better of working or on benefits?

Danny30

Thanks Blondebubbes, am I right to assume that in the long run I would be worse of financially in employment then?

Spidernick

I would look beyond the purely financial when considering your question. Would having a job make you feel better about yourself and give you more self esteem?

On the financial side, bear in mind that you will probably be paying into a pension (unless you opt out) under auto enrollment, as will your employer and the government. Unlikely to be great amounts, but it should build up some form of additional pension over the years.

There's also credits for the state pension, although I'm not sure how that works when you are claiming benefits, but someone else will know and whether this would mean you'd be better off from that perspective in the long run.

Indie_Kid

Your wages may go up too. As I understand it, blondebubbles has done the calculations as if they haven't gone up. Tax credits and child benefit increase each year too.

RichardD1970

If someone is worse off in employment, earning £20,000 a year, than on benefits, then it shows just how f*cked up the system is :eek:

Pleut

Your rent is 1190 pcm? I assume you live in London?

MiserlyMartin

Danny30 wrote: »

I checked the entitledto website.....

This is the problem currently with the UK and this website. People have built up a belief that they are actually entitled to something for nothing! They have a sense of entitlement. It beggars belief. No wonder we are the Number 1 destination for all those 1200 people camping out at Calais. Taxpayers money being given to people who contribute nothing to the UK, they are just a drain on it. On the other hand, if you can't beat them join them -why work for a living?

To the OP Good luck in your new job

MiserlyMartin

RichardD1970 wrote: »

If someone is worse off in employment, earning £20,000 a year, than on benefits, then it shows just how f*cked up the system is :eek:

Yes indeed. I really hate my job its very tempting just to jack it in and have some time to myself for the first time in 20 odd years and do my hobbies and what I want to do. State will pay, why not join the club!

Caz3121

Worth also considering that benefits can change in the future. When my daughter was young there was no such thing as tax credits to top up income, you had your wages + £10ish family allowance and that was it. If you did not have enough income you worked more hours/jobs, not less.

There are some people that believe it is not worth working as they see that benefits are free money but then you get the numerous posts from people who have no idea how they are going to cope when all the child related benefits stop and they have no career and have been working the minimum or not at all for a number of years making it difficult for them to be able to support themselves

Danny30

Pleut wrote: »

Your rent is 1190 pcm? I assume you live in London?

Yes, good old expensive rip-off London. To be honest, I understand and agree that everyone should seek work and not rely on the benefit system. If the Government however makes it financially more worthwhile to not be in work, then you can understand why many people choose that path. It is all good having pride but that doesn't put food on the table in the end of the day.

I think the system needs to be adapted to ensure that being in work is always financially better, and I don't mean by £10 a week. They either need to improve the in-work benefits or lower the out of work benefits. Nothing will ever change with the system the way it is. If you give people the option of being out of work and having the freedom that comes with it, all the while giving them the same or a similar amount of money to someone earning £20,000 then what do you expect.

nannytone_2

the government needs to start 'expecting' people to do exactly what you have been doing.
living on benefit and not worrying about having another child that they cant afford to support.
everyone can fall on hard times, but people today seem to think it is acceptable to choose to make their household larger and thus more expensive whilst saying that they shouldnt have to work for the level of financial gain that they already live on via benefit.