Page 4 | Winter fuel payments

dearydeary · 2025-05-21T06:14:34+00:00

I have just heard on the news that this is being discussed again and they are considering reinstating them. While I think that people who are on a lower income (pension credit for example) may need additional help I do not think this should be a universal benefit any more. It appears the government is still looking for votes. What about everyone else in society? Younger people at universities or just starting out? Individuals with disabilities? Surely we need to be moving to a more means tested approach as the finances need rebalancing? Where pensioner need help, I am happy to support but many older folk have benefited from good pensions, valuable house price increases and a stable employment market. This is not the situation for many of us any more. Have I lost the plot?

Iwantmyoldnameback · 21/05/2025 10:05

The government have all our financial details for tax reasons why on earth didn't they use that? I neither need or want it but I have great sympathy for those who tried to help themselves and have very low private pensions which make them worse off all round.
Bad message too.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 21/05/2025 10:15

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 21/05/2025 07:38

Don’t bring it back. This country needs to move away from “poor pensioner they fought in the war”. They didn’t, they’re boomers mostly with assets, it’s the working families that need support.

Totally agree and I am a boomer.

caringcarer · 21/05/2025 10:18

ButteredRadishes · 21/05/2025 09:37

The point is, they're pensioners, but they absolutely do not need that money, like a hell of a lot of pensioners... they're quite wealthy!

My mum still gets it because she's on Pension credit

giving it out to everyone is madness.

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People on PC didn't work enough to pay NI and get NI stamps. People who worked all their lives often for 40 years, and get a miniscule work pensions so maybe got £12k pa at time WFA was introduced when state pension was £11,013 get nothing but people like your Mum who never worked enough to pay NI get free money handed to them on a plate, for nothing along with WFA, free council tax, and free dentistry too. People like your Mum on PC often end up better off because of these benefits than people who worked all their lives. It's wrong in my opinion.

mydogisthebest · 21/05/2025 10:20

StMarie4me · 21/05/2025 07:19

It needs to be means tested. Every pensioner I know spent it on holidays or vets bills.

You obviously know a lot of rich pensioners then because most of the pensioners I know needed that money but because their pensions are a few pence more than the cut off for pension credit they have lost it

mydogisthebest · 21/05/2025 10:23

caringcarer · 21/05/2025 10:18

People on PC didn't work enough to pay NI and get NI stamps. People who worked all their lives often for 40 years, and get a miniscule work pensions so maybe got £12k pa at time WFA was introduced when state pension was £11,013 get nothing but people like your Mum who never worked enough to pay NI get free money handed to them on a plate, for nothing along with WFA, free council tax, and free dentistry too. People like your Mum on PC often end up better off because of these benefits than people who worked all their lives. It's wrong in my opinion.

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Totally agree. Work all your life and get less than those who scrounged off the country.

Now pensioners even on just the state pension are having to pay tax and yet people on benefits don't pay a penny in tax even though lots of them get far more money than pensioners do.

Makes me so angry.

2dogsandabudgie · 21/05/2025 10:28

ButteredRadishes · 21/05/2025 09:05

It's ok,they go to their 3rd property in Spain and use the money to pay for the flights, car hire etc.
They have a 4 bed house now worth £950k in UK, 3 bed house rental income bringing in c. £1600, and their holiday villa in Spain, a 4 bed with a pool. ETA. Which they regularly rent out to their friends and get a nice other income.

Poor mites, they needed that winter fuel allowance...

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Let's hope you don't benefit from their will then, running them down on social media. Wonder if you're as horrible to their face.

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2025 10:30

mydogisthebest · 21/05/2025 10:23

Totally agree. Work all your life and get less than those who scrounged off the country.

Now pensioners even on just the state pension are having to pay tax and yet people on benefits don't pay a penny in tax even though lots of them get far more money than pensioners do.

Makes me so angry.

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Pensioners on just the state pension don’t pay tax. The highest state pension is £11,973 a year, the threshold for tax is £12,570.

