To not understand the uproar over winter fuel allowance being cut?

[virgocatlover]

It's not being cut. The poorest pensioners on pension credit will still get it. It's only being changed so it's no longer a universal payment anymore.

The energy price cap was £1834 October 2023. This October it's £1717. So it's £117 cheaper than it was last winter for average use.

In April 2024 the state pension rose by 8.5% - a rise of around £900 for those on full state pension. It's expected to rise another £400 next April.

Many energy companies still have schemes for those in genuine need. Plus the warm home discount exists for those on a low income.

I understand pensions who receive just state pension and no other income may be annoyed but there has to be a cut somewhere. But pensioners are unlikely to have the expense of rent/ mortgages in retirement which is the biggest expense to those of working age.

However most of the moans I've heard and seen seem to be from the well off pensioners who are cross about losing something. I know a woman who rents out three houses and spends the winter in the Caribbean who is spitting feathers about losing the payment. Another who spent the money on their Christmas booze.

There is so much uproar about this which didn't happen when there were so many other cuts affecting young people/workers/families. All other benefits are means tested, so should WFA.

People still see pensioners as those who fought in the war and counting pennies at the till to pay for their bread and milk. But that's just not the case these days.

They would be in council housing / housing association properties or living with family.

It’s that age group which has disproportionately voted to destroy our economy over the last decade. Therefore it’s only fair that for once they also pay to repair it, rather than working age people and kids who usually get shaken down for cash.

They should target the scroungers and freeloaders who languish on incapacity benefits for imaginary illnesses not frail, elderly people who are deserving of our compassion.

Here we go. Many pensioners didn't need the allowance as they could afford their bills. It was a universal benefit irrespective of circumstance.

You're saying that those with disabilities who are 'scroungers and freeloaders' should have their benefits cut. As far as I'm concerned, the disabled who can't work,are deserving of compassion.

Perhaps you should point your finger at the untrammeled greed of the utility companies.

I agree my dad got it. He appreciated it but didn't need it. It's ridiculous that we have a benefit millionaires could opt in to based on their age.

If pensioners have a low income but don't qualify there are grants available.

Paying rent on that council housing/housing association property. A not insignificant chunk out of 1k a month. Even bigger chunk if rents rise 7.7% each year.

Paying rent on that council housing/housing association property. A not insignificant chunk out of 1k a month.

They would likely be entitled to housing benefit to pay that.

My dad never owned a home, his job came with a house
That's why he rents. And it's private rent, not council

It is not just the money - most people resent things being taken from the native population whilst being over-generous to unwanted newcomers. I am not a pensioner and no skin off my nose, but I resent it profoundly.

Some of these posts sound like Scrooge - 'let them get to the workhouses!'.
I am a widow, I have my pension plus a portion of my husband's private pension. Together they put me just over the limit for pension credit. I am very lucky to own my house mortgage free - due to our own hard work. I am not going on multiple holidays, and am certainly not 'wealthy!'.
I can manage - others in my situation can't due to still having to pay rent/mortgage. Yes, we had a pension increase - but like everyone else we are affected by the rise in the cost of living.
I am really tired of 'baby boomers' being blamed for everything - nothing was handed to us on a plate, we worked hard.

My sister is moaning about it.

They both retired early and drink a lot not a home, in the pub. They are currently on a month's holiday abroad. She pleads poverty a lot.

While that is terribly sad, that's about poor health, not income or assets your parents may or may not have.

Those are the factors that taxpayers are entitled to want considered before just handing out money to people to ensure it's only going to people who genuinely need it.

@Whenwillitgetwarm was that not because the work shy benefit getters couldn't be arsed to walk to the polling station?

My Mum is 75 and still working, because her pension doesn't cover her living costs. It worries me sick and she doesn't have a private pension as she was a SAHM for nearly 20 years until Dad walked out and was then a single working Mum. That £300 made a huge difference to her.

For that to be true, every pensioner must have owned a home which would imply 100% home ownership amongst the coming up to retirement group. We have never had that.

Is it not more likely that the elderly people paying rent are those who have never owned their own hom, and therefore continue to rent into their retirement?

There does seem to be a lot of moaning about it from people who can clearly afford to pay their bills and don’t need it. “I’ve paid my stamp” - Pensioners favourite saying.

You need also to look at the detail behind the statistics to see the issues with pensioner owned private property and housing poverty. Also that pensioners to be will be increasingly in rental properties

https://ageing-better.org.uk/housing-state-ageing-2020

But people seem to forget the state pension rose £900 this year (much higher than inflation), and likely another £400 next year. That's £1300 more than last winter.

The price cap is also £117 less than last year.

Are you serious?? By any analysis £12k a year is not even enough for a very basic standard of living.

Not all pensioners are in this bracket

Wish I was

I’m a pensioner. I pay full rent and am still taxed. I’m not entitled to PC or any other handout. I won’t be entitled to the WFA, and I’m not going into uproar, but it shouldn’t be assumed that we are all sitting on massive houses and healthy bank accounts.🙄

I think everyone agrees it didn't need to be an universal payment...Is there a consensus on the income cut off point?

25k p.a? Would that be a good level?

Now you are just guessing. They usually aren’t. Pensioners living in social housing, council houses etc have often lived there for decades. They got their houses when they had young families, were on low incomes - but working. If you aren’t entitled to pension credit it’s unlikely you will be entitled to help with housing.

Nope, of course I think those in genuine need because of disability should be helped and I agree that not every pensioner needs the winter fuel allowance but this should have come into effect for those paying higher rate tax. In the meantime there should be a crackdown on those who abuse the generosity of the system.

Oh my goodness - Hadn't clocked this yet!

I didn't know this. So (putting aside winter fuel payment) their income is less than those with pension credit?