Quizzes & Puzzles8 mins ago
WHAT DO YOU THINK......
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What do you think of the governments suggestion that they take benefits and free bus passes away from pensioners, and that the winter fuel payment is to be means tested? I thought i was hearing things when i heard this on the news this morning.
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.TBH, I don't think it's unreasonable. I'm past pension age and I still work full-time on a decent salary, but I still get my pass and fuel allowance. There are people who earn far more than I do who also get the allowances, you don't have to apply for them, they just happen.
It'll be interesting to see what the limit of earning they propose, might be.
It'll be interesting to see what the limit of earning they propose, might be.
I don't agree with means testing as it penalises thrift, encourages fraud and discourages those who can't face filling in huge forms.
I think the fuel allowances (and possibly bus passes) should be replaced by an increase of £5- £10 a week in the basic state pension. As pensions count as taxable income the better off will therefore pensioners will pay a little more tax and the poorer pensioners who don't pay tax will get the extra tax free
I think the fuel allowances (and possibly bus passes) should be replaced by an increase of £5- £10 a week in the basic state pension. As pensions count as taxable income the better off will therefore pensioners will pay a little more tax and the poorer pensioners who don't pay tax will get the extra tax free
A 'social contract' (where those who can afford to pay a bit more into the system effectively support those who can't) will only work as long as it is perceived to be basically fair.
We have already moved a very long way past that tipping point - most of the 'net contributors' already feel that the government/society is taking the Fosters.
If you continue to remove pensions and entitlements that people have worked/contributed towards (by making everything a means tested benefit) then the point will come where people just say "no more" and the whole system fails - probably through the election of a single issue party to government with a mandate to tear up the whole taxation/benefit system. Then the social unrest really starts ...
So - to maintain stability you have to give the net contributors some of their money back - a decent flat rate pension and one or two 'perks' like the winter fuel allowance are probably the most efficient way.
We have already moved a very long way past that tipping point - most of the 'net contributors' already feel that the government/society is taking the Fosters.
If you continue to remove pensions and entitlements that people have worked/contributed towards (by making everything a means tested benefit) then the point will come where people just say "no more" and the whole system fails - probably through the election of a single issue party to government with a mandate to tear up the whole taxation/benefit system. Then the social unrest really starts ...
So - to maintain stability you have to give the net contributors some of their money back - a decent flat rate pension and one or two 'perks' like the winter fuel allowance are probably the most efficient way.
why should anyone receive any kind of benefit if they have never contributed to society, the system, call it what you will. But they do, benefits are given out to all sorts of people who haven't paid a penny.
If i have contributed all my life, NI contributions, tax, and so forth, why should i be penalised for saving a couple of quid at the end and perhaps retiring overseas. That may not last long at any rate, considering that the current President of France is looking at taxation for British ex pats, suggest they won't be there for long.
If you are stonkingly wealthy, then they don't need it, so could ask for it to be stopped. There must be something in place to allow that to happen.
If i have contributed all my life, NI contributions, tax, and so forth, why should i be penalised for saving a couple of quid at the end and perhaps retiring overseas. That may not last long at any rate, considering that the current President of France is looking at taxation for British ex pats, suggest they won't be there for long.
If you are stonkingly wealthy, then they don't need it, so could ask for it to be stopped. There must be something in place to allow that to happen.