Pensions… again

@GoodnightAdeline

Weil you must be on a decent salary if you don't get child benefit?

I thought everyone got 30 hours free childcare from 3 years if they were working?

Well my DH and I paid income tax for a combined hundred years between us.

We got no subsidised childcare, and I got very poor maternity pay and leave.

What are we supposed to do? We paid into the system, so now we're getting our pensions.

FFS.

Apart from 2 years when I was at uni, I've worked and paid tax since 1972, and paid NI for all that time until it stopped when I reached state pension age. I paid extra for much of that time, because I wasn't in a pension scheme so was contracted in to SERPS. That gets me an extra £2 or £3 a week. I'm still working. I pay tax on all my earnings, as my state pension uses up almost all my personal allowance, and my small public sector pension uses up the rest.

For much of my working life, private pensions weren't really a thing for anyone but the rich, and only big employers had their own schemes. And I couldn't afford to pay into a pension and pay a mortgage when interest rates were skyhigh.

As a WASPI woman, I've already been robbed of 6 years of pension income, probably around £60k, now you want to cut the paltry amount I get.

But don't worry, I won't cost much in care costs because they'll sell my house to cover those when I'm no longer able to care for myself.

Well I didn’t get free childcare, had to take a massive hit in private pension payments when I was forced to have some years off, lost out on CB when that was stopped for HTP and have never claimed any other benefits for anything.

If we stop funding pensions properly we can bloody well stop free childcare and CB for all.

I must admit being a young, broke, working parent in the early 90s when the mortgage interest was 13 percent and there was no government help with childcare costs I also used to be a bit narked about how much pensions were costing.
But since I've worked my butt off paying tax for nearly 40 years, I feel entitled to every penny of my state pension - and when you get to your late 50s you'll feel the same.

Rhetorical question, but why aren't you claiming child benefit.

This is a crucial thing to claim in order to give you full pension credits. If you are a high earner and don't receive any child benefit, you still have to register for it.

Interesting responses but it's always a shame that conversations about Pensions become an argument about ageism. I think it's a complex discussion and simplifying to I've paid for X years or saying I won't get it is a bit narrow.

Regardless of political views (and I am no fan of the tories), there is a hard reality that the UK population is undergoing a significant shift when it comes to age. It's predicted that by 2034, 22% of the population will be over 65 (this is compared to 10.8% in 1950). And by 2029, there will be more people leaving the workforce than are entering it. This creates challenges that need to be addressed. Pensions is one element but also healthcare, workplaces etc.

I absolutely do not want to see pensioners struggle for a basic standard of living and I also agree that public money has not been well spent by the current government. At the same time, I think it's a topic that needs to be discussed and addressed.

That's why you need to make your own pension provision.

Even when the state pension was introduced, it was a safety net. It was never meant to be more than that. Everyone needs to set up a private pension.

Why don't we just bring back the workhouses and be done with it!

There doesn't seem to be much point in having a proper discussion with you though, as you aren't coming across as well-informed.

As has been pointed out, the economy is not like balancing a budget. There is enough money to pay people's pensions - it's just that it's not coming out of a piggy bank where their contributions have been stored for decades. Pensioners, on the whole, did not get furlough payments, many of them didn't get subsidised university places (and even with fees, most undergraduates are subsidised), they worked since they were teenagers and didn't get allowances for childcare or even maternity pay. Different generations have different challenges, and many pensioners are parents of young adults who are struggling with housing costs and so on. Some will leave inheritances to their Millenial and GenY children, too - I never hear friends say they are going to donate their inheritances to the poor, do you?

As a matter of interest, what exactly have you done to make the economy better for your children's generation? I'm not expecting the answer to be that you've done very much, as it's virtually impossible to do anything other than pay your taxes and not defraud the system. Much like today's pensioners, really.

@GoodnightAdeline
May I politely ask how many years you have to go before qualifying for the state pension in its current form - i.e. with the age set at 66, and the triple lock being in place?
Of course you don't need to answer that, but can I assume that when you do begin receiving it, you will decline any increase because the country can't afford it?

So then, once again, Is it just pension increases you’re outraged about or are you similarly agitated by all of the other benefits that will be raised next month too?

Thank you!

I've actually used a food bank since we became pensioners.

Your attitude is disgusting. Take a long look in the mirror OP. Your I'm alright Jack attitude 35 years before retirement makes me want to hurl.

Yep. My father is still working at 78.

@GoodnightAdeline

How do any of us?

Well I have taken on extra hours at work & selling stuff on Vinted.

Do you get child benefit? Have you had money towards child care at any point? I see lots of people on here getting 85% child care costs paid & lots of free hours (which I never got). Why pick on old people?

What do you mean they’re paying for this rise? There are approx 11 million over 65s - and approx 8.5 million of them are still paying Income Tax, so they’re paying too.
If there isn’t enough money to run the welfare state then look to the corrupt government and their bad decisions and stop playing in to their divide and conquer rhetoric - lest the income tax paying over 50s all start to demand that their hard earned taxpayer money stops being spent on in work benefits and childcare for the younger generations…..

When you have parents with not very much these posts seem ridiculous.