ButteredRadishes · 21/05/2025 10:30

2dogsandabudgie · 21/05/2025 10:28

Let's hope you don't benefit from their will then, running them down on social media. Wonder if you're as horrible to their face.

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I'm just pointing out that NOT EVERYONE NEEDS THE WFP!

ButteredRadishes · 21/05/2025 10:31

mydogisthebest · 21/05/2025 10:20

You obviously know a lot of rich pensioners then because most of the pensioners I know needed that money but because their pensions are a few pence more than the cut off for pension credit they have lost it

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There has to be a cut off somewhere.

If they raised the limit by £2000, those who just meet that limit will moan "I'm 5p off the limit 😭"

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2025 10:32

ButteredRadishes · 21/05/2025 10:30

I'm just pointing out that NOT EVERYONE NEEDS THE WFP!

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You’re not. You’re ranting with undisguised envy about your pils’ wealth which you’ll doubtless pipe down about when at least some of it hits your bloke’s bank account.

MrsKeats · 21/05/2025 10:34

TheBlueUniform · 21/05/2025 10:02

I completely agree. The pensioners these days have it easer than any generation imo.

They benefited from more readily available housing, particularly council housing then they could buy it. which messier it up for the next generations… not their fault but they absolutely benefited.

If they were buying their own house that was much easier as they were significantly cheaper than what they are now.

The supply and demand for housing made it much easier to find a house compared to now where you have to bid and fight to even get a rental view and then you still might need a guarantor… to rent! 25 years ago it was easier to rent and I started out then so know from experience

My mam used to get GP appointment on the day no bother. I remember years ago you were almost guaranteed an appointment on the day, now no chance.

My man even got a boob job on the NHS years ago. No way would that happen now and quite right! She didn’t have cancer, she just didn’t like the way they were after birth. You can’t even get an emergency appointment now!

There were better benefits and perks at work and double pay for bank holidays/weekends, now it’s expected. Everything is open 24/7 which means staff have to work.

University was free

Women could retire at 60!

Our generation will be lucky if the state pension exists in 30 years time…

There are just a few things that spring to mind. Life is harder now than it was for my parents generation.

The most poor pensioners are still eligible.

My MIL worked as a part time admin assistant for years, was able to buy her council house, then retired at 60 and now lives comfortably. If I believed everything I read, I would assume that my MIL is penny less but she’s got thousands in savings. How can that be? It’s because she’s been careful with her money. Yet my own dad moans and groans he hasn’t got enough money and he’s not entitled as he’s just over the threshold, but he used to buy top of the range cars and all the gadgets so from what I can see, we all need to budget accordingly.

Perhaps the threshold should be increased but no way should all pensioners be eligible, just by virtue of age.

Edited

Totally agree.
It’s not all opinion-loads of stats to back this up.

ButteredRadishes · 21/05/2025 10:36

caringcarer · 21/05/2025 10:18

People on PC didn't work enough to pay NI and get NI stamps. People who worked all their lives often for 40 years, and get a miniscule work pensions so maybe got £12k pa at time WFA was introduced when state pension was £11,013 get nothing but people like your Mum who never worked enough to pay NI get free money handed to them on a plate, for nothing along with WFA, free council tax, and free dentistry too. People like your Mum on PC often end up better off because of these benefits than people who worked all their lives. It's wrong in my opinion.

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My mum didn't work enough ... because she had 5 kids to raise, came from poverty so didn't get qualifications, and worked her arse off doing part time work where she could, but she couldn't earn much. Dad worked full time in menial labour, again not earning much. He died relatively young (58).

We grew up poor, like mum and dad going without meals poor, so the kids could eat, we went hungry too... No heating on... all clothes second hand and passed down...

Not through laziness or "fuck it I'll scrounge".

So, yeah, she's getting it "handed on a plate" but life isn't rosy for everyone.

