Election Year or Fear!

[Geoff Parkstone]

To go against the grain, why should pension and pensioner benefits be means tested? I mean, I understand if you want to have a cap for millionaires, but otherwise, you're just punishing those who work hard all their lives, that made sacrifices throughout their lives to put together some savings for their retirement, only to be means tested and end up with the same or less as the lazy twonk that didn't work hard or make sacrifices.

Unfortunately RS that is symptomatic of our society - work hard, save for your retirement and have entitlements taken away as you have done just that. Alternatively laze around, spend everything you earn and then put your hand out.

To an extent it's transitional as the generations move into workplace pensions as opposed to state benefit reliance but for another 20 years or more there will be this inequity.

[ramAnag]

Unfortunately RS that is symptomatic of our society - work hard, save for your retirement and have entitlements taken away as you have done just that. Alternatively laze around, spend everything you earn and then put your hand out.

To an extent it's transitional as the generations move into workplace pensions as opposed to state benefit reliance but for another 20 years or more there will be this inequity.

Aren’t we in danger of confusing entitlements and benefits?
I agree with RS that the state pension shouldn’t be interfered with on the basis that it is an ‘entitlement’ which many will have factored into future financial decisions based on the understanding of being able to rely on it as part of their income from the age of 65 (or younger if female) upwards.

‘Benefits’ however are surely different and ‘benefits’ include the winter fuel allowance. Over the last two years, because of the Russian and Gaza situations, fuel has been particularly expensive. Anecdotally my own fuel oil is currently a little over half the price it was (per litre) two winters ago and my anticipated electricity charge has fallen by approximately £53 pm since this time last year. In such circumstances I’m struggling to understand why well off pensioners should benefit more than parents with youngsters who probably have at least as great a need to keep warm and have access to hot water and hot meals as pensioners.