Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

An extra hubdred for OAPS?

389 replies

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 11:56

The government wants us to keep cash at home for emergencies. Many pensioners are struggling to pay their bills and don't have a spare 100 quid.

AIBU to think that they should add an extra hundred onto the WFA in the budget, so oldies can have some spare cash to keep for the coming emergency. Also consider an extra hundred for UC recipients.

OP posts:
LifeBeginsToday · 27/10/2026 11:58

Some people across all age groups struggle and some don't. OAPs are not special in this.

Lovellly · 27/10/2026 11:59

What if all those people were given it then loads spent it on other things? Should they be given another 100?

Pachycephalosaurus · 27/10/2026 11:59

Pensioners are less likely to be living in poverty in the UK than families and working age adults.

But if you mean any adults under a certain income, what would your threshold be?

Daffodilsinthespring · 27/10/2026 12:00

It’s not the old people struggling

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:01

Lovellly · 27/10/2026 11:59

What if all those people were given it then loads spent it on other things? Should they be given another 100?

I am thinking pensioners who get the WFA aren'r well off.

OP posts:
FirmSnake · 27/10/2026 12:01

OAPs are less likely to be in poverty than children are. How about £100 per child instead?

Hyroplate · 27/10/2026 12:01

Anyone that strapped for cash, given £100, isn't going to stash it away for an emergency that will probably never happen.

TBH, I'm not sure what kind of emergency £100 would help in.

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:02

FirmSnake · 27/10/2026 12:01

OAPs are less likely to be in poverty than children are. How about £100 per child instead?

Children don't vote, that won't happen.

OP posts:
Lovellly · 27/10/2026 12:03

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:01

I am thinking pensioners who get the WFA aren'r well off.

Yes but pensioners can still spend it on other things. So you give all pensioners 100 and half of them think woohoo and blow it on a great night out because they don’t think an emergency will happen. Then what? They are back to square one.

OneandFiveOnly · 27/10/2026 12:03

YABVVVU.

There are plenty of people out there who are not retired who don’t have a spare £100 to just keep sitting around.

FirmSnake · 27/10/2026 12:04

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:02

Children don't vote, that won't happen.

True, but awful reasoning.
Nobody should or will get handed £100 anyway.

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:04

Lovellly · 27/10/2026 12:03

Yes but pensioners can still spend it on other things. So you give all pensioners 100 and half of them think woohoo and blow it on a great night out because they don’t think an emergency will happen. Then what? They are back to square one.

Pensioners? Great night out? Where?

OP posts:
Boreded · 27/10/2026 12:05

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:01

I am thinking pensioners who get the WFA aren'r well off.

You can get full winter fuel with an income of 35k. A pensioner with no housing costs and an income of 35k is considerably better off than the majority of the country

OneandFiveOnly · 27/10/2026 12:05

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:01

I am thinking pensioners who get the WFA aren'r well off.

The winter fuel allowance isn’t means tested

Boreded · 27/10/2026 12:05

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:04

Pensioners? Great night out? Where?

Do you think that people stop going out at 65-67? My mum has a better social life than me

Lovellly · 27/10/2026 12:06

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:04

Pensioners? Great night out? Where?

Wherever they fancy. My inlaws don’t have much money. They save up and treat themselves to a night at their local Miller and Carter twice a year. Why do you seem to think pensioners can’t go out?

Boreded · 27/10/2026 12:06

OneandFiveOnly · 27/10/2026 12:05

The winter fuel allowance isn’t means tested

It is now. But you get it (in full) with an income of 35k and under so you can have plenty and still get it

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:07

Boreded · 27/10/2026 12:05

Do you think that people stop going out at 65-67? My mum has a better social life than me

I stopped clubbing at 60 due to a bad knee.

OP posts:
brownbootsandhats · 27/10/2026 12:08

Either everyone/ cheap to administer

or anyone on benefits - poor pensioners should claim their benefits like anyone else . If they are skint and entitled to benefits that’s on them

IronEverything · 27/10/2026 12:08

Are you seriously suggesting that if you give someone who has no money £100 they will draw it out and stick it in the cupboard?

Ohcrap082024 · 27/10/2026 12:08

My pensioner FIL and his GF will just add it to their spends for their next cruise.

Hyroplate · 27/10/2026 12:09

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:04

Pensioners? Great night out? Where?

What? My OAP ILs are regularly out at restaurants, theatre, pubs, concerts. Why wouldn't they?

RaggedRocks · 27/10/2026 12:10

Hyroplate · 27/10/2026 12:09

What? My OAP ILs are regularly out at restaurants, theatre, pubs, concerts. Why wouldn't they?

Because many pensioners just have the state pension and aren't able to afford restaurants, theatre, pubs, concerts

OP posts:
ToadRage · 27/10/2026 12:11

Why are we throwing money at OAP's when there are just as many middleaged and younger people who are also struggling. I am on PIP and ESA cos i am disabled and unable to work. My husband is currently on SSP due to stress. After our bills and mortgage goes out there's pence left.
My in-laws are OAPs, they go on at least two holidays a year, often cruises. My MiL always has new shoes, clothes and handbags. They eat out all the time. They will gift us money for Christmas or birthdays but thats the only way we can treat ourselves.

OneandFiveOnly · 27/10/2026 12:11

Boreded · 27/10/2026 12:06

It is now. But you get it (in full) with an income of 35k and under so you can have plenty and still get it

No, it’s not means tested.

Anyone if any income can claim it - anyone which a taxable income of over 35k it will get absorbed in taxes.