Why should pensioners receive these free government handouts?

[pdq1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18778359

It is costing the NHS £bns to give out free prescriptive medicines to pensioners many of whom can afford to pay for themselves. They also receive free bus passes when many already own a car. And why should they receive free TV licences which can only add to the cost of those having to pay.

[furrypusscat]

Why can, if you say, pensioners afford these things if the concessions are removed. Would it be that they have saved and gone without in earlier years, worked hard ALL their working lives, put into the system and paid into private pensions to be then penalised by means testing. If that is the case, I for one will go on a spending spree!!

[B00]

<grumbles> That's what I said innit? ^

<sulks too>

[yogi-bear]

I'll give you a hug Boo Boo x

[bednobs]

i have to say i agree. In these "austerity times" where the govt are (for example) now means testing previously universal benefits like child benefit, what is so sacrosanct about means testing pensioners? Things change. There is no problem with people who can't afford it getting free prescription, but those who can afford it should pay surely? pre payment certificate id around £11 a month - people who can afford it should pay in my opinion.
I don't think it will ever happen though because there are a lot of pensioners and they are probably the most engaged voters. No govt are going to want to take away stuff from their biggest voters

[sunny-dave]

< gives B00 cake (non means-tested) >

[B00]

lol, ta yogi and Dave x

Back to topic...

I'm also assuming pdq also means the wealthy OAP's doesn't he (or she?) Ya know, the sqad's of the world like? And not your average pensioner who sadly appears to be struggling like the rest of us.

[jno]

I'll toss B00 a few crumbs, as I'm sure Cameron will do too

[sunny-dave]

These are NOT BENEFITS and NOT HANDOUTS ...

... they are part of a package of modest retirement income which current pensioners have paid towards all their working lives. I am paying towards mine now and bloody well expect the government to honour its contract to pay them when I reach the agreed age.

< ** benefits are entirely different - they are paid to people in need, regardless of any contribution ** >

[humbersloop]

^ wot dave said.

[furrypusscat]

I am in full agreement sunny-dave.

[Ann]

Some friends of ours have just put all their savings into buying extra properties. My question is, will this have to be declared when being means-tested? If you own the house you live in, I don't think that is counted is it?

[Sqad]

dave

\\\ I am paying towards mine now and bloody well expect the government to honour its contract to pay them when I reach the agreed age. \\\
That was then....this is now......I am sure that if the Government CAN afford to honour it's contract it will, but if the money isn't there, then where will it come from?

I paid into private pensions, but mine were never guaranteed and in fact the top was creamed off to pay for the upkeep of the public sector pensions..........was that fair?

[bednobs]

sunny dave, the government does not have a contract to provide free prescriptions to pensioners, and could change it if they wanted to.
You are actually NOT paying towards your retirement pension now, you are paying towards everyone who is recieving theirs at this current time. When you recieve yours, it will be paid for by those people who are working and paying tax then

[vulcan]

exactly sunny-dave, these are entitlements. This country is a disgrace, I served it in the RAF and have paid all taxes due during my working life. Now I've retired I am considered a burden.

[ladybirder]

Dave, you're out of touch. When was the last time you spoke to the DWP? I was asked by them if I received any benefits. When I said no the girl replied well you get the State Pension don't you? Yes said I, well that's a benefit said she. When I queried this I was told yes it was. My understanding had always been that "benefits" were means-tested. All lumped under the same heading now it seems.

[EDDIE51]

The administration costs of means testing all these would cost at least as much as just keeping the present system, probably much more.
You pay 9% of your wages all your working life as national insurance so these are NOT free , the huge majority of pensioner never get back more than a very small proportion of what they have put in over 40 years or so.

[jno]

I don't like means testing but I think "attitude testing" would be a good idea.

Thus I am happy to contribute to a pension for sunny-dave and his motorbike becasuse he's a cheery chap; but I don't see why I should pay for grouches like pdq, who could very well go to a workhouse and pick oakum in his old age.

[Canary42]

Free TV licences don't kick in until age 75. And these Pensioners still continue to subside the far greater budgets of the other TV companies.

[Sqad]

jno........LOL

[B00]

oh dear....

<wonders what oakum is and whether she should start picking it now>