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Original poster

What is the point of paying NI for 35 years to get a full State Pension, when people who have never worked receive Pension Credit anyway?

212 replies

Blondiebeachbabe · 14/04/2026 16:42

I just cannot get my head around this. You have to pay National Insurance for 35 years, in order to receive a State Pension of £241 per week. However, if you have never worked (like my cousin), you will receive Pension Credit of £238 per week. So basically, having contributed for 35 years, means that you get an extra £3 a week. Woop de fucking doo.

Moreover, why did some people who didn't have the full 35 years, pay extra to top themselves up, when Pension Credit would have bumped them up to £238 anyway?

Not only this, but people on Pension Credit have access to things that people receiving the SP do not, such as :

Housing Benefit: Often covers 100% of your rent.
Council Tax: You may pay nothing at all.
Heating: Free Winter Fuel Payments and Warm Home Discounts.
Health: Free dental treatment and eye tests.
TV Licence: Free for those aged 75 or over.

Make it make sense!

OP posts:
ShanghaiDiva · 14/04/2026 22:38

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:37

Why do I need to be "anxious" online? What is that going to prove? Why do I need to prove it to anyone on MN?

Why is this relevant to this thread? What is your agenda?

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You don’t need to defend yourself.

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:38

ShanghaiDiva · 14/04/2026 22:36

now you are just being unpleasant. You have no idea about the poster’s health issues. Why not stick to the debate rather than personal attacks?

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Thank you. It is getting really personal now, and for no need at all.

PrincessofWells · 14/04/2026 22:38

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:35

What pile on would I be causing at 10.30pm on a relatively slow thread?

I’ve had significant MH issues and am medicated myself, I know you have better and worse days but I wouldn’t expect a solid 7 year history of feeling well enough to chat online about trivia and complex political discussion every day, with all posts being very lucid and consistent and not at all anxious.

I feel like the ‘you don’t know me’ is a sort of mystique people try to hide behind when clear evidence points to a conclusion they don’t want you to draw

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You are being foul.

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:37

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:35

What pile on would I be causing at 10.30pm on a relatively slow thread?

I’ve had significant MH issues and am medicated myself, I know you have better and worse days but I wouldn’t expect a solid 7 year history of feeling well enough to chat online about trivia and complex political discussion every day, with all posts being very lucid and consistent and not at all anxious.

I feel like the ‘you don’t know me’ is a sort of mystique people try to hide behind when clear evidence points to a conclusion they don’t want you to draw

Show quote history

Why do I need to be "anxious" online? What is that going to prove? Why do I need to prove it to anyone on MN?

Why is this relevant to this thread? What is your agenda?

ShanghaiDiva · 14/04/2026 22:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

now you are just being unpleasant. You have no idea about the poster’s health issues. Why not stick to the debate rather than personal attacks?

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:35

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:31

Good spirits? That can be told how?
Again, you have no idea what I am like offline.
And why AS me and mention it. You want to cause a pile on.
It is totally irrelevant to the thread and topic.
There are long standing posters on the MH board too.
Believe it or not, people with MH issues are often isolated and rely on online interactions to feel connected.

Show quote history

What pile on would I be causing at 10.30pm on a relatively slow thread?

I’ve had significant MH issues and am medicated myself, I know you have better and worse days but I wouldn’t expect a solid 7 year history of feeling well enough to chat online about trivia and complex political discussion every day, with all posts being very lucid and consistent and not at all anxious.

I feel like the ‘you don’t know me’ is a sort of mystique people try to hide behind when clear evidence points to a conclusion they don’t want you to draw

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:31

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:29

Well offline you’re clearly in whatever state encourages you to log on to a socialising website to chat about a wide number of topics, seemingly in good spirits and very lucid? And do this every day; many times?

Show quote history

Good spirits? That can be told how?
Again, you have no idea what I am like offline.
And why AS me and mention it. You want to cause a pile on.
It is totally irrelevant to the thread and topic.
There are long standing posters on the MH board too.
Believe it or not, people with MH issues are often isolated and rely on online interactions to feel connected.

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:29

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:27

On MN, yes. Do you see what I am like offline?

And you have done an AS to cause a pile on.

