To think free bus passes for the old should be abolished?

[Bumpitybumper]

Statistics show that on average wealth peaks at age 65-74 in the UK, why then do we give these people free bus passes? It makes absolutely no sense at all and is just an unnecessary expense. The idea that 'young' pensioners are a relatively poor group of people is completely incorrect and it only serves to enhance the already massive intergenerational wealth gap between baby boomers and everyone else.

You might think that, but I aspire to taking a flask of tea and just riding the buses all day when I get my bus pass. Won't have the money to do much else 😂

Boomers ruined my life wah wah wah. I get so bored of this narrative on MN. My mum is in her 70's and still working 6 days a week, she doesn't use the bus. Why would anyone well off use the bus? I certainly don't use it if I don't have to and I'm not even well off.

This argument would work if we lived in a time when there was great economic growth and fantastic job prospects that the younger generations could take advantage of to catch up and potentially surpass current 65-74 year olds. Unfortunately all economic forecasts predict that future generations will be poorer than this one at the same age (65-74) with worse pensions.

Note, Household...which is likely to be two people.

So 27% of pensioners have wealth of more than £500,000.

The average care home fees in England are £6k a month, so £500k would last about 75 months, allowing for food/clothes etc as well. So those pensioners have enough to last them 6 years.

Not long is it!

I am on a double decker right now full of pensioners taking it for fun. Literally one other person on here of non pensionable age. Before anyone asks, I have come from a place with no hospitals or real practical amenities but a lovely place to visit.

Oh no! People on a bus for fun.

What do you mean by taking it for fun? How do you know what they are doing or where they are going?
Shopping? Caring responsibilities? Jobs? People don't stop contributing to society when they retire from work.

The average care home fees in England are £6k a month, so £500k would last about 75 months, allowing for food/clothes etc as well. So those pensioners have enough to last them 6 years.

But only a minority end up in care homes?

And lets not forget the social aspect to bus travel. Lots of pensioners are on their own, and it enables them to meet people. I overheard a pensioner in my local supermarket only yesterday say to someone that she goes out every day to break up the monotony of being on their own.

I have the greatest respect for our pensioners - whether they are rolling in it or barely scraping by. They have put their best years into working and paying taxes - so I say good luck to all of them. If they want to claim their bus pass then bloomin' well do it!

Average length of time in a care home is 2 years. Average time in a nursing home is 12 months.

Only 13.7% of people aged 85 and over live in a care home. Many people never need one.

I think the odds are good that the example household would have enough.

You want to be careful OP. If any of them are on Mumsnet you might not get off that bus alive..........

Thing that gets me is that those industries that rely on paying customers would soon complain if their 'economically inactive' clientele not longer came to them. Older people spend money. Even if they get there by bus.

then any younger couple with kids who have a huge house, should be forced to sell it and pay for private education, etc….can’t have them sitting in a lovely big house whilst screwing over the state education funds can we.

this argument makes no sense 😆

Apparently we're not entitled to live in our homes and should give them up

Oh come on! I am sat here listening to their discussions. A lot of them have shopping bags from the gift shop and have been for a walk around the little town. They are out enjoying the sun in a lovely place. I'm pleased that they have had a nice trip out and a good time. I just don't think I should be subsidising their travel to do this.

Ooh i love the buses, and anything that gets people out of their cars is a good thing

What is ageist? I literally stick to economic fact.

The ones not in a care home either get expensive care calls at home or are running their families ( often their much maligned 'economically inactive' middle aged offspring) ragged trying to care for them.
Not all that many people live a full and active life to a ripe old age then quietly pass away without ever relying on anyone to look after them.

I am sure the gift shops were grateful for the business.
If buses passes were taken away from pensioners, do you really think that you would get more money in your own pocket?
Why begrudge someone something that you will be entitled to yourself when the time come?

So they are buying things and supporting trades then?

What exactly is the number of pensioners who have spent more than half their lives not working or barely had a job at all? You spout absolute bullshit.

My mum started work at 14 and worked until she was 68 with only 4 years off work. When I was young she worked evenings to be at home with me and my siblings during the day and dad looked after us.

I started work at 17 and worked until I was 66. Never had any time off as I do not have children. All my friends and family worked from at least 14 until their 60's.

You keep banging on about a certain age group, is that not ageist.

Facts or not you are going on and on about a certain age group

Who do you think subsidised your education, health care, child benefit for your parents and any benefits you may claim if you have children. How dare old people go out for the day and have a bit of fun buying local produce to boost the towns economy.

Oh I agree, but my point is that a couple with £1 million are probably going to be able to fund future care needs. I'm not saying that they won't have any care needs as most people do.