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

(182 Posts)
growstuff Sun 20-Nov-22 10:48:25

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 Sun 20-Nov-22 10:45:04

out = our

biglouis Sun 20-Nov-22 10:43:40

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.

Wyllow3 Sun 20-Nov-22 10:42:15

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.

biglouis Sun 20-Nov-22 10:40:30

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.

Blossoming Sun 20-Nov-22 10:38:35

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.

DaisyAnne Sun 20-Nov-22 10:31:37

From the beginning of our State Pension, it was paid from an age close to the life expectancy age.

Life expectancy is now 79.2; the median age at death is 82.3. We cannot ask people to work to that date. However, we could ask that those with a comparable income to those of working age to pay comparable NI until, say, 80.

I believe that if we do not use this source of extra income, we will see people expected to have private health insurance. Insurance that many of the poorest paid and the elderly will simply not be able to afford.