Is the UK Basic State Pension adequate to meet a healthy and warm standard of living in late life?

There is not a snowballs chance in hell that any real improvement in the State Pension will happen. Why on earth should the Government improve it ? They get enough votes as it is from the over 65s. As for the possible loss of the triple lock - there are two possibilities - it is being floated to see how cross people get - if they get very cross the Govt will relent and say they are a listening government. If people don’t get very cross, it will happen

The state pension isn't enough. If it was then people wouldn't qualify for housing benefit and pension top up.

I think many will be annoyed by this. For many the pension is just not adequate. Hence the "heat or eat"dilemma for some pensioners.
When I was working years ago there was a married woman's contribution which was not counted towards our pensions and just went straight to the chancellor so no benefit at all. We weren't informed of this.
Many women will not have had enough stamps for a decent pension.

Errmm … JSA for people of working age is £74.35pw. How come pensioners need more than double?

I'm not claiming the state pension is generous, but how do people think others, maybe only a little younger, cope?

I was just thinking that, but I didn't want to get shot down in flames.

growstuff with respect that is not the point. Neither is adequate.

Sooziewoozie

A rather interesting response so dose cynics shut up & allow the Gov to keep more seniors in the poverty trap for that’s what’s will happen or try to reawaken the spirit of fairness & desires for greater equality in our society?

I often wonder why we are sitting back and allowing common decency to almost disappear? Is it complacency or a could not care less attitude.


Our

JSA is not enough to live on but hopefully people can get a job so there is hope.
For some pensioners there isn't that option being too old and possibly ill to ever work again so they are stuck on whatever they get with no hope of things getting better.

heat or eat? we get another £200 for winter heat

It’s not for us as a couple with a daughter who was dependent on us until three weeks ago, but my mother lives very adequately on her State Pension and manages to save a bit, too.

£200 added on in December to a very small pension is helpful but still not enough.

What about people in their 60s, who aren't in the greatest of health? They're highly unlikely to find a job. Many of them are still working age.

I disagree very strongly with singling out pensioners as an especially needy group.

Whitewave I was being diplomatic. Many pensioners aren't struggling financially and I don't see why younger people should pay for all of them, especially as younger people are, on average, likely to be less well off (even before Covid-19).

PS. When I get my state pension, I'll be rich compared with now!

AGA The money from married women's contributions didn't go straight to the Chancellor. What do you think he did with it?

The contributions didn't only pay for the state pension, but a range of benefits and some went to the NHS.

Those women who didn't pay full NI contributions actually received a very good return on their contributions and, if they're in real difficulties, they can receive Pension Credit and receive as much as people who have paid a lot more.

The OP has brought up the issues of state pensions. This doesn't mean their are no others in need.
It is hard to take in this country that there are any people who are in poverty.
There are people of all ages who are needy and I don't think pensioners are a special group. You can be needy whoever you are.

I think much depends on your lifestyle, and how much money you are used to having. If you are used to having an active social life, eating out frequently etc., you might feel yourself to be impoverished on the basic pension.
On the other hand, someone who doesn't smoke, drink or eat out will have more flexible income, and might feel quite well off.

Growstuff. I got nothing back from my married woman's contribution. It became law later that we had to pay the full national insurance but by then I had paid many years of a smaller amount that benefited me not at all. This was the early 70s.
The stamps only started many years after I had worked so I wouldn't have had enough stamps to pay for a full pension as I had worked without any benefit but paying what was then the married woman's stamp.

Do pension credits increase the state pension to a more adequate amount?

We are constantly being told the NHS is still open for us. I have been suffering from Chronic uveitis and need treatment with injections into the eye and steriod drops. I have an appointment with a specialist in June but this has been postponed for six months. After a bad flare up last week I went to the emergency eye hospital. The Dr there warned me I would be getting the letter I have just referred to and said I needed to phone up and insist I still be seen in June. I did this but the Specialist refused to see me for 6 months. I feel far more worried about my eyesight than the threat of Coronavirus. I follow all the guidance from the government but feel other conditions such as my own are being cast to one side

They top up state pension to the maximum amount available. People receiving pension credits are also eligible for some other perks.

After paying my rent and council tax, I currently live on less than the full state pension and have done for the last five years. I do live very frugally, but I can honestly say that I have never been without food or adequate heating.

I'm 65 + 1 month, so still of working age.

Yes, you did AGA, unless you have never used the NHS. I have paid 47 years of full contributions and I doubt very much whether I've received more than you have. The difference is that I had money deducted from my pay every month, which you didn't. There was nothing to stop you from investing what you saved.

I don’t get a full government pension because I had some years off bringing three children up alone I get a small work pension that brings me up to the same as the full state pension I don’t get any other help or money I manage quite adequately, but I wouldn’t if I had rent or mortgage to pay though or a higher life style
I consider I have a very adequate lifestyle I don’t have a car I don’t smoke I do go out to coffee or lunch most weeks with friends and have a can of cider here and there I m satisfied

I didn't see it in my state pension as you did Growstuff. I have had to work as well. Sadly my husband became terminally ill in his forties and died. I had to work and bring up my daughter aged 12 at the time.
And I have paid full contributions till I retired at 67.

Growstuff. Please don't presume you know my circumstances.
I am not making personal remarks to you so don't do it to me.