Pensions… again

[GoodnightAdeline]

https://amp.theguardian.com/money/2024/apr/08/uk-state-pensions-benefits-changes-april-triple-lock-rise

Another pension increase we can’t afford when working people are grappling with the cost of the country.

What will be the endgame in all this? Where will we be in 20 years?

I am, and I agree.

Interesting responses but it's always a shame that conversations about Pensions become an argument about ageism. I think it's a complex discussion and simplifying to I've paid for X years or saying I won't get it is a bit narrow.

Regardless of political views (and I am no fan of the tories), there is a hard reality that the UK population is undergoing a significant shift when it comes to age. It's predicted that by 2034, 22% of the population will be over 65 (this is compared to 10.8% in 1950). And by 2029, there will be more people leaving the workforce than are entering it. This creates challenges that need to be addressed. Pensions is one element but also healthcare, workplaces etc.

I absolutely do not want to see pensioners struggle for a basic standard of living and I also agree that public money has not been well spent by the current government. At the same time, I think it's a topic that needs to be discussed and addressed.

Rhetorical question, but why aren't you claiming child benefit.

This is a crucial thing to claim in order to give you full pension credits. If you are a high earner and don't receive any child benefit, you still have to register for it.

I must admit being a young, broke, working parent in the early 90s when the mortgage interest was 13 percent and there was no government help with childcare costs I also used to be a bit narked about how much pensions were costing.
But since I've worked my butt off paying tax for nearly 40 years, I feel entitled to every penny of my state pension - and when you get to your late 50s you'll feel the same.

Well I didn’t get free childcare, had to take a massive hit in private pension payments when I was forced to have some years off, lost out on CB when that was stopped for HTP and have never claimed any other benefits for anything.

If we stop funding pensions properly we can bloody well stop free childcare and CB for all.

Apart from 2 years when I was at uni, I've worked and paid tax since 1972, and paid NI for all that time until it stopped when I reached state pension age. I paid extra for much of that time, because I wasn't in a pension scheme so was contracted in to SERPS. That gets me an extra £2 or £3 a week. I'm still working. I pay tax on all my earnings, as my state pension uses up almost all my personal allowance, and my small public sector pension uses up the rest.

For much of my working life, private pensions weren't really a thing for anyone but the rich, and only big employers had their own schemes. And I couldn't afford to pay into a pension and pay a mortgage when interest rates were skyhigh.

As a WASPI woman, I've already been robbed of 6 years of pension income, probably around £60k, now you want to cut the paltry amount I get.

But don't worry, I won't cost much in care costs because they'll sell my house to cover those when I'm no longer able to care for myself.

Well my DH and I paid income tax for a combined hundred years between us.

We got no subsidised childcare, and I got very poor maternity pay and leave.

What are we supposed to do? We paid into the system, so now we're getting our pensions.

FFS.

@GoodnightAdeline

Weil you must be on a decent salary if you don't get child benefit?

I thought everyone got 30 hours free childcare from 3 years if they were working?

Late 50s?! I doubt we’ll get it in our 70s…

I don't get it now obviously. I am not getting it until 67.

@TheShellBeach

That's terrible. Hopefully the small increase will help.

The replies on here have been absolutely wild given all I have said is I don’t think we can economically justify the pension increase. Wild I tell you!

Ok I was with you until that last sentence. Yes she's a heartless cow, but I think you'll find that most childfree women do indeed support the continuation of a pension so please don't tar us with that brush.

Oh I see.

It's just old people you object to.

Neither am I even though I was promised it earlier. My generation have been shafted. No childcare help, CB means tested , free uni fees for our kids taken away alongside a ridiculous means tested loan system and boomer parents who have put very little into their care for the elderly. We have had little help with anything and deserve our pensions thanks. Many of us will be currently paying more tax which is funding free childcare, it can jolly well fund pensions too!

Where did I say that? Can you quote?

But we can fund free childcare and CB🤔

You’re annoyed about pensioners receiving £11,500 a year? 🤯

Fuck off with this bollocks. These people have paid into the system their entire working lives. Some of them will have started working at 15 and 16. They probably paid for your education, healthcare and child benefit with their taxes and NI contributions when you were growing up and they were still working.

There’s plenty of non means tested benefits.
Do you think we also can’t afford the increase in PIP, or DLA, for example?

Well they haven’t all - my MIL hasn’t worked full time since having DP and his brother. Same for a lot of ladies I know, it was very part time after children. I’ve worked since I was 14. I don’t see one generation as inherently more deserving than the other I just think money should go to those in need.

Fucking hell op. What a heartless attitude you've got. You still haven't answered what you think pensioners should live on without a rise.
My DHS pension is £10200 a year, mine is £11500 but I am still working but don't worry I pay tax on nearly all my wage. For the first time in my 50 years of working I can afford to go on holiday although I am too knackered to enjoy it.

We have a totally crap state pension and it should be increased with inflation. I am a way off. We as a country should be looking after pensioners, and it shouldn't be an either/or "we can't afford it" game. It's already been increased to 67.

So, one last try, can we (according to you) afford the increases coming in to force this month, for the other non means tested benefits? Or is it just the pension increase?