Tory Manifesto. Winter Fuel Allowance

[Georgiesmum]

What are everyones thoughts on the Tory manifesto involving the Winter Fuel Payments where many pensioners will face having theirs taken away from them?

[chrissa1]

Do we know what the criteria is to still get it?

[Jackdaw33]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1552946.html

[mikey4444]

It will be means-tested, although the details are not yet known.

[EDDIE51]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39957879
Many people will end up paying the entire bill for care, but will not have to pay until they die when the bill will come out of their estate .

[Trawlerman]

Fuel payment will be means tested, why should people who are on pensions of over £30k get it.
Believe me there are an awful lot.

[tamborine]

Any income over standard OAP pension of £11,500pa is taxable @ 20%.

https://www.pensionwise.gov.uk/en/tax

[youngmafbog]

It makes sense providing that doing the means test does not cost too much.

And yes, it means I wont get it when I get to pensionable age nd neither will my mother. But we can well afford it so the money is better used helping those that do.

[tamborine]

Afaik the criteria for non fuel payment will be according to Council property rates band. E.g. £200pa winter fuel for G band property is less than my monthly fag bill.

[hereIam]

I don't mind as long as I still get it ! Won't it be difficult to means test ??

[wolf63]

I would have thought that they would pay it to all pensioners who are entitled to Pension Credit. They would just need to tweek their computers.

[whiskeryron]

I blame Tony Manifesto. Well known in Conservative/Mafia circles.

[New Judge]

“Any income over standard OAP pension of £11,500pa is taxable @ 20%.”

I’m not quite sure what you mean, tambo. The “standard” OAP pension is not £11,500. At present the basic State Pension is £6,360. The State pension certainly does form part of the recipient’s taxable income, meaning that those with an occupational pension of more than £11,500 will effectively lose 20% (or possibly more) of their State Pension payment. They are the very people, of course, who will be “means tested” out of the Winter Fuel Payment.

I have a different view of the Winter Fuel Allowance to most. Many occupational pensions include allowances and extra payments on top of the monthly sum. I take a similar view with the State Pension and I consider that it is made up of the basic payment, the winter fuel allowance, the Christmas bonus and free travel. Many people have paid in quite considerable sums for their retirement package. Already many of those who have paid in the least receive more than those who have contributed the most (because they receive “Pension Credit”). Now we learn that those who have almost certainly paid in the most will have part of their package arbitrarily withdrawn. In a proper pension scheme this would appear perverse as payments are usually directly proportional to contributions, not inversely so. If any examination of eligibility must take place it should begin by examining contributions made.

“Won't it be difficult to means test ??”

No it won’t. HMRC knows almost to the penny how much every person in the country (other than those in the “black” economy) receives in salaries, pensions, benefits, interest and dividends.

[Old_Geezer]

People on State pensions over £30k need to tell me how they do it. People who opted to save for their old age rather than blow it, and thus have a private income in their twilight years, taking their net to £30k and above, ought not be discriminated against. All pensioners ought not get it, the State pension should cover such needs already.

[hereIam]

The Tories don't like pensioners do they ?? Or foxes or badgers. I won't be voting for this rich b**** !!!