Peers wanting to remove pensioners' benefits

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GracesGranMK3
Thanks for that and no, I didn't think you were being 'nit-picky' at all.
I understood that LuckyFour had no other income other than a reduced state pension, that's why I mentioned the pop-up but of course, if you have any other income, whether private pension, interest on savings, stocks or investment income, those amounts would be taken into account and anything above the total threshold you mention would render you inelegible for pension credit.
I did not, however, know that PC had such a poor take-up rate.
I wonder why.

dinah, I realised I'd put that badly!! I typed it from my sick bed!

What I meant was that the person with a private pension will have paid tax anyway.

The report does suggest the possibility of taxing them

IMO wealthy pensioners do not need some of the free stuff. Perhaps it should be means tested and then, in a sensible world, there could be more financial support for the pensioners who are in need.

However, don't get me started on pensions. In my view that is fraud. Plain and simple. To be told that your contributions will be paid to you upon a certain age and then move the goalposts is outrageous and cruel. We barely had any notice to make provision.

I appreciate I am fortunate that I won't have to carry on working. I couldn't anyway due to poor health because my DH has a good company pension. Half of which I will continue to get if he dies before me. However, my heart goes out to those who have had to work beyond their expected retirement, some who are not very well, because of this disgraceful decision.

I joined WASPI.

And although I will survive without mine we are not very wealthy and I really could've done with it recently. Now have to wait for 6 flipping years to get what I expected at age 60.

If you paid into a savings account, signed an agreement which the company then willy nilly decided to change because they felt like it they would be taken to court. So how come the government are not being held accountable for this decision. The changes should've been made as people are starting out in their working life. Rolled in at that end not our end.

It disgusts me. Ooh I've gone all hot and angry on behalf of those dear women who have been put into hardship and stress due to such a disgraceful decision

Why not tax these benefits? Then those earning below £12500 get them in full, some pay 20% others 40% . Easier than means testing.

Forgot to say we have a few Lords round here. They don’t use the buses.

I’ve often had conversations with other BP holders on what a wonderful thing it is. However we usually agree that we would be prepared to pay something towards it.
I am nearly 66 and got both my SP & BP just over a year ago.
I don’t use it often because we don’t have many buses.
Last year I could have got on a bus round the corner and once an hour could have gone right to the town 20 miles away or left to the market town 2 miles down the road and then on to the city 25 miles further on. Brilliant.
Now it’s all changed, 2 companies now share the route. They don’t quite meet at the market town. The town bus( hope you are all keeping up?) only runs every 2 hours now and there is at least a half hour wait in the market town for the city bus. On the way back it’s worse.
So, we no longer use the bus for the city journey. Therefore the bus is a bit emptier and we have polluted the atmosphere with our diesel car.
I do still work part time and both my DH and I pay tax. Wouldn’t it be quite easy for those of us who are still taxpayers to buy our pass? If this meant it would ensure that bus companies could afford to run a decent service we would be happy to pay.

I agree with all that's been said so far. I would suggest we solve our financial problems by politicians taking a wage cut and getting rid of all the discounts that are part and parcel of the job. Income tax and making sure they don't get away with not paying what they owe, would save all the pensioners moving to poverty level.

It would not be economic to restrict these age-related benefits by means testing, but they could be made taxable so better off pensioners could make a contribution to the cost.

I have found my bus pass to be priceless. Last year my husband had to spend several weeks in our 'local' hospital about 14 miles away. I went to see him every day on the bus, as I don't drive, which would have been impossible if I'd had to pay as the cost is very high, not sure exactly about £7-8 return I think.

GabriellaG54 This may seem a little nit-picking, for which I apologise but Pension Credit is one of the most underclaimed benefits.

You said that if LuckyFour doesn't "have a private pension then you'd be entitled to claim pension credit to top up your state pension". This is the nit-picky bit.

It is if your income is not (2019/20) equal to or above £167.25 then it would be made up to that amount. In other words, your income can include a private pension, it is the total income that counts.

No Nonnie I do not think that "only needy pensioners" should get help from the state. That is not what I posted.

