Isn't it time we raised the cut-off age for paying NI

No, it isn’t. It’s time we made sure rich companies paid their fair share of corporation tax and closed some loopholes.

You do seem to have a bee in your bonnet about making pensioners pay. We’re not all rolling in it.

No I dont agree. NI is supposed to pay for your state pension so once you are old enough to draw it (I was fortunate enough to draw mine at 60) you have paid your share into the communal kitty and be able to relax. Some pensioners are fortunate and fit enough to be able to work after state retirement age and should not be robbed bline to pay for those who have yet to make a full contribution.

Where would you set the base line income to start paying, DaisyAnne?

As it is a graduated tax why not just raise income tax? although in theory NI pays for the NHS, in reality its just put in the same pot.

NI is composed of two elements, the employers contribution, and the workers contribution. So it wouldn't be a 'proper' NI as there is no employers contribution for pensioners.

Not all of us "boomers" (god how I hate that term) are sitting on million pound houses that we inherited from mummy and daddy. Some of us came from shit poor backgrounds and have worked out way up by hard work, study and determination to have a better life than out parents.

out = our

NI isn't ring-fenced. It's just another form of tax. Yes, I do think it needs to change. The government keeps the "headline" income tax down, but increases NI. Of course, that means that Conservative core voters (pensioners) aren't affected.

I don't think NI in its current form is the way to do it, but I do think all adults (including the retired and economically inactive) should pay some form of National Health Insurance. It would need to be graduated and mean-tested for those who genuinely can't pay.

biglouis

Not all of us "boomers" (god how I hate that term) are sitting on million pound houses that we inherited from mummy and daddy. Some of us came from shit poor backgrounds and have worked out way up by hard work, study and determination to have a better life than out parents.

No, but many are.

Blossoming

No, it isn’t. It’s time we made sure rich companies paid their fair share of corporation tax and closed some loopholes.

You do seem to have a bee in your bonnet about making pensioners pay. We’re not all rolling in it.

"Rich companies" do not pay into the National Insurance. I can't follow your thinking.

I know a proportion of pensioners are not "rolling in it" but why should they not pay the same, from the equal income as those who are of working age? They are not "rolling in it" either.

Wyllow3

Where would you set the base line income to start paying, DaisyAnne?

As it is a graduated tax why not just raise income tax? although in theory NI pays for the NHS, in reality its just put in the same pot.

NI is composed of two elements, the employers contribution, and the workers contribution. So it wouldn't be a 'proper' NI as there is no employers contribution for pensioners.

It's the fact that it's not paid by everyone which isn't fair. At one time it was only a few pence in the pound. Now, some people pay as much in NI as they do in income tax.

I carried on working until I was 3 years above the then pension age. I thought it was absurd that I stopped paying NI once I'd hit 60' I would have been happy to continue to pay it.

So, I think it reasonable that pensioners pay it if they are still employed. Otherwise, no.

It is only a tax, after all. It has nothing to do with paying our actual pensions or benefits.

After starting work at age 15, and contributing for many years, and never being well off in my entire life, I would resent any suggestion of continuing to pay NI or any kind of tax whatsoever. I've earned my pension.

Pension age should take into account life expectancy. People whose lives are likely to be shorter because of arduous work or poor environment should get more, sooner.

I agree with you Maizie that it's nothing to do with paying pensions, benefits or social care/healthcare. People don't build up an individual pension pot.

It would be fairer to amalgamate direct taxes and NI, but I don't think that will happen because people only ever read about the "headline" taxes and governments manipulate that.

I think pensioners and people such as SAHMs should be paying towards their healthcare. Maybe it's time to have a separate pension insurance because there's very little fairness about the current system. That's what happens in Germany. People pay into separate state-backed insurance schemes for unemployment, pensions and healthcare. There's a safety net for those who fall through the holes.

allule

Pension age should take into account life expectancy. People whose lives are likely to be shorter because of arduous work or poor environment should get more, sooner.

How would you calculate that?

It is only a tax, after all. It has nothing to do with paying our actual pensions or benefits

Yes, the tax rate in this country is much higher than many people realise.
It's all smoke and mirrors.

What is the upper limit?

Those just under the upper limit must be paying more in tax and NI than those above it.

Or have I got that wrong?

henetha

After starting work at age 15, and contributing for many years, and never being well off in my entire life, I would resent any suggestion of continuing to pay NI or any kind of tax whatsoever. I've earned my pension.

But you haven't, I'm afraid. You paid for the generation before you, just as the current generation of workers is paying for you. You never did build up an individual pension pot.

Callistemon21

^It is only a tax, after all. It has nothing to do with paying our actual pensions or benefits^

Yes, the tax rate in this country is much higher than many people realise.
It's all smoke and mirrors.

What is the upper limit?

Those just under the upper limit must be paying more in tax and NI than those above it.

Or have I got that wrong?

No, you haven't got it wrong. There are all sorts of anomalies like that.

I'm not against a properly graduated "just for care" tax as being separate and protected...... in theory..we'd be able to see how much actually got spent on NHS and Care

but....wouldnt it in practice just create yet more complex bureaucracy? I'm quite willing to be proved wrong!

And yes, I think people who are well and above pensionable age who work should still pay NI, up to a higher cut off point. It goes against the grain in one way, but money has to be raised. At any age, health is utterly variable and the fortunate are still paying into a pot they will benefit from.

I’d like to see non-dom status abolished first. It’s an anachronism, dating back (I believe) to when rich people owned sugar plantations in the Caribbean. And I dare say there are many who still exploit it.

Either you’re normally resident or you’re not, and if you are, you pay U.K. taxes.

After starting work at age 15, and contributing for many years, and never being well off in my entire life, I would resent any suggestion of continuing to pay NI or any kind of tax whatsoever. I've earned my pension

I agree with Henetha My aim now is to keep as much of my money out of the grubby hands of the tax man as I possibly can.

I carried on working( and deferred my state pension) for a year after reaching pension age. I was really surprised that NI deductions were no longer taken. In my circumstances it seemed reasonable to expect to be paying NI.
I would not suggest it for someone who takes on some part time work later on in retirement but probably they would be below the threshold anyway.
The whole system is flawed and needs a rethink.

The whole system is flawed and needs a rethink.

I agree.

biglouis

*After starting work at age 15, and contributing for many years, and never being well off in my entire life, I would resent any suggestion of continuing to pay NI or any kind of tax whatsoever. I've earned my pension*

I agree with Henetha My aim now is to keep as much of my money out of the grubby hands of the tax man as I possibly can.

And you'd be prepared not to have any public services?