pension credit and state pension

McKneff

Another one here who stood on their own two feet, and happy to have done so. It doesnt bother me that others get more from the government than me., I would hate to rely on benefits to pay my council tax etc. My OH gets his state pension, and a small private pension, I get 60%state pension and a small works pension. We pay our full council tax etc. Too much income for this extra pension and that's fine.

And MC is one of our most respected advisors, along with 7DW and Dunroamin.

margaretclare

Thank you for the very kind and complimentary remarks by 7DWE, McKneff and JenniferJane.

When I mentioned that HSA contributions were 'small' (this is what annie1975 took such exception to) I also said that they were paid in by a student nurse and an apprentice engineer. Imagine what kind of wages we got at that time - not a lot - but we thought it worthwhile paying in. Actually if we came out of the Simply Health scheme now, at our ages, we'd never get back in, but we have benefited from those contributions to the tune of optical, dental, and hospital overnight stays. HSA was set up way before the NHS and it was for just such expenses. Now SimplyHealth, we still think it worth paying into, although we periodically take a hard look at all our expenditure and decide whether it's worth continuing, just like we review house and car insurance to see if we can get a better deal - DH is particularly good at this - but as I said, we'd never get back in and already this year it has paid for the nights DH spent in hospital after surgery. OK, staying in hospital is 'free', but visiting, car parking charges, all kinds of odd things do cost money. Every year since DH and I got together in 1997, one or other of us, sometimes both, has been in hospital for various kinds of surgery.

I agree with Jennifer_Jane, I wouldn't like to have to live on £143 a week and I never cease to be thankful that - at present - I don't have to. The situation will change drastically if/when one of us is left on his/her own, which, please God, will be a long way off yet. However, there is an awful lot of bitter talk that you do hear about 'some paid in and get less than those who didn't'. Well, I can't live my life being bitter and envious of those who appear to 'get more'. I'm not too sure that they really do 'get it all' but I don't envy the hoops they may have to jump through to get it.

Because we live simply, at the time that pension credit came in various people thought we'd be entitled to it. We did the sums, more than once, and we weren't. We even had letters from the Pensions Service, or rather DH did, noting that he hadn't applied and wondering why. Eventually they insisted on sending a nice lady round to 'help us apply for what we might be entitled to'. By the time she'd glanced at a piece of paper DH handed to her she didn't even have time to sit down before declaring 'no, you're right, you're not entitled'. She didn't even ask about mine, just took it for granted that 'his' incomings were 'ours', which they weren't. Very pleasant lady, and we apologised for wasting her time, but she assured us that it was worth doing because 'a lot of people are entitled but don't apply'.

mumps

margaretclare wrote: »

Thank you for the very kind and complimentary remarks by 7DWE, McKneff and JenniferJane.

When I mentioned that HSA contributions were 'small' (this is what annie1975 took such exception to) I also said that they were paid in by a student nurse and an apprentice engineer. Imagine what kind of wages we got at that time - not a lot - but we thought it worthwhile paying in. Actually if we came out of the Simply Health scheme now, at our ages, we'd never get back in, but we have benefited from those contributions to the tune of optical, dental, and hospital overnight stays. HSA was set up way before the NHS and it was for just such expenses. Now SimplyHealth, we still think it worth paying into, although we periodically take a hard look at all our expenditure and decide whether it's worth continuing, just like we review house and car insurance to see if we can get a better deal - DH is particularly good at this - but as I said, we'd never get back in and already this year it has paid for the nights DH spent in hospital after surgery. OK, staying in hospital is 'free', but visiting, car parking charges, all kinds of odd things do cost money. Every year since DH and I got together in 1997, one or other of us, sometimes both, has been in hospital for various kinds of surgery.

I agree with Jennifer_Jane, I wouldn't like to have to live on £143 a week and I never cease to be thankful that - at present - I don't have to. The situation will change drastically if/when one of us is left on his/her own, which, please God, will be a long way off yet. However, there is an awful lot of bitter talk that you do hear about 'some paid in and get less than those who didn't'. Well, I can't live my life being bitter and envious of those who appear to 'get more'. I'm not too sure that they really do 'get it all' but I don't envy the hoops they may have to jump through to get it.

Because we live simply, at the time that pension credit came in various people thought we'd be entitled to it. We did the sums, more than once, and we weren't. We even had letters from the Pensions Service, or rather DH did, noting that he hadn't applied and wondering why. Eventually they insisted on sending a nice lady round to 'help us apply for what we might be entitled to'. By the time she'd glanced at a piece of paper DH handed to her she didn't even have time to sit down before declaring 'no, you're right, you're not entitled'. She didn't even ask about mine, just took it for granted that 'his' incomings were 'ours', which they weren't. Very pleasant lady, and we apologised for wasting her time, but she assured us that it was worth doing because 'a lot of people are entitled but don't apply'.

