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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think pensions need huge reform?

263 replies

aburrsir · 12/08/2026 13:32

With all of the recent chat over changing politicians and big ideas that don’t go anywhere, I can’t be the only one who thinks that someone needs to bite the bullet with pensions?

It’s something ridiculous like 50% of the welfare budget annually, and this is never going to go away.

IMO the government need to hike up retirement age and scrap the triple lock. There can be provisions made to go along with this to phase this in for those in genuine need (e.g. for the next 10 years those with no private pensions can get a top up to cover the transition period).

I’d rather know “look you can’t retire until 75” now than this constant “it’s 67…. now wait it’s 68…..” that never ends.

It seems that all governments are scared to do such a big change as it will piss off older people (who are the primary voting demographic) but something needs to change as this is just completely unsustainable long term.

We’re better off making these changes to ensure the state pension can continue sustainably in the long term future rather than having this attitude of “as long as I’m alright I don’t care”

We need a gov with long term planning goals and not just short term firefighting. AIBU?

OP posts:
dudsville · 12/08/2026 13:52

Current young people are already struggling with joblessness and an inability to get on with living independently and starting families. Although they'll have in mind the dissappointment of their chances of being able to retire, it would be an awful lot to dump on them.

Butterlover36 · 12/08/2026 13:52

Agree re. uncoupling from other pensions linked to state retirement age. Most public sector pension schemes are tied to this and it is seen as a selling point having a defined benefit pension. If the retirement age continues rising people who have diligently contributed are missing out on the flexibility and should at least be given an option of the same contribution level in a a DC scheme.

Dontcallmescarface · 12/08/2026 13:49

So if people have to work for longer where are the jobs for the young ones going to come from?

Owninterpreter · 12/08/2026 13:48

Im sure there will be changes dripping through.

I dont especially want state pension age to rise but i expect it will, but if it does it needs a bit of uncoupling from my other pensions which are linked to state retirement age also.

I had in my head part of the issue of pensions is not knowing how long you might live for and currently the state prnsion isnt much as a sole income so people top it up. But increasing the amount of weekly pensions to an amount you can actually live off which didnt need topping up but making it from, say 75 or 78 even would mean people coukd save for a set time period, say 60 to 75 and it be easier to managing instead of ekeing two smaller things out, spend all of one. Then if you are still alive get the other.8

hattie43 · 12/08/2026 13:46

There are many ways the Government can save money they just don’t have the balls to do it . Pensions and welfare are bankrupting the country and there’s only so much tax payers can pay .
Even tiny things like when I turned 60 I was surprised to receive free NHS prescriptions. I don’t need that I can easily afford them . I accept if someone needs 8 prescriptions a week it’s different but just 1 a month I don’t need for free . There must be others like me . Lots of little things add up when the money tree is wilting .

CandidOP · 12/08/2026 13:45

The OP seems to have very little idea of the average healthy lifespan of a person, particularly in certain areas of the UK. A daily tour around various hospital department waiting rooms might help.

Original poster
aburrsir · 12/08/2026 13:42

bigageap · 12/08/2026 13:36

All that will happen is people will stop work due to ill health and claim other benefits.

Some people will, but some people will continue to work and thus continue to pay tax etc. The % who will claim sickness benefits etc is probably still worth making the change for the sake of the % who can carry on working

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 12/08/2026 13:41

Yanbu. It’s too high. They don’t (shouldn’t) have mortgages or children to pay for. And once you get too frail, you don’t need £200 a week, as you aren’t able to do anything with it. You’ve also had your whole life to contribute to a private pension. I know that sounds harsh, but what I am currently seeing around me is pensioners living the high life (I don’t know a single one who ‘can’t afford to eat’ even those on benefits only) but at the end other end, 30 year olds who aren’t starting families as they can’t afford it. I totally agree that something has to give.

Original poster
aburrsir · 12/08/2026 13:41

SamphiretheTervosaur · 12/08/2026 13:36

They could but would have to introduce change over the long term, like starting with today's 20 year olds.

No government has yet had the nerve

Yes this was my thinking. I agree it’s unfair to fling this onto current retirees etc, but long term we should be planning to resolve the issue

OP posts:
Original poster
aburrsir · 12/08/2026 13:37

Pippin2017 · 12/08/2026 13:35

There's been so many of these threads recently. Nudge theory in action?
You can retire whenever you please. What you mean is you can't get your state pension until 67/68/69 etc etc.

Yes I agree poor wording on that comment, I did mean in terms of claiming state pension rather than when you choose to retire.

i just googled nudge theory and I can assure you I don’t work in the government and it’s not my job to convince the world it’s a good idea (even though I clearly think it is!)

OP posts:
bigageap · 12/08/2026 13:36

All that will happen is people will stop work due to ill health and claim other benefits.

SamphiretheTervosaur · 12/08/2026 13:36

They could but would have to introduce change over the long term, like starting with today's 20 year olds.

No government has yet had the nerve

Pippin2017 · 12/08/2026 13:35

There's been so many of these threads recently. Nudge theory in action?
You can retire whenever you please. What you mean is you can't get your state pension until 67/68/69 etc etc.