WASPI Campaign .... State Pensions

jamesd

Pennylane wrote: »

My friend works full time in seasonal work in a cafe from March to end September. She then has seasonal work again every year from Mid November to Xmas Eve. In the intervening periods she can find no work whatsoever so from Xmas until March she really is on the breadline. She doesn't get JSA as nobody will take her on knowing that she is back to her regular job in March.

The requirement for JSA is to be seeking work. If she is, she's eligible, even if there are no jobs available. Her savings, if any, may bar her from the income-based JSA but from her work pattern it appears that she'd be entitled to the contribution-based form.

So far as NI credits go, even if she got nothing paid to her in money from income-related JSA, she would get the NI credits and that's important unless she already has the maximum possible state pension level.

jamesd

Pennylane wrote: »

A very honest article.

It does appear to be honest, that is, no false claims known about by its author at the time it was written. It's also the same thing you posted in the first post at the start of this thread.

Though I do have reservations about the transitional arrangements point given the reduced delay that happened during the legislative process. And of course there was a debate about the issues mentioned before 1995, that's part of why the changes became law then, so the author is simply wrong about that. Similarly I'd expect an actual expert to know about all of the publicity undertaken about the changes, and the personal notifications, instead of claiming that neither the 1995 nor 2011 legislation was well publicised.

I don't agree with it being unreasonable to work longer, of course, since that's something which naturally follows from longer life expectancy unless NI or taxes are increased or people choose to save more for their retirement.

Of course the three replies are more revealing than the post itself: all from women who appear to have a sense of entitlement to more discrimination in the state pension system in their favour than exists even with the changes.

p00hsticks

Pennylane wrote: »

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-waspi-campaigners-right-complain-we-should-all-glad-steve-bee

A very honest article.

This just demonstrates how we are going round in circles here - it was you posting this exact same link 661 posts ago that started this thread!

jamesd

Pennylane wrote: »

Many women my age have already had to give up work or reduce their hours due to having elderly parents to care for or ill health to contend with.

So what measures do you suggest be enacted for all people, men and women, who are affected by those things, beyond what is already being provided? Are you suggesting that women doing those things should get things that a man doing the same things should not get?

Both men and women are already be likely to be entitled to a range of means tested benefits if suffering from sufficient ill health, some means tested, some not.

Both men and women are potentially entitled to Carer's Allowance, which both pays money and garners NI credits for those spending at least 35 hours a week caring for someone else who receives one of a range of benefits including Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (care component at middle or higher rate), Personal Independence Payment (daily living component), Armed Forces Independence Payment or Constant Attendance allowance. Including for those who are caring for elderly parents. Or potentially the alternative of a carer premium or carer addition if receiving a means tested state pension level (Pension Credit, say) instead of one solely from contribution entitlement.

It's interesting to wonder whether you knew about those things, also. One trouble with benefits is that a lot of people just don't know that they exist or how broadly they can sometimes be paid. Since you're taking an interest in those in difficulties it would be revealing - about lack of knowledge more broadly - if you didn't know. I think this is one area where a lot of people just aren't getting what they are already entitled to get if they only knew about it or even just asked if there was anything.

Pennylane

bigadaj wrote: »

She should be able to claim jsa, and should do so if entitled as that is the purpose of the benefits system, together with any other benefits she might be entitled to, hosting benefit, council tax relief, tax credits etc etc

It doesn't matter if someone will take her on or not for a few weeks or months, so long as she demonstrