ladygingina I dont tend to comment on threads about benefits, because I havent had experience of having lived on benefits, nor the feelings that are associated with it, due to being vilified and looked down on. I have put in over the years in taxes, but so have a big majority of other people so many views and opinions exist. Most of them best kept private because they can be offensive.
What I would say is that it is massively inflammatory to associate the term "reward" with benefits, in any context. Talking about being better blowing all your savings because then it means you would be eligible for more benefits is a ludicrous concept.
By and large, people dont choose to be on benefits (OK lets put aside the Daily Fail's "case studies" of car-crash families, they are very misleading).
We are all of us one small step away from disaster, we only need to fall ill, be made redundant and suddenly we may need help, when we were feeling secure in a job and a home. That can all be taken away as the crisis eats into savings.
So, talking in terms of reward for "doing the right thing" is way off beam. Quite frankly its all shit, struggling to survive, whichever way you look at it. My DB has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour, so is highly likely to give up work, suddenly and without any warning. He lives in US so no welfare state, he wont feel rewarded for having put aside money, it is just the right thing to do, it is no different to people in this country, it is responsible if you have the wherewithall, that what you do. Life is unpredictable, I wouldnt wish adversity on anyone irrespective of whether they have saved it or "blown it".