I will probably get flamed for this but ...

[glitterytrainers]

When anyone talks about pensioners they say that the person has worked all their life, deserve their pension, free bus pass etc. Do you think it is possible in the near future that there are going to be a whole bunch of pensioners who have never worked a day in their life? I certainly know a few who have never paid into the system but will get the same pension as me. And no, I'm not talking about disabled people or people with chronic illnesses or carers.

Sure. Just like some pensioners now. And fewer of them.

FFS

How do you get a pension if you don't pay into the system?

Yeah how dare those people get old.
Nobody has put absolutely nothing into the system. Even people on benefits pay taxes on the goods they buy.
I always laugh when people sneer at people on benefits drinking and smoking - those things are taxed! Money is going round, just not in the way you want it to.

Can we just have a permanent thread:
"People on benefits, how dare they exist?"
Would save people from having to make a new one every now and then.

Your pension entitlement is checked against your NI number. They know exactly what you have contributed and it has to be 30 years.

I certainly know a few who have never paid into the system but will get the same pension as me

You mean a state pension? I assume you are working and 'better' than the people who don't? Surely you will get a better pension than them as you will have been paying into your works pension?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor everyone has to have a standard of living and a certain income - they're can't leave people starving. I checked my pension forecast - have worked since I was 15, some of it part time but for the last 12 years full time - I will get the same pension as my friend who has only worked 2 days a week for years - nothing to do with childcare - and I believe if you get benefits your contributions towards your pension are still made.

My Nan always worked from 13/14 I think but her sisters never did. They married someone who worked and they were SAHM’s for the rest of their lives basically. I think there are lots of pensioners like this, it was fairly common for women not to work.

I think the Tories will probably change this. Pensions should be reserved for people who worked - benefits should be for people who haven’t.

I have just done this because I took 12 years out to look after my dc. Luckily I started work at 14, so had a good few years under my belt.

If you are caring for children under the age of 18 then I believe contributions are made.

You don't qualify for a state pension unless you have 30 years of NI payments. So unless you're arguing that disabled people or carers who are unable to work shouldn't get a pension then you're talking bollocks.

PositiveVibez no I'm talking state pension - I have not until very recently been able to afford to contribute to my works pension, although I think it is mandatory now.

So you're friend had a better paid job or a better pension scheme?

I don't understand your issue then sorry. Do you think because your mate worked 2 days a week she should get less than you from the government?

peachgreen so how will the people who have never worked survive in old age - they will get a pension.

I'm not sure there WILL be a state pension in 30 years time to be honest. Or they will just keep raising the age until we all drop dead from working.

Church You only get NICs via CB now until the child is 12, iirc. It changed wef April 2010. May be different for those with disabled children who take the burden off the state by shouldering the caring responsibilities.

The government website says it’s just a lower amount if less than 30 years worked and that being married also can also increase e entitlement. I think the system needs an overhaul and the more tax/in paid the more the pension and no entitlement if not contributed.

As for people on benefits pay tax, whilst that might be technically true the money used came from the state in the first place so it’s not the person paying just the state getting some of the money back.

scaryteacher

Fair enough, I didn’t realise the change. I have no argument with that.

Bluebutterfly90 I'm not bashing people on benefits - my kids got Job Seeker's Allowance before they found jobs. I just know people who have hardly worked a single day in their lives and will still get a pension. For instance my mum, although she worked up to 51 does very well from benefits - with pension credit and Disability Allowance (for asthma). She gets far more money than I ever will.

What’s the alternative? Let people starve in the streets? Workhouses? I don’t want to live in a society like that, even if it doesn’t seem “fair” to some. Though we may well be heading that way :(

Yes it's outrageous. Hopefully the Tories open special facilities where these pensioners who haven't contributed can just go and rot quietly 🙄

I don't see what you mean? People are saying that to get the state pension you have to work a minimum amount of time and to get anymore you have to have your own one or a work one so how can someone who hasn't contributed as you say get the same as you? Either way, do you want to live somewhere where old people are out on the streets cause they have no money? And let's face it, if things continue as they are a lot would have dementia. I'm not being arsey just wondering what you would prefer?

Is this a genuine thread? Are you trying to benefit bash? Are you a journalist?