Triple lock remains

[triplelock]

Name changed as I understand this probably won't be a popular opinion.

AIBU to think it's not exactly fair for the working population to have their tax thresholds frozen for 4 years while pensions get to keep their triple lock?

I understand some pensioners struggle on the state pension alone. But a lot of families also struggle on minimum wage.

@VinylDetective

"We know that, it doesn’t negate the fact that it’s a social contract we entered with the state when we started work, in my case almost 50 years ago."

There was no social contract-you may have had an expectation of a state pension at 60 but Governments can and do change their spending commitments. In the same way that after many years of paying tax I may have had an expectation of free eye sight tests or free university education or a properly funded state education system for my children but I certainly do not have a contractual right to these things social or otherwise.

I still have the letter from way back from DWP saying that I would (not 'might') qualify for my state pension at 60 and a rough estimate of what it would be. They reneged on that letter by postponing the date by 2 years. I was fortunate and was able to keep working but many women weren't. Yes, don't trust them an inch when you plan for your retirement!

It's not your money that you paid in that's been used to pay your pension. It's paid forward.

Hang on there tonytiy what you're saying is that they should pay in to something for 40+ years, pay the people "above" them in the pension queue and then get nothing because younger people are jealous can you even see the ridiculousness, not to say unfairness, of such a daft statement?

Would you be happy to forego part of your wages for 40+ years in the knowledge that you wouldn't starve in your old-age, and then just shrug and say "oh, ok then" when the government said "hahahaha that was a JOKE and you fell for it!"

Get out of here. The hell you would.

Hang on there tonytiy what you're saying is that they should pay in to something for 40+ years, pay the people "above" them in the pension queue and then get nothing because younger people are jealous can you even see the ridiculousness, not to say unfairness, of such a daft statement?

Where on earth have I said pensioners should receive nothing? This conversation is about the triple lock but thank you for proving my point about people not understanding how paying for pensions work. 😆

I agree OP. Or if it stays give the same protections to working class incomes (nhs 1% payrise? After this year?!)

Don't forget that everyone on here will one day either be a pensioner or will be desd. If you campaign to reduce pension increases now, you are reducing the amount you will get in your own pensions. As others have said, if you have just the state pension, you will get other benefits to help. If you have been fortunate to have been able to save, you will get bugger all interest on your savings, or an annuity that even less, and you will get taxed on it too. Be careful what you wish for as it is affecting your future too.

@Billandben444

It’s £9339 pa, does your year only have nine months? I make that £778.25 a month. Not a fortune. It's paid 4-weekly - going up to £921 every 4 weeks = £12,000 a year. Yes, not a fortune but enough to live on.

The standard state pension will be £179.60 per week from April, if you have paid the required amount of NI contributions. £9,,339.20 per year. The minimum wage from April will be £8.91 ph, or £17,142.84 pa for a 37 hour week. How can a pension of just over half the minimum wage be considered as too much? I don't know how you get over £9k state oension. Presumably you worked on after pension age and deferred taking your pension for a few years, thus increasing the amount you get.

I don't know how you get over £9k state oension. Presumably you worked on after pension age and deferred taking your pension for a few years, thus increasing the amount you get.
Yes, I posted upthread that I deferred it for 2 years. I qualified before the new all-singing all-dancing pension so am actually on the lower basic amount. This is augmented by SERPS (as I didn't opt out) and the deferred percentage increase. It isn't much, no, but I don't have rent/mortgage to pay which makes a huge difference.

For pensioners over 70 the basic state pension is going up to £7157.80 per year. It's only younger pensioners who get the so called "new state pension" of £9339.20

My dad work ,saved and paid into a private pension for 35 years nobody gave him anything why should people resent and begrudge it.

Something's got to change but as per usual for the most selfish generation in history it's all about what you can get and kept and fuck those who come next.

Wow. That's a surprisingly nasty statement even for MN.

My 83 year old mum, who has to pay for her own help as she isn't deemed ' seriously in need of help' has been informed that she's to get another £2.80 .
I'll let her know how lucky she is.

I'm sure all Tory MPs agree that 1% is enough for nurses and other public sector workers.

@PigletJohn

I'm sure all Tory MPs agree that 1% is enough for nurses and other public sector workers.

Exactly. It's the inequality that people are objecting to.

