To worry that free bus passes won't exist in the future

[Downtroddenhousingass]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6685043/Half-bus-routes-scrapped-650million-blackhole-boom-free-passes.html#article-6685043

Looks like they are already having issues with funding them now. I've still got 30 years until I get mine.

The scheme might be gone by then I'm worried

@LakieLady that was interesting to know. I still don't understand why things continue like this when there is the environment to consider.

You can't have a similar method to child benefit as that's administered through PAYE.

I'd rather that we have the return of universal child benefit than universal free bus passes for OAPs - still be cheaper in an ageing population.

They probably won't
I'm more worried about pensions
Although my worry about them is overshadowed by my worry about the NHS
And the NHS hardly gets a look in with my other concerns for the country and world my kids are growing up into
I think it's all about perspective... I'm more worried about what is imminently happening with Brexit etc. Than what might happen in 30 odd years time...

I wouldn't. I'm a tax payer and see no reason why people with children who earn ten times my income should be subsidised at my expense. I'm already paying for their 30 hours free childcare.

YANBU as it's just an indication that by the time we reach pensionable age we will not have the same standard of living as our parents. Many of the current pensioners (not all obvs) managed to retire at 60 with a lump sum payment of some sort. Cheap(er) housing and able to survive on one income.
However you really do need to start saving something towards your retirement - what are you hoping to live off? I know it's a nightmare finding the extra money but we had 5 or so really broke years when we first had kids but still paid our pension.
What if they say there will be no old age pension once we reach retirement? It is a very real possibility. Taking away free bus pass is just the start of it. I already have to work now til 67 - my Mum retired at 60. I can't see me being much use as a teacher at 67 but not sure what work I will get to finance those years before a pension starts.

I already have to work now til 67 - my Mum retired at 60. I can't see me being much use as a teacher at 67

A big part of that difference is the increase in life expectancy between your mum's generation and yours.

Why do you feel you wouldn't be able to teach at age 67?

By way of comparison with the US, I can take a reduced government pension (Social Security Retirement Benefits) at age 62 or the full pension at age 66.5. Every year I delay raises the payout by 8% up to age 70. The SSRB isn't expected to meet your full income needs. It's expected to be complimented by a private pension or individual retirement savings. So if you save more, you can afford to take social security earlier.

Thanks converse.

Actually miss lots of experts are predicting that life expectancy will peak soon then fall. So the generations after will have even less retirement.

Actually miss lots of experts are predicting that life expectancy will peak soon then fall.

Really? That's not what this study from the Lancet shows.

Future life expectancy in 35 industrialised countries: projections with a Bayesian model ensemble

Life expectancy is projected to increase in all 35 countries with a probability of at least 65% for women and 85% for men. There is a 90% probability that life expectancy at birth among South Korean women in 2030 will be higher than 86·7 years, the same as the highest worldwide life expectancy in 2012, and a 57% probability that it will be higher than 90 years. Projected female life expectancy in South Korea is followed by those in France, Spain, and Japan. There is a greater than 95% probability that life expectancy at birth among men in South Korea, Australia, and Switzerland will surpass 80 years in 2030, and a greater than 27% probability that it will surpass 85 years.

That report is just until 2030 though? That's about the time it's supposed to peak proving my point.

Show me where LE is expected to still rise in 2060 and beyond?

Life expectancy has already started falling in the UK.

Show me where LE is expected to still rise in 2060 and beyond?

There's no way to make a statistically reliable prediction that far in the future.

There is and people are saying it's likely to fall.

It's only a few decades away and within most people's lifetimew and not particularly surprising seeing how much obesity and diabetes rates has risen.

There is and people are saying it's likely to fall

Do you have a citation for this?

I'm generally in favour of means-testing benefits, but free bus passes is the exception. There are far too many pensioners who are unsafe to drive, yet continue to do so. If you take away free bus passes, more of them will keep their cars longer than they should.

However, with the developments being made in driverless cars, I can't see that buses will still exist in 30 years.

Regarding pensioners who are unfit to drive, you could argue that if they can afford to run a car then they can afford to pay bus fares.

Is there any subsidised or free travel for those on Universal Credit? I'd rather see those in real need benefit from free travel (and I'm with Bluelady on universal CB).

Looking forward to seeing Prince Philip on the bus......😆

I am not eligible for a bus pass yet and I'm nearly 64. Don't know when I will be, but no matter, there are no buses here to catch anyway. Haven't been on a bus for many years. I do wonder if the planet will still be here and functioning in 30 years tbh...although, on reflection, I probably won't be either.

Regarding pensioners who are unfit to drive, you could argue that if they can afford to run a car then they can afford to pay bus fares.

Not disputing that they could afford it, but if they also have to pay for the bus, what incentive is there for them to give up their car?

I would count yourself luckily this is the main worry you have. I think a lot will change in 30 yrs and bus passes would probably be quite low down on my list.
Maybe you should invest in a good push bike now and keep yet in the house so it's still in good condition when you are older and you can still get yourself to work and out and about.

paying for buses would be fine if there were a reasonable service,where I live they are few and far between. Have a bus pass, last time I used it was Eastbourne to Brighton on holiday 2 years ago

Last time I got a bus it cost 8.50 for a 10 min return journey. I was the only person who paid either way. I truly felt I'd subsidiesded every other passenger. It would have cost me the same in a taxi and have been door to door!

I think the bus passes are the least of your problems!

I expect the state pension, free prescriptions for over 60s, winter fuel allowance, and free TV licences will be gone by then too.

I would rather it went to school children, fewer cars clogging up the roads. Two sets of very wealthy pensioners in our family, one of them on a civil service pension of 70k plus using his bus pass to travel for consultancy work. Means tested would be fine by me.

I would not be upset to see bus passes go during this current economic climate.
There are more pressing matters the money could be used for.