When do benefits help kick in

Mojisola

The only benefits that you may be able to claim will be care related (if you ever need them) as they aren't means-tested.

You have got more money coming in than many households where whole families are living. If you haven't already switched to save money on utilities, etc, that's worth doing, as is checking each year that you are still getting good deals.

If you really want to overhaul your spending, put an SOA on the debt-free board and let others advise on ways you could save money. You don't have to follow all the advice but it could open your eyes to ways that you could save money without it affecting your standard of life.

We're just at the same age as you but my OH hasn't stopped work completely - could one or both of you take on some part-time work or short-term contracts. You may have another 30+ years of life - think about what you are going to do with your time.

I was talking to someone recently at the same stage of life. Their pensions cover the day-to-day stuff with enough spare for emergencies but they want to do some adventurous things so they take on temporary work, save everything they earn and then go off for however long the money will last and are thoroughly enjoying themselves.

newbieoap

Thanks for the information recently provided as I always thought it might be the case that our pensions put us out of the benefits arena. As I said the question asked was for information only. I have already accepted that at some point taking on a part time job might be something I would have to consider. Could I tax your knowledge one more time. My husband has osteoporosis and COPD if his health deteriorates would our monthly income bar as from making any attendance allowance claims? Again this is for information purposes as at the moment "touch wood" he is okay.

Mojisola

newbieoap wrote: »

My husband has osteoporosis and COPD if his health deteriorates would our monthly income bar as from making any attendance allowance claims?

No, AA isn't means tested.

tomtontom

Attendance Allowance is not means tested.

If you need to take on a part time job to supplement your income it sounds like a visit to the Debtfree board would be helpful.

seven-day-weekend

Our income is slightly more than yours from Pensions and we manage to save a decent amount, so I'm not sure why you can't manage (unless you have massive rent or mortgage payments, we have neither).

We also have income from part-time self-employment, but this goes towards holidays and other treats. We could manage without it. We could still save from our pensions.

Indie_Kid

AA is based on care needs and not diagnosis.

Bollotom

Get yourselves a nice car, have a great retirement party and holiday and get your savings below £16000, new furniture and possibly a kitchen then claim HB and CT. It's the savings that are proving to be the bar and you have to be careful it's not seen as asset deprivation. No good working all your life and getting nowt while some never work and take their money home in a wheelbarrow. And I wouldn't mind an invite to that retirement party. :cool:

tomtontom

Bollotom wrote: »

Get yourselves a nice car, have a great retirement party and holiday and get your savings below £16000, new furniture and possibly a kitchen then claim HB and CT. It's the savings that are proving to be the bar and you have to be careful it's not seen as asset deprivation. No good working all your life and getting nowt while some never work and take their money home in a wheelbarrow. And I wouldn't mind an invite to that retirement party. :cool:

No, it is their income that would stop them claiming.

Mojisola

Bollotom wrote: »

Get yourselves a nice car, have a great retirement party and holiday and get your savings below £16000, new furniture and possibly a kitchen then claim HB and CT. It's the savings that are proving to be the bar and you have to be careful it's not seen as asset deprivation. No good working all your life and getting nowt while some never work and take their money home in a wheelbarrow. And I wouldn't mind an invite to that retirement party. :cool:

No, it isn't. It's the weekly income that's too high. The savings could reduce to £0 and they still wouldn't be able to claim any benefits.

newbieoap

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Our income is slightly more than yours from Pensions and we manage to save a decent amount, so I'm not sure why you can't manage (unless you have massive rent or mortgage payments, we have neither).

We also have income from part-time self-employment, but this goes towards holidays and other treats. We could manage without it. We could still save from our pensions.

Just to clarify that it is not that we cannot manage just looking to the future