When will people realise that pensioners have paid for their state pension.

[notsafeanymore]

Every time there is a debate about the cost of living pensioners get a bashing.
And some have also paid for a private pension.
It's people who have never worked that should be targeted first.
I'm not on about the disabled. It's people who are benefit cheats and have never worked.

Source?

Well we do in Scotland.

There was always the expectation you would get your state pension though.

.
The extras

Thanks @Badbadbunny there are no automatic free eye tests for all pensioners

plus
It’s the glasses that are expensive and there are £ vouchers to get money off for those on pension credit
Nothing for those on full state pension. This isn’t a small amount of money. My lenses alone without frame cost £600 for example

From my post above
Claiming Pension Credit unlocks valuable extra support, topping up your weekly income and acting as a 'gateway' to other financial perks. It can help you save thousands of pounds a year on housing, energy bills, healthcare, and television costs.

Bill & Housing Benefits

Council Tax Reduction: You may be entitled to have your Council Tax bill reduced or paid in full.

Housing Benefit: Help towards rent costs if you rent your home.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI): Help toward interest payments on your mortgage or home loans if you own your property.

Warm Home Discount: A one-off discount of £150 on your electricity bill.

Winter Fuel Payment & Cold Weather Payments: Automatic qualification for winter heating support, including £25 Cold Weather Payments during sub-zero weeks.

Healthcare & Travel

Free NHS dental treatment: Free check-ups and treatments.

Optical vouchers: Vouchers or full help toward the cost of glasses and contact lenses.

Free NHS sight tests: Free eye examinations.

Travel costs: Refunded travel expenses for getting to and from NHS hospital appointments.

Additional Concessions

Free TV Licence: If you are aged 75 or over, you can apply for a free TV licence.

Extra Additions: If you have severe disabilities or caring responsibilities, you may receive extra top-ups added directly to your Pension Credit

So Full state pension get £3/week more as top ups for those not on the full pension get you within that figure
Plus
The above extras which bring them far in excess financially of that £156 / yr of the state pension

The majority of millionaire pensioners hold property wealth not cash. A significant number of pensioners live below the poverty line.
If the country doesn’t/can’t fund a state pension going forward, there needs to be plenty of advance warning - as an example no one under the age of 40 will get a state pension - tapper it out so that those impacted have time to make their own pension arrangements.

www.mygov.scot/free-eye-tests

I know all that. I’ll get the full state pension so won’t be entitled to any of it. Well except the eye tests as we all get them where I live. My glasses are £700

There will always be some people who will get a state pension

You live in Scotland

You have some different benefits

My post on the extras wasn’t for you alone it was for the thread in general

Could be limited to only those with caring responsibilities or severe health conditions - everyone else makes their own arrangements.

You means test the 25% and continue paying state pension to the 75%. Simples.

Also free bus travel if in Scotland (though you get that from 60, not connected to state pension)

I think more likely scrap the state pension and those who have made no provision, no savings, etc., claim a beefed-up pension credit to support those who couldn't/didn't make any of their own provisions.

Private pension schemes were available from the mid 1980's.

Not making your own provisions shouldn’t be a get out. Plenty of advance notice.

But you quoted me.

So a race to the bottom ?

Which arent workplace pensions which was the subject of the post I replied to.

Plus under 22's get it.

@echt Australia I guess? Thing about Australian pension schemes is the superannuation that companies pay their employees. I think it's been going on for much longer than company pension schemes in UK. Is that right?

Do you think it's fair now (the Australian system)?

Given that disability benefits are meant to support the often very considerable cost of living with significant disability, and that they are only a contribution, not a full cover for that cost, how would you go about means testing them ? They are meant to provide a level playing field so that disabled people aren’t disadvantaged by their disability. How do you means test that disadvantage ?

Yep. I began paying into a private pension via the Pru, when I started work in the mid 1970s. There was very little in the way of workplace pensions below executive level and were they were, women were excluded from many them for the most ridiculous of reasons, and lost their contributions if they left work or changed jobs. One of the many things boomers fought to change, and from which today’s workers continue to benefit.

But free childcare hours are available to those who qualify.

You can see, though, why 'no one under 40 will get a state pension but they'll need to keep paying for other people's for the rest of their working life' isn't an announcement that any political party is keen to make!

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