated, change frequently, and are not always well applied. The DWP are understaffed, under-trained.
Given the Horizon scandal, I feel it is not unreasonable or scaremongering to be concerned about our state pensions.

Sadly state pension is officially a benefit. It is documented but I can’t remote name of said document, think I was just so peeved when I read it!! It is shocking that it should be classed as such. Maybe as it’s a benefit it should be means tested so that anyone with an income, not including the pension itself, of over say, 250k per annum can’t receive it. (Or maybe it already is, how would we know!)

Sabbygirl, I think that is a very interesting comment 🤔

Thisisme

Did you know brits abroad can claim a UK pension, even if they have never worked here? I discovered this recently and was quite amazed. A friend in Australia doesn't get a state pension there as they are means tested, but gets her uk pension.

People who have emigrated to Australian qualify for their pension, but I believe it is paid at the rate payable at the time they left the UK.

SillyNanny321

The one thing that really annoys me about being told I am on a benefit(pension) is the way some younger people tell me I am just too lazy to work & should get a job & stop ruining the country for people like them! Do they not realise that one day they will be nearly 80, disabled & sick of being treated like they should go sit in a corner & hurry up & die so out of peoples way? Why do older people get blamed for all the things wrong now?

What awful people you must mix with. Nobody, especially not younger people have ever told me to get a job or that I am ruining the country for them.

The state pension is something we workers paid for by our contributions during working lives.

Of course others, who have squandered a lot of tax and NI, would like to take away they have spent and what we are entitled to and the first step is to change the language.

But they ought to consider - who would work without a reward?

Try using it as a benefit to get a free boiler. See if they still consider it a benefit.

Cabbie21

Grannytomany

(Contd..)

If you’re honest with the information you provide to any government department you have nothing to worry about.

My understanding is that access to bank accounts is being sought to assist in cases of fraud investigation. So if you don’t give cause for fraud suspicion and you are telling the truth, nothing but the truth - where’s the problem?

Unfortunately for many, DWP can and do make mistakes, get things wrong and make decisions which are overturned on appeal.
There is good cause to be concerned, to check, to challenge where appropriate.

There is good cause to be concerned, to check, to challenge where appropriate ....

I agree.
Gov. Depts. Are just as likely to make mistakes, or s-t-r-e-t-c-h the parameters of their jurisdiction, as any other organisation.

I think your position is naive Grannytomany
Perhaps it's a case of if you haven't experience of a situation, it is hard to imagine it?

I am an unpaid carer. I applied for Carer's Allowance recently, so lets see how that goes.

Grannytomany, I don't agree - the Post Office belongs to the government 100% Being honest has been no defense against being treated like a criminal and even sent to jail.