Re newspapers yesterday.

[BillSharpe]

I read in 2 newspapers yesterday that the number of pensioners will nearly double in the next 20 years and the value of state pensions will have to be watered down.
I hope they do not water down the value of state pensions in cases where people have paid for private pensions.
These people should have the value of their state pensions increased as they have bothered to save for retirement and the people who have little or no private pensions should have their state pensions cut.

[factor-fiction]

Morning Brimoan.
There are no plans to water down pensions- I thought there was a proposal to set a minimum pension of £140 or so a week

[237SJ]

If you cut state pensions, there`ll be so much money being doled out in pension credit that it will cost the country the same anyway.

[woofgang]

factor, I thought it was an interesting first question too......

[BillSharpe]

Why should they pay pension credit?.
People are responsible for themselves.

[factor-fiction]

Are you a pensioner Bill?

[coccinelle]

Are you Mitt Romney?

[sandyRoe]

People are responsible for themselves and there's no such thing as society. That's one point of view, I suppose.

[jno]

if people are responsible for themselves they should pay their own doctor's bills, pay the unsubsidised fares for public transport and pay for their own kids' education.

[factor-fiction]

Are you a pensioner,er, Bill?

[factor-fiction]

I think he's forgotten about this one. (Must be hard keeping track)

[BillSharpe]

I am an occupational pensioner but I am only in my late 50's so I hope to be around in 20 year time enjoying nice holidays and be able to spend my state pension / heating allowance on my grandchildren.

Bill

[tamborine]

cobblars, the work force increases with the population rise to pay for the extra pensioners; who will have paid their dues.

[Zeuhl]

If <People are responsible for themselves> why are they having to pay so much in taxes and NI toward government schemes?

[BillSharpe]

I think what the writers were saying was the number of pensioners will double but not the working population.
I am saying cut pensions for people who have not paid much in taxes and NI and leave the high tax payers alone.

[lcg]

what if people can't afford to pay into a pension? your opinion is flawed, i'm afraid.

[lcg]

unless, of course, you think....'i'm alright and stuff everybody else' which is a rather selfish attitude to have, imho.

[BillSharpe]

They should get on their bikes and find work which pays enough.

[lcg]

oh shut up you moron.

[BillSharpe]

I am not a moron. I have got a nice pension.

[lcg]

yep...but i bet you'll be a sad lonely old so and so with an attitude like that. money can't buy everything, you know.