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Original poster

WTF? £600 winter fuel allowance for all pensioners!

1000 replies

user1497207191 · 13/10/2023 13:34

No wonder the country has no money and the deficit/debt is getting bigger.

MIL just phoned up saying she'd got a letter telling her £600 was on the way to her and asking why, when she doesn't need it?

Just why??? She's not claiming means tested benefits. Her state and her husband's occupational pension are already far more than she needs to live on, meaning she saves a few hundred pounds a month into ISAs (which already stand at over £100k). Owns her own house, so no rent/mortgage.

Why the hell can't this money be directed at those who actually need it or more worthy causes? It's insane to keep throwing money at people who don't need it.

She doesn't need it, she doesn't want it. She wouldn't miss it if it wasn't paid to her.

If they can means test the child benefit and claw it back from those earning over £50k, why can't they come up with a way of ensuring winter fuel allowance is only paid to those who may need it? Why not only paid to those pensioners claiming pension credits, or rent allowance, or whatever?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
24
Babyroobs · 14/10/2023 14:28

ilovesooty · 14/10/2023 14:21

And how some of them busily look for ways to protect their inheritance and avoid selling their parents ' house to pay care home fees. Those who do that are happy enough to try to get the state to pick up the tab.

Show quote history

There has been an absolute abundance of these type of threads on forums recently- parents 'signing over' their properties to their kids etc to avoid having to pay for care. I see it constantly in my job also- property put into kids names, rental properties in other family members names, then the parent s make out they have no income, claim every benefit under the sun etc and they don't ever seem to get caught out despite the lies.

Araminta1003 · 14/10/2023 14:28

“Inheritance is not a guarantee nor a right.”

Depends on which country you live in and the applicable legal system. In many civil jurisdictions inheritance passes by law to the closest relatives in set percentages. It does not in the UK because some reverts to the Crown?

canwetalkaboutcake · 14/10/2023 14:33

Araminta1003 · 14/10/2023 14:28

“Inheritance is not a guarantee nor a right.”

Depends on which country you live in and the applicable legal system. In many civil jurisdictions inheritance passes by law to the closest relatives in set percentages. It does not in the UK because some reverts to the Crown?

AFAIK in the UK people can leave their estate/money to whoever they wish as long as it's all legally done. There is inheritance tax over a certain amount but most people will not be paying it as their estate isn't worth enough to. There is no inheritance tax if leaving to a spouse, and the threshold for IT is higher if leaving to children, but that doesn't mean you have to leave it to your children.

Babyroobs · 14/10/2023 14:33

NalafromtheLionKing · 14/10/2023 14:15

Wow, how is that even possible? Did they pay up their missing pension contributions for the time they were in Australia or is there another loophole?

Show quote history

No it's just a loophole. They are entitled to pension credit because they are a Uk citizen and have no other income.

Whataretheodds · 14/10/2023 14:51

iatealltheminieggs · 13/10/2023 13:44

DH's grandparents get it and they have thousands sat in their bank accounts. I know they won't give it to charity. They'll just add it to their pot 🙄

And many people in that position then complain about/avoid/evade IHT

Cinateel · 14/10/2023 15:06

Why not only paid to those pensioners claiming pension credits, or rent allowance, or whatever?

Because there are a lot of people like me, on a basic pension, not entitled to anything extra. I struggle.

Janey331 · 14/10/2023 15:18

Eustaciavile · 13/10/2023 14:01

Such an ignorant, ageist comment.

You seem to like using the 'ageist' card, you've banded it about enough in this post!
I happen to disagree that this post is ageist. It's common sense, when we have so many working poor who are just about scraping a living, who may be a couple of pounds over the limit to claim all the benefits that others get. These people need to heat their houses too, especially if they have younger children and babies. Why should Mr and Mrs pensioners, who have a good few £100k in the bank get this money that they don't need? I am a taxpayer, why should my hard-earned taxes go to people who are already loaded? 75% of voters on this post agree with the OP, me included.

rwalker · 14/10/2023 15:24

Cinateel · 14/10/2023 15:06

Why not only paid to those pensioners claiming pension credits, or rent allowance, or whatever?

Because there are a lot of people like me, on a basic pension, not entitled to anything extra. I struggle.

my mum misses out on pension credits by a minimal amount because they were responsible and prioritised private pension over lifestyle
but has literally a few pound more than if she was on pension credits and would then miss out on this

ilovesooty · 14/10/2023 15:32

Janey331 · 14/10/2023 15:18

You seem to like using the 'ageist' card, you've banded it about enough in this post!
I happen to disagree that this post is ageist. It's common sense, when we have so many working poor who are just about scraping a living, who may be a couple of pounds over the limit to claim all the benefits that others get. These people need to heat their houses too, especially if they have younger children and babies. Why should Mr and Mrs pensioners, who have a good few £100k in the bank get this money that they don't need? I am a taxpayer, why should my hard-earned taxes go to people who are already loaded? 75% of voters on this post agree with the OP, me included.

Show quote history

Do you refer to using the "racist" card, or the "disability" card as well?

IaaFLf68 · 14/10/2023 15:43

'Most of them'- really? You really don't like the older generation, do you?

ruby1957 · 14/10/2023 15:50

uhtredofbattenberg · 14/10/2023 11:12

But there already is a means tested version - the Warm Homes Discount, a relatively measly £150.

