Means testing state pension.

One other "benefit" that many don't claim for is "Attendance Allowance" I have advised patients to apply for it, especially when they mention getting to the Hospital if they need a Taxi. I was surprised how many had no idea about it.
One chap phoned us back a few months later to Thank us for the tip.

I do understand that many older people may look on benefits as charity, schnoodlelove and that is perhaps why the takeup is so low.
It's a pity, because it is an entitlement and the lives of so many could be eased if they applied.
The other problem is that it's often difficult and complicated to apply.

when my mum was alive a few years ago she had been telling me how high her council tax was. I looked into it and knowing she was on a low income told her that she could apply to not have to pay it. She was very surprised and it was true and she was very grateful.
The point is she didn't then think she was on benefit. She had paid all her life to get her state pension and that held no shame because she came from a generation which applied shame to benefits. She had been put in the workhouse in Lambeth when a young girl (in 1930) because her mother had left her husband and had collapsed and was in hospital. She had her head shaved to prevent lice though there was no infection. She felt so humiliated. Her mother lived with us as a family as she would never apply for National Assistance, as it was then, as it had this shame attached.
My point being that there are many many pensioners that don't want to think they are receiving benefit. They want to feel their pension is worthily earned and the fuel payment is showing care for their age. So many people don't get that. They say...let them apply ...it makes me sad and angry that the Labour government are so insensitive. That they think people are just rational about poverty. They have no idea.

David49 (hearing aids are completely free, very expensive privately)

Thank you for that. DH finally went to the GP about his hearing (thank goodness) and she referred him to Specsavers. That was weeks ago but he hasn't had an appointment yet. I'll get him to chase it up.

A friend has one from Boots but it cost a lot of money. It is very discreet and high spec though. Even so, she had a couple of problems with it.

Allira

David49

Allira

I know, hence the
Sorry, I do need to go to Specsavers the optician.

Better be quick while it’s still free😬

😯

But the specs aren't!
Can we choose those NHS glasses?

We pay for frames, the eye test £30+ is free for all pensioners and low income groups, (hearing aids are completely free, very expensive privately)

Ilovecheese

Reeves can't expect to fill this so called black hole in the country's finances by just taking money away from pensioners and keeping toddlers in poverty. At some point she will surely have to ask rich people to chip in a bit.

Any female OAP who gave birth to a baby who is now a toddler is a medical wonder. The reproductive system usually closes down about 20 years before the state pension is paid.

The current discussion is about restricting the winter fuel allowance to those OAPs who are in receipt of Pension Credit, and the effect of this on those whose income is just above the level for claiming PC, and who will lose out. Do we have any figures about how many people that will affect? Or any ideas on ways to encourage those who are eligible but don't claim?

Indeed, any ideas on how to persuade the powers that be to increase the basic pension so that an extra winter fuel allowance is not needed - and also figures comparing the cost of that with the cost of the extra allowance for all OAPs, and for the cost of caring for those who need more than the basic SP but don't quite qualify for the WFA. A&E departments must be busier in the winter giving emergency help to them.

David49

Allira

I know, hence the
Sorry, I do need to go to Specsavers the optician.

Better be quick while it’s still free😬

😯

But the specs aren't!
Can we choose those NHS glasses?

David49 “those that have, must pay more, pensioners will not be exempt”

Nor should they be, there are 3.2 million pensioners who pay tax at the two higher rates, it is ridiculous that they have received the WFA in the past.

Allira

^I know, hence the^
Sorry, I do need to go to Specsavers the optician.

Better be quick while it’s still free😬

Ilovecheese

Reeves can't expect to fill this so called black hole in the country's finances by just taking money away from pensioners and keeping toddlers in poverty. At some point she will surely have to ask rich people to chip in a bit.

They have already indicated that private schools, non doms and high earners are going to be hit hard, no indication how IHT is going to change, it’s a long term tax they need money or savings now.

I know, hence the
Sorry, I do need to go to Specsavers the optician.

Doodledog

Allira

Doodledog

They need to hire a better PR team as a matter of urgency. Where is Alistair Campbell when he's needed? I bet Cummings would betray his Tory principles for the right salary, too.

Oh, not Alistair Campbell, please!

I know, hence the . But either we get people like him, (and/or Cummings) or we should let things play out. Jumping to conclusions and reacting to mass media scare stories gets us nowhere. At least the spin doctors knew the bigger picture, ensured the stories came out at the right times, and advised the politicians about what to say when.

What lies to tell when!

Reeves can't expect to fill this so called black hole in the country's finances by just taking money away from pensioners and keeping toddlers in poverty. At some point she will surely have to ask rich people to chip in a bit.

