Pensioners what's the point in trying?

[MoonRocker]

work hard all your life to provide an income so not be dependent on the state, what happens? You get hammered, forced to sell house to pay for care etc taxed on what income you do get and generally treated as a second class pensioner, second class that is to the lazy done nothing life long scroungers who now get everything free! Brilliant! So please people tell me what is the point? As far as I can tell it's better to spend what you earn save nothing and arrive at retirement age absolutely potless! If the governement wants to sort things out then I reckon this is a huge anomoly with which to get started.

[Brenden]

No point whatsoever, and if they loan you your nursing care monies until after you die and the property is then sold they are planning to charge you interest on it - too late for me to have a re-deal but if I were younger I think I would join the scroungers.

[ummmm]

There is thread on the subject directly under this one!

[craft1948]

I quite agree MoonRocker, however I wouldn't probably do anything different as it's a matter of pride.................

[MoonRocker]

No there isn't mmm, the one below is talking about loans for care homes. This is about the whole sorry outlook for pensioners.

[chaptazbru]

Agree MoonRocker. It's a flamin' disgrace. I absolutely dread my old age, do I save (I'm a good saver) or will I be penalised for it? My Dad saved in order to have a decent old age with money to fall back on, good job he did, he'll need it what with all these 'granny taxes' and God knows what else to come ! The elderly should be able to live in peace and comfort, especially after having worked and paid their way all their adult lives for it.

[Old_Geezer]

Nevertheless it's a fairly common subject here.

No, the way the authorities act these days, there is no point save for self respect. And that butters no parsnips.

Trouble is if they achieve the apparent aim of no one bothering then they will be unable to collect sufficient tax and thus have nothing to pay out for a welfare state, and the whole system collapses.

[emmie]

none it would seem. Some on AB have expressed the opinion, when the subject of paying for care came up before, that old folk should sell their homes thus paying for their own care. I disputed this and still do. Seems a totally unfair system which ever way. If you own nothing, haven't saved, or not been able to, the state will provide. But if you work hard, save a little, break your back to buy a house, when it comes time for your retirement, better not get ill, as the state wants it's pound of flesh, namely your home.

[Dodger666]

There is also talk of means testing the better off pensioners so they may losing their bus passes & free prescriptions. We will all soon have to go back to work. They may start offering us euthanasia when the time for care arrives. I think I'd accept.

[emmie]

don't accept, people shouldn't just throw in the towel. Not a fair system. There is another thread much the same.
The answer seems to be don't get ill or old, or both

[Brenden]

I would accept dodgers.

[chaptazbru]

I hope I'm as lucky as my Nan who died peacefully at home in her armchair after having a bath and she had a smile on her face, bless her. But how many do ?

[emmie]

no don't, that's too easy.

[bednobs]

i really don't understand what the problem is will selling your home to go into a care home - the care home is your new home, it's just like moving and selling your house to live elsewhere

[bednobs]

plus once you live in a care home, it's not like you need your old house anymore

[emmie]

bednobs, maybe not, but surely if you have slogged your whatsits off to buy it, paid oodles of tax, you could have something to leave to the children, grandchildren. It is not a fair system at all.

[bednobs]

but is it really fair that the taxpayer should pay for somewhere for you to live just so your children can be better off

[Zeuhl]

<<really don't understand what the problem is will selling your home to go into a care home >>


and when you have given the authorities all the money from your liquidated assets and the person in the next room, receiving the same accommodation and care as you, didn't pay anything

- how is that fair exactly?

[Duncer]

Well put Zeuhl

[Zeuhl]

<<is it really fair that the taxpayer should pay for somewhere for you to live just so your children can be better off>>

In that case, why do you think pensioners with assets should be entitled to taxpayer funded NHS care?

[friedgreentomato]

I am fed up hearing the older generation saying ' I have saved for my old age my house is my pension' well then if it is for your old age and pension and you need to go into a home you sell your pension pot!!