It seems the government have kept that one low, and increased the WFA, so that as pp have said many well off pensioners benefit.

Show quote history

Do you really believe what you are typing? Some people who get the £500 WFA (PER HOUSEHOLD) already get the Warm homes discount - which is based on need.
You really think it was ever designed for all pensioner HOUSEHOLDS - educate yourself about how much extra help is actually given to those who qualify for Warm Home Discount and Cold weather payments.
Another thing to note that this increase is a one off for this year and last year. The WFA is normally £200 or £300 if over 80

ruby1957 · 14/10/2023 15:54

user1471449196 · 14/10/2023 11:48

We don't all get £600. You have to be over 80. The winter fuel payment is normally £200 but has been topped up by £300 this year. I, for one, am very grateful for it! And I pay income tax on my small pension.

Me too - so many posters (76%) obviously have no concept of the reality around being a pensioner.
They also seem to think that all pensioners get it - when reality is that as it is per household - single pensioners who live alone (I am one) for once get an extra bit of help. I pay tax as do many others.

IvorTheEngineDriver · 14/10/2023 16:05

Pensioners vote. I don't get the allowance BTW.

Thatladdo · 14/10/2023 16:05

Has she decided which charity she is giving it to? or been in touch to cancel it or repay it?

Thought not.

thegreylady · 14/10/2023 16:11

I have had no such letter. I am a 79 year old widow.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/10/2023 16:26

IvorTheEngineDriver · 14/10/2023 16:05

Pensioners vote. I don't get the allowance BTW.

Edited

Everyone over 18 has the vote but not everybody makes the effort to use it. As I said hundreds of posts ago, if you don't vote, don't complain about what the government decides to do. You had your chance to influence which party ended up in government and you passed it up.

I hope everyone is making sure they have the necessary ID to be able to vote in the next General Election, which might be next autumn. It can't be later than the end of that year, I think. This is especially important if you live in a marginal constitutency where the result isn't a foregone conclusion. (I don't, my MP has one of the biggest majorities in the country, but I still always vote.)

Zebedee55 · 14/10/2023 16:31

Choux · 14/10/2023 11:53

Re London pensioners who are asset rich in £600k houses but cash poor there ARE retirement places in London. Perhaps not everywhere but London pensioners can move into future proof / one level living in communities where everyone is over 60.

Here's one for £385k so would release almost 200k after moving costs. Spare room for visitors, modern shower to help avoid falls, likely lower heating bills as a modern flat, with communal lounge and gardens.

PP mentioned their relative got pension credit. Obviously that would stop if the person now had £200k in the bank as would council funded home care if they became infirm as the money is no longer tied up in the home.

So there are options. But as we see all the time on the elderly parents threads, many pensioners become set in their ways / fearful of change and want to stay in their current home even as they become isolated and the home becomes unsuitable for their needs.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130336091#/?channel=RES_BUY

Not everyone wants to move. Younger people have the choice, why shouldn't older people?

Zebedee55 · 14/10/2023 16:36

ruby1957 · 14/10/2023 15:54

Me too - so many posters (76%) obviously have no concept of the reality around being a pensioner.
They also seem to think that all pensioners get it - when reality is that as it is per household - single pensioners who live alone (I am one) for once get an extra bit of help. I pay tax as do many others.

Show quote history

Yeah, and me. There is a lot of "envy fantasy" on this thread...🙄

Zebedee55 · 14/10/2023 16:40

Janey331 · 14/10/2023 15:18

You seem to like using the 'ageist' card, you've banded it about enough in this post!
I happen to disagree that this post is ageist. It's common sense, when we have so many working poor who are just about scraping a living, who may be a couple of pounds over the limit to claim all the benefits that others get. These people need to heat their houses too, especially if they have younger children and babies. Why should Mr and Mrs pensioners, who have a good few £100k in the bank get this money that they don't need? I am a taxpayer, why should my hard-earned taxes go to people who are already loaded? 75% of voters on this post agree with the OP, me included.

Show quote history

I don't know. This Boomer pays money into the system for childcare vouchers, various benefits, UC top ups etc.

i don't know who actually needs what - but this has always been the system.

Those of us that pay tax all pay into the pot.

Lucsophiedogs · 14/10/2023 17:07

So because this lady as probably been a worker and saver all her life which is everyone's choice she should be penalised for that and not give her the money it dosent seem right to me

ErrolTheDragon · 14/10/2023 17:09

IvorTheEngineDriver · 14/10/2023 16:05

Pensioners vote. I don't get the allowance BTW.

Edited

Which party are pensioners supposed to be swayed to vote for? The one that introduced it, and has made no sign of wanting to change it afaik, or the party which subsequently retained it?

I remain baffled by people trying to make this a party political issue either way.

Murdoch1949 · 14/10/2023 17:19

That amount is just for pensioners on benefits. Most get the much lower payment.

LouHey · 14/10/2023 17:21

It takes less effort and man hours to make it universal, I suspect. So £600 to the % of people who don't need it is cheaper than employing staff or creating a system to determine eligibility.

Exdonkeylover · 14/10/2023 17:42

Means tested benefits are expensive for the govt to do, so the cost of running has to out way the savings. Sometimes its more financially (and vote gaining) economical to give it to all pensioners

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 14/10/2023 17:49

Yet they removed those on PIP and DLA a while ago

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