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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hope the government has the guts to tax WEALTHY pensioners more

953 replies

ReallyTired · 22/04/2013 09:12

The Fabian society has suggested that wealthy pensioners pay more tax.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-22220345

Some how I can't see a conservative wanting to tax wealthy pensioners more when they all vote Tory.

I find it unfair that pensioners with an income more the average family's income get free bus buses, winter fuel allowance, TV licence as well as paying less tax and national insurance. It is about time that the the wealthy pensioners took their share of the pain of the cuts.

I am in favour of well off pensioners having free bus passes, winter fuel allowance as these things encourage independence and improve health. I would like to see the money for these things clawed back by WEALTHY pensioners paying more income tax.

OP posts:
handcream · 24/04/2013 20:41

What would you do with my DM. No savings (bar 2k), worked 40 years and has 9K pension plus state pension. Brought house 30 yrs ago for 90k. Now worth 400k. Its her only house btw.

She is 80.

Question to Square

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 20:51

I've asked the same question repeatedly,you haven't answered.

handcream · 24/04/2013 20:54

What question?

Portofino · 24/04/2013 20:56

Square, so what are you offering up vs handcream's mum. Nothing. You don't have to suffer anything. Why should she?

handcream · 24/04/2013 21:01

She's on her own if that helps with the answer. Very fit and healthy and if she needs to go into a home (cannot imagine it tbh) then her home will I guess be sold to fund care.

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 21:01

Hmmm on the one hand I think she is a poor pensioner so not relevant although I do think the very poorest should receive more(not sure if she would qualify)if they removed benefits from those that didn't need them.

However there is the question of he house.Every pensioner in my family has downsized on retirement so if course that is a possibility and of course something any young family would have to do if needs be.

And my question?

ihategeorgeosborne · 24/04/2013 21:03

Based on the title of this thread, I'm not sure that handcream's mum would suffer as she would not be defined as a wealthy pensioner.

handcream · 24/04/2013 21:03

She also wasn't born in this country. Came over in the 50's when the Uk were short of teachers

handcream · 24/04/2013 21:06

The house is a small 2 bed. The 2nd bed is a single bed. It is in London hence the price.

handcream · 24/04/2013 21:16

Its all gone very silent. Would anyone who isn't working deam to say that she doesn't deserve it.... Let's wait and see

janey68 · 24/04/2013 21:18

Squarepebbles- you clearly have issues with your inlaws and dislike them intensely. You cannot extrapolate from that, that all pensioners who you deem to be 'wealthy' are undeserving, a drain and should be stripped of their assets and rightful entitlements.

I still can't quite get my head round your assertion that there are loads of wealthy older women out there who never worked as hard as you keep claiming you've done... If they haven't worked 40 or so years they AREN'T going to be well off. They are going to be on a very basic
Pension. If there husband is still alive then yeap they will be living jointly on his pension but come on, are you really having a pop at them for that... you are living off your husbands earnings at the moment so it's a bit hypocritical to slag off other women who do that.

As for this 5 years which you keep going on about- its simply in YOUR opinion that 5 years is 'nothing' - and that because it's the precise time YOUVE taken off. If you'd taken 3 or 8 or 10 you'd be arguing in favour of that, because you cant see beyond your own little bubble. To my mind, 5 years is quite a significant chunk... An eighth or so a working life, and certainly a lot more time out of the workplace than many people have. Once again, it's your choice. No one is saying you can't or shouldn't - but you cannot seriously expect anyone other than your dh to fund it.

janey68 · 24/04/2013 21:19

their

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 21:20

Doesn't deserve want exactly?

I answered your question,you haven't answered mine.

I take it any people not working are to be looked down on when expressing views re attacking the debt or is it just sahp like George and I.

handcream · 24/04/2013 21:23

Completely missed your question Square. What was it.....

janey68 · 24/04/2013 21:24

Handcream- from my perspective I wouldn't take anything off your mother. She worked for 40 years in a worthwhile career which society needed her to work in. She paid into a pension for 40 years. She paid income tax for 40 years. When her house is eventually sold the govt will rake in a shed load more through inheritance tax. What more do people want: blood? I guess some SAHP with high earning husbands will just feel better if your mum doesn't get a bus pass or fuel allowance ... Pretty sad really.

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 21:28

Nope I don't dislike them however I question a system that gives benefits to people with their disposable income. Stop bullying an opinion onto me thanks.

Soooo all women who didn't work are poor-that's ridiculous.

Oh and sorry I know plenty of parents who have had the same time off when added together and many have had more particularly the elderly.The maj of people who have gone back are below the tax threshold- are they not allowed an opinion either.

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 21:30

How did you extrapolate that Janey?

Question further down hand.

janey68 · 24/04/2013 21:31

Well if a woman who Hasn't worked isn't poor... Where does her money come from? Presumably she is living off a well off husbands income or pension? And you resent her for that? Pot kettle black springs to mind....

handcream · 24/04/2013 21:34

She doesn't drive and really appreciates her travel pass. Yes, there are some people who want her to downsize on this thread but to what I wonder. It's a small 2 bed terrace near the tube (which I think really adds to its value). She also can walk safely from the tube (3 min walk!). House is a bit dated but no clutter and she keeps it spick and span. Safe area - and she deserves it tbh considering how my father treated her - but that is another story entirely and not for this thread!

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 21:34

Errr yes and if she/ they are living a wealthy lifestyle I'd expect her to forgo benefits and contribute towards debt reduction same as I would expect for myself if lucky enough to be in that position.

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 21:35

To Janey

janey68 · 24/04/2013 21:37

You have a husband on £52000 , the capacity to work yourself if you choose AND you've told us you'd use relatives for free childcare to boot! You ARE the 'lucky' people you keep talking about. And yet you keep complaining....

ihategeorgeosborne · 24/04/2013 21:38

I have to say my PIL are pretty wealthy. They have a lovely big 5 bed detached house and an equally nice property in the South of France. FIL was high up in the navy and MIL was a SAHM. Their dc all went to boarding school, although I believe that was paid for in part by HMGovernment. He has a very good final salary pension and they both have state pensions. I believe he retired at 50 too. They spend 6 months in the UK and six months in France. They have more disposable income than us and a very nice life. I'm sure they worked very hard for what they have too, but we work hard for what we have too and I'm sure what more than they can take from us to be honest if they're not prepared to look elsewhere. All that's left to take from us is our NHS free at the point of use status and the dc's education. If that happens then it won't really be worth anyone earning above NMW.

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 21:40

Complaining about what exactly?Confused

George god I can't believe how similar our lives are.Grin

handcream · 24/04/2013 21:41

Still cannot see the question!

Unless the question is 'if someone is leading a wealthy lifestyle they need to forgo their benefits'

What on earth is a wealthy lifestyle btw. How can we judge? Yu could say having 3 plus children is leading a wealthy lifestyle especially if yiu can afford to be a SAHM