Astrak · 21/05/2025 10:38

Re: "encouraging pensioners out of their cars". I am a widow, living with Myalgic Encephalitus, Type 2 diabetes and living on my little historic barge on a fast flowing tidal river. My neighbours have their own lives and families and, although we chat in passing, I am not particularly close with any of them. My son lives 450 miles away, is married with three teenage children, a rather demanding wife and a full-time job. We keep in touch by messaging each other. I have no intention of going ashore and if I had to give up my 21 Yr old Fiat Panda 1.2cc I would not be able to go shopping, see my old retired horse, get my cat's special food or go to the village library. These are the things that keep me from just giving up and starving myself to death. The bus stop is a mile away. I couldn't walk that far. The bus goes to the nearest town once every hour. There isn't a bus shelter or any seats to sit on whilst waiting.

genesis92 · 21/05/2025 10:41

Pensioners would have been able to buy a house with an unskilled job, no deposit, and possibly only one person working full time. They have had a perfect wave of timing and good fortune when it’s come to wealth creation. Why should we keep supporting them? It’s ridiculous. - they should also suffer the consequences of austerity, just like everyone else.

It’s the ONLY one of Labours policies I agree with

2dogsandabudgie · 21/05/2025 10:46

genesis92 · 21/05/2025 10:41

Pensioners would have been able to buy a house with an unskilled job, no deposit, and possibly only one person working full time. They have had a perfect wave of timing and good fortune when it’s come to wealth creation. Why should we keep supporting them? It’s ridiculous. - they should also suffer the consequences of austerity, just like everyone else.

It’s the ONLY one of Labours policies I agree with

Shall we go further and cull pensioners when they get to 70, that would save even more money.

Honestly, all the young people on this thread will be pensioners one day (if they're lucky). Be careful what you wish for.

ADreamIsAWishYourArseMakes · 21/05/2025 10:48

caringcarer · 21/05/2025 10:02

They should have brought it in with more consideration in the first place. Living on less than £11,013 at the time this policy was instated, a year state pension must be awful. Especially as you know those on just a few pounds less than you will get WFA, pay no council tax, and get free dentistry too. The Labour government thought it would gain votes if they cut WFA from pensioners but it backfired and many people were disgusted with the policy. Labour MP's said the WFA cut and proposed disability cuts were all that people complained about on doorstops, and not just elderly people. That's why they are reconsidering it. What they should have done is say anyone with less than £20k a year to live on which is over £5k less than the minimum wage. This would mean the wealthy would not get it but those who get state pension plus a small work pension would get it. Rachel from accounts is very incompetent and incapable of considering the likely long term consequences. KS should have said no to her. Nigel has said he will restore WFA for pensioners. Just wait until disability payments are cut, Labour will be even more hated.

Farage will give you back your fuel allowance but give you an insurance fee to use the NHS, he's been upfront about this.

The benefits pensioners get is to buy votes. It's clear that with our aging population and sinking birthrate that these benefits will have vanished by the time working people, those currently paying for the benefits, come to retire. I'm pleased the government made an unpopular but fair decision.

Pensioners have benefitted from a triple lock inflation protection since Brown. If they are in need they can claim support with winter fuel.

The government needed to pay NHS staff who, while pensioners have had a triple lock, had a decade of pay freezes see inflation eat up their pay. Punishing working people who we all depend on while giving handouts to pensioners regardless of need shouldn't win anyone's vote.

How do you feel about children in poverty being cold in winter, is that OK providing Doris in her £700000 semi is OK?

mydogisthebest · 21/05/2025 10:49

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2025 10:30

Pensioners on just the state pension don’t pay tax. The highest state pension is £11,973 a year, the threshold for tax is £12,570.

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They will do when the pension rises as the threshold for tax is not rising.

Lifestooshort71 · 21/05/2025 10:56

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2025 10:30

Pensioners on just the state pension don’t pay tax. The highest state pension is £11,973 a year, the threshold for tax is £12,570.

