Better-off Pensioners 'encouraged' to give fuel allowance to charity

grizzly1911

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I am a Pensioner myself. As a couple we have occupational pensions too, so do not claim Pension Credit.

I do know a couple on Pension Credit, I know how much money they have to live on, there should be no reason why they can''t pay their heating bill, especially with the £200. Even if you are not on PC, but have a low income, you can still claim for your Council Tax, and rent if you are renting. You can have £10k worth of savings too.

Not sure if £10000 is the cut off, but I will take your word for it, but it is a fiscal cliff pat which you don't get anything.

Many pensioners don't have occupational pensions, but do have relatively modest savings, measured in 10s of K, not 100s that they have put by instead and do fall the wrong side of that cliff and do struggle to make ends meet.

I know the answer will simply be use your capital - always is.

seven-day-weekend

grizzly1911 wrote: »

Not sure if £10000 is the cut off, but I will take your word for it, but it is a fiscal cliff pat which you don't get anything.

Many pensioners don't have occupational pensions, but do have relatively modest savings, measured in 10s of K, not 100s that they have put by instead and do fall the wrong side of that cliff and do struggle to make ends meet.

I know the answer will simply be use your capital - always is.

Well there are no pockets in a shroud as they say. Why should you get any means-tested Benefits if you have tens of thousands in savings? I know myself and my husband certainly don't expect any and if we have to spend our savings, we do so. In fact we are having to spend a hefty chunk of them soon to repair and update our house. That is what savings are for, surely?

grizzly1911

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Well there are no pockets in a shroud as they say. Why should you get any means-tested Benefits if you have tens of thousands in savings? I know myself and my husband certainly don't expect any and if we have to spend our savings, we do so. In fact we are having to spend a hefty chunk of them soon to repair and update our house. That is what savings are for, surely?

I made the point about shrouds and pockets on another related thread so appreciate what you are saying.

Depends where that tipping point is is £10K right, £16 k etc., should it tapper off?, Whether you have surplus income, something that has been eroded through the current poor interest rates (at no fault of the prudent)? Many straddle that tightrope and simply fall into the trap. £x000 get benefits, £x001 no benefits,

We are talking £200/30 p.a. here that many rely on, it was introduced for valid reasons at the time and some don't need it. Means testing would wipe out any savings so I don't see why it simply can't be included as income and taxed if personal allowances are breached.

With energy bills rising 4 x faster than CPI perhaps the WFA needs an increase?