Christmas Bonus

This money in total could be doing substantial good. Instead it’s wasted by spreading it as thinly as 1/2lb of butter on 5000 loaves. Most of us give it to charity.
The over-80s offensive and insulting 25p per week is another useless waste.

Charleygirl5 - no, the contributory pension is not means-tested but I didn't make contributions!
I worked in a semi-state job where we paid pension contributions directly, but a lower rate of social insurance. They've changed the system since, but those of us who started work in 70's or early 80's have the old scheme - we get a pension equal to a maximum of 50% of current pay of people doing our jobs - so if they get a pay increase, we get increase in our pension! It is taxed, however.

Farmor15 does that mean your state pension is means-tested?

BlueBelle - I'm also in Ireland - my OH will be getting his double pension payment this week, but I'm not entitled as I already get a generous pension from my work. I've never paid for an X-ray if referred by GP.

My tenner will heat my home for 3 days. To buy a fish and chip supper in my area of London, I would need next year's loan because I forgot to save last year's.

Spanish pensioners must be happy bunnies this week. Especially if two to a household. That’s Christmas sorted!

You could buy yourselves a big Toblerone 😋

Another who thinks it should be stopped/incorporated into pension if necessary.
It sounds as if most of us are going to donate our tenner - Great North Air Ambulance gets mine.

I’m going to blow mine as well.

I think it’s a waste of time and effort to pay a Christmas bonus. I don’t think the £10 should be removed, but it should be assimilated into the normal pension each week in future.

No, 2 modest pieces of fish and one portion of chips was £13.50, cash only, at my local chippy a few weeks ago. £4.50 should get us 2 cokes.

M0nica

Blow charities, I am going to go wild with mine (and DH's). We are considering a fish and chips supper, with a can of coke each.

I noticed on Shetland last week the ‘grass’ bought a fish supper - it was £16. You might get a bag of chips with the coke

Anybody else not had theirs or am I the only one, I m so upset and concerned !!!!!

The 'Christmas Bonus was introduced in the early 70s and has remained unchanged since then. When it was introduced it was 'worth' in current values, about £120.

I really don't know why it hasn't been stopped. Would we miss it

Don’t blame you MOnica!

Blow charities, I am going to go wild with mine (and DH's). We are considering a fish and chips supper, with a can of coke each.

I’ve donated mine & Himself’s to The Telegraph Christmas Appeal which supports 4 charities. All excellent organisations.

J52

It’s about time this bonus was stopped and included in an increase in the pension.
I do realise that the bonus is not taxed, but a pension increase would be. Like many we shall be adding it to our charitable giving.

These extras are not added into the SP because they can be taken away at any time.

Tesco was having a FareShare promotion last week, you could just pick up a ready-filled bag (or more), differently priced and add to your weekly shop for the Food Bank.

Yes grannycool but what do you pay for an X-ray if you need one ?

Bluebelle no. I would think that large amount can only be afforded once.

The £10 should allow the beating to be on for 3 days. It must cost more to administer, I would rather the Government kept the money as it is useless. To us, not to the charity receiving the kind gesture.

It’s about time this bonus was stopped and included in an increase in the pension.
I do realise that the bonus is not taxed, but a pension increase would be. Like many we shall be adding it to our charitable giving.

That's 300+ euros towards our Christmas shopping.

Living in Ireland, I get a double pension this week. We've been getting a double week Christmas bonus since I became a pensioner.

I’ve given to Helen and Douglas House hospice in Oxford for their Christmas appeal. I can’t think of anything worse than knowing my child or teenager will be celebrating their final Christmas.

Yes I’ve just checked and mine is in.
Now the dilemma, what to treat myself to…
I am not hardhearted, I give to two Charities at Christmas and have already done so.