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Nope, I pay tax on my state pension of £13920 a year, I didn't opt out as I wasnt eligible for a private pension Do get your facts right as this gets boring, you mean the basic state pension.

ilovesooty · 21/05/2025 10:57

caringcarer · 21/05/2025 10:02

They should have brought it in with more consideration in the first place. Living on less than £11,013 at the time this policy was instated, a year state pension must be awful. Especially as you know those on just a few pounds less than you will get WFA, pay no council tax, and get free dentistry too. The Labour government thought it would gain votes if they cut WFA from pensioners but it backfired and many people were disgusted with the policy. Labour MP's said the WFA cut and proposed disability cuts were all that people complained about on doorstops, and not just elderly people. That's why they are reconsidering it. What they should have done is say anyone with less than £20k a year to live on which is over £5k less than the minimum wage. This would mean the wealthy would not get it but those who get state pension plus a small work pension would get it. Rachel from accounts is very incompetent and incapable of considering the likely long term consequences. KS should have said no to her. Nigel has said he will restore WFA for pensioners. Just wait until disability payments are cut, Labour will be even more hated.

Oh give up with the Rachel from accounts slur. And how is "Nigel" going to pay for it?

Anedina · 21/05/2025 10:58

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2025 10:30

Pensioners on just the state pension don’t pay tax. The highest state pension is £11,973 a year, the threshold for tax is £12,570.

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I think some of the oldest people pay tax on state pension, my late dad had quite a high state pension which consisted of several elements, additional state pension, I think one was but it was higher than I expected when I sorted out his paperwork.

Julen7 · 21/05/2025 10:58

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2025 10:32

You’re not. You’re ranting with undisguised envy about your pils’ wealth which you’ll doubtless pipe down about when at least some of it hits your bloke’s bank account.

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Agree. Do they have any idea you’re so bitter I wonder

mydogisthebest · 21/05/2025 11:00

genesis92 · 21/05/2025 10:41

Pensioners would have been able to buy a house with an unskilled job, no deposit, and possibly only one person working full time. They have had a perfect wave of timing and good fortune when it’s come to wealth creation. Why should we keep supporting them? It’s ridiculous. - they should also suffer the consequences of austerity, just like everyone else.

It’s the ONLY one of Labours policies I agree with

Why do posters spout such rubbish?

Me and DH are pensioners and we certainly DID have to have a deposit to buy a house. We also both needed to work full time to buy a house. We both had pretty well paid jobs but had to move over 60 miles from where we were living in order to afford anywhere to live.

Shwish · 21/05/2025 11:01

Astrak · 21/05/2025 10:38

Re: "encouraging pensioners out of their cars". I am a widow, living with Myalgic Encephalitus, Type 2 diabetes and living on my little historic barge on a fast flowing tidal river. My neighbours have their own lives and families and, although we chat in passing, I am not particularly close with any of them. My son lives 450 miles away, is married with three teenage children, a rather demanding wife and a full-time job. We keep in touch by messaging each other. I have no intention of going ashore and if I had to give up my 21 Yr old Fiat Panda 1.2cc I would not be able to go shopping, see my old retired horse, get my cat's special food or go to the village library. These are the things that keep me from just giving up and starving myself to death. The bus stop is a mile away. I couldn't walk that far. The bus goes to the nearest town once every hour. There isn't a bus shelter or any seats to sit on whilst waiting.

Sorry but what's your point? That we should scrap the bus pass because you'd rather keep you car?

MaloryJones · 21/05/2025 11:02

IMustDoMoreExercise · 21/05/2025 10:15

Totally agree and I am a boomer.

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My Boomer Mum would agree as well
She is 81 now and has her House and car (old car, but it was DDads car) and does ok .
She is not minted but not poor either .

Me, I am Generation X and also feel it should be means tested.

Julen7 · 21/05/2025 11:02

2dogsandabudgie · 21/05/2025 10:46

Shall we go further and cull pensioners when they get to 70, that would save even more money.

Honestly, all the young people on this thread will be pensioners one day (if they're lucky). Be careful what you wish for.

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This. You are not immune from getting old you know.