Winter fuel payments for pensioners scrapped

[MidnightPatrol]

Unless they are in receipt of pension credit or other benefits.

I suspect this will be the first of many benefits which will be restricted as part of cost-cutting measures.

What else might we see / should we see?

No it wouldn't. As I said earlier, the glee at boomers losing out, embraces all political loyalties on Mumsnet.

To all those who begrudge pensioners receiving a winter fuel payment, I hope you will all be never in need of extra support when you’re older.

To all those who say that older people should sell their houses and move to smaller properties, are you aware of the state of the housing market currently? We’ve been trying since February to sell our house and move to something smaller. It isn’t a question of the price being wrong, because we’ve had several offers on it. It’s a question of either estate agents or solicitors or both, lying, as well as the prospective purchasers.

We’ve spent almost £2000 and there’s nothing to show for it, except distress and frustration. I want to move, I need to move, but I can’t and goodness knows I’ve tried.

Ha ha just wait for the out cry if they did that.. all those people saying good" on private schools and winter fuel might suddenly find pause for thought!!!

I remember feeling under past Labour government that there was no incentive to work hard and save for the future..looks like nothing will change this time

but many who have the old state pension + a tiny private pension which takes them just over the limit for pension credit will be hugely affected by this.

Agree with this. Isn't it also the case that people retiring now, if they have a full contribution record and receive the full state pension, don't qualify for pension credit at all? Even if they have no private pension whatsoever?

Just seen it's not just those on Pension Credit. You'll also get if it you're on other benefits like UC and IS

My DM doesn’t qualify for pension credit and her only pension is basic state pension plus SERPS pension. She never had the opportunity to be part of a pension scheme.

There will always be a cut-off with these things, and those close to said cut-off will be disproportionately affected. Unfortunately with the cost of means testing they can only make decent savings by using some exisiting entitlement.

The new government has said they will not increase taxes or borrowing. This is what people voted for. I'm not sure what every one was expecting.

Yes, the full state pension is £221.20 a week and pension credit is £218.15 a week if you’re single.

I think you get some extra if you’ve saved a little but not much as well, but I’ve lost track of how that works.

My parents will probably moan about this but they definitely don't need it. I am sure there are a lot in the same boat.

But she isn't assuming all pensioners are rich. She has said those on certain benefits like pension credit will continue to get it.

It's fair enough but the cost of administering this new system will eat into the savings. That's why it's not been done before.

There are some really spiteful people on this thread. What kind of person do you have to be to salivate in glee at the thought of pensioners being stripped of something as fundamental as money for heating their homes. For every so called "wealthy pensioner who doesn't need it" there will be several thousand others that live on a state pension and are on the poverty line...in some cases only a few pounds over the limit for qualifying for pension credit. I totally get that there are some that don't need it but there are others that absolutely do and they are being penalised and punished. I was revolted to see a post up the thread which suggested stripping pensioners of free prescriptions too...how about instead of degrading and pushing elderly vulnerable people into more abject poverty, we make the wealthy corps who dodge taxes pay their dues...how about before anyone claps their hands in delight at this revolting decision they think about the fact that this government just proved they are as despicable as the tories and if they come after the elderly and vulnerable who and what else are they going after as well....

A couple of points:

1. the fuel allowance was introduced before most people paid for their fuel monthly averaged out over 12 months so it makes sense to either roll it into the state pension or change it.
2. this might not help anyone but a few points about pension credit. First savings are taken into account above £10000 per household but as a tariff income. There is no absolute limit on savings. Second service charges on long leaseholds can be taken into account to the clients benefit. Not necessarily all of them and this is poorly understood by just about everyone. Third if someone in the household receives attendance allowance this helps in the pension credit calculation also if someone is caring for their partner with AA even though they are not entitled to carers allowance. You might need a good advisor to navigate all this although you used to be able to have a visit from a dwp official and they were pretty clued up.
3. even if not entitled to pension credit it might be worth exploring housing benefit for renters and council tax reduction although the capital limit of £16000 does apply.
4. removal of pension credit for mixed age couples was particularly mean imo as pension credit does provide an income substantially above uc for a single person or couples

I’m glad I’m not Rachel Reeves I think she has a difficult path to tread with many competing demands and there will always be disagreements but let’s not set up a heirarchy of virtue.

Yes exactly. new state pension is just above the pension credit threshold so unless they are also claiming a disability benefit and live alone and so receive a severe disability premium on their pension credit, they will not get pension credit. Carers might also qualify with the addition of a carers premium to the pension credit calculation.
Dreading my workload for the next few month as significantly more people will be looking to try to claim Pension credit and disability benefits in order to then qualify for pension credit and many more forced into difficulties with paying their bills etc.

I think this is fair. I'm related to a number of pensioners who definitely do not need this payment.

To all the posters claiming that their parents don’t need it, then they’ll likely be the same parents that will have an estate likely be hit with inheritance tax rises. You’ll not be bothered then either will you?

Old people. Fuck ‘em. They should never have had a vote in the Brexit referendum and they shouldn’t take up hospital beds. They certainly shouldn’t have any winter fuel payments.

Tax them, throw them out of the NHS and laugh at them.

But when elections come round you must remember how much the Labour Party values those who came before and have done so much to make us who we are.

@AuntieJoyce yes, this will be the case for a lot of people retiring now and in the next 20 years or so. Workplace pensions have only been compulsory for about ten years, haven't they? Previous to that they were much more restricted - even those that offered them there were stipulations like no part timers, no one with less than two years employment, penalties for maternity leaves etc. Not to mention the ones that went bust!

tories froze tax allowance until 2028 as it means proportionally then the worse off you are the more tax you will pay.

Supplementing your pension is not always wise - it often works out better to claim pension credit as there are other benefits that come with it, and now that would also be the winter fuel benefit

if you have a tiddly private pension, then it can be more difficult as this will take you out of the remit for pension credit, but £50 a month is more than the winter fuel allowance. This will not prevent you getting housing benefit, so your rent will be paid and claiming council tax relief as your on a low income

Surely nobody really thinks that people on good pensions, no mortgage, holiday home in France et al should get this payment?

What do people think would be a better way of addressing it? Just out of interest, not being sarcastic.

My dad gets a decent state pension and a moderate private pension and is comfortable. He certainly isn't wealthy enough that we would need to pay inheritance tax !!

Really?

Absolutely agree. But it's that group of people just in the middle that will miss out.