WHAT DO YOU THINK......

[Georgiesmum]

What do you think of the governments suggestion that they take benefits and free bus passes away from pensioners, and that the winter fuel payment is to be means tested? I thought i was hearing things when i heard this on the news this morning.

[Dee Sa]

agree with tenrec. Means test the winter fuel allowance by all means but leave the bus pass alone, public transport fares are way too high for lots of pensioners including me.
Stop giving handouts to every single person who arrives on our shores and instead treat our OAPs fairly, look to Germany for ideas they treat their pensioners well, this country treats them disgracefully but treats their own retiring MPs very well indeed talk about "I'm all right Jack".

[lady-janine]

dee sa is right. i have worked for all my life except when children very small. have gone without a lot of things to improve my pension. maybe i should have just spent every penny i got and then i would get even more given to me. i feel i have earned whatever i get. i do not get anything except bus pass and winter fuel. always paid taxesand have not claimed anything. when split from ex had 3 jobs (1 full time and 2 part time) to keep my head above water and debt. others have done the same so why should we be penalised.

[Georgiesmum]

Im with you lady-janine.

[Ann]

What a brilliant suggestion factor30! That really makes sense. I rely heavily on my state pension as my husband is not yet receiving his and was made redundant 4 years ago. As we are now living off our savings we set in place for retirement, the balance is getting lower and lower and will soon reach the point when benefits should kick in. It simply isn't fair that we should be penalised after I worked 38 years without a break, and my husband for over 40 years. I don't agree that those living abroad receive fuel allowance though, its their choice to live abroad.

[Ann]

I agree with Lady-J too!

[Ann]

.... and Dee sa!

[McMouse]

As a retired person I enjoy bus pass, free prescriptions, winter fuel allowance and will shortly get a free tv license. I don't need these things but when I consider the huge amount of tax I've paid (and continue to pay) I'm quite happy to get a little back.

[boxtops]

I have no objections to getting what we have paid in for all of those years - but there ought to be an upper ceiling, if only to free up benefits for those who really need them. I agree with McMouse.

[whiskeryron]

As a pensioner who gets all of the entitled benefits, I know that a means test type system will not affect me becase any bank savings I did have have rapidly deteriated over the years, however I am concerned for some pensioners who will come unstuck. Remember the ongoing fiasco of pensioners who unfotrtunately have to go into care, if you are a person who has saved over the years you will surely lose your savings if means tested but if you are a person who has spent willy nilly I can guarrantee you will be looked after by the state, I cannot see how this can be fair to all concerned.

W Ron.

[Ann]

That is so true Ron, when we were younger, we went without a lot of luxuries and saved hard whilst working (and we were not on much above minimum wage either!) This has now come back to haunt us in our 60s as our "retirement savings" mean that we are not entitled to a penny! Is this fair? If I'd have known then what I know now ..... I would have gone out and SPENT, SPENT, SPENT!

[chaptazbru]

I remember before Cameron came into power stating that the winter fuel allowance , free bus passes and free TV licences for the over 75's were SAFE with him and they even sent leaflets out to this effect, my Dad had one - damn liar !!!!! I've even read on one internet site fairly recently that they are thinking of making some pensioners pay NI again. My Dad (and many like him) paid it all his working life and he worked till his 70's. He should be reaping the benefits now, not worrying about having to pay it again. It makes me so mad.

[New Judge]

“And it [the winter fuel allowance] should'nt go to pensioners that choose to live abroad.”

I view the Fuel Allowance as part of the State Pension package for which most people have paid in handsomely (so handsomely that they could achieve a much better return had they been allowed to invest the contributions themselves and not be subject to ridiculous restrictions when the time comes to draw their pension). So just why should those who choose to live abroad in their retirement not be entitled to the full package for which they have paid?

“...it should go to those who need it”

No it shouldn’t. It should go principally to those who have paid in for it.

There needs to be established a link between the State pension and contributions (as there is with private pensions). The State pension (for those who have made sufficient contributions) is NOT a benefit and the package (whether it includes a separate Fuel Allowance, free prescriptions and bus passes or whether an increased pension is provided to cover those items) should not be subject to means testing.

Only people who have not made sufficient contributions to receive the full package actually receive benefits. They should receive less, be subject to means testing and should not be lumped in with bona fide pensioners.

[TWR]

Dee, you've just just the nail on the head, whilst the cuts are going on, take the TVs out of prisons, the Gyms, A lot on here that have worked as a carer will know what I'm on about here & its not a slur on the persons that have L.D. & live in community houses, but the benefits the persons get paid, 4 person within the houses, 4 heating allowance's, Ill say no more otherwise I will get slated by a few!

[emmie]

NJ, my thoughts too. Sorry but why should the worked all their life, paid all their life folk be penalised for having the temerity to expect a little of it back. Lord only knows the useless, feckless feckers should be the ones who have never worked a day in their lives shouldn't be in receipt of owt, as my north country cousins might say.