Which is correct?.

I avoid the thread because of all the sneering!

And I should too.

I like your straightforwardness, Frank, but sometimes your generalisations and assumptions do beg for clarification! I don't think that can be classed as sneering...

It amazes me how it all seems to roll off Frank. I would be doing a few "up yours" by now if I was him.

Frank. Grow a pair!

I don't think Frank's that bothered what we think, really...

Well he should be.

If you say so....

Nobody should take what he does. Come on Frank. Give it some welly.

Frank the £21,000 average refers to all sources of pensioner income, state pension, occupational pension, private pension, income from savings and any earnings.

The source is: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171766_275601.pdf
I seem to remember from previous posts that you took a degree in business studies or economics so I am sure sources like this are familiar to you.

FlicketyB

These sources of income are familiar to me.
I am sure there must be lots of pensioners like me getting a widows / widowers occupational pension. My wife worked for a different bank and I get half her pension.
I don't know if this would be included in the average income for a single pensioner.

Incidentally gransnetters should try to persuade their offspring to let their spouses know about their pension in case an early death happens.
My wife's employers left off about 6 years of her service, her AVC contributions and tried to start her pension from when I was 60.
She was 6 months older than me and the terms were the widows pension was to be started when she would have been 60.
They seemed to be a little disappointed when I produced all of her letters and even asked if I was sure the start date I was quoting was correct.
I knew it certainly was as I has known her since she was 11.

Frank

The survey includes income from all sources so it would include pensions from your wife's employer and indeed trust funds or any other sopurce of income. I think the only way income likely to be excluded is cash transactions in the black economy. So if you have a nice little earner on the side that provides a supplement to your income and works on a cash basis, you may be able to hide it from the tax authorities, just do not advertise for business or mention it on Facebook or Gransnet.

FlicketyB

I do have to pay tax on my widower's pension.
The money is sent to my bank account.

Frank