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Original poster

Anyone live on just the government pension?

89 replies

wavingfuriously · 30/01/2025 04:19

For those with no private pension do you manage to live on this alone?

OP posts:
DeepFatFried · 31/01/2025 23:07

PensionName · 31/01/2025 07:15

Yes, it is possible to live on just the state pension only.
Have changed my username as I'll give specific details, which may be outing.

I've recently retired, 66 years old. I have a state pension only, it's £230.49 per week and will rise to around £239.49 in April. It's slightly higher than the standard state pension as I have a small amount of SERPS on it, from the days when this was added for those who had no other provision.
I have never paid into any private pension scheme, and always said no when a company scheme was offered in past jobs. Mostly because I was a single parent for many years and just could not afford to pay out anything else.

For my early married years, I was a SAHM but was credited NI payments as we qualified for child benefit. Later one of my children was diagnosed with a mild disability, but enough for us to claim DLA at the time, and me carer's allowance, that gave me extra credits for those years. However, that was taken away when my child reached 16 as they were deemed able to cope on their own and they live independently now.

I currently live on my own. By the time I was in my 60's I knew retirement was on the horizon so I "future proofed" in different ways. I have always had rented accommodation so I made sure I moved to a place which would be affordable in old age - I had no savings, and no place to sell. Instead I moved to a beautiful rural area, into retirement accommodation for over 60's. These places are much cheaper, I have the most gorgeous apartment as part of an old, converted manor house, with lovely grounds. And in a little village with a vibrant community (village pub, active church, modern village hall with lots of activities etc). I pay £395 per month in rent and an extra £60 per month which covers all the bills - no problems worrying about electricity/gas/water or council tax.

On top of that there's £14.12 per month for TV licence, £32 for internet, £4.35 per month for contents insurance, £10.65 for D&G white goods insurance (engineer comes out as soon as anything breaks down).

I had a lease car which, once the leasing years had run out, I had the option to buy at a knock down price. I used all my extra money from working to buy the car as I knew it would be vital if I was living in a rural area.
Car insurance is £56 per month, car tax works out as (equivalent) £16.25 per month, petrol about £70 a month as I like to get out (and the supermarket is a trip away).

That still leaves plenty for the weekly food/toiletries shop (around £50 per week). I made sure I had completely changed my wardrobe (including underwear etc) in the year or so before my retirement, while I was still working. I don't think I'll need new clothes for a long time. I have bulk bought items like washing powder, bin bags and so forth because it's cheaper. I batch cook casseroles, soups etc. and freeze food - for one person it's really economical.
However, I'm lucky - I don't eat take-aways (don't like them), I don't spend on magazines or newspapers (use the internet or TV for news), I'm happy with Freeview TV and iPlayer (no Netflix subscriptions) and I don't drink alcohol.

I don't think life is boring, but that's subjective of course, it depends upon your interests. I've done a lot of travelling over the years so I don't feel the need for overseas holidays; I have the car and visit friends to stay with across the country. I'm very active in the local community and serve as a parish councillor, I volunteer in the local primary school and I'm active in the church....that gives me lots of friends as well as family, who live nearby too.
I have masses of interests - watercolour painting and the local art club, craft work and photography. I've joined a creative writing course in the nearest town and do several interesting courses online, including learning a foreign language. There is so much to do! I also joined the national trust as they allow membership to be paid monthly rather than just yearly, that's an extra £7.60 per month. Really worth it as I love going to all their properties, always a great day out either on my own or with family and friends.

Honestly, it can be done.

That would seem to leave you with about £57 a month spending money. To also cover savings for your next car, MOT / servicing.

What about dentist, current or future glasses, presents, etc?