I do think it would be better if some help for eg. free prescriptions and winter fuel allowance were given to those most in need not to all who reach a certain age.

Surely, this would be preferable than some of the elderly living in poverty and having to choose between a meal and some warmth in their homes.

I totally agree Joelsnan. I am concerned that this is deliberate to stir up intergenerational conflict - to add to an already toxic environment this gov has created. I'm sure most of us have brought up respectful young people, but there are some campaigning to support this appalling proposal. I'm almost 63 and a supporter of backto60.com trying to get my pension paid back as delayed for 6 years as many of you born mid 50s may also. We are defending such awful ignorance from elite trying to give a balanced view to the younger generation through Twitter and FB. If you have any queries on them or the Judicial Review on 5-6 June either go to backto60.com or message me.

Kitty Lester - pension contributions were deducted from the gross salary before the tax liability was calculated so in effect they came from untaxed income

who h which

LuckyFour
If you don't have a private pension then you'd be entitled to claim pension credit to top up your state pension to the current amount who h went up in April. I think it's about £167pw.

I really hope some people in their 20/30/40/50s see this thread or get to here about the HofL’s “thinking”.

Hopefully it will make them realise that they should make arrangements for the type of retirement they want/need.

We drummed it into our AC that the minute they had their first full time employment after education, that they should sort out their pension. Fortunately they all have, even in the tough months they still contribute something!

I guess we are the last generation to get “freebies” as it is just not sustainable anymore.

(I shall be 67yrs 4mths before I can get my state pension)

I get the free tv licence but I don't actually get a full state pension. I worked and paid NI fior 30 years and brought two children up for the remaining ten years. I was the best person to look after two babies and young children. I could have paid someone else to bring them up for me and then I would have been entitled to a full state pension. It's utterly ridiculous and unfair.

I am another of the WASPI women, born in 1955 I just missed the transition years & was told I wouldn't receive my State Pension until I was 65, under David Cameron this was suddenly raised to 66. I will not get my Bus Pass or Winter Fuel Allowance until then.

Prescriptions are the only "benefit" which comes into play at 60, I however haven't paid for Prescriptions for 16 years due to qualifying health issues.

I took early retirement at 50 to care for my DH which I did for 7 years. I now claim Employment & Support Allowance (Income based) as I have a reduced work capacity, this does entitle me to certain benefits in the same way that Pension Credit does. I have to claim Warmer Homes Discount every year, this is the only help I get towards my heating costs. My ESA is reduced by my Civil Service Pension not a gold plated one so I am no better off Income wise every year, my spending power is reducing as all living costs are rising.

To remove free TV Licences from over 75 is a dreadful idea as is removing Bus Passes, this will only lead to more isolation.

My husband gave up his car 10 years ago as his driving had become erratic. Ten years on we can’t afford to run a car as I’ve now retired. We both have bus passes but he cannot use buses to go to hospital appointments as he is too unstable on his legs. So he has to have taxi to and from. I use buses all the time as I look after two grandkids three times s week. I take them to school as parents leave at 7.30 am ... the buses here are unreliable that time in morning so I walk 3.5 miles which takes me 1.10 approx. I leave home about 6.15 am. After taking them to school I wait til 9.30 and get the first bus that I don’t have to pay for . I arrive home after more than hour as it’s two buses for that three mile journey . Sort out my now disabled husband ...do housework ...get our lunch and start return journey by the two buses. Three days a week with total of 9 bus journey’s. I am on a state pension only but because of husbands small works pension it takes over limit for pension credit. I lost 3 years pension cos of change in pensionable age changing. Is there anything else the government can throw at me and my husband that can make our life any worse. Perhaps they could charge him for his 8 different pills a day. Very soon it will be a choice if eating or heating our home. Think I’m kidding. I’m not.

Oh maryeliza54, in that case just can kicking to try and offend the Tory base a little less I would think.

Thanks Urmstongran

Sorry GG I meant that’s what the report suggests should happen

Maryeliza Meant to add I don’t understand why the WFA and BP should kick in 5 years after SPA - that’s just bonkers imo

I don't think they do (?). They have moved with the change in SPA though.