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.

It is unfair and I also think that free prescriptions for the over-60s is unfair. It encourages people to 'be ill'

Oh ffs

Bluerussian I totally agree - I think working gives you confidence and a sense of worth - it certainly has for my own children. They were really shy before going out into the world of work - they are different people now. I think working is healthy for the mind and yes, you're right, we're probably the lucky ones for being able to work.

Summerandsparkle I won't have a mortgage but I'm nearly 54 and worried I will only have a pittance to live off - and I know that's no life.

why shouldn't people who pay a bit more get a bit more?

We do. Any sensible person also takes out an occupational pension and we get tax relief on the contributions, the more we pay, the more tax relief we get. You’re not whinging about that not being fair, though.

What would you prefer? That people who contribute less get less money? Then the social care system will be under more strain as some people will be homeless, unable to afford food etc. I couldn’t begrudge an elderly person that little money. It’s not exactly going to support a champagne lifestyle.

PositiveVibez it might not encourage people to be ill but I live in Scotland and prescriptions are free. My mum used to get paracetamol on prescription, although this has been stopped - you can buy a packet for 35p ffs. People do abuse the free prescriptions but I think they are clamping down on what you can get for nothing.

UtuNorantiPralatongsThirdEye - WTF? One in five people earn under the Living Wage. Jobs like care assistants, retail, hospitality etc pay minimum wage. Realistically, many people can not afford to pay for retirement but still work hard.

I say that as somebody who has paying into occupational pension schemes for the past 13 years and DH will have a full military pension. We are lucky we can afford to save money, millions of people cannot.

If people have to pay for childcare while they work, then the government should pay the equivalent to parents who look after their children at home. I always thought that people that have only worked part-time most of their life have a reduced pension, compared with someone full time. What I can’t get my head around is Dominic Grieve getting something like £500'000 redundancy, because he lost his seat; really, he was sacked and should get nothing. OP if it is true YANBU

Alsohuman did you not see my previous post - I couldn't afford to pay into the pension scheme. I really wish I could have - I do now but it will be too little too late.

My mum doesn’t get a state pension.

We shouldn't be moaning about Mary that only worked for 5 years then raised a family getting something like £150 a week. We should be moaning about MP's retiring at 55 on £40k a year pensions and stuff like that. An MP earns something like £70k a year. What entitles them to such a large pension so early?

PlomBear you're completely right - some of the most hard working people barely scrape by because of their low paid wages. And I'm only earning a decent wage now because I fought tooth and nail and took on extra responsibility - I had to threaten to leave before I got the rise I wanted.

I believe you have to have contributed at least ten years of income tax (or have been a homemaker for at least 20 years and contribute at least 5 years of income tax, in my mother’s case) in order to qualify for a pension. Though there must be some funding for those who are retired with no savings/pension.

I’m a bit confused why you haven’t paid into a private pension.

I think this will happen less going forward as employers have to set up pensions now I believe? I am not in a well paid job but everyone is encouraged to pay in a certain %.

I think you have been badly advised or not researched enough.

My grandma was divorced in her 40’s and had to start paying almost half her salary in to ensure she has a good pension.

I’d get some advice on the best way forward and adjust your finances so you can contribute to a private fund. I know you say you can’t afford it but if you’d done a small amount over a number of years it would have made a big difference.

State is only enough for a very basic lifestyle.

YappityYapYap they should just get the same pension as the rest of us.

Summerandsparkle I do now - but what's done is done. I am thinking maybe we could downsize our house and at least get a lump sum to live off of, which I suppose I am lucky to be able to do - some kids nowadays won't ever be able to afford to get on the property ladder.

I started work at 15 and apart from a year off each time to have my 3 children I have worked and im the waspie woman who now has to work an extra 6 years to get my pension and don't even get a bus pass till im 65 so had to wait an extra 5 years for that so yes I think ive worked long enough and earned my full state pension, and as someone else said I pay taxes on everything I buy as well, what about women who are long term ill or disabled are you saying they are not entitled to their pension,

with pension credit and Disability Allowance (for asthma). She gets far more money than I ever will.

Unless your mother has seriously bad asthma then she doesn’t get any disability benefits for it

It’s a very clear benefits bashing attempt

I've worked bloody hard all these years but couldn't work full time because of 3 children. Do you not think if I could have afforded 3 lots of childcare (including twins) I wouldn't have worked full time?

It was your choice to have children, besides, plenty manage to work full time and have children.
Why didn't you save enough to cover childcare for the years needed? Why have children knowing you wouldn't be able to afford to work?

It sounds like you've taken a good chunk out of the system, certainly more that I or many others have.

yay a benefit bashing thread in disguise.......scrooge is alive and is wearing trainers.

lyralalala I can assure you she does - she gets it for the rest of her life. When she applied the regulations were a lot less strict - she wouldn't get it now.

@glitterytrainers downsizing is a good option, it’s good that you have your house as an asset. Alternatively there are mortgage options available from mainstream lenders now so you can release equity from your home for reasons like this.

UtuNorantiPralatongsThirdEye and what have I taken out of the system other than child benefit? Don't really get where you are coming from? I still always paid tax and National Insurance. And my husband has always worked full time.

DDIJ why is that - I assume your husband has worked and contributed?