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?

Yes but most will have worked so they will have an employment pension and possibly savings.

I didn’t call them rich.

A couple with £1.6k income and no housing costs is not in a dissimilar financial situation to a working single / couple / family paying rent / mortgage.

I'm sure this will be popular on here, so many people on MN seem to resent the elderly and retired.

Plus TV licences are no longer free for over 75s and have not been for several years.

Almost every help anyone 60+ once got has now gone eg travel passes start at state pension age in most areas.

The only significant 60+ help is free prescriptions.

But I still think people with 25,000+ a year should not be getting additional heating allowances.

My neighbours, who have been retired since they were in their fifties and seem to go on holiday every month were recently complaining to dh about how Labour were going to ‘take it all away’ from them. I have little sympathy.

I agree. I'm in the same situation.

Over 55s housing (which has lower prices because of the restrictions), equity release schemes, flats rather than houses …

This refers to those on pension credit NOT all pensioners. The point is that those on PC who made no provision for their old age, have freebies thrown at them. Even those who previously qualified for the free TV licence at 75 had it TAKEN AWAY from them.

Why wouldn't travel passes start then?

No, that’s £10,500 WITH employment pension and any other earnings. The old state pension for those that retired before April 2016 is £169 per week. You really don’t understand this do you.

We are in the same position. I get the full state pension but DH doesn't. He gets a couple of pound over what is needed to be entitled to pension credit.

So many posters mistakenly believe all pensions are rich. I wish we could go abroad for the winter!

Employment pensions were very far from standard until quite recently. Most of the pensioners I know who worked outside the professions or govt jobs, didn't have one.

They're the people that I'm concerned about.

Exactly
There is no way my parents ever needed this but we need to keep an eye on those on the cusp

My very wealthy dad absolutely does not need this. I think it's a good decision. The money goes to those who do.

Good, means my greedy rich in-laws can stop claiming the winter fuel allowance. They've never been anywhere close to having to choose between hearing and eating either.

My parents downsized so they’d still be eligible, despite having my dad’s private pension, his public sector pension and substantial savings if they did this.

Glad you've highlighted this. It's the same when mentioning charging people for missed GP and hospital appointments.

But many people will be well above that £10,500 because of their private pensions. Anyway, lots of this post also think it's right so can you bug them please instead of just targeting my posts. I'm entitled to my opinion.

Do you live alone?

If so you would get pension credit.

Over 55s housing (which has lower prices because of the restrictions), equity release schemes, flats rather than houses

Over 55s housing isn't available everywhere, either to buy or to rent. If anyone ever mentions equity release they are shouted down with don't touch that with a barge pole it's a scam, flats are required for the younger generations who cannot afford a 3/4 bed property.

Those one pension credits will already have been means-tested, so no extra admin is required.
Presumably why they get the payments and no-one else.

Who are these people on £25k + per year who you imagine will not be entitled to £200 payment to help with the heating.

If you are talking about people who are not eligible for PC - if your income is over £12k per annum as a single person you are not eligible for pension credit.

You don't claim it so they weren't being greedy. They automatically got it.

yup I agree with this one.