Theexwife
I would like it reinstated for those on housing or council tax benefit but not for all,so I wont be signing.
From a selfish point of view, I agree. I don't qualify for Pension Credit, but I do receive Housing Benefit and a very small amount of Local Council Tax support. I also have an HC2 certificate, which means I don't pay for NHS dental charges or glasses. I am means-tested by the local council and the NHS Business Services Authority, so there is already evidence of my low income and savings. I'm assuming that I won't receive WFA, although I believe local councils have discretionary funds (for which I've never been eligible - I just don't tick the right boxes). I'll cope without WFA, but it's a blow because my long-term budget had assumed I'd receive it.
Personally, I think it should remain universal, but paid as part of increased pensions - and taxed. If the tax threshold were to be increased, it would mean that wealthier pensioners would lose some of the benefit on a sliding scale, without going to the expense and effort of having to means-test everybody. That would, of course, mean that tax systems would need to be robust and close down as many loopholes as possible.