Britain's basic State pension. Do we revere our elderly people in this country ?

Ivanhoe I agree that there is a case for a rather more generous state pension, but see no logic in excepting an entire generation from ordinary living expenses. Many pensioners are actually quite comfortably off and, having always paid their way, continue to do so. Those facing hardship should of course be helped and there must be a simpler way of establishing their need – and then accommodating it – than all those great long complicated forms full of questions that seem to have no relevance.

And how do you propose this 100% pay rise for pensioners should be funded, Ivanhoe? Let me guess - make the rich pay more tax, abolish bankers' bonuses etc....

absent , I have long believed that Britain's 12 million pensioners should receive a decent State pension, they have worked their entire lives, and woman have raised families.

I think the State pension should be increases to at least £300 a week, and no pensioner should have to pat council tax, rent, or utilities.

This would apply particularly to our war veterans, irrespective if they have savings ect.

Means testing should be abolished.

Ivanhoe

No. Why do you think I should, just because you think I should or am being deprived of something.

Have you ever hear of ----acknowledge my post that TELLS YOU SOMETHING with the use of facts and figures about the reality of what our pensioners are entitled to.

Ivanhoe In general, our elderly are treated with neither courtesy not fairness and I should like to see this rectified by both government and society at large, but I still don't think it is necessary to revere them. (That, incidentally, doesn't mean I don't have a great deal of affection and respect for individuals; I just don't think you can expect to revere an entire generation.)

It seems to me that you are not paying proper attention to other people's posts and are reading into them concerns that are on your own agenda.

POGS, Have you ever heard of The National Pensioners Convention ?

gracesmum, Many a true word spoken in sarcasm.

Well thank goodness we have you to buck that trend, Ivanhoe

absent,

"""I don't think it is necessary to revere elderly people – just treat them with courtesy and fairness""".

First Thatcher cut the pensions and earnings link in 1980, the consequences of which appear thus.

Last winter over 36,700 pensioners in the UK died of cold-related illnesses, a death rate of 13 pensioners each hour in what was a very harsh winter.

In the spending review Chancellor George Osborne did not budget to keep up the last Government’s top- up for the universal winter fuel allowance, effectively reducing the annual payments from £250 (£125 each if you are a couple living together) to £200 for people 60 and over, and from £400 to £300 for pensioners 80 and over. Currently winter fuel allowances cost the tax payer £2.7bn each year. In 2009 the payments went to 12.68 million people in 9.17 million households; 42 per cent received the £125 allowance.

It seems to me that most people on here are simply seeing what they want to see, this is our acceptance culture at work.

Look at the bigger picture folks

Our pensioners are the poorest in Europe.

Ivanhoe

What are you saying? I am not following you logic , again.

Gracesmum

Thank you very much.

POGs, Like I said, and like I meant.

In the general sense, there is an acceptance culture in this country that runs right across the generations.

Have you ever heard of The National Pensioners Convention ?

I don't think it is necessary to revere elderly people – just treat them with courtesy and fairness.

I don't think many people on the minimum wage would be able to save for their old age - they have enough trouble living from day to day.

My sister is 75 and has very poor health, but she is quite comforably off financially. She has never worked outside the home and has been widowed for many years. As well as the basic pension, she gets pension credit, Attendance Allowance, Housing benefit and council tax benefit for her Housing Association house, which was recently completely renovated, free prescriptions, a bus pass and her women's group is subsidised by the local council.
She tells me that she does not know of any member in her group who is suffering financial hardship. This is in a suburb of Salford.

All I can add, POGS is good luck to him and long may he flourish!!

Ivanhoe

My father is 93 and I appreciate the over 80's may have better provision made. I am not really sure. He is extremely well cared for!!!!!!!

He recieves State Pension, Pension Credit Guarantee, Attendance Allowance.
He has paid off his mortgage, years ago. He, like myself suffers from osteoporosis and has marvellous care from the Social Services in our area. Nothing has been too much trouble and he has been dealt with utmost courtesy.

He recieves, obviously like all pensioners, free prescriptions, t.v. licence, no council tax to pay, His attendance allowance covers his care completely. He has someone to help him wash, dress, prepare food and do his shopping and change his bedding. He has a free life line monitor, free chiropody and any little repairs required in the bungalow are carried out free. He gets help with his energy bills, £300 +£150+£25 a day cold weather payment, all from the government. I wish I ruddy well got that.

As I have said I believe he does so well because of his age but for goodness sake the help is there if you have less than, I think, £23 grand in the bank. If you have more then why would you not keep your house warm and eat well. Now I am open to the fact people do not ask what they are entitled to, worry about spending savings but that is an issue which is very difficult to control if they say nothing, or keep more than that in the bank.

We live in Leics so I wonder if we are very lucky with our Social Services here. I know of 5 other families who have brilliant help with their parents too.
I can only speak as I find. I know something when I get my pension next year I will infact get more help financially than I do now. Can't wait.

What you need to fight for? I think Barrow meant we and not the "Royal we" either.

Barrow, What you need to fight for is a decent level of State pension.

glammanana , ahhh the good old British acceptance culture, an attitude that has messed this country up for far too long.

annodomini , When a generation of people have worked and paid their taxes and NI contributions all this lives, the very first thing any half decent Government can do is secure a decent State pension to live on in their old age retirement, making no need for the intrusive and demeaning means test system.

annodomini , That's not the answer to my question.

If this was just to be spent on food and heating etc. I think it would be enough, but once you factor in council tax, insurance, TV licence etc. then you do need something to "top up", which is why I think we need to fight to retain WFA and free bus passes.

Living on the minimum amount of £142.70 would not be a problem for me if I was single,you just cut your cloth to suit your needs,I don't need to replace furniture etc as we did when younger I have a wardrobe of good warm clothing I cook from scratch and buy in season etc.I would even be able to save out of this amount so I would be content with what I received.

Was the basic state pension ever intended to be enough to live on or was it intended to be a supplement to rainy day savings?

That's the basic state pension, but if that's all you have, your pension should be made up by pension credit to a guaranteed minimum of £142.70 per week for a single person. I know that's not riches but better than the basic pension. In addition, anyone claiming pension credits is also entitled to passported benefits like housing benefit (if they are tenants) and council tax benefit.