HelpNeededBeforeIHaveABreakdown · 31/01/2025 23:12

Bjorkdidit · 30/01/2025 09:03

this is why so many were hit badly by the loss of WFA, while MN was screeching furiously about ‘wealthy boomers’

The percentage who lost the WFA and only have this income to live on will be a small minority. It's still the case that many pensioners are far wealthier than a lot of working people, and have assets and income that younger people will never achieve.

www.gov.uk/government/news/pensioners-to-receive-winter-fuel-payments-from-today

1.3 million pensioner households

Batshit1234 · 31/01/2025 23:24

jumpingjean · 30/01/2025 09:38

DH and I get pension credit which is about the same as 2 state pensions (DH doesn't have a full state pension but I do). Actually it is a bit more, because I get PIP (but that goes towards disability costs) and DH gets a carer premium on the pension credit, and we get council tax paid. House is fully paid off. We have free travelcards and live in London where we can use public transport to get anywhere, so we rarely use the car.

It covers all of our living costs, food, bills, socialising, presents, cheap holidays. We have modest needs and don't spend a lot, and grow some food in our back garden. I don't feel like we go without. We've always lived frugally (cooking from scratch, entertaining at home rather than eating out, visiting free places rather than paid days out) and our income now isn't too different to what it was pre-retirement (because DH could only work p/t, and I only got awarded PIP just before retiring). So we've learned to manage our spending like this over decades. I guess it would be harder if you had a high income during the working years and then dropped to state pension levels, but surely you'd have a private pension then.

Love this! My husband and I are together from broke student days. We now earn really well but don’t see the need to throw money around us. We grow food, fix things etc. If someone gave us a state pension only to live on we would be grand. ( We do own our house) which obviously would impact many if they didn’t.

HelpNeededBeforeIHaveABreakdown · 31/01/2025 23:39

Bjorkdidit · 30/01/2025 09:03

this is why so many were hit badly by the loss of WFA, while MN was screeching furiously about ‘wealthy boomers’

The percentage who lost the WFA and only have this income to live on will be a small minority. It's still the case that many pensioners are far wealthier than a lot of working people, and have assets and income that younger people will never achieve.

www.justgroupplc.co.uk/~/media/Files/J/Just-Retirement-Corp/news-doc/2023/1-2-million-pensioner-households-primarily-dependent-on-the-state-pension.pdf

1.2 million pensioner households dependent primarily on state pension, (three times more women than men)

suki1964 · 01/02/2025 00:06

Not quite there yet, but I will be better off on my pension then I am now, working NMW, 20 hrs a week and paying tax and NI

Mortgage was paid off during the banking crisis, no point in having savings an a mortgage back then

My biggest expense is fuel, be it for heating or driving, I spend more on fuel then I do anywhere else so I am looking at downsizing when I get to pension age and move into a town or village with PT and a smaller home , even though Id be loathe to give up my garden, Im prepared to move into an apartment if needs be

I have been a low earner for the past 30 years ( health reasons ) so have always made do and mended and cut my cloth, but still have an enjoyable life. First 30 years of my life it was party central and who really worried about pensions when one was full of life ?

I do have some savings, not enough to splash on a world cruise, but enough to be able to meet emergency bills if needed

I probably have a few quid coming extra from work place pensions, probably about a fiver a week more - I change jobs more then most ( due to health, Im pretty poorly but choose to work rather than go on benefits and jump through hoops ) so have never paid a lot into any one for any length of time , think Im just starting my third this coming month

Im not worried or scared about becoming a pensioner , maybe I won't ever fully retire and perhaps work a few hours a week, who knows. But I think I will manage ok on pension alone because I have never lived the high life

AlienAdvancedCivilisation · 01/02/2025 00:31

I have seen lots of advertisements recently attempting to get people to claim pension credit.
Because lots of people are entitled to claim, but they have not claimed.

Similarly, lots of people have not claimed attendance allowance

There are lots of people who just live on their state pension

Newmeagain · 01/02/2025 00:46

it’s really not enough for someone if they are single and have to pay all bills etc alone. It worries me as I am 50 and as a lone parent for many years I wasn’t able to prioritise a private pension. So I need to focus on that now, at a time when some people are already talking about retiring. I will most likely need to try to work until I am 70.

