Backseat Driver, Former PM Tony Blair Reckons The Triple-Lock...

We sat on boxes in our first property

Remember tea chests?
They made good furniture when we were making do!

Allira

There was an entrance exam for Oxbridge in the 1960s, so in some cases, A level results were not so relevant.

In many cases, too, a case of not what you knew but who you knew.

Yes, you stayed on for another term to sit the Oxbridge exam. It was somewhat esoteric. Also yes, very much who you knew, the school you went to, who your father knew etc. Medical school was similar, especially the rugby.
My GD had to get 3 x A*s for Medicine and a high score in the UCAT cognitive test. Much more demanding than some of my friends in the 60s.

Lell

I think you must remember that we have paid into our state pension over the years. It isn't our fault that successive governments have not invested into a good pension plan for us. France, for instance has a much better pension than those in the UK.
I do think it is difficult for you g people today but many have very high expectations. We sat on boxes in our first property and had second hand carpets. When people are single they may find it difficult to manage, particularly if they are just above the pension credit system. Prices are rising everywhere and I think we will all find it more difficult in the future.

I think you’re right.

There was an entrance exam for Oxbridge in the 1960s, so in some cases, A level results were not so relevant.

In many cases, too, a case of not what you knew but who you knew.

Allira

Mamie

Siptree

University was free if you could get a place. There were no where near as many places available as there are today. You had to work harder and achieve at a higher level to get in. It certainly was free many.

I went to University in 1968 during the big expansion after the Robbins report. My father died in my first year and my mother got a letter from the County Council a couple of weeks later saying that as her widow's pension would be more than his disabilty pension she would now have to contribute to my grant.
Actually I don't think the A level results were anywhere near as high as those demanded of my granddaughters in recent years. The content was certainly not any easier.

I think A levels were far more stringently marked and moderated to more rigid quotas in the 1960s; there were certainly no A*s awarded and anyone who earned three As was considered exceptional and Oxbridge material.

Well there were no A*s on offer.
My friends who went to Oxbridge were frequently offered two Ds or Es, especially if they were good at rugby or cricket. 😂

The money is not invested.

What we have paid in has earned us credits. We need 52 credits for each full year to qualify towards our pension.

It used to be 39 full years for women to earn a full old State Pension, now it is only 35 for the new SP.

I think you must remember that we have paid into our state pension over the years. It isn't our fault that successive governments have not invested into a good pension plan for us. France, for instance has a much better pension than those in the UK.
I do think it is difficult for you g people today but many have very high expectations. We sat on boxes in our first property and had second hand carpets. When people are single they may find it difficult to manage, particularly if they are just above the pension credit system. Prices are rising everywhere and I think we will all find it more difficult in the future.

Mamie

Siptree

University was free if you could get a place. There were no where near as many places available as there are today. You had to work harder and achieve at a higher level to get in. It certainly was free many.

I went to University in 1968 during the big expansion after the Robbins report. My father died in my first year and my mother got a letter from the County Council a couple of weeks later saying that as her widow's pension would be more than his disabilty pension she would now have to contribute to my grant.
Actually I don't think the A level results were anywhere near as high as those demanded of my granddaughters in recent years. The content was certainly not any easier.

I think A levels were far more stringently marked and moderated to more rigid quotas in the 1960s; there were certainly no A*s awarded and anyone who earned three As was considered exceptional and Oxbridge material.

Siptree

University was free if you could get a place. There were no where near as many places available as there are today. You had to work harder and achieve at a higher level to get in. It certainly was free many.

I went to University in 1968 during the big expansion after the Robbins report. My father died in my first year and my mother got a letter from the County Council a couple of weeks later saying that as her widow's pension would be more than his disabilty pension she would now have to contribute to my grant.
Actually I don't think the A level results were anywhere near as high as those demanded of my granddaughters in recent years. The content was certainly not any easier.

The money paid in isn’t hoarded somewhere to be paid out later.

