AIBU to think that I shouldn't have bothered working and paying into National Insurance for the 35 years I have done so?

Council Tax Support is paid to pensioners who do not receive pension credits, so if you only have you state pension, yourr entitled too.

NHS is one of the best pensions around. I'm currently watching all my Nurse friends take their pensions at 55 with their massive lump sums and return on less hours for the same money. Appreciate you may not be a Nurse though.

Well I would if I resented it ‘that much’. They (well FIL has died) is just one of many people who do it. It does frustrate me, but I continue to pay a lot of tax and get on with it.

People on MN are always so quick to deny that people on benefits are doing well or better than some people in work.

You're right OP. It's not fair.

Why should people have to pay into a private pension as well as a state pension just to get the same as someone who's never worked?

What about housing benefit?

I don't think anyone can live, ie eat, keep warm and pay bills, on basic state pension and the government surely realises that.

Savings?

I am sorry you are in this predicament.

I agree too.

Unfortunately, the last government were too incompetent so people voted for change. But at least they rewarded work and saving.

lol, how do the Tories reward work? Have you seen what has happened to wages?

well Surely you paying that in to get a an extra sum to add to state pension when you retire so you won’t be on the bones of your arse in retirement years?

you won’t get pension credit….that’s only for older people who get the old state pension.

this is socialist Mumsnet

🙄

What about the people caring for profoundly disabled children, saving the state thousands each week by doing so. Who work part time but can’t work more than 12 hours a week or they’re penalised and lose carers allowance but can never quite quite earn enough to pay into the system or save??

So your in-laws have been committing long-term tax evasion, which is a serious crime.

You could always dob them in if you resent it so much.

I totally admire you for working and bringing up your kids alone (I did it with just one child and appreciate how hard it is). You have every right to be proud. I totally get how you feel about the unfairness of it all. Hold your head high

I really don't want to minimise the pain you are feeling but holidays are great and the memories last forever.
We live in shit times (on so many levels) and financially a lot of us are screwed.
To some extent, we have to 'suck it up' and be thankful that we live in a society that at least gives us 'somthing', many countries have no provision for health, nor old age; and those that do have sky high taxes

When my boiler broke, I had similar circumstances. I used to think yes I don't claim everything for nothing, but at least I'll have progression, hard work, and a career to show for myself, which might lead to having a better life. But clearly nowadays, it doesn't count for much unless you're a ££££s earner and can afford to live well above the rest.

The reality is average wage earners actually take home more or less the same net amount as someone being topped up by or someone living solely off the state. So both are screwed but one is juggling everything thinking they are doing the right thing to better themselves whilst the other is no better off financially but has an easier time of it.

I hear you OP and feel as disgruntled as you and PP. Tbh I didn’t vote Labour as I expected them to penalise those who’ve worked.

theres no pension credit with the new state pension….only for people on the old one

Um... it was less than a month ago that the government changed. The last 14 years have been a conservative government who have left more people not working, a higher benefits bill and a larger national debt than ever before.
You can't realistically blame somebody other than the Tory government for this mess.

@Dinglednagledoo you are correct but it’s not a popular view.

Indeed, so unfair

Ahhhhh, I have similar experiences. When my boiler broke I had to get a bank loan. I've worked overtime most of my life to keep the boat afloat (single mum).
Then there are people who choose not to work (or the min amount to retain benefits) and get everything paid for them. All so unfair

I voted reform, not labour. The only real chance we had if turning the country round. Yes I don't agree with everything they stand for, but labour or conservatives were never going to do what is best for the country as a whole

Capitalism. We've never had a socialist government.

It’s incredibly frustrating sometimes. My mum will lose her winter fuel payment, meanwhile ex MIL who has all her savings in her son’s bank account (over 150k due sale of land in her country of origin) gets pension credit and all the benefits that brings. Two of her son’s pay her bills and they never paid any tax or NI in the years they lived in the U.K. as ex FIL was self employed and just never declared any income. Makes you wonder doesn’t it, why you work so hard (she has never worked, ever).