I realise that you had a small income as a student nurse and your husbands as an apprentice engineer but the contributions would also have been alot less than they would be now. Inflation, health provision not imagined 40 or 50 years ago and because of your age you would have paid alot less than any pensioner joining now. Your remarks might have come across to someone who is short of money as "let them eat cake."

I have reservations about the money paid to people in hospital. I agree that it does have a cost for visiting etc but when I was in hospital after surgery I was in a four bed bay, we all had the same surgery the same day, when I and another lady were discharged the other two were staying in. They told the doctor there was no one at home to help them, they didn't feel well enough to be alone etc etc. The doctor agreed to them staying for a couple of extra days. When he left they both laughed and said they would be in for another four days. I couldn't understand it but they explained they got, I think, £50 per night for hospital stays from a health plan. They had already been in for five days and both wanted the extra four days as £450 was going to pay for a holiday. I was horrified, my op had ben cancelled originally as there was surgery time for me but no bed for afterwards. I wondered if someone was blocking that bed to pay for a holiday. I think at the least they should have been charged for the doctors signature on their application forms. I know there are always the few who spoil it for everyone but it really annoyed me.

Just edited to add that when I was discharged I had two children still school age and was, and am, the carer for my disabled husband. Not much looking after for me.

margaretclare

I did explain that if we came out of the SimplyHealth (formerly HSA) scheme at our ages we would never get back in, that's why we consider it worthwhile continuing. Other people of our age have expenses which we wouldn't even consider. I won't even list what those might be for fear of being misconstrued.

We've never considered it worthwhile being in hospital for one night, not even for one hour, longer than we need to be! For me, a quick phone call 'Come and get me' and I was out of there. DH can't get into the passenger seat of our car (because of his stiff left leg) so he needs a big taxi. Another thing which is worth paying for, rather than waiting all day for hospital transport.

Mojisola

mumps wrote: »

when I was in hospital after surgery I was in a four bed bay, we all had the same surgery the same day, when I and another lady were discharged the other two were staying in.

They told the doctor there was no one at home to help them, they didn't feel well enough to be alone etc etc. The doctor agreed to them staying for a couple of extra days.

Just edited to add that when I was discharged I had two children still school age and was, and am, the carer for my disabled husband. Not much looking after for me.

Why didn't you tell the hospital this and have a few more days in hospital yourself?

margaretclare

PS: The money we got for DH being in hospital in late 2008 paid for: new furniture - an extending chair which was more comfortable for his leg, and a newer, wider, lower-step-in shower cubicle. It was extremely useful.

annie1975_2

Mojisola wrote: »

Why didn't you tell the hospital this and have a few more days in hospital yourself?

Maybe she wasn't in an health scheme?Everyone might have been treated as NHS patient but if your in a scheme you get so much per night.
Think the point Mumps is making is if they didnt "Milk it" the beds would be freed up for others.

mumps

margaretclare wrote: »

I did explain that if we came out of the SimplyHealth (formerly HSA) scheme at our ages we would never get back in, that's why we consider it worthwhile continuing. Other people of our age have expenses which we wouldn't even consider. I won't even list what those might be for fear of being misconstrued.

We've never considered it worthwhile being in hospital for one night, not even for one hour, longer than we need to be! For me, a quick phone call 'Come and get me' and I was out of there. DH can't get into the passenger seat of our car (because of his stiff left leg) so he needs a big taxi. Another thing which is worth paying for, rather than waiting all day for hospital transport.

I did notice that but thought in an earlier post you were suggesting someone might be able to afford what you felt was a small cost. Obviously if someone of a certain age couldn't join it wouldn't matter if they could afford it or not.

I did acknowlege that it is always the few who spoil it for the many, I don't know how many people are in these schemes and how many of them abuse it but it would be interesting to know what it is costing the NHS if people overstay.

mumps

Mojisola wrote: »

Why didn't you tell the hospital this and have a few more days in hospital yourself?

I had stayed the normal number of days post op and felt it was reasonable for me to leave so someone else who was waiting for a bed would get one. If I am honest I also hate being in hospital and always get out as fast as I can. I was in a hospital some years ago and was trying to persuade Dr to discharge me, tried for a couple of days and then explained my little boys needed me. He thought about it and agreed. He was back in the ward an hour or so later when my two strapping teenage sons arrived to pick me up. He came over and smiled and said, "Are these the little ones who needed their Mum?" We did laugh but my sons were a bit confused.

mumps

annie1975 wrote: »

Maybe she wasn't in an health scheme?Everyone might have been treated as NHS patient but if your in a scheme you get so much per night.
Think the point Mumps is making is if they didnt "Milk it" the beds would be freed up for others.

You are spot on.