The state pension is HOW MUCH???

[BeatieBourke]

Call me stupid (fair) but I've just realised how much the state pension is. £800 odd a month (£185.15pw).

As a non-means tested benefit. For EVERYONE.

I'm generally of the opinion that benefits are too low and too punitive. I usually advocate for universalism. I understand that people have worked their whole lives and paid in, and deserve a retirement. And that having pensioners in poverty does no favours to the economy or other welfare services.

But £800 a month / £9k a year for EVERYONE?? So a widower in rented accommodation with no other income or savings, £800pm. A wealthy 68 year old who's earned a 6 figure salary, has a huge property portfolio and investments coming out of their ears that pay a fortune out in dividends, £800pm. Seriously?

I understand that no party, least of all the Tories (because tory voters as a population are older) will ever go after pensions because it would be unpopular (and older people vote more generally). But in a time when the country is supposedly facing a financial "black hole" and everything else has already been cut to the bone for the last 12 years, why the hell are we paying out state benefits to millionaires?

Maybe if pensions were means tested (with a fairly high and tapering threshold) there'd be enough to pay pensions for women at 65, and more for people who haven't built up huge assets, can't afford to live, heat their homes or eat a hot meal every day in their later years. I can see the (cynical) political sense in it, but no economic sense whatsoever.

AIBU?

He is probably younger. Some people were contracted out most of their working life. I would much rather have paid higher NI.

Maximum state pension is only for those currently under 70 (ie those born after 1953). Older pensioners are still on the much lower older rate and always will be.

My Dad worked from when he left school at 14 and retired at 65 and you begrudge him his pension ! No doubt you are glad pensioners have to pay for their tv license now. I am sure my Dad wouldn't begrudge you 30 hours childcare a week, he never got that but he would be delighted you could recieve it along with your Maternity allowance. Oh and by they way he is not a conservative voter.

you can either have it in pension or you can have it in NHS treatment/social care but you can’t have both?

That already happens with social care, it’s means tested.

By the time I get my State Pension I'll have worked full time for 47 years and part time for 4. I can't believe some people are saying I shouldn't get a state pension. I've worked hard all my life and saved a bit for my old age. Why don't I deserve a pension when people who've never worked or spent all their money would get one?

What a sneery post.

I agree. Maybe we should have just stayed on benefits all our lives? Or spent all our money and not saved at all?

I mean what a ridiculous analogy. It’s like the old “all the rich people who leave the country if they actually have to contribute their fair share of tax” …. no they won’t because they know they have a good deal and you know you have a good deal versus a life on benefits.

And good for Doris I say

Well said, totally agree.

Yet many too tight to spend it on what it is for - care related costs.
Since you clearly have valid data and not just offensive sneering, please share it and tell is what "they" do spend it on.

If someone wants care, they have to pay for it. It is no longer free, everyone pays something.
Unless you mean someone getting a relative to care for them instead?

Rubbish. Some private pensions are very small indeed

AA is like DLA for care-related costs, and is harder to get than DLA. Only people I know who have had it could not get dressed, washed, etc without help. It is used to help pay for care. Without that care the people I know would have just laid in bed and starved to death. And AA did not cover the full cost of their care, it paid part of it only.

The majority of private pensions are small.

Translation: "why don't those oldies just die already and save us youngsters some cash? It's not like their lives actually mean anything"
Ageist and fucking vile

Proper cunty vile post

Are those on a basic state pension also entitled to pension credit ? and the winter fuel allowance ? AND free travel ?? this would boost the income somewhat ? and some elderly receive other benefits due to reduced mobility such as PIP and Attendance Allowance ? I full benefits check would be required to see if anything else is available

I do not have a good deal. I do have a better life than living purely on benefits. Our household income is £34k a year. We are fine and manage, but not rolling in it.

you Cannot claim pension credit with a new state pension

You do not get PIP unless you already received it before retirement.

Nobody in their right mind is aiming this at somebody to whom £185 a week would be significant or means anything to. I wouldn’t wipe my arse with it and I’ve been on the bus with pensioners discussing what are they going to do with their winter fuel bonus and it’s been something like going to the theatre or buying the grandchildren some nice piece of tech which is great because it’s going into the economy but it does seem a little bit harsh on old Doris to whom an extra tenner would mean a great deal to. I believe the whole point of the thread was quite simply if less theatre trips were funded by the taxpayers there might be money for Dorris’ bit of pudding on a Saturday afternoon and a few comforts.

Yes and if I hadn't worked full time since i was 15, if I'd never ever worked I'd get just a bit less. Do you think that's unfair too?

I wouldn’t wipe my arse with it

This kind of phrase never says anything good about the speaker

Yes, perhaps we should have got knocked up at 16, had various kids, took out debt we couldn't afford, and let the state pay for it all.

Many of us chose not to do that, and to work to pay in for a pension.

Silly us.🙄