Do you think present non-means tested benefits could become means tested?

Witless

nannytone wrote: »

but this part of the forum is for benefits advice and not for discussing benefits policy

Really? I did't see that carved on the stones I looked at: probably why you felt the need to 'shout'.

NYM wrote: »

It's not a Benefit question though is it ?
It's about the possibility of taxation. Maybe it belongs on the 'Cutting Tax' board :think:

)

Actually, the OP didn't mention taxation, I did.

seven-day-weekend

I think there are some benefits that are not, and should not be, means-tested.

State Pension, because a) most people have paid into it for decades and b) if you are over 65, you're over 65, whether you are a pauper or a professor.

Disability Benefits, because you are just as disabled whether you are a pauper or a Prime Minister's son.

I think Child Benefit should be means-tested, because it's a choice to have children, whereas getting old or being disabled are not.

Tigsteroonie

Witless wrote: »

Really? I did't see that carved on the stones I looked at: probably why you felt the need to 'shout'.

nannytone doesn't shout - she has a visual impairment, and bold type is easier for her to read. A quick check on her other posts would demonstrate that.

I was under the impression, too, that this board was for benefits queries and advice, and that discussion over their merits/taxation/removal should be in DT. But whether that is just my impression, or a stated fact, I'll have to check - I'll get back to you :cool:

Tigsteroonie

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

But whether that is just my impression, or a stated fact, I'll have to check - I'll get back to you :cool:

Thought I'd seen it somewhere. In the sticky for this board - which is https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1215 - is a link to another thread from Martin - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/365935 - which says (Martin's bold, not mine):

It's about helping people get their entitlement! Not about benefits policy!

This board is here for help and support for those on or looking to claim benefits, not for judgement.

Its ONLY focus is helping people with their money.

It's here to help people find out what they are entitled to under the current system, and to help them get it.

Benefits provide a lifeline for many, and this site is here to help people with their money, and not to judge. Of course, how to illegally defraud the benefits system shouldn't be discussed here, but ensuring you're getting your entitlement is exactly what it’s about.

We all know the benefits system is a mess – but that’s for the discussion time.

seven-day-weekend

It should be in DT

margaretclare

I don't know where some of the earlier posters get the idea that State Retirement Pension is not taxable. It is.

Everyone gets a Personal Allowance and if your total income exceeds that allowance then you pay tax. That means that your SRP is added to any other pensions income you receive e.g. annuities, work pensions, whatever, and the total is taxed.

seven-day-weekend

margaretclare wrote: »

I don't know where some of the earlier posters get the idea that State Retirement Pension is not taxable. It is.

Everyone gets a Personal Allowance and if your total income exceeds that allowance then you pay tax. That means that your SRP is added to any other pensions income you receive e.g. annuities, work pensions, whatever, and the total is taxed.

My husband pays tax on his pension income and always will. I paid a bit last year, but won't this year because my earnings from self employment have gone down and tis income, together with my pensions, does not exceed my tax allowance, which has gone up.

mumps

margaretclare wrote: »

I don't know where some of the earlier posters get the idea that State Retirement Pension is not taxable. It is.

Everyone gets a Personal Allowance and if your total income exceeds that allowance then you pay tax. That means that your SRP is added to any other pensions income you receive e.g. annuities, work pensions, whatever, and the total is taxed.

I think previous poster was saying that benefits on top of pension weren't taxed and gave an example of pensioners getting £200 pension which uses virtually all their tax allowance and then having other benefits on top that don't get taxed.

I'm not sure which benefits are taxed and which aren't. I don't know if there is some logic behind it. I get carers allowance which is both means tested and taxed.

Actually thinking about it I don't know how carers allowance is classed, it is means tested as far as paid employment goes but not on capital or investment income. Complicated!

thorsoak

I'm in receipt of state pension (I'm 71) - but I'm still working - part time, 21 hours a week at just above nmw . Some of my colleagues at work are in receipt of WTC, HB and CTC, but whilst my pension is taxable, their benefits are not - so I pay more tax than they do.

I'm not whining about it - but I can see the day coming when all benefits such as these do go against personal tax allowances.

mumps

I wonder about the rules for carers allowance, it is strange isn't it. You could be a multi millionaire with an income of thousands a week and get it but if you get a job paying more than £110 a week you lose it, all of it.