HeddaGarbled · 01/02/2025 00:53

My mum did in her final years and actually wasn’t spending it all so accumulated a fair amount in her current account. She was disabled so only went out or on holiday if family took her. She always tried to pay her way and we would let her sometimes.

She lived in a small bungalow - mortgage paid off when my dad was still alive, very low running costs and bills. She kept it nice and warm though. No car. She’d been frugal throughout her whole life (very poor in early life) but didn’t want for food, clothes, little treats.

BooneyBeautiful · 01/02/2025 00:54

helpfulperson · 30/01/2025 11:50

In what circumstances is state pension over £221 unless you are over 85?

The Full State Pension is £221.20 for a single person, and is due to increase in April. What made you think it was less?

fridaynight1 · 01/02/2025 02:31

We are nearing retirement. We have no pensions - all our money is in our home which is worth in excess of 800k. We will sell if we need to but as a couple on just a state pension we would live a comfortable life.
We've lived frugally all our lives. DH never earned much and I was a SAHM for most of our working lives. Living on a tight budget is normal for us.
We will have paid off the mortgage so all we have left to pay are our monthly direct debits for Council Tax/Gas/Electric/Insurance etc which come to £450 and the rest (after food) is ours to spend on whatever we like.

As a widow, on a single pension I would would be ok.

DH would struggle a bit because he's not been as involved in life admin as much as me so I've put some money away for him just in case. But tbh I think if I wasn't here anymore he'd sell up and go and live the good life in the Costa del Sol 😎

Brahumbug · 01/02/2025 05:41

DeepFatFried · 31/01/2025 23:07

That would seem to leave you with about £57 a month spending money. To also cover savings for your next car, MOT / servicing.

What about dentist, current or future glasses, presents, etc?

Show quote history

You can still get help with dental and optical charges on low in grounds.
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

Turn2us Benefits Calculator

Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out which welfare benefits you may be entitled to.

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk

Brahumbug · 01/02/2025 05:49

PensionName · 31/01/2025 07:15

Yes, it is possible to live on just the state pension only.
Have changed my username as I'll give specific details, which may be outing.

I've recently retired, 66 years old. I have a state pension only, it's £230.49 per week and will rise to around £239.49 in April. It's slightly higher than the standard state pension as I have a small amount of SERPS on it, from the days when this was added for those who had no other provision.
I have never paid into any private pension scheme, and always said no when a company scheme was offered in past jobs. Mostly because I was a single parent for many years and just could not afford to pay out anything else.

For my early married years, I was a SAHM but was credited NI payments as we qualified for child benefit. Later one of my children was diagnosed with a mild disability, but enough for us to claim DLA at the time, and me carer's allowance, that gave me extra credits for those years. However, that was taken away when my child reached 16 as they were deemed able to cope on their own and they live independently now.

I currently live on my own. By the time I was in my 60's I knew retirement was on the horizon so I "future proofed" in different ways. I have always had rented accommodation so I made sure I moved to a place which would be affordable in old age - I had no savings, and no place to sell. Instead I moved to a beautiful rural area, into retirement accommodation for over 60's. These places are much cheaper, I have the most gorgeous apartment as part of an old, converted manor house, with lovely grounds. And in a little village with a vibrant community (village pub, active church, modern village hall with lots of activities etc). I pay £395 per month in rent and an extra £60 per month which covers all the bills - no problems worrying about electricity/gas/water or council tax.

On top of that there's £14.12 per month for TV licence, £32 for internet, £4.35 per month for contents insurance, £10.65 for D&G white goods insurance (engineer comes out as soon as anything breaks down).

I had a lease car which, once the leasing years had run out, I had the option to buy at a knock down price. I used all my extra money from working to buy the car as I knew it would be vital if I was living in a rural area.
Car insurance is £56 per month, car tax works out as (equivalent) £16.25 per month, petrol about £70 a month as I like to get out (and the supermarket is a trip away).

