Pensions and Benefits

[Omegstrat6]

How the f uck can these rise to more than 10% in line with inflation and yet people on low incomes or nurses will be lucky to get 2% increase!

Disgraceful! I hope those on low incomes now just think f uck it and go on benefits as you couldn’t blame them!

It's a very moot point Baggieal! I have stepped down from my reasonably paid managers job and now work 3 nights a week in order to better support my wife and son who has dystonia and autism. Due to my income, I now get some benefits and with no financial buffer, I very much rely on them. The issue is that I have to be very careful about incurring any overtime or if/when I got any bonus payments. I don't mind if I earn an extra £20 a month having that deducted from my benefits but the reality is that if I earn, say, an extra £70 in wages I lose about £90 in benefits so am actually worse off! This year we got a 2% pay rise (£££&#128512 but I even have to worry about that!

Like many, I am angered by any who are deliberately work shy or fraudulently claim benefits but genuinely believe that these are the minority and that the "Benefit Street" trope continued to be peddled by Braverman is on its way out. In all honesty I doubt that anyone on here would Like to try and live on benefits alone.

As for pensions, I think that any assistance should be far better targeted. I totally understand that many worked bloody hard for their pensions but there is a world of difference between a poorer pensioner trying to exist in a state pension/low yield company one and those rich enough not to need the extra help from the state that is being offering purely based on age.

[Leicesterbaggie]

It's a very moot point Baggieal! I have stepped down from my reasonably paid managers job and now work 3 nights a week in order to better support my wife and son who has dystonia and autism. Due to my income, I now get some benefits and with no financial buffer, I very much rely on them. The issue is that I have to be very careful about incurring any overtime or if/when I got any bonus payments. I don't mind if I earn an extra £20 a month having that deducted from my benefits but the reality is that if I earn, say, an extra £70 in wages I lose about £90 in benefits so am actually worse off! This year we got a 2% pay rise (£££��) but I even have to worry about that!

Like many, I am angered by any who are deliberately work shy or fraudulently claim benefits but genuinely believe that these are the minority and that the "Benefit Street" trope continued to be peddled by Braverman is on its way out. In all honesty I doubt that anyone on here would Like to try and live on benefits alone.

As for pensions, I think that any assistance should be far better targeted. I totally understand that many worked bloody hard for their pensions but there is a world of difference between a poorer pensioner trying to exist in a state pension/low yield company one and those rich enough not to need the extra help from the state that is being offering purely based on age.

I totally agree with your final paragraph that benefits shouldn't be decided on by age but on an individual's financial situation. I am in the fortunate position, while not being in the mega rich bracket, I am able to live a comfortable retirement. However, while the system is as it is I will accept the benefits that I am currently entitled to. The reason for this stance is that if I don't accept it where will it go? Not to where the need is greatest. It's OK to say that benefit cheats are just a drop in the ocean, I believe that it's wider than many think. The government should be far more proactive in 'weeding out' these individuals so that the benefits don't end up in their pockets but go to those who genuinely need it.