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.

[excelsior-1]

not a pensioner yet then pdq?

[sunny-dave]

Come back and say that when you are a pensioner who has contributed to 'the system' for 40 odd years and would now like something back.

< and no I'm not - I just want a fair deal for those who are >

[LoftyLottie]

"Many of whom can afford to pay for themselves" - Not that many and it's a sad fact that the older you get the more prescriptive medicines you need.
And yes many of us do own a car but we are restricted on how much we can use it because of petrol costs.

Why not just put us all down at age 65 - a much cheaper option.

[maggiebee]

Everyone gets free prescriptions in Scotland no matter what your age. All over 60s also get a free bus pass but think there's a higher age restriction for TV licences.
I feel pensioners who have worked all there lives deserve a little consideration, but I am against any system being abused.

[LoftyLottie]

Thank you Sunny Dave. I don't suppose pdq gets anything out of the system at all!!

[hc4361]

Why should children get free prescriptions when their parents can afford to pay?
Why should schools provide hot meals (whether paid for or not)?
Why should very wealthy parents get child benefit?

Why shouldn't every one pay a flat fee for their board when in hospital?

[Brenden]

Do you get any benefits out of the system pdq? That is a mighty ageism post you have put up - waiting for you to post regarding why the unemployed, those with children, alcoholics, immigrants etc get benefits.

[Ann]

Similar thread on here
http://www.theanswerb.../Question1150668.html

[dennisb66]

Get a life pdq1

[Ann]

Well said Brenden!

[LoftyLottie]

And why should kids get free education without means testing their parents?

[Sqad]

pdq1........wash your mouth out..........are you suggesting that OAP's should pay something towards their prescriptions?

Good idea and it will eventually come despite protestations from OAP groups.

Bus passes.....most OAP.s do own a car or have siblings that own one and I think that removing free bus passes will come.

T.V licences.......mmmm! I would let that ride for the moment.

[LoftyLottie]

OK for well healed pensioners that live overseas Sqaddy!!

[B00]

I agree to a certain extent, but only for the very wealthy pensioners. I genuinely believe there should be a level, ie if you have X amount savings ( ooo i dunno, like hundreds of thousands and above maybe?) then you shouldn't automatically be applicable for state benefits.

Before I get flack and i know i will (lol) I know there's millions of pensioners who need every benefit going, I wouldn't dream of denying them something which is a necessity to them, but I think that none of us can deny that it's a ludicrous situation where wealthy pensioners are given benefits which frankly is possibly peanuts to them.

[jno]

they aren't free. I've been paying for them for several decades; now I get them.

And keeping elderly drivers off the road is thought to be a good thing - for the sake of safety and of congestion.

I'd give up the winter fuel payment, though; that should go to those who really need it.

[lcg]

they shouldn't. my parents are rolling in it yet claim their freebies. i think it's quite disgusting considering what the governmnet are doing to other sectors of those who recieve benefits - housing benefit changes, now council tax benefit changes, disability payments stopping.....need i go on? those who don't or can't own their own home mortgage free who survive on far less. they means test other benefits and i don't see why this should be any different. tory boy and cleggy weggy need to pull their fingers out and sort the benefit system rather than decimate parts they think are not worthy.

[yogi-bear]

Yes they should, pdq, as most have worked hard all their lives and most probably in some cases defended their country, so its damn time to give something back in return.

Pure and Simple..........the government should FIND the money to pay them out.

As far as the car is concerned, many I know have now given up driving, either due to bad health, eyesight deteriating and the high cost of insuring, taxing and keeping a car, what with petrol costs, so it annoys me that you have even put up this thread, pdq.

Yes yes and bloody yes....give them all free.

[jno]

(In fact the real question is why I should be paying taxes that will end up paying pdq's pension.)

[anneasquith]

sqad " most oap^s do own a car " do they really ?

[yogi-bear]

As lcg suggests, those comfortably off more than others should declare what their savings are and means, as so to pay out maybe a minimal fee to perhaps help them out in some circumstances.....a bit like the tax credit payments to working folk with lower incomes.......those "rolling in it" should be vetted and checked, so the average pensioner making do, will not suffer as a result, and get what entitlements they are due.