WHAT DO YOU THINK......

[Georgiesmum]

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.

[B00]

got a link?

[Tilly2]

I think they might lose the next election.

[ummmm]

I think the fuel payment should be means tested. I listened to an interview with an elderly wealthy gentleman. He tried to return his winter fuel payment as he didn't need it. There was nothing in place for it to be returned.

What benefits are they taking away from pensioners?

[boxtops]

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.

[Georgiesmum]

No, sorry, i havent gott a link BOO but i heard it on radio 2 this morning on the news bulletin on the hour.

[sandyRoe]

I think it was a Tory MP suggesting this. I doubt if it's government policy.

[B00]

Agree with ummm that the WFP should be means tested.

[emmie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18778359

[boxtops]

http://www.sundaysun....efits-84229-31361048/

[friedgreentomato]

And it should'nt go to pensioners that choose to live abroad.

[Georgiesmum]

I know im very grateful of my winter fuel payment., without it i would have to think twice about putting the heating on in the winter.

[emmie]

if you think that winter fuel payments should be means tested, fair enough, but consider if you have paid into this system all your life, and have just enough to get by on on retirement. the government decides that it's not for you because you have enough to live on without it, is that fair?

[emmie]

it should go to those who need it, just because a person lives abroad doesn't mean to say it doesn't get cold.

[cathfromsaron]

i think that the winter fuel payment should be means tested!

but i think bus passes and OA pensions are a national 'staple', and they will lose if the push it!

[ummmm]

Em, that would depend what amount they set it at. There are plenty of very wealthy pensioners that are receiving this payment even if they don't want it.

[HowardKennitby]

It sounds OK to means-test benefits but I suspect that the costs of the testing would soon outstrip the value of the savings.

[factor-fiction]

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

[sunny-dave]

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.

[emmie]

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.

[tenrec]

Last winter I could not stay indoors with the heating on. Couldn't afford it, so wrapped up warm got on the bus (with bus pass) and went walking. Now I feel that I have saved the NHS loads, as I am healthier. So, no don't punish pensioners.