Should automatic benefits be cut for those who "don't need them"?

Murphymycat

Christmas bonus was introduced in 1972. At that time the state pension was £6.75. It needs to be at least £100 to have kept up

McKneff

I agree entirely with drc, Im in the first category, apart from my state pension and child benefit (family allowance) I can honestly say I have never claimed anything from the state,up to being 60. I Worked all my life, saved for my retirement. It doesnt annoy me actually, I wouldnt have it any other way. If that makes me sound smug, I dont feel smug, I just feel I have responsibility for me and mine. To be honest, I have always been against child benefit, if you choose to have kids you should be responsible for them. Your kids, you go out to work to feed 'em.

Rant over:D

grizzly1911

Rupert_Bear wrote: »

TBH the amount of money we are talking is so small I'm not really bothered if these benefits are stopped. As for the bus pass I never use it because I am very fit. I cycle, walk and if desperate get my car out.

I do think relying on a bus pass is a bad thing anyway. Makes a lot of people just lazy.

If you are 84 arthritic and only capable of doing say 1/4mile then it is the lifeline to many.

You are lucky you are still fit and active but time will tell in the example above that person would have happily walked 5 miles up until the last 3 years or so.

In the same case they would have been drc pensioner number one, just over any benefit threshold, so would immediately whacked £5 return trip to shop.

grizzly1911

MrRee wrote: »

On the contrary, I DO depend upon it to heat my swimming pool ..... I had the pool BEFORE I was collecting my pension - so, I need to still heat it now.

I also work on a consultancy basis, of course, but I pay some tax on that anyway.

I know you are on a wind up but that pool is a luxury, empty it, fill it in grow vegetables instead.

grizzly1911

Graham_Devon wrote: »

The definition of need though, as others have pointed out, is the tricky bit.

As you say the definition of need is the issue and or sensible parameters to entitlement.

If we take away the need for prudence then the cost to us all will increase in the long run.

We will not generate sufficient revenue via consumption to counterbalance and as there will be no point in saving why bother.

heathcote123

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I know my personal answer.

But it's split. Theres no common ground. For instance, on one of the articles I have read, the poster stating "No, we have paid in all our lives, put 1p extra on income tax" has got just as many recomendations as "yes, give it to those who most need it instead of wasting it on those who hold 80% of the wealth".

Normally you get a common right or wrong, and the government dithering. But on this, it seems there is no obvious divide.

Oh. No, it has nothing to do with fairness, it's much simpler than that. Pensioners in general vote, therefore if you are a politician, you go out of your way not to p1ss them off.

I've always found 'pensioners' discounts a bit odd at restaurants etc. As you mention, they hold most of the wealth anyway, and in this day and age of political correctness, is it even legal to discriminate against people based on age?

Rupert_Bear

grizzly1911 wrote: »

If you are 84 arthritic and only capable of doing say 1/4mile then it is the lifeline to many.

You are lucky you are still fit and active but time will tell in the example above that person would have happily walked 5 miles up until the last 3 years or so.

In the same case they would have been drc pensioner number one, just over any benefit threshold, so would immediately whacked £5 return trip to shop.

I have never smoked, never drank. Luck has nothing to do with me being fit. I have always looked after myself.

Also because I have looked after my money I have been able to retire early and unlike so many I do not need any benefits from anyone.

MacMickster

What would be the administration cost of requiring every pensioner to complete a form to determine whether they qualify for the winter heating allowance?

Experience also shows that many pensioners don't claim benefits to which they are entitled, even though they need the money. They were brought up in a time when claiming benefits was seen as a source of shame. Providing hospital treatment to those suffering illnesses such as pneumonia due to their inability to heat their homes is also costly.

The more that we means test such benefits, the less incentive there is for the current working population to save for their retirement, so we would potentially end up paying out more in other benefits.

The_J

Benefits should be paid in vouchers that can only be used in supermarkets.

Murphymycat

Pensioners discounts in restaurants - quite often smaller portions as a lot of older people have smaller appetites