Would you be willing to pay more for your TV licence to ensure it stays free for over 75s?

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

I blinking would.

I know it's be a administrative impossiblity to achieve, but volunteering to pay an extra £5/£10 per year? Could it work?

How many people in their 20s, 30s and 40s will get a state pension despite paying tax and NI all their lives? How many won’t own a home because they’ve been priced out of the market? How many will owe £50k for qualifications that used to be free? And they’re expected to pay for freebies for today’s rich pensioners??

Like hell I would.

No. My parents have a far greater income than DH and I do. Their pensions mean that they are nudging 80k a year. They are 67 this year. They both have bus passes, free prescriptions, a winter fuel allowance, live in a house three times the size of ours, mortgage free and go on a number of holidays every year.

Their income is based on their very good pensions, shrewd investments and years and years of hard work. I don't begrudge them their lifestyle - they've earnt it, and I hope they spend every penny on themselves.

Equally, my aunts, uncles and other family friends of a similar age are all in the same position. So no. I will not pay more so they can watch the telly for free!

Definitely not. The over 75s have enjoyed the most affluent retirement, having retired at 60/65 they've had years of generous benefits. Frankly they can afford it unless they're on extra benefits - in which case it'd be free.

Pensioners are the ones costing the country money.

It should be means tested. Many families cannot afford to get mortgages, have to choose between heating & eating in winter, can't afford more than 1 child due to childcare costs, etc. Meanwhile many OAPs live mortgage free, on triple locked pensions, with free bus passes etc. Frankly, it's insulting to assume that everyone below a certain age can afford a licence just because they are young, & that older people should be let off it just because they are old.

Pensioners are the ones costing the country money
That is true. Yet cuts often seem to be aimed at children. School funding cuts, CAMHs, youth services etc. Not all pensioners need freebies

Another here that agrees with means testing by all means and that has DP that are far wealthier than I am.

My DP can afford half their areas tv licence so no I don't fancy subsidising it just because of age.

Yet cuts often seem to be aimed at children

Children can't vote.

Yep

No to free TV licences for all over 75s. Free prescriptions for over 60s should be scrapped, should be brought in line with state pension age. No free prescriptions for certain meds eg. Paracetamol and infacol

I don't pay for my own (legally) why would I pay for anyone else.

It's not a necessity for anyone I'd rather pay more on my utilities for anyone that needs the winter fuel voucher.

Well @BeautifulWintersMorning Im guessing that all the Govs that have been in since 1945 must have missed the memo that there was a baby boom.

The trouble is none of these Govs have prepared for it. They have just kept kicking the can down the road.

And now the pensioners are being blamed.

No, not for ALL over 75s. I’d be happy to pay slightly more so the poorest (those on pension credit) could have tv licences. But I don’t see why I should fund licences for everyone, including those who are richer than me.

@Joans3rddaughter My DH is 69 If he couldnt have got his prescriptions free after 60 he wouldnt be here now.

Absolutely. I am retired and 70+. Most of our friends (but not all) are much better off than my single daughter (40's) on minimum wage and my married son with children struggling with a mortgage etc. It is ridiculous that pensioners get freebies just because of their age; means testing is the way to go and ensures those on low income get help. But my view is very unpopular with my friends!

Nope. No one is blaming pensioners they are expressing an opinion about whether we should pay more to fund all pensioners, rich or poor

Sorry, fund their TV Licence

Nope.
They should lower the salaries of Graham Norton, Gary Lineker etc.
Mind you after years of living in Europe and experiencing their diabolical TV I would happily pay double to watch the BBC as long as it's ad free.

HelenaDove that’s another unrealistic dramatic post. Prepaid prescription certificates are £10 a month.

I'd rather money went on education.

Most over 75s I know have more disposable income than anyone else.

Good to know DC Im sure you would have posted with exactly the same attitude if we were talking about someone with children.

What about the instance ive already mentioned where someone is on FORTY PENCE too much to get Pension Credit? What happens then.

What about pensioners who fall somewhere in between Who fall between because there are reams and reams of threads on here about other groups who get a few pence too much too qualify for other benefits.

No
The TV licence should be completely scrapoed and the BBC should be self funding or go under. Makes me reallly angry that we have to pay.

What about the instance ive already mentioned where someone is on FORTY PENCE too much to get Pension Credit?

The same thing that happens if you earn forty pence too much to get child benefit.

I think lots of people should be exempt from paying tv license, and I think it would be very easy for the BBC to find ways of cutting costs to pay for this . It must be the only British institution still standing that hasn't endured stringent austerity cuts.