Over the last 10 years or so, public sector workers have had an imposed pay freeze with a couple of 1% increases and have been told to expect more of the same, along with increased pension contributions that mean many actually take home less than they did 10 years ago.

While at the same time, the pension triple lock has continued to be in place.

Perhaps we should have a triple lock for pay increases for nurses instead.

The average pensioner was born in the 1940s. That was 80 years ago.
They are what are called the golden generation.
I am sick of the fact that receive billions yearly despite their wealth. Children live in poverty despite working parents while the average pensioner in the south east lives in a million pound home, final salary pension scheme, state pension, pay zero council tax, zero travel costs, reduced utilities (British gas in my last bill had a leaflet attached explaining how being retired equals a special tariff / Thames water published the same) zero dental costs, zero optician bills and zero medicine costs. Until recently they didn’t even have to pay for tv. I would love someone to explain why the average is so bloody poor?
Every concession and benefit should be means tested and linked to the receipt of pension credit. If you are so called poor then you get help but hand outs based purely on age is ridiculous.

@MrsPear

The simple fact is that they get all those things because they vote. No politician dares piss them off.

@MrsPear

why do you think prosperous pensioners such as you describe pay zero council tax, zero dental costs, zero optician bills?

What age do you think used to get a free TV licence?

In my (South-East) town there aren't many million-pound houses, so the average pensioner won't be living in one.

Every concession and benefit should be means tested and linked to the receipt of pension credit

@MrsPear A lot of things you list are means tested. No-one pays reduced council tax, water rates etc unless they are on a low income.

Some pensioners will be living in million pound houses, but that can be a modest terraced house in London.

Children living in poverty is not the fault of pensioners, but as long as people like you fall for the divide and rule tactic instead of focussing blame in the right place, not much will change.

the average pensioner in the south east lives in a million pound home, final salary pension scheme, state pension, pay zero council tax, zero travel costs, reduced utilities (British gas in my last bill had a leaflet attached explaining how being retired equals a special tariff / Thames water published the same) zero dental costs, zero optician bills and zero medicine costs

The average pensioner? Where does this information come from? It’s inaccurate in most respects.

the average pensioner in the south east lives in a million pound home, final salary pension scheme, state pension, pay zero council tax, zero travel costs, reduced utilities (British gas in my last bill had a leaflet attached explaining how being retired equals a special tariff / Thames water published the same) zero dental costs, zero optician bills and zero medicine costs. Until recently they didn’t even have to pay for tv.

Where do you get this nonsense from? Do you really believe the "average" (whatever that is) pensioner doesn't pay CT, travel, gets cheap utilities etc while living in a milion pound house?

@MrsPear

The average pensioner was born in the 1940s. That was 80 years ago. They are what are called the golden generation. I am sick of the fact that receive billions yearly despite their wealth. Children live in poverty despite working parents while the average pensioner in the south east lives in a million pound home, final salary pension scheme, state pension, pay zero council tax, zero travel costs, reduced utilities (British gas in my last bill had a leaflet attached explaining how being retired equals a special tariff / Thames water published the same) zero dental costs, zero optician bills and zero medicine costs. Until recently they didn’t even have to pay for tv. I would love someone to explain why the average is so bloody poor? Every concession and benefit should be means tested and linked to the receipt of pension credit. If you are so called poor then you get help but hand outs based purely on age is ridiculous.

You know what I reached pension age this month and was going to defer it but it was at the urging of my DS and other young people in my family that finally made me claim it plus posts such as yours. I don't have a final salary pension, I don't have free dental care , sight tests and prescriptions may be free but its also free to working age people over 60, I certainly don't live in a million pound house. As I have to get to work before 9am I don't use a bus pass free travel has its limitations. But ta for the heads up about Thames water and British gas I will look into it, but I suspect it will only be for pensioners on pension credit, nothing for me and DH still working and paying Tax. Tax which by the way goes towards all the things that working age peoples tax go towards including the NHS, working age benefits, other peoples pensions, well everything really, and unlike working age benefits like UC my state pension is taxed when added to other income.

Children living in poverty is not the fault of pensioners, but as long as people like you fall for the divide and rule tactic instead of focussing blame in the right place, not much will change.
True.
It is the fault of government, we live in a democracy, we voted these people into power, it is OUR fault children live in poverty (including pensioners fault). We voted for child poverty and we can choose not to vote for it if we want. Unfortunately for poor children, mostly we vote to keep (and deepen) their poverty.