Brahumbug

1State pension
(1)This Part creates a benefit called state pension.
(2)A person who reaches pensionable age before 6 April 2016 is not entitled to benefits under this Part (but may be entitled to similar benefits under Part 2 of the Contributions and Benefits Act).

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/19/contents

The message from Starmer is we as a nation have to pay our way, those that have no money can’t pay, so those that have, must pay more, pensioners will not be exempt.

1State pension
(1)This Part creates a benefit called state pension.
(2)A person who reaches pensionable age before 6 April 2016 is not entitled to benefits under this Part (but may be entitled to similar benefits under Part 2 of the Contributions and Benefits Act).

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/19/contents

Allira

Doodledog

They need to hire a better PR team as a matter of urgency. Where is Alistair Campbell when he's needed? I bet Cummings would betray his Tory principles for the right salary, too.

Oh, not Alistair Campbell, please!

I know, hence the . But either we get people like him, (and/or Cummings) or we should let things play out. Jumping to conclusions and reacting to mass media scare stories gets us nowhere. At least the spin doctors knew the bigger picture, ensured the stories came out at the right times, and advised the politicians about what to say when.

I also meant to say that comparisons with the Australian pension are inappropriate as that pension is non contributory, which is why it is means tested. The truth be known, our pension is quite generous considering how little we pay into it in NI.

Despite what people think, the state pension is a benefit and always has been. It is a contributory benefit paid for out of the national insurance fund along with other contributory benefits. The 1948 and 2014 pension acts are clear it is a benefit, end of discussion! Means testing would not happen as there would be enormous legal issues, such as people making voluntary payments into the system, which lead to legal challenges if it was means tested. Contracting out was not a way of means testing, but to reduce the NI payments of both employers and employees and thus enable more money to go into the pension fund. If you have contracted out of SERPS and S2P you will be better off than if you didn't. Any years you worked after 2016 will reduce the COPE calculation and enable your state pension to grow up to the new maximum, assuming you work long enough.

Rosie51

I love your post Elegran and agree we need to find out what Labour actually intends to do before starting on the criticism. That's why I'm so disappointed in them that the only firm announcement we've had is the withdrawal of WFA from the vast majority of pensioners with hardly a moment's notice. They may well announce some mitigations to help those just above the cutoff point but surely that should have accompanied the original announcement to dispel the very real fear some are feeling? I don't think they've done themselves any favours and this from someone who voted for them and won't be hard hit by the measure.

I agree. It seems to go against the general movement of his plans, and alienates a whole chunk of his assumed supporters.

However, I do think that if pensioners as a demographic (those with work pensions as well as those dependent only on state pension) appear to be treated as sacred cows, then it could increase the divide between them and younger people struggling to raise a family and pay the bills.

Perhaps he saw the measure as a graphic demonstration that none of those who have the means to contribute are exempt, but that those who officially don't have that means (in this case those pensioners getting pension credit) will be helped? Perhaps his publication of aims and measures is not yet finished, and there is more to come, once the next session starts? Perhaps, too, this was a toe in the water, to gauge reactions?

Those reactions, of course, were largely instant and without waiting to hear the rest of the proposed measures. We should hear soon the result of the midnight oil burned while lesser MPs enjoyed a restful (?) recess.

We need an edit button like Mumsnet.
But perhaps I'd better not post what I think of Campbell.

Doodledog

They need to hire a better PR team as a matter of urgency. Where is Alistair Campbell when he's needed? I bet Cummings would betray his Tory principles for the right salary, too.

Oh, not Alistair Campbell, please!

I agree with Rosie51, as one who voted for them too.

They have caused unnecessary furore with the sudden and clumsy withdrawal of the WFA, especially after Sir Keir criticised Rishi Sunak for proposing the same.

Things do need to change but antagonising one section of voters and refuelling (sorry) the Intergenerational discord is not the best start.

Perhaps they're not worried about pensioners, after all some of us may not be around to vote in five years' time, especially if we have some very cold winters.

They need to hire a better PR team as a matter of urgency. Where is Alistair Campbell when he's needed? I bet Cummings would betray his Tory principles for the right salary, too.

I love your post Elegran and agree we need to find out what Labour actually intends to do before starting on the criticism. That's why I'm so disappointed in them that the only firm announcement we've had is the withdrawal of WFA from the vast majority of pensioners with hardly a moment's notice. They may well announce some mitigations to help those just above the cutoff point but surely that should have accompanied the original announcement to dispel the very real fear some are feeling? I don't think they've done themselves any favours and this from someone who voted for them and won't be hard hit by the measure.

Excellent metaphor, Elegran.