AIBU to think that I shouldn't have bothered working and paying into National Insurance for the 35 years I have done so?

[HauntedBungalow]

When all I will get is the bare State Pension. Whereas other people who did not make these contributions and/or did not work will get Pension Credit plus all the other nice little add ons like Council Tax Support, free boilers and now Winter Fuel Allowance? AIBU to think I'm a mug for bothering to work all those years?

So if both yours went bust surely you should have realised that that has also happened to others like my DH FGS

That’s because the old state pension was 25% less than the new one.

Not if they didn't have to deal with the day to day stressors of work, knowing that you had certain standard and expectations to fill st work. Targets etc.
Knowing you had to be up and presentable at work, knowing you had to be politely deferential to people you thought were idiots?
Oh yeah, so much easier than not having to worry about work, rent, council tax etc.

I agree too

I absolutely agree with you op. Many will come on here saying you’re wrong but you’re absolutely right.

I didn’t say they shouldn’t have worked 🤷🏻‍♀️

My point is, even if OP end up with the same as someone who hasn’t worked, if she doesn’t cherry pick that period of her life - has she been better off than them for the last 35 years?

When? When was the old state pension 25% less than the new one?

Purely anecdote but today as I was working from home, in my full time job, in a boiling hot room, I had the pleasure of looking out my window to my next door neighbours who don't work sunning themselves in their garden. They don't work, have a 3 bed council house with one adult son living there, have newer cars than me (hers a 2023 plate, his a 2013 plate) whilst I rattle around in a 2009 car. They enjoy their hot tub and free time whilst I just seem to work and can hardly afford the bills this month.

No doubt in retirement, even though they seemed to have retired at 40, they'll get everything paid for. Meanwhile I'll probably have to sell my house to pay for care. They are people who know exactly how to play the system and have done it for years. No they might not own a house but why own when the council will pay for everything and you have the house until you die anyway, and won't need to "sell" it to pay for care.

It's a joke and there is no incentive to do well in this country at all. Jealous? More like despair.

The old basic state pension was (and still is) lower than the new flat rate state pension.

I agree OP.

However, this is socialist Mumsnet so you will get flamed for having such an opinion. But I hear you and feel your pain.

i wish I only had to pay 35 yrs! 😆

Well, it is better than life on the State Pension as you now get more benefits.

well, not everyone can work for starters.

Socialist Mumsnet? Are you fucking joking Have you seen the way social housing tenants are talked about on here. A recent thread about prisoners showed that the prisoners were more well thought of

Labour is now going to screw the working classes that have supported and voted for them. All politicians are lying bastards….end of!!!

Jealous? More like despair.

Yes. Despair is exactly it. When I think of all the times, many many points in any given week, I was stressed to the point of tears, about logistics/work/ how can I ever spend proper time with my kids, all that kind of crap... I honestly wish I hadn't bothered. Because when push comes to shove and I'm no longer fit for the workplace, I'm no better off than if I'd sat on my royal fucking hole for 35 years. In fact I'm probably worse off.

The basic state pension that is paid to people born before around 1950 is £169.50 per week, it needed 39 years of NI.

The new state pension paid to people born after around 1950 is £221.20 per week and needs 35 years of NI to get it.

It changed around 2010 but people on the old amount haven't been moved to the new higher amount, but that was a factor in bringing in pension credit.

Exactly!

100% this. And we're meant to hear about people like your neighbours and say 'gosh, lucky me to get to work and support these people to make sure they're happy and get what they want!'

I agree OP but I don’t know what the solution is. Other than tighten the criteria considerably until only those who absolutely cannot work at all get benefits.

Well, people are now realising what they have voted for.

Unfortunately, the last government were too incompetent so people voted for change. But at least they rewarded work and saving.

Labour needs all the people on benefits to keep voting for them, so they will not care about wokers (unless they work in the public sector).

I’m not sure I understand this. My dad worked his entire life from age 15.

He rented and drew a pension and got pension credit (no work place pensions) and help paying his rent.

Are you saying the system has been changed, and only people who have never worked get pension credit?

I for one would prefer to work than not work and be supported by the state. No money, dependent on the government: no way to live, no pride. No choices.

There’s no pride in dodging work your whole life.

You have worked hard and contributed to society. You have set a good example to your children.

It’s a shame that your workplace pensions haven’t worked out, because this is what would usually bridge the gap.

No, it isn’t fair.