Sorry not really a comment on pension. Why is it that I always thought that my parent's contributions were to be used for my pension, not my contributions to go to their pension costs. How have I been lead to believe this ie one generation pays for the following generation.

I think in the 1960’s for example, students going on to University was around 3% so for a good while it was possible to have a grant.
Today it would be impossible.
On the State Pension, which I’m looking forward to btw I think the triple lock should stay.

University was free if you could get a place. There were no where near as many places available as there are today. You had to work harder and achieve at a higher level to get in. It certainly was free many.

I think if we want to make pension fairer the only way is to have system that means we don't pay it out to people who don't need it. Taking it away or reducing it from all pensioners will make the poorest suffer, those of us who are comfortable can take the hit. My Grandson did a paper round while at school. Worked weekends in a fish and chip shop whilst doing business studies at college. He then took an apprenticeship with a company that provides training across various industries. He has completed his apprentice and impressed the company and at 19 has been offered a permanent staff position on just below average wage. This doesn't prove that some young people who have got jobs are workshy or lazy any more than some pensioners being comfortable enough to be willing to take a cut means there aren't some who can't afford to.

mum2three

'Back seat driver'.....describes Blair perfectly. Is he the one still pulling the strings...because Starmer is obviously acting under instructions from a higher authority.
I think perhaps someone in parliament reads Gransnet and is aware of the support the Labour party has from its members and doesn't want to lose it. (I don't include myself in that category as I think Tony Blair is responsible for much of the mess this country is in.)

No, the ones pulling the strings are the World Rich elites and their associated friends.And the Bankers who the government borrow billions off to pay the Nations debts.

Bliar should be in prison.

Well it’s all to easy to pick on pensioners who like me worked all my life never claimed a benefit worked in low paid job unable to pay into a private pension until late 1990 no help with child care so yes take everything off us. Government should be ashamed they are ok with subsidies of food Booze heating and housing help so let’s rob the pensioner.

If they want to get rid of any pensioner benefit I would start with the Christmas bonus. It has never been increased since it was introduced and must now cost more to administer than it is worth. I doubt anyone would miss it.

Any changes that are made to the pension - I don't think there should be changes, but if there were, it should only start from when current 16 year olds reach pension age.
NO changes should be made to people in midlife or later midlife as the previous changes were made. AND everyone should be treated equally. No more 'waspi-women' government fraud situations.

Is everyone on this page rich!!
I worked for my pension and brought up 4 children all of whom now have good jobs. My husband had 2 jobs so we could make ends meet. Pension is not a benefit and we can’t claim benefits because between us we are just above the level. Most of these teenagers don’t want jobs they just want to claim benefits which are very generous. I earnt my pension

Interesting comments/arguments here.. what about,,, state pension only paid to those who need it? ie. do MP`s. need it? Lords need it? etc. etc.

I think that there are places that would net much, much more money...!
I wonder if any government will go after the people who really defraud the system ..!?!

I agree TerriBull.

We have to have a system for pensioners where above all needs are met of those worst off. That I'm sure no one can disagree with.

There is no point in saying, "but I worked for x years and Z and Y didnt, they didn't get off their arses like me, why should I get the same.

All sorts of things happen in life/ People take time out because they are ill, a partner dies, or they are caring, or unwittingly have made bad choices. Or been robbed in some pension scheme. Or just never had the background to see a big picture.

Or that over which we have no control - my DS and DiL have good incomes, but a child so disabled that she will need to live lifelong in a care home - and thats where the money and energy will go, including inheritance.

I’d like to start a petition to stop the ridiculous bill for police protection for Blair (can’t bring myself to say his christian name) and the other overpaid ex PM’s. He is a multi millionaire, his wife probably is and his kids probably are millionaires now. SOOO greedy! at our expense too!

Agreed 👍 doddlebug
Women couldn't have a pension because state said they have husbands bring up childrenook after parents
Many paid a housewife stamp!
Some of my friends never worked and live on benefits say a lot better of than people who did .. not professional people just shop workers etc