No point working - why not just go on benefits?

B_Blank

purch wrote: »

It's a good way to avoid any discussion, or to have to back up and wild claim with solid facts.

Very amusing though , start a thread, make some wild and unsubstantiated claims, and call anyone who disagrees a troll.

And I must say, even though most of your posts are (imo) silly, and you are a bit of a troll, that you have given me a good laugh this topic. Espicially when you called me the "blankster" :rotfl:

lisyloo

and you will be assured of getting a nice little income

In general this isn't my experience.
I don't know too many people on benefits, but most of them live in horrible places and are continually skint.
It's not a nice life at all for most.

I do know people who get far too much as the system is inequitable, but on the whole I don't think it's the nice life you are painting it to be.

edinburgher

I am sticking up for the poor people. You clearly dont.

Sure you are mate.

Puddleglum

Two days sick a few weeks ago, too weak to turn off the tv from my sick bed or get up and do something less boring instead.

No way could I live a life of luxury on benefits, entertained by daytime telly.

ninky_2

lisyloo wrote: »

In general this isn't my experience.
I don't know too many people on benefits, but most of them live in horrible places and are continually skint.
.

i've known some people on benefits and also many on low incomes (including myself at one stage).

fast forward a decade and the people who were low paid are now enjoying a far better lifestyle with increased life choices whilst those on benefits are in the same situation they always were.

sunshinetours

ninky wrote: »

deferred gratification. it's what seperates the winners from the losers long term.

benefits are instant gratification but you get no promotion and rely on future incumbant governments to continue with giving you the benefit. they have every chance of not doing so. you are living at the whim of party politics and the electorate.

if you work you are likely to be promoted / get a pay increase (maybe less so in recession but recessions don't last forever).

people who work are likely to be in a better position over time than people who spend their life on longterm benefits. this is fact.

taking a snapshot does not show the whole picture.

Totally agree with this - I think that its the lack of self worth many people seem to have today that is the saddest thing. it should (IMO) be wrong to think that long term benefit reliance is an OK way to live. However how you solve a whole generation of this is another matter

Mr_Mumble

Let's take a look at someone who is 64 and deciding whether or not to retire or stay in work.

The rises on the previous year for 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13 in the state pension should be:

5%, 2.5%, 4.6%, 4.3%[1].

So for every £100 in April 2008 this increases to £117.41 by April 2012. A CAGR of 4.1%

In the same time period wages are expected to have increased on the previous year by:

0.2%, 1.7%, 1.8%, 3.3%[2].

£100 increases to £107.16. CAGR of 1.7%

In relative terms there has been a disincentive for those nearing retirement to continue working based on the relative increases in benefits vs wages.

[1]final year is based on the projected CPI this September used for next year's benefits on page 91 of the budget report. 4.6% is RPI last September, prior two years were Labour sweetners though the 2.5% is now supposed to be the lowest level the basic pension can go up by no matter how severe the deflation.

[2]ibid. data from page 91 of the budget report.

B_Blank

Yup, precisely. Benefits are getting to be a "better" option every single day. That is what this inflation is doing. Benefits should be linked to WAGE INFLATION NOT CPI/RPI

sunshinetours

Mr_Mumble wrote: »

Let's take a look at someone who is 64 and deciding whether or not to retire or stay in work.

The rises on the previous year for 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13 in the state pension should be:

5%, 2.5%, 4.6%, 4.3%[1].

So for every £100 in April 2008 this increases to £117.41 by April 2012. A CAGR of 4.1%

In the same time period wages are expected to have increased on the previous year by:

0.2%, 1.7%, 1.8%, 3.3%[2].

£100 increases to £107.16. CAGR of 1.7%

In relative terms there has been a disincentive for those nearing retirement to continue working based on the relative increases in benefits vs wages.

[1]final year is based on the projected CPI this September used for next year's benefits on page 91 of the budget report. 4.6% is RPI last September, prior two years were Labour sweetners though the 2.5% is now supposed to be the lowest level the basic pension can go up by no matter how severe the deflation.

[2]ibid. data from page 91 of the budget report.

I do appreciate you have said in relative terms, but the key point to this comparison is that for most people their working life annual income will be greater than their retirement annual income, and for many, far greater, so the relative comparison is somewhat diminished.
Obviously you can also work and take a pension whereas you cannot, in general terms, work and claim benefits

wotsthat

Mr_Mumble wrote: »

In relative terms there has been a disincentive for those nearing retirement to continue working based on the relative increases in benefits vs wages.

Looks like B Blank didn't notice that you'd highlighted relative or if he did didn't understand why.

B Blank - relative increases in benefits for those nearing retirements compared to wages does NOT mean you will be worse off by working.