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

BobQ

What a mean spirited lot some of you are!

So a small proportion of pensioners get benefits they do not need, many many more get benefits they desperately need. For the better off pensioners it just needs an adjustment to a tax threshold to deal with the matter as is proposed for child benefit.

What next? Withdraw VAT relief for those who need to buy disability products?

One of the things that disgusts me as I get older is the shameful attitude of the young to the old. Many of today's pensioners brought up children without the rather generous child benefit that you all take for granted.

BobQ

heathcote123 wrote: »

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.

There are a whole generation of voters who still accept students running up debts. Do they use their votes to protest? No. Unlike my generation that fought for our rights this generation just roll over and accept it which is of course their right.

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?

Its perfectly legal. Even so many pensioners cannot afford to eat in restaurants.

BobQ

The_J wrote: »

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

Then you would say they buy non-essentials like wine!

The_J

BobQ wrote: »

Then you would say they buy non-essentials like wine!

If they want to buy wine instead of food that is absolutely fine by me. I would like to see sterilising drugs administered to the cheapest booze as well.

The vouchers should be massive as well. Like 3ft by 2ft and bright orange.

PaulF81

McKneff wrote: »

They are saving a fortune anyway, they moved the goalposts for state pension and with it the bus passes. So they are getting a double whammy.

I get fed up of being bashed because Im a pensioner, bashed cos Im a smoker.

You young ones will get your turn at the benefit/pension system later on in your life, (hopefully, we all know what the alternative is) so leave us alone, we'll all be dead in a few years anyway lol.

You will be dead quicker if we cut fuel payments and pointless operations for those over 75.

Loopgames

BobQ wrote: »

What a mean spirited lot some of you are!

So a small proportion of pensioners get benefits they do not need, many many more get benefits they desperately need. For the better off pensioners it just needs an adjustment to a tax threshold to deal with the matter as is proposed for child benefit.

What next? Withdraw VAT relief for those who need to buy disability products?

One of the things that disgusts me as I get older is the shameful attitude of the young to the old. Many of today's pensioners brought up children without the rather generous child benefit that you all take for granted.

I agree with your sentiments. It is awful that people have so little respect for each other, that and combined with there complex relationship with money - people see each other as aburden on the rest of society. Older people should be rewarded, i am old fashioned i like to respect my elders even if they can be grumpy, majority are respectful.

My mother in law just retired after working her whole living hand to mouth each month. Now she has free bus pass which keeps her mobile as opposed to staying at home and unable to carry out basic shopping chores or even socialising with friends and family. To think that free bus passes make people lazy is ignorant frankly. Thankfully she found out she doesn't have to pay council tax which lets her keep 20% of her income.

BobQ

PaulF81 wrote: »

You will be dead quicker if we cut fuel payments and pointless operations for those over 75.

No doubt your parents would be really proud of your comment.

Loanranger

How is it that pensioner bashing is acceptable yet any other kind of bashing isn't?
I worked full time for 42 years, paid tax and NI and paid into a private pension pot. Also paid for all my university fees and no grant, studied part time while working. Yet am begrudged a bus pass and a fuel allowance to which I am entitled!
May I suggest that younger folk who are envious of my position in society take on my aches and pains, my insomnia, my husband's painful hip and deafness and then decide who they'd rather be?
There is nothing so good in life as to be young. The young will sadly only appreciate this sentiment when it's too late and, like me, they're old.
Who said, youth is wasted on the young? Can't remember, that'll probably be the dementia rearing its ugly head.

Brallaqueen

Not all pensioners are wealthy, having helped my mum with her care work, the state some of them have been left in is heartbreaking.

The_J

Not only should old people get a fuel allowance but people under the age of 40 should have to pay double prices for fuel. That might teach them to put a jumper on instead of turning the heating on. I was aghast to find young people spending £100 a month on gas, this is absolutely preposterous. We live in England, not the Arctic. Man up you !!!!!!s.

As for free bus passes this is absolutely vital. Have you seen old people driving?