Show quote history

Well offline you’re clearly in whatever state encourages you to log on to a socialising website to chat about a wide number of topics, seemingly in good spirits and very lucid? And do this every day; many times?

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

On MN, yes. Do you see what I am like offline?

And you have done an AS to cause a pile on.

PrincessofWells · 14/04/2026 22:27

JenniferBooth · 14/04/2026 22:13

They would have to have the same powers as Phoebe from Charmed and have been able to see into the future as Pension Credit was only introduced twenty three years ago. Some ppl on this thread have made themselves look like complete idiots

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Actually it existed previous to this but was called minimum income guarantee.

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:24

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:21

Do your clients know you have no idea that disabilities can occur at any age?

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They’re not my clients.

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:21

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:20

I’m entitled to my (real life formed) opinions, as hard as that is for you to accept.

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Do your clients know you have no idea that disabilities can occur at any age?

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:20

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:16

Then if you are bitching about them on here then do them a favour and get a different job.

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I’m entitled to my (real life formed) opinions, as hard as that is for you to accept.

YourDeftNavyHiker · 14/04/2026 22:19

I wouldn't worry about it. If you would prefer to scrape by and live in and out of work or not working for 40 odd years all for the last laugh of getting £238 per week so you don't literally starve, by all means, knock yourself out. As someone who works, pays NI and into a private pension, I don't feel particularly disadvantaged by pension credit existing.

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:19

JenniferBooth · 14/04/2026 22:13

They would have to have the same powers as Phoebe from Charmed and have been able to see into the future as Pension Credit was only introduced twenty three years ago. Some ppl on this thread have made themselves look like complete idiots

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Yeah, I don't know when PC was introduced, or what was before it, if anything.
But PP wants a breakdown of my grandad's health and the dates 😆. I only ever saw him in a wheelchair... even when I was a kid.

JenniferBooth · 14/04/2026 22:16

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:14

Something called ‘work’.

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Quelle surprise Another one attracted to a career that involves working to help people they feel superior too. Happens in housing too.

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:16

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:14

Something called ‘work’.

Show quote history

Then if you are bitching about them on here then do them a favour and get a different job.

JenniferBooth · 14/04/2026 22:14

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:14

What you describe is not at all representative of people claiming PIP. Most is for ‘mental health’.

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Link please

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:14

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:12

Why are you surrounding yourself with criminal claimants? You need a better social circle.

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Something called ‘work’.

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:14

PrincessofWells · 14/04/2026 22:13

Oh why don't you have a car accident, break both your legs and your back, take 2 years to recover, then come back and say that . . .

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What you describe is not at all representative of people claiming PIP. Most is for ‘mental health’.

JenniferBooth · 14/04/2026 22:13

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:07

OK, what is it you want? Do you want everyone to agree with you and say that all people on PC were lazy, and just sat on their bums until they retired. They lived limited lives for 40+ years for that sweet Pension Credit.
I was giving an example of why that is not the case. You seem awfully defensive when someone wants to counter your point.

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They would have to have the same powers as Phoebe from Charmed and have been able to see into the future as Pension Credit was only introduced twenty three years ago. Some ppl on this thread have made themselves look like complete idiots

PrincessofWells · 14/04/2026 22:13

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:10

The benefit claimants I see are not vulnerable. Many of them are criminals causing untold misery to decent people.

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Oh why don't you have a car accident, break both your legs and your back, take 2 years to recover, then come back and say that . . .

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:12

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:10

The benefit claimants I see are not vulnerable. Many of them are criminals causing untold misery to decent people.

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Why are you surrounding yourself with criminal claimants? You need a better social circle.

XenoBitch · 14/04/2026 22:12

Chocaholick · 14/04/2026 22:09

I want people to acknowledge that our country is rapidly declining due to, in big part, the fact we have SO MANY able bodied people not working and claiming benefits they frankly shouldn’t be entitled to. And some of the amounts paid are staggering and frankly take the piss.

It’s like you can’t make the connection that money doesn’t appear out of thin air if you rub a magic lamp and ‘deserve it enough’

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I have not said any of that.
I was simply giving an example as to why someone would be on PC that does not involve them being "lazy", because these threads always descend into name calling about people on benefits.
My gran was far from lazy. She was fucking amazing.