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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

jacks365 · 24/04/2013 22:29

How can i hate sahm i am one. I believe i am the best person to provide a good grounding for my daughter but i do not expect help to do it. I don't believe i deserve a tax break for it. I accept that while at home i am not contributing.

ShellyBoobs · 24/04/2013 22:30

I was told that 50k a year puts me in the top 10% of earners.

You don't earn anything!

handcream · 24/04/2013 22:30

I took a backseat to my DH's career if I am honest. I really dont think (sorry for the more feminist readers) that women can have it all. But I am still a higher rate tax payer. Personally I didnt want to be totally reliant on one person to provide for me.

However I do think we dont do ourselves any favours sometimes by having a partner provide for us financially. Its a huge pressure on one person. What if they lost their job? What if they left us? George says that she can only earn £10k. I would never want to be in this position. The state pension is £5k. £10k doesnt even dent it and cannot possibly provide for YOUR retirement.

And can we quit this 'well my DH pays my tax'. Its a bit like me saying my parents paid my taxes or perhaps even worse (but true!). I pay more than George and Square so therefore I should get more on retirement. I am NOT saying that. It isnt how tax works.

ihategeorgeosborne · 24/04/2013 22:31

If I don't earn anything, I must be entitled to income support and tax credits. It's funny but they were not very forth coming last time I checked.

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 22:31

Hand so you walk into a job these days?

Not much to apply for but had interviews for everything I've applied for in my non chosen area(needs must)need to brush up on my interview skills though.

Would prefer to change career but there is zilch in what I want to do,may have to retrain.

handcream · 24/04/2013 22:33

George - how can you claim you are earn £50k!! You personally dont earn anything and of course you dont get income support. You dont have any income to support.....

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 22:33

George

handcream · 24/04/2013 22:34

Oh please Square - not this I cannot find a job. Well, you shouldnt have left your previous role.....Why do you think I didnt leave my role.....

handcream · 24/04/2013 22:35

I clung on for dear life!

ihategeorgeosborne · 24/04/2013 22:36

I worked until dc 1 was 2. I paid £500 a month in child care costs. It wasn't cost effective for us to do this in the end. Dh is away loads with work. Who would pick up my babies from nursery when they've been sick? Suppose he is London (quite likely) and I am in Birmingham (also quite likely), bearing in mind we live a long way from both of these places. I've done the high flying career thing thanks and in my line of work and dh's line of work our dc would be on their own. Why on earth would you have dc in this situation? It wouldn't be fair on them.

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 22:37

Erm I had to move for Dp's Masters.I was having medical treatment so could only do supply(no maternity)which I did until nearly dropping twins. Is that ok?

ihategeorgeosborne · 24/04/2013 22:38

If I left dh I would get income support and tax credits and housing benefit. I don't understand what you mean handcream

handcream · 24/04/2013 22:40

Seriously though - women with children are still at a disadvantage. Part time roles are rare unless in low paid postions like supermarket workers.

If you are planning a career please think carefully about career breaks and such like. Its diffciult to get back into the marketplace and unless you have something unique to offer you will find it difficult.

So, please think really really carefully before you give up your job. I work for a big blue chip and there were part time options but again difficult even when you were in the blooming company to get one.....

janey68 · 24/04/2013 22:41

Those are decisions we all have to weigh up and make George. Some couples work hard at establishing pretty equal roles prior to having children, so that they can both continue working and both take some responsibility for nursery pick ups. The downside of that of course is that they're probably going to earn less than they could. Some couples prefer for one to earn the big bucks which may involve travel, while the other persons career takes a back seat. There isn't a right or wrong. It's just a bit pointless to complain about the decisions youve made as a family

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 22:42

I also had a near death experience during said treatment(which we had to sell our flat to fund)and had a shit time for various reasons,kind of puts everything into perspective tbf. Anyhow I had no choice we had to move to go to our clinic,do dp's Masters.

So clinging onto permanent job not an option.

Squarepebbles · 24/04/2013 22:43

But hey you get a medal for doing so.

George will pm you tomorrow,I'm off to bed.

handcream · 24/04/2013 22:45

George -if you have done the high flying career thing why can you only now earn £10k (unless that is your choice?) Your description of your life before children is similar to the one I have with my DH now Not impossible but does need some focus and easier now the children are much older.

Like Janey I needed to accept that a lot of the family income went into childcare for the first few years. Its what made private education doable tbh. Although we have stretched ourselves and gone for private boarding for the older one.... Mainly because there are no day schools around here.

And George -why would you look to the state to support you. Why not support yourself?

ihategeorgeosborne · 24/04/2013 22:46

I'm off to bed too. I'm knackered and another exciting day as a SAHM awaits me tomorrow

Mitzyme · 24/04/2013 22:49

Well thank God they have gone to bed. Now the grownups can discuss the OP.

ihategeorgeosborne · 24/04/2013 22:49

handcream, many reasons really. I had a very demanding job pre dc with much travel and staying away from home. When we had our first baby I went part-time. Dh's career went from strength to strength and looking back now I realise that I was probably side-lined for being part time. My career didn't really go anywhere after that and my daughter took precedence and I guess I lost my confidence. I don't want the state to support me, I just feel sometimes that I would be less berated for it than I am having my dh support me.

ihategeorgeosborne · 24/04/2013 22:50

I am off to bed now!!

handcream · 24/04/2013 23:09

Our children MUST always be the most important thing more important than a poxy presentation!

But with a uni education (something I didn't have) isn't it all wasted especially as you say you can only earn 10k! Unless it is shop work or similar.

Honestlyz, we all dread the sick baby scenario but you get through it. There after all are two of you to cover. Because we did this right for the beginning my DH knows to check with me when he plans to go away. He doesn't of course advertise that fact to his company and when I have to travel I do the same. We have our Plan B and C and D just in case. No family nearby to pick up the slack sadly.

FasterStronger · 25/04/2013 07:57

around 52k is the break even for 2 people paying as much in tax as they cost the country and their share of all govt services.

so if you have a single earner family, earning say 55k, the extra few thousand is split between 2 people, meaning as a couple, you make a small net contribution - I am guessing but 500-700 pounds per year each.

being a net contributor is obviously a good thing - but being a small met contributor is certainly nothing I would shout about or start saying that others need to contribute more like me.

the problem with tax is most people believe they pay a lot - and in a sense they do. but we also living in a country with a somewhat high cost state - so paying your own share of the costs is expensive.

but it for many people, it is only you/your families share, or not even that. however expensive it feels.

Squarepebbles · 25/04/2013 08:13

We'll have to agree to disagree because. I certainly don't think that.

The fact is they're going to have to do something re the grey vote soon as the situation is unsustainable and becoming ever increasingly more so.

Ignoring it is soon not going to be an option and there is going to be very little left to take from elsewhere.

FasterStronger · 25/04/2013 08:20

square - can you explain why you disagree with the numbers above?

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