That still leaves plenty for the weekly food/toiletries shop (around £50 per week). I made sure I had completely changed my wardrobe (including underwear etc) in the year or so before my retirement, while I was still working. I don't think I'll need new clothes for a long time. I have bulk bought items like washing powder, bin bags and so forth because it's cheaper. I batch cook casseroles, soups etc. and freeze food - for one person it's really economical.
However, I'm lucky - I don't eat take-aways (don't like them), I don't spend on magazines or newspapers (use the internet or TV for news), I'm happy with Freeview TV and iPlayer (no Netflix subscriptions) and I don't drink alcohol.

I don't think life is boring, but that's subjective of course, it depends upon your interests. I've done a lot of travelling over the years so I don't feel the need for overseas holidays; I have the car and visit friends to stay with across the country. I'm very active in the local community and serve as a parish councillor, I volunteer in the local primary school and I'm active in the church....that gives me lots of friends as well as family, who live nearby too.
I have masses of interests - watercolour painting and the local art club, craft work and photography. I've joined a creative writing course in the nearest town and do several interesting courses online, including learning a foreign language. There is so much to do! I also joined the national trust as they allow membership to be paid monthly rather than just yearly, that's an extra £7.60 per month. Really worth it as I love going to all their properties, always a great day out either on my own or with family and friends.

Honestly, it can be done.

As your income is low, you may qualify for further help if your savings are below the capital limit
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

Turn2us Benefits Calculator

Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out which welfare benefits you may be entitled to.

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk

PineConeOrDogPoo · 01/02/2025 07:32

My mother owns her own home and has no card but freedom pass. She lives alone and manages well on less than her state pension. She shops on foot ar Aldi and hardly buys clothes. Her house is well heated and well maintained. She does her own gardening, cleaning, decorating. Goes on the odd train trip or caich trip. She's 84!. She even saves money from her pension.

PineConeOrDogPoo · 01/02/2025 07:33

PineConeOrDogPoo · 01/02/2025 07:32

My mother owns her own home and has no card but freedom pass. She lives alone and manages well on less than her state pension. She shops on foot ar Aldi and hardly buys clothes. Her house is well heated and well maintained. She does her own gardening, cleaning, decorating. Goes on the odd train trip or caich trip. She's 84!. She even saves money from her pension.

No car*
Coach trip*

PineConeOrDogPoo · 01/02/2025 07:35

HeddaGarbled · 01/02/2025 00:53

My mum did in her final years and actually wasn’t spending it all so accumulated a fair amount in her current account. She was disabled so only went out or on holiday if family took her. She always tried to pay her way and we would let her sometimes.

She lived in a small bungalow - mortgage paid off when my dad was still alive, very low running costs and bills. She kept it nice and warm though. No car. She’d been frugal throughout her whole life (very poor in early life) but didn’t want for food, clothes, little treats.

This is the same as my mum!

PineConeOrDogPoo · 01/02/2025 07:37

Except she's not disabled.
What I meant to say is it's doable in many situations but you need to have or gain the habit of being careful/sensible with money.

CreosoteGirl · 06/07/2025 16:18

@PensionName what a lovely post! Do you mind me asking if the accommodation is Housing Association and you transferred there, or can you just apply via local authority/council or is it private?😍

XenoBitch · 07/07/2025 20:14

My dad does, as in it is the only money he contributes to the household. He had no private pension. My mum is a pensioner but also works.

Lincslady53 · 07/07/2025 23:19

We are retired and both get the full state pension. We have other income as well. Our mortgage is paid up. We could manage on just the pension of both of us, our savings interest and private pensions pay for the extras such as holidays and house maintenance. However, if there was just one pension coming in and no other income it would be difficult. So, holding onto savings for when that day comes.

oldparents · 08/07/2025 12:27

PensionName · 31/01/2025 07:15

Yes, it is possible to live on just the state pension only.
Have changed my username as I'll give specific details, which may be outing.

I've recently retired, 66 years old. I have a state pension only, it's £230.49 per week and will rise to around £239.49 in April. It's slightly higher than the standard state pension as I have a small amount of SERPS on it, from the days when this was added for those who had no other provision.
I have never paid into any private pension scheme, and always said no when a company scheme was offered in past jobs. Mostly because I was a single parent for many years and just could not afford to pay out anything else.

