ex-minister Steve Webb admits bad decision

Figgerty

I am still royally !!!!ed at the sudden escalation of the state pension age past the equalisation at age 65. Because I was born in mid Dec 1953 I have to work much longer than those born a year earlier.

If you were born 1 year earlier, then you are already getting the state pension.
Born mid Dec 1952
You reached State Pension age on 6 September 2015.
Your State Pension age was 62 years, 8 months, 21 days.

Born mid Dec 1953
You’ll reach State Pension age on 6 March 2019.
Your State Pension age is 65 years, 2 months, 18 days

Now I believe this is totally unfair to have to take this much of a hit. Nobody cares and nobody is doing anything about it. So Steve Webb & The Baroness Pensions Minister will feature in my little stick pen dolls. The Baroness sold us all out for a title and job.

My stick pen dolls are payback for ruining my retirement plans. Bad decisions, resulting in bad legislation have consequences for many when you are a Government Minister, Mr Webb.

Thrugelmir

grey_gym_sock wrote: »

we're talking about a pensions minister. the civil servants in the department are supposed to be the experts. the minister is supposed to be there to provide some democratic oversight. are you suggesting that we should get rid of democracy, and have rule by supposed experts instead?

In years gone by. MP's had careers prior to entering Parliament. Now we're left with political clones that spew spin with little substance.

grey_gym_sock

Thrugelmir wrote: »

In years gone by. MP's had careers prior to entering Parliament. Now we're left with political clones that spew spin with little substance.

ok, but are do you think we should improve the way we pick MPs, or abolish democracy?

your original comment - "politicians shouldn't be put in charge of anything" - sounds like you want to abolish democracy. i'd prefer to improve the way it works.

kidmugsy

Sometimes I wonder if bad advice from civil servants is intended to get politicians into the mire. Could Webb have been advised by a Labour supporter who wanted the Coalition to struggle on this issue?

hyubh

Thrugelmir wrote: »

In years gone by. MP's had careers prior to entering Parliament. Now we're left with political clones that spew spin with little substance.

Erm, and Steve Webb is this phenomenon personified...?

Thrugelmir

grey_gym_sock wrote: »

ok, but are do you think we should improve the way we pick MPs, or abolish democracy?

your original comment - "politicians shouldn't be put in charge of anything" - sounds like you want to abolish democracy. i'd prefer to improve the way it works.

Honestly I don't know the answer. Change at best will a slow process. Much as it is in the broader workings of Central Government. Where culture is as much a reflection of broader society, as many are simply happy to maintain the status quo.

Pollycat

Figgerty wrote: »

I am still royally !!!!ed at the sudden escalation of the state pension age past the equalisation at age 65. Because I was born in mid Dec 1953 I have to work much longer than those born a year earlier.

If you were born 1 year earlier, then you are already getting the state pension.
Born mid Dec 1952
You reached State Pension age on 6 September 2015.
Your State Pension age was 62 years, 8 months, 21 days.

Born mid Dec 1953
You’ll reach State Pension age on 6 March 2019.
Your State Pension age is 65 years, 2 months, 18 days

Now I believe this is totally unfair to have to take this much of a hit. Nobody cares and nobody is doing anything about it. So Steve Webb & The Baroness Pensions Minister will feature in my little stick pen dolls. The Baroness sold us all out for a title and job.

My stick pen dolls are payback for ruining my retirement plans. Bad decisions, resulting in bad legislation have consequences for many when you are a Government Minister, Mr Webb.

I'm in the same situation.

After reading the link, I'd like to take a running jump and kick Steve Webb right in the goolies. :cool:

brewerdave

Figgerty wrote: »

I am still royally !!!!ed at the sudden escalation of the state pension age past the equalisation at age 65. Because I was born in mid Dec 1953 I have to work much longer than those born a year earlier.

If you were born 1 year earlier, then you are already getting the state pension.
Born mid Dec 1952
You reached State Pension age on 6 September 2015.
Your State Pension age was 62 years, 8 months, 21 days.

Born mid Dec 1953
You’ll reach State Pension age on 6 March 2019.
Your State Pension age is 65 years, 2 months, 18 days

Now I believe this is totally unfair to have to take this much of a hit. Nobody cares and nobody is doing anything about it. So Steve Webb & The Baroness Pensions Minister will feature in my little stick pen dolls. The Baroness sold us all out for a title and job.

My stick pen dolls are payback for ruining my retirement plans. Bad decisions, resulting in bad legislation have consequences for many when you are a Government Minister, Mr Webb.

...but at least it is better than the Eurocrats in Brussels wanted. As I understand it, they wanted equalisation of pension age to happen "instantly" -so no sliding scale introduction:eek:

SallyG

http://citywire.co.uk/new-model-adviser/news/webb-we-made-a-bad-decision-on-state-pension-age-rises/a866283

" 'ministers reflect' series,"

"his department had not been properly briefed on the impact of the changes."
we made a bad decision. We realised too late. It had just gone too far by then.'
According to Webb it had not been made clear to him before the original draft of the Pensions Act 2011 was published that some people would have to wait an extra two years.
'It wasn’t that we were trying to deceive people, but it is just what pensions are like – as soon as you go into a tier of detail below the headline, you’ve lost everybody.' "

http://www.prweek.com/article/1359994/royal-london-appoints-former-pensions-minister-steve-webb-comms-director

Webb said: "Having been involved in designing policy in areas such as automatic enrolment I am looking forward to seeing how it is implemented on the front line. As someone who has always wanted a better deal for pension savers, the customer-focused ethos of Royal London is a perfect fit with my priorities and I am greatly looking forward to this opportunity."

Figgerty

brewerdave wrote: »

...but at least it is better than the Eurocrats in Brussels wanted. As I understand it, they wanted equalisation of pension age to happen "instantly" -so no sliding scale introduction:eek:

At what age do the French get their state pension and when can the Eurocrats retire on full gold plated pensions?