To think state pension needs to be means tested , most sill claim way more than put in due to life expectancy. The current simply can't afford it anymore, it's out biggest single outlay..

[wishedforchild2016]

Aibu ?. Interested hear opinions for/against..

I think it depends on your age, but I’m 35, have full NI contributions since I was 20 and will have many more years yet, but if I had to bet I’d expect no state pension for me as I have a well funded personal pension and I think it’ll be means tested before I retire.

I think anyone my age is naive to think they’ll have a state pension to supplement their private pension.

So why is it unaffordable, could it be we are keeping people alive year after year in a pitiful state?
Im retired and I support assisted dying; I have seen to many people kept alive beyond on reasonable life expectancy. I nursed my mum through dementia and it was a living nightmare.

They will just raise the age. As they are doing.
It is schedule to get to 68. 70 isn't such a crazy idea now.
Basically they will want to get it to an average maximum of 12 years.

As many frequently point out they work for decades paying NI so if you want more money, or to retire earlier you have decades to plan for that.

I don't think they will means test but I do think state pension age will be raised and raised, and pension benefits will be raised accordingly.

I think they will freeze the point of pension credit as well so that they benefits from pension credit will go.

I support assisted dying too - in certain circumstances. I'm somewhat alarmed at OP's wish to encourage it.

Precisely. I have paid in from my salary for years via national insurance salary deductions. If the government wants to change the rules it will have to be phased in over many years as the rules are being changed. They need to give people the opportunity to increase the amount they pay into private schemes.

‘Breaking the social contract’ will lead to more anger towards those on benefits.

Well it does now, with a cunning sleight of hand from the government.

But it was meant to pay for out-of-work benefits and a pension for those who paid into it. And it's still generally seen as morally equivalent to that, even though everyone knows there isn't a ring-fenced pot.

The condition "those who paid into it" has already been lost, with pension credits and universal credit.

If the payback to those who actually paid it is removed leaving it only for those who didn't that's theft.

Theft is theft. Even if it's state-sanctioned.

Possibly a bit telling that the OP included means testing pensions along with assisted dying, yeah pensioners who have contributed for everyone all their working lives can get a measly payout despite having to have contributed and if that fails assisted dying might knock down their numbers.

No Government is going to get rid of state pension. They might try and squeeze it to make it more affordable, reduce pension credits, raise prescription age from 60, and other extra small squeaks, but remove it, no one will do that it would be political suicide for decades.

I think a lot of you will be very disappointed when you receive your “well funded pension scheme” at 70. I’ve paid into the local government pension scheme for 40 years believing it would give me a good retirement. You know what it’s now not fit for purpose. Why do you think the govt is pushing a prudential AVC scheme on the next generation.

I do think prescriptions shouldn’t be free at 60. That surprised me when I got 60. I’m still working full tint and will be for another 7 years at least. So not sure why I get free prescriptions.

Means testing it gives completely the wrong incentive. It needs to be linked to contributions. The more you put in the more you can take out. That would give the right incentive. You have your entire working life to prepare for retirement.

But those people who have built assets over the years may have also paid a lot more NI as well as other taxes. Some may also have paid for private health care and private education as well. And will have been subjected to the receiving no child benefit payments.

We already have a system where if you go into a care home then your home can be sold to cover the costs.

The squeezed middle is well and truly fed up of being squeezed.

I've worked since I was 16, full time since 18, with a year out when I was at university (the other two years I worked alongside my degree). But because I've sacrificed £x amount a month to pay into a company pension so that I'm not a burden on the state when I'm old I'm penalised.

Where as you have Joe Bloggs down the road who hasn't worked a day in his life, spends his benefits on booze, fags, and drugs, turning a lovely neighbourhood into a mess. Spends half his time robbing his neighbours and shop lifting,to feed his habit. He'll get a state pension.

So not fair and just another way to hit the middle classes and those who were sensible.

P.S Joe Bloggs down the road is an actual person not a made up person.

I think the government needs to up the years to 45 years to get a full SP. Also increase auto enrollment from 3 percent up to 10 percent over a few years. Cut back on pension credit by half. ATM if people have not worked they are given PC at more or less same rate as state pension. No incentive for people to work or save towards a state pension when if they don't work and save they will be given PC anyway.

A lot of people will find this unpalatable but I agree with you . If there was a pill to take when you are no longer mentally and physically capable I’d take it . We are keeping too many people going with no quality of life and I’m sure a lot would rather check out retaining their dignity .

Instead of means testing the state pension how about ceasing pension credit for all the people who failed to pay enough NI to get full state pension?

Government is probably wary of too many pension changes given the cock-up with the WASPI debacle. Yes phasing in state retirement to 70 is probably on the cards and will impact those in their 40s and below. That will considerably reduce the numbers getting it. Those numbers are falling anyway as a state pension age of 67 is currently being phased in and life expectancy is around 82.

Rachel needs money so my bet is on VAT going up a couple of percent.

And let them starve? open up workhouses or poorhouses again? I mean engage brain.

Repeated last post, sorry.

Well, my husband and I have just paid in around £6,000 to top up our state pensions. So if it becomes means tested, will they be giving me and thousands more their money back?

You should get back what you put in! If people are on benefits then they should get a lower level of pension. Should not be the same for everyone. It's very unfair on the low earners who pay tax and NI from their low wages.

I 100% agree with this post

it would be far better to simplify the tax system by rolling employees NI and income tax together which would increasing the effective claw back on well off pensioners by increasing their tax from 20% to 28%, 40% to 42% and 45% to 47%. Reinstate the personal allowance at the same time, which would benefit those in work more than the retired at a guess.

Then get rid of the triple lock etc on the state pension so that over time its relative value and cost declines. Pension credit, which is already means tested as I understand it, then becomes the main safety net for those that were unwilling or unable to save to a personal pension.

Oh yes I agree, old people are such a burden on society. Never mind that they have contributed to society for 50+ years. We should definitely particularly punish those ones who have taken responsibility for themselves and their loved ones by saving responsibly so as to not rely on the state and who have not frittered away their money on fancy clothes, cars and holidays. Those old bastards should definitely be penalised. Let's reward the ones who have paid in nothing and taken from the state throughout their lives. You do realise you will be old one day too?

But we seem to have created groups that are benefit dependent.

Some, including my half sister, wears her benefit badge with pride. What she doesn’t know about claiming benefits for this or that isn’t worth knowing. From housing to motability no benefit is left unclaimed and she still moans that she doesn’t get enough.

Wow you're a joy. Glad you are not in charge.