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Legal, pensions and money

Will you be affected by this 'couples penalty'?

(3 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 19-Oct-18 12:29:18

We wondered if any Gransnetters will find themselves worse off with this Universal Credit change? Couples in what is called a 'mixed-age' partnership are currently means tested by the older partner whereas in future it will be determined by the working age person. You can read more about it here: bit.ly/2EvhO3y Thoughts?

MamaCaz Fri 19-Oct-18 13:44:17

The link highlighted very well the massive impact that UC could have on mixed-age couples where the younger one is the carer and unable to even consider working. In such circumstances, why on earth should the retired person be expected to live in greater hardship than a person of similar age who is either single or has a partner who is also retired?

What happens to the older partner if the hardship leads to homelessness?

Those are just some likely effects on the pensioner, but the potential effect on the younger partner are equally cruel, imo.

It is worth pointing out that the older partner would be better off if the couple divorce!

MamaCaz Sat 27-Oct-18 07:44:23

I have a feeling that the lack of response to this post is down to two possible things:

-Many people are as yet totally unaware that they could be affected by this.

-Reluctance to make it known on here that they receive Pension Credit, having seen on other threads the ignorant and hostile attitudes of some towards any benefit recipients, who clearly have no knowledge of either the benefits system or the personal circumstances of those in receipt of them