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will OAP's loosing out??

(119 Posts)
travelsafar Sat 23-May-20 12:37:08

Will we loose our heating allowances, bus passes, tv licences health related benefits i.e. free dental and optical benefits if on pension credit, to help towards repaying for the Covid 19 out break. Will our state pension be frozen at today's amount for a few years. Will this be the way that OAP's help in what will be a national crisis economically.

Bobdoesit Sun 24-May-20 15:42:04

EllanVannin as you so obviously don’t need help with your heating costs please pass the money along to me! If it goes it will definitely be a case of heat or eat for myself and my husband.

Bijou Sun 24-May-20 15:16:19

I didn’t go out to work because my husband suffered ill health as a result of being wounded in the DDay landings. This meant that I had to do all the decorating, gardening and heavy work. When my husband was made redundant because of increasing deafness at the age of fifty seven we had to sell our nice house in Hampshire and buy a small one in.a cheaper district to get enough money to live on until he got his pension at sixty five. He died at sixty seven. I have managed very well on pension credit for the past thirty two years. Being disabled I rely on the fuel allowance to keep warm in the winter.
This is paid to all pensioners in spite of their income. I know my son doesn’t need it ,bus pass etc
When I read the Rich List I wonder how many of those pay taxes .probably many live in tax havens.

One thing the government will save from all the pensioners dying from the virus!

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 15:03:39

Think what you like Chewbacca.

Yes, kittylester, I'd go along with that. A small price to pay for those who use the service regularly.

kittylester Sun 24-May-20 14:57:37

I think there ahould be a nominal chatge of, say, £10 per year for a bus pass.

Chewbacca Sun 24-May-20 14:53:49

but much always wants more don't they ??

Oh the irony.

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 14:46:08

Who's " smug " Taptan ?

Taptan Sun 24-May-20 14:34:32

Well I don’t have a private pension, I worked to help pay the mortgage and put food on the table. We are mortgage free, much as I would have liked to sell the house and help the children get on the property ladder, I knew that I would never be able to afford private rents, so hung onto my house. We manage nicely, but if anything were to happen to my husband, I don’t know where that would leave me. I have never been in a position to be ‘smug’ - thankfully.

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 14:28:25

At least I'm not mean nor greedy !!

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 14:27:22

I worked hard too Aonk, as did many others, but much always wants more don't they ??

aonk Sun 24-May-20 14:22:21

I would like to add that those who begrudge money given to the Royal Family seem to forget how much money is generated by tourism. As soon as things get back to normal this will again be the case and will bolster many businesses and keep many people in employment.

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 14:22:05

Where are all these posters coming from btw ? I don't see them on the Good Morning thread.

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 14:20:55

Jennvg, how am I " digging a hole for myself " when all I'm suggesting is helping others ?

aonk Sun 24-May-20 14:19:31

I agree with those who are against means testing. There are lots of reasons why some people are better off than others. In my case my father and his father before him studied hard at school and worked all the hours in their jobs. They also saved prudently. As a result I feel that I’m comfortable money wise. I also worked and saved hard as did my husband. I know many hardworking people are less fortunate but there has to be an incentive for trying to earn as much as you can and saving some of it. We all pay the same NI and should get the same benefits with extra provided for those in need. My husband and I both donate our fuel allowance to charities which help the elderly.

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 14:18:12

Inheritance tax is dreadful as we as a family already know the way it's stolen ! The deceased already having paid tax throughout their working life/lives only for it to be taxed again when leaving this earth. Dreadful.

Callistemon Sun 24-May-20 14:11:38

Tamayra and healthcare is far from free!

Callistemon Sun 24-May-20 14:10:34

I don't believe in inheritance tax.
There are many other countries which provide good services without that.

I'm glad your DC could manage without a windfall, margrano but so many cannot get on to the property ladder these days.

Tamayra Sun 24-May-20 13:59:54

Try living in Aus Super or other pensions get deducted off your state pension as do casual earnings
And you are means tested !!!!

Marieeliz Sun 24-May-20 13:53:22

When I was in my twenties and people were getting married. Thy hits in my office couldn't wait to stop payment of NI. I was always advised to pay into a pension.

margrano Sun 24-May-20 13:46:52

I have an idea ! 100% death duties , to go direct to reducing the government debt . Most of the time the people who inherit would manage without the windfall , although i am aware there would be exceptions . The debt would be wiped out in no time if included Trusts ( many wealthy people pay no inheritance tax as a Trust doesn,t die !) Just an idea

Noreen3 Sun 24-May-20 13:39:48

The worse thing for me would be to lose my bus pass.A lot of us like to get out and about,it keeps our minds and bodies active.I couldn't afford to go to the places I go to on a state pension if I had to pay on the bus..The free tv licence is important to a lot of people,however you don't have to find the money all at once,I pay mine at £6 a fortnight.I don't agree with people saying they would have to do without a tv,I'm sure they can afford £3 a week,and they had to pay before they were 75.One short bus trip into town costs more than £3.

grannysyb Sun 24-May-20 13:36:00

Means testing is expensive, all the benefits should be taxed as a benefit in kind.

jennyvg Sun 24-May-20 12:42:52

EllanVannin just a thought, why carry on digging an ever growing big hole for yourself? Why not just give up.

Chewbacca Sun 24-May-20 12:24:37

EllanVannin boastathon.

Yes, quite possibly so. The alternative is that there is actually no recognition, understanding or empathy for others who do not share her extremely fortunately affluent lifestyle. And that would be even worse than being boastful.

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 12:23:31

Aggie I'm being lambasted for having two pensions ?
However, it's refreshing to see that you too could do without your heating allowance.

That takes the heat ( pun ) off me for a short while.Phew !

EllanVannin Sun 24-May-20 12:19:37

Your name is well suited SillyNanny321 ! How dare you judge !
Go away yourself.