For my early married years, I was a SAHM but was credited NI payments as we qualified for child benefit. Later one of my children was diagnosed with a mild disability, but enough for us to claim DLA at the time, and me carer's allowance, that gave me extra credits for those years. However, that was taken away when my child reached 16 as they were deemed able to cope on their own and they live independently now.

I currently live on my own. By the time I was in my 60's I knew retirement was on the horizon so I "future proofed" in different ways. I have always had rented accommodation so I made sure I moved to a place which would be affordable in old age - I had no savings, and no place to sell. Instead I moved to a beautiful rural area, into retirement accommodation for over 60's. These places are much cheaper, I have the most gorgeous apartment as part of an old, converted manor house, with lovely grounds. And in a little village with a vibrant community (village pub, active church, modern village hall with lots of activities etc). I pay £395 per month in rent and an extra £60 per month which covers all the bills - no problems worrying about electricity/gas/water or council tax.

On top of that there's £14.12 per month for TV licence, £32 for internet, £4.35 per month for contents insurance, £10.65 for D&G white goods insurance (engineer comes out as soon as anything breaks down).

I had a lease car which, once the leasing years had run out, I had the option to buy at a knock down price. I used all my extra money from working to buy the car as I knew it would be vital if I was living in a rural area.
Car insurance is £56 per month, car tax works out as (equivalent) £16.25 per month, petrol about £70 a month as I like to get out (and the supermarket is a trip away).

That still leaves plenty for the weekly food/toiletries shop (around £50 per week). I made sure I had completely changed my wardrobe (including underwear etc) in the year or so before my retirement, while I was still working. I don't think I'll need new clothes for a long time. I have bulk bought items like washing powder, bin bags and so forth because it's cheaper. I batch cook casseroles, soups etc. and freeze food - for one person it's really economical.
However, I'm lucky - I don't eat take-aways (don't like them), I don't spend on magazines or newspapers (use the internet or TV for news), I'm happy with Freeview TV and iPlayer (no Netflix subscriptions) and I don't drink alcohol.

I don't think life is boring, but that's subjective of course, it depends upon your interests. I've done a lot of travelling over the years so I don't feel the need for overseas holidays; I have the car and visit friends to stay with across the country. I'm very active in the local community and serve as a parish councillor, I volunteer in the local primary school and I'm active in the church....that gives me lots of friends as well as family, who live nearby too.
I have masses of interests - watercolour painting and the local art club, craft work and photography. I've joined a creative writing course in the nearest town and do several interesting courses online, including learning a foreign language. There is so much to do! I also joined the national trust as they allow membership to be paid monthly rather than just yearly, that's an extra £7.60 per month. Really worth it as I love going to all their properties, always a great day out either on my own or with family and friends.

Honestly, it can be done.

Your car insurance is extortionate - why? I only pay about £200 a year!

YourWinter · 08/07/2025 12:36

I’m single, 69, own my house, and my income is full state pension plus £280.73 a month from an old work pension in my 20s. I put £200 a month into a 12-month regular saver and save £100 a month into my S&S ISA. Yes, it’s manageable, I’m not a big spender.

Mrsbloggz · 08/07/2025 12:43

How can means testing be expensive!?
Surely it can be done for free using an algorithm?
Is the real problem not that the government just has crap IT and no one who understands it properly?

Bjorkdidit · 08/07/2025 12:56

Yes, they should just use AI to build an app that will deal with millions of peoples' pension and benefit entitlement and it won't ever make mistakes, receive fraudulent applications, get hacked or otherwise go wrong.

It will just work like magic and all that is needed is someone who understands IT properly who is willing to work for free to set it up. What on earth are we waiting for?

Frankley · 08/07/2025 13:19

oldparents car insurance is a lot when get to 80years old. I've had no claims ever, been driving since in my twenties, and insurance firm I'd been with for years quoted well over a thousand pounds. Got it down to seven hundredish with another firm.
I don't drive many miles a year now, only locally.