To be glad triple lock going and hope they means test it too

[Randomamsi]

I have a multi millionaire senior relative who receives £1,400 from the state pension each month, in addition to 6k private pension.

He's not means tested and he's received that for 30 years. Yes, he paid into the system but he does not need it!!! He also had free uni, dirt cheap first house back in the 60s and retired aged 59.

Meanwhile the younger generation:

• thousands in student loan debt
• asset poor as can't get on the housing ladder
• means tested for child benefit, tax free childcare etc
• working until late 60s/ 70s

Why do pensioners have it easy while younger ones pay the price?

For vulnerable pensioners at risk of poverty, there should obviously be provision to help them, I'm not suggesting we let people starve. But multimillionaire pensioners or very asset rich pensioners do NOT need the state pension. It's about time things changed.

No one is telling you that. Why are you getting g so upset over something that isn’t going to happen.

My mum bought her council house. Her neighbours didn't. They are pensioners and they pay the same in rent as anyone else who rents a house in the same area

Most of them on here!

Yes I know - my comment was regarding the OP and the hope they would means test jt

I'm 64 and financially very comfortable. I always get cranky when I read posts saying my generation had it easy. We didn't. I had a mortage, 2 small children 5 days a week in child care and was tough to stretch money. For many years I didn't buy deodorant because I couldn't afford it.

The issues facing the younger generation today are different though. Few people can access the housing market without help from parents even on good incomes. Chidcare expenses, if you don't have parental support will drain your salary. And if (as still happens with women) you take part time to minimise the expense, the money impact on the family will be substantial, let alone your retirement fund.

Governments in any country can't afford to keep giving billions to older people with the means to have a good comfortable life. It's not sustainable anymore. It may have been decades ago but right now resources and tax payers money should go where are most neeeded - health, housing and childcare for families.

Can you give me examples please?

Fancy coming onto a thread with such a shitty attitude....and being wrong!

You clearly don't understand SERPS. Prior to 2016, high earners were able to build up a separate element to the basic pension, based upon what they actually paid every month in NI.

Then, when they drew their pensions, they had 2 "pots" - the basic state pension AND the additional state pension (SERPS) pot they had built. This additional pot is capped at £230.54 a week - this is on top of the basic state pension. This means some people get £415 per week/£1800 a month.

My Dad (born in 1942) worked from 1960 to 2007, and he received £1400 a month.

This all stopped in 2016.

People of low intelligence who will only ever be able to do low paid jobs. They don’t choose that - who would?

Some people with disabilities. People with caring responsibilities.

Not really relevent though for tjose approaching retirement or even.with 20 years to go. Paying into private pensions wasnt really pushed a few decades ago. Younger generation just need to be adults and start a privste pension instead of being jeslous of others getting state pension. Because lets be honest the state pension wont exist in a few more decades when todays young/tomorrows elderly will be crying that the pension they want to deny others today isnt available to them. I dont agree with child benefit cap being removed. Same sentiment as displayed against pensioners on here - why should in i pay to support people who cant afford kids?!

George Orwell who was very much a socialist once said " The left hate the right more than they love the poor ".

Think this through, if you means tested the state pension then you would completely disincentivise people from paying into a private pension. I mean what's the point of contributing money today into a private pension, especially given the current cost of living crisis, when all it means is that you will be disqualified from a state pension. This will then mean more people will be dependent on the state pension in future.

Socialism is a great idea in theory but in reality it doesn't work with human nature.

State pension is NOT a benefit.

I retired after April 2016, and I don't get "around £241"

It is not as simple as you think.

Since it can pay out far more than was ever paid in, it's a benefit.

It’s age based, isn’t it?

Err actually it is. The NI contributions you made whilst working went to pay for the pensions of those retired at the time and your state pension today is paid for by those currently in work.

There really isn't a special Government ring fenced pot of money labelled "thatwasclose" pension fund.

It very clearly is, albeit a contributory benefit. See for example EIM76160 - Social security benefits: the State pension - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK

This argument never makes sense to me. Of course pensioners didn't have mobile phones when they were younger as they didn't exist! I would bet a large amount that the vast majority of pensioners have had a colour television for the last 35/40 years so not sure that counts for much either. I am only surprised there was no mention of outside toilets.

I was paying into work pensions at the age of 26.

On that basis, you could say that a poor man has every right to break into a rich man's home, and help themselves to money from their wallet.

"They need it more"

Ah, that's okay then. 🙄

It certainly is. The DWP class it as such. A lot of pensioners don't like to hear it called a benefit because they don't like to think of themselves as benefit dependent, but it's a benefit nontheless.

I think that’s debatable regardless of how DWP categorise it. Benefits aren’t generally taxable, the state pension is, it basically removes the personal allowance.

They had everything handed to them and their lives are easy

Oh do behave!

Your parents have obviously worked very hard for what they have, and when they die, you will be "handed" everything they have. FFS

It's not as simple as you think, either.

A lot of pensioners will receive more than they paid in.

Scroungers.