Means testing State Pension

[CuriousMariette]

Do you think the time has come for this to be introduced? I don’t think the current system is sustainable as many people are living too long. I know it’s not fair and would be political suicide but Pensioner’s didn’t even suffer a 80% furlough during lockdowns. I say this from a place of having “paid in” as people say for 30 years plus already and would likely not receive a State Pension in this scenario.

I don't know what they can do about it apart from hugely drastic measures such as DNR for anyone over a certain age

And that age would be? if you're up for putting forward such a disgusting scenario you, it would be more honest to put a number on it.

While you're there, why not DNR those with terminal illnesses? There doing fuck all.

Bloody typos. That's what comes of typing standing up.

You're joking. I've paid tax and national insurance for over 30 years towards my pension. I've also saved for my retirement. My friend has spent all her money on designer handbags and luxury holidays and has no savings. So she'd get a pension and I wouldn't? You're having a laugh.

If you're going down that route you might as well abandon the whole idea and make it every man for himself.

So you never had children - it’s those children that will be paying tax to fund your pension- but you didn’t have them. The money/tax isn’t put away for your pension, it’s paid from taxes today and as the pyramid changes shape meaning there are not enough children born we run into problems

Not having children is the problem when it comes to pensions

@Celia66

You're joking. I've paid tax and national insurance for over 30 years towards my pension. I've also saved for my retirement. My friend has spent all her money on designer handbags and luxury holidays and has no savings. So she'd get a pension and I wouldn't? You're having a laugh.

If you're going down that route you might as well abandon the whole idea and make it every man for himself.

Yep you can't penalise people for being prudent, it's that care home issue as well

@ivykaty44

So you never had children - it’s those children that will be paying tax to fund your pension- but you didn’t have them. The money/tax isn’t put away for your pension, it’s paid from taxes today and as the pyramid changes shape meaning there are not enough children born we run into problems

Not having children is the problem when it comes to pensions

No I haven't had children. I understand how the pension model works, but does the fact that I haven't had children mean I shouldn't get a state pension?

@echt

I don't know what they can do about it apart from hugely drastic measures such as DNR for anyone over a certain age

And that age would be? if you're up for putting forward such a disgusting scenario you, it would be more honest to put a number on it.

While you're there, why not DNR those with terminal illnesses? There doing fuck all.

Echt honestly I agree with the PP. I don’t think it’s a disgusting scenario. I would much rather taxpayers’ money be spent on the young. The current system of keeping everyone alive as long as possible - often long after their mind and body is up to it - is not sustainable. In fact I’d go further than that and say it’s wrong.

does the fact that I haven't had children mean I shouldn't get a state pension?

No it doesn’t. And you’ll have cost the state considerably less throughout your life by not having them.

Actually I am going to step away from this thread now. I am sure it wasn't intentional, but the comment about children was really upsetting.

I am infertile. It's been shitty enough without having to read that me now having children is now contributing to a state pension problem. Please don't @ me - I won't be back.

@AnotherSillawithanS

I think the government could look after its elderly if it didn't have to look after the young so much.

Lol!!!! Which Government is doing that?!

@monfuseds

Perhaps the new health & social care levy which pensioners will have to pay should be a higher % for wealthier people

They won't pay it because pensioners don't pay NI. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Pensioners pay tax (and will be paying the extra social care tax) so in a way the pension is means tested and the poorest get pension credit.

Our pensions are some of the lowest in Europe. Of course the millionaires in our government love to peddle the “we can’t afford it” bollocks.

Pensioners pay tax (and will be paying the extra social care tax

The social care funding is coming from NI so the vast majority of pensioners won’t be paying it. )

Council Tax Support (CTS) should be looked at again as there's a great deal of disparity since 2013 when LAs were given the power to set how much Council Tax Support (eg; Council Tax Bill reductions) their local Residents were entitled to.

So, perversely, the wealthier areas with more high income households and fewer low income huseholds that may need CTS can offer lower income thresholds whereas the poorer LAs cant.

Which means those entitled to CTS Support in wealthier areas pay a lot less for their Council Tax than those that live in less wealthy LAs. The one I live in now removes 25% of any CTS no matter how poor anyone is. My Council Tax Bill is recalculated at least once a month - often several times - producing volumes of paperwork at unnecessary expense.

Tackle that disparity first - and then a few after that too....

How could somebody's state pension be cut because they downsized. That makes no sense.

@Fr0thandBubblethan
"Honestly I think the issue is that we try far too hard to keep people alive for as long as possible in this country. I’d happily pay more tax to fund better education for children, better services for disabled children (being a parent of one, I know just how dire the state provision is), generally better provision for children, etc. But taxpayers spending hundreds of thousands eking out the age of people in their 80s and 90s, I’ve got no interest in."

go on then, who shall we kill and how shall we kill them? I have worked in the NHS and by and large, its my experience that the older population who are receiving a high level of care are given only treatments to keep them comfortable because that is what is best for them....or should we leave them in pain and fighting for breath?

No way.

Surely means testing would mean that people who have saved in to a private pension would be denied some or all of the state pension, whereas people who have not made any other arrangements would continue to get the state pension.

That is hardly an incentive to save for your old age. Might as well spend and enjoy now then let the state support you.

Although I doubt many people could live on just the state pension anyway so you need some private pension to supplement it. If you start reducing entitlement to state benefit to people with some private provision then it is going to be those in the middle most affectef

They won't pay it because pensioners don't pay NI
Pensioners will be made to pay the levy - not as soon as it’s added to NI, but they will be charged. Check your facts.

@SquidMonkey err in 2023 working pensioners will pay it 🤦🏻‍♀️

@Blossomtoes

Pensioners pay tax (and will be paying the extra social care tax

The social care funding is coming from NI so the vast majority of pensioners won’t be paying it. )

That’s not correct - check your facts

@Viviennemary

How could somebody's state pension be cut because they downsized. That makes no sense.

The money made by the sale of the first house (owned outright) was set against the person's state pension. Presumably there's a limit. So this friend, on top of agents' fees and the inevitable expense of moving, as well as repairs needed to the new house, gets stiffed by VicGov.

I don't know any more, as while it's friend, I don't feel I can ask more, and am not across state pensions, as I don't qualify for one.

That's Australia for you.

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

They won't pay it because pensioners don't pay NI Pensioners will be made to pay the levy - not as soon as it’s added to NI, but they will be charged. Check your facts.

Got a link so I can check my facts? Because I’m pretty sure you’re wrong.

I do think its inevitable that they will start means testing state pensions, even if i disagree with it. I am 29 and am fully expecting zero state pension for me even if i have been paying NI. would probably have to pay for healthcare too. Its just the reality of an aging society.

No. You've worked for that pension all your life. You're entitled to it

Got a link so I can check my facts? Because I’m pretty sure you’re wrong

www.usdaw.org.uk/Help-Advice/Pensions/Retired-Members/Health-and-Social-Care-Levy