Pension Or Benefit?

[david small]

I've just received a letter informing me that my benefit will be increased by April. Since when has old age pension been classified as a benefit? I have paid out for National Insurance contributions for over fifty years. I don't appreciate being informed that I'm on benefits.

[DDIL]

This comes up several times a year.

You have not paid in as much as you are getting out, hence it is topped up and is classed as a benefit.

[david small]

We have paid in over £1,500,000. And are most definitely not getting that back.

[Untitled]

this is a "you" problem. there is no shame in using the benefits system and that is what a pension is.

[DDIL]

you have paid in £1,500,000 in state pension contributions or in National Insurance contributions?

[gulliver1]

The Cons renamed the state pension as a benefit to bring you in line with the social security system.So  whether you like it or not you are now  claiming a benefit..get it.

[THECORBYLOON]

Retirement Pension and State Pension are both contributory benefits so it is appropriate to refer to either of them as a benefit.

[ladybirder]

How do you know you won't get it all back?  You might live to be 200 years old.

As a matter of fact I rang and complained about it being called a Benefit and was quickly put in my place.

[Rosetta]

Ah, I see we are not allowed to call ourselves pensioners but we are allowed to call/ identify ourseles as a llama😁

[barry1010]

Not pertinent but of interest 

"An average household over a lifetime will pay £587,760 in income tax; £181,590 of VAT; £173,235 of employee’s national insurance contributions; £91,230 of council tax; and £40,350 of employers’ national insurance contributions"

https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/lifetime_tax_2024#:~:text=An%20average%20household%20over%20a,of%20employers'%20national%20insurance%20contributions.

 

[david small]

Death and Taxes.

Just had water bill as well, increased by £600. New increased rate,extortionate council tax bill is expected. Electricity and Gas more trebled, groceries almost doubled. On the whole, I'd rather be in Philadelphia....quote...W.C. Fields. He hated Philadelphia.

[chelle7272]

It's always been refrred to as a benefit in my lifetime, that's what paying NI is for...

From GOV.UK:

Why do we pay NI?

To qualify for benefits

You need NI contributions to qualify for certain benefits, including the state pension, unemployment benefit, sickness and disability allowances

[david small]

Good for you ladybirder. Thanks barry1010, so we've paid treble.

[DDIL]

Sorry I don't mean to doubt you but are you sure your water bill has increased BY £600 and not increased TO £600 because GB wide the average waterbill is expected to increase TO £600.

If it has increased BY £600 I would be questioning that.

[Vagus]

April 2016 is when the old age pension was changed to being called a benefit.

[david small]

Yes I have the letter in front of me. Questioned before and got precisely nowhere. We have no meter so estimating usage. We have disputed before and failed.

[naomi24]

Switch to a meter, David.  Your bills will be far lower.

[DDIL]

I would swap to a meter - if you don't mind me asking how much were you paying before? Also which water company are you under?

[youngmafbog]

It's being called a benefit so at some point they can means test it and it away.

It should NOT be a benefit.  The amount you receive is varied on how many years you have paid in so you have contributed.

And in many case, such as me when/if I get it I will have paid in spades more than I get.

 

//An average household over a lifetime will pay £587,760 in income tax//

If only ...

[THECORBYLOON]

VAGUS, Retirement Pension has been called a benefit since the 1948 National Insurance Act.

[youngmafbog]

Still wrong.