Winter Fuel Allowance

[cromwell]

I don't see why the better off pensioners should get it, not when they are cutting back so brutally on many benefits for people in difficult situations

Trouble is Kaz, if everything is to be based solely on need, then there is no reason why the old age pension shouldn't be means tested as well...
And that would be a big step too far, imo.

[tonicha]

And I'm classed as disabled too - but that means nowt.

So, I get my pension the same as Kaz, I've now got to wait until I'm 66.

And one thing that is good, as Grumpy is of pensionable age, we're both able to get "free" health care here. It's not the same as in England, we have to pay to see the doc and also the prescriptions, but the health care is so much better.

Sorry, that's another 2 subjects.

[Workingman]

Trouble is Kaz, if everything is to be based solely on need, then there is no reason why the old age pension shouldn't be means tested as well...

And that is what bugs me no end. When I signed it was pay in so much via NI over so many years and you would get an OAP pension of £x at age 65. There was never any mention of means-testing or working longer. You had done your bit for the country and this was the reward you had paid for. It was supposed to be the minimum required for you to be "comfortable" in retirement.

I kept my part of the bargain, why doesn't the government keep to their part?

[Rodo]

You started off a very interesting discussion here Ton. It is quite obvious that there are no clear dividing lines. Whatever the government decide to do, there will be people suffering from the decision, and other people benefitting when they don't need it. Not easy.

[TheOstrich]

I don't see why the better off pensioners should get it, not when they are cutting back so brutally on many benefits for people in difficult situations

Trouble is Kaz, if everything is to be based solely on need, then there is no reason why the old age pension shouldn't be means tested as well...
And that would be a big step too far, imo.

I would submit to you that it already is means-tested. State pension is taxable, and many folk, therefore, while receiving 100% of it in the bank, then have to pay back either 20% or 40% of it in tax depending on how much their income is.

OK, the winter fuel allowance, along with the £10 Xmas bonus, isn't taxable. But don't forget that the winter fuel allowance has already been cut back by the Tory government in 2011 from £250 to £200 for the under 80's .....

[tonicha]

Well, we obviously won't get the bus allowance

[Kaz]

Ton that's another thing! I was really looking forward to my bus pass in four years time, now it will be another 10 at least

[saundra]

I don't have one to far f a bus ztop

[cruiser2]

I may be wrong but the state pension and winter fuel allowance is only paid to residents in certain countries.
Also the basic state pension in now only increases annually. The Graduated pension has not been increased for several years. Not much publicity about thois at the time.

[tonicha]

The state pension is paid to all pensioners, as far as I'm aware Cruiser.

Grumpy's goes up the same as every-ones. However, should we live in America, South Africa, Australia, it stays the same as it was when we left England.