Its a wonderful life... Want to try.....?? A Single parents View.. !!xx!

akin_drum

Bogof_Babe wrote:

I'm still puzzling over BS's parents getting £200 a week more than she does. I didn't think the state pension, even for a couple, was as much as £200, so assuming BS has ooh let's say £80 pw to live on (given she is mortgage-free, but still has utilities, c/tax, food etc. to pay for) then her parents must be getting min £280 pw.

That sort of sum must include a personal pension that they have contributed to. I'm quite sure the state pension does not amount to this much.

Sorry if this post comes across as "personal" but I am genuinely interested in how much BS's parents get, only because I doubt this amount of "state pension" is available for retired couples generally.

My parents receive approx. £180 PW as a couple from the state. There is no council tax benefit, HB benefit etc though. This includes payments from SERPS that my Dad paid extra for. My mother, however, does not get her own, complete state pension because she spent time out looking after children and there were no allowances for raising a family, unlike now.

seven-day-weekend

black-saturn wrote:

So you agree that it is acceptable to pay tax while you work but claim benefit when it's needed like some single parents do? Just because they claim benefit whilst their children are young it doesnt mean they will forever more. Most will go on to get jobs when their children are old enough to fend for themselves and therefore will start to pay tax again. Just like how the pensioner will have paid tax to receive his benefit. It's not about how much you've put in it's about how much is needed. Apparantly I've paid tax for your road to be swept and your bin to be emptied and I've never walked along it!!

Look, I actually think it's better for the children to be with their parents when they are young instead of being shoved in a nursery. I'm not getting at you! There is no need for you to be so defensive.

What people don't like are people (not just single parents) who think the world owes them a living. There are lots of these around and they have all sorts of marital status.

akin_drum

black-saturn wrote:

I don't know where it comes from as I don't pry that much into my parents personal circumstances so neither should you. It's non of my business or yours.

But you put the information into the ball park!! You can't hide behind privacy when you started it, just because it suits you! You must think we are all daft! And for one who doesn't pry, you are aware of their financial circumstances and happy to tell the workd! You actually sound quite envious?

You said "My parents are on a basic pension and they get £200 a week more than I do and they have no children to look after" (Post #744)

seven-day-weekend

If they have £200 a week 'more[/I,' then this must include some sort of private or occupational pension that they have paid into. It's not just State Pension.

Bogof_Babe

black-saturn wrote:

I don't know where it comes from as I don't pry that much into my parents personal circumstances so neither should you. It's non of my business or yours.

Touchy! I was simply trying to find out whether you meant your parents' pension was the state-funded one (i.e. benefits, if you take it to the literal extent) or a private/employment one.

Anyone with a private/employment one has obviously contributed to it, and good luck to them. I read your initial post as if your parents' entire income was from the state pension. That's why I queried it.

seven-day-weekend

BS, I don't understand why you seem to resent your parents' income so much.

Don't you think that they are entitled to it if they are of pensionable age and worked for 40+ years? Would you like them to only have a pittance?

I read on this site that people with children can earn £66000 a year and still receive benefits, so people with children are not all that hard done to. I do realise that not everyone falls into these circumstances, but...£66,000? That's a joke, surely?

black-saturn

I don't resent it I was just pointing out that pensioners don't have such a hard time as they make out. Why would I resent it and where did I say I resented it? I'm not going to post on this witch hunt anymore and no it's not because I am backing into a corner and not getting my own way. I'm a happy, chilled out person until I get on this site. I actually think some posters bring out the worst in me by deliberately winding me up.

akin_drum

black-saturn wrote:

I don't resent it I was just pointing out that pensioners don't have such a hard time as they make out.

In that case, nor do single parents. Sauce for the goose and all that.....

nickyhutch

akin_drum wrote:

When I look at how much income tax I pay each month I consider that I am paying my parents pension and am quite happy with that. There are also a goodly number that are in receipt of private pensions that they have saved for.

That's a really nice way to look at it! It makes it so much more personal, and I wont begrudge those ££££a going out of my wage packet so much now!

seven-day-weekend

black-saturn wrote:

I don't resent it I was just pointing out that pensioners don't have such a hard time as they make out. Why would I resent it and where did I say I resented it? I'm not going to post on this witch hunt anymore and no it's not because I am backing into a corner and not getting my own way. I'm a happy, chilled out person until I get on this site. I actually think some posters bring out the worst in me by deliberately winding me up.

Sorry if I have upset you, it's maybe the way I read your post, it seemed to be suggesting that because they no longer had any children they shouldn't be getting that amount of money.

If I've misunderstood I apologise unreservedly. i don't wish for any sort of witch hunt and I'm sorry you feel that way.