Gransnet forums

News & politics

Pension age proposal to increase to 68 years

(11 Posts)
MaizieD Wed 15-Dec-21 17:27:55

JillyJosie2

Governments print money MaizieD if that's what you want me to say, what they then do with that money is a political and moral question. Sorry but I haven't got time to get into a wrestling match over paying for the pandemic and various ways of constructing an economic system. It's been done more than once on GN and doesn't need repeating.

It clearly does need repeating when people keep posting that we have to be taxed to 'pay back' the money for the pandemic.

If the government has 'created' that money, which they have, why are you saying we have to pay for it? It's our money, the country's money. They spent it on our behalf.

Can you not get a teeny bit indignant about the Chancellor lying to us about it in order to impose completely unnecessary austerity ? Or to avoid giving any more money to support businesses devastated by the pandemic? Or to give sick pay to people who lose wages by being obliged to isolate?

JillyJosie2 Wed 15-Dec-21 17:08:45

As to 'choice' when you retire, that is an option left to those in higher earnings bracket and also to fortune which may or may not favour you with health through life.

JillyJosie2 Wed 15-Dec-21 17:06:43

Governments print money MaizieD if that's what you want me to say, what they then do with that money is a political and moral question. Sorry but I haven't got time to get into a wrestling match over paying for the pandemic and various ways of constructing an economic system. It's been done more than once on GN and doesn't need repeating.

EllanVannin Wed 15-Dec-21 16:14:08

I remember reading about this a couple of weeks ago. I know and realise that we've made advancements in science and medicine to keep us all going but in many it's the mid-60's where, if you're unlucky, things start going awry.

I feel sorry for those who'll be forced to continue under conditions where they find themselves pressurised owing to financial commitments-----plus not feeling as fit as they were. It should be left as a choice and of course to your level of fitness and financial ability.

MaizieD Wed 15-Dec-21 15:44:49

JillyJosie2

MaizieD in that, yes, of course the pandemic and all measures alleviating (or attempting to) have to be paid for but that doesn't need to mean taxing in ways that hit the less well off more and meaning that they pay proportionately more of their income. Sadly, it is the low earners who are more likely to suffer from Covid, more ill health in general and die earlier. Taxation needs to take inequality in income into account.

Who are we supposed to be paying JJ2?

Where do you think the money came from?

I agree with you about taxation, but that is an entirely different topic.

JillyJosie2 Wed 15-Dec-21 15:23:40

MaizieD in that, yes, of course the pandemic and all measures alleviating (or attempting to) have to be paid for but that doesn't need to mean taxing in ways that hit the less well off more and meaning that they pay proportionately more of their income. Sadly, it is the low earners who are more likely to suffer from Covid, more ill health in general and die earlier. Taxation needs to take inequality in income into account.

MaizieD Wed 15-Dec-21 14:23:26

What I attach it to and what makes me additionally agree is the reports I see of Sunak Rishi making statements about the pandemic measures 'needing to be paid for' which in one way is true

In what way is it true, JillyJOsie2? Who do we owe it to?

Visgir1 Wed 15-Dec-21 14:16:12

It's been on Twitter, GB news and I saw it in this morning Times so not well hidden.
Are we really surprised? it will be 70 before long, then probably up again.
I'm not defending this as I was on the Waspi group, it was obvious.

growstuff Wed 15-Dec-21 14:09:41

I agree with you. It's totally unfair to change the goal posts yet again.

JillyJosie2 Wed 15-Dec-21 13:26:13

Damn, that should of course, be additionally angry in paragraph 2, line 2!

JillyJosie2 Wed 15-Dec-21 13:25:24

I just came across this in The Guardian, not sure if it got reported anywhere else.

www.theguardian.com/money/2021/dec/15/increase-uk-state-pension-age-68-could-come-eight-years-early-review

In a way, it's hardly surprising. What I attach it to and what makes me additionally agree is the reports I see of Sunak Rishi making statements about the pandemic measures 'needing to be paid for' which in one way is true but in another way seem to me more of the Conservative, hands-off approach to looking after (or not) the citizens of this country who by and large, pay their taxes and work damn hard for increasingly little return.

Measures to quell the pandemic are, to my mind, about public health and the equivalent to building sewers and stemming infectious diseases that threatens the well being of us all and the well being of the country in terms of giving people health and good enough conditions to work and have a reasonable life.

Given how much corruption there is now and increasing inequality, it's not ok to keep up this image of financing the UK as though we were all equal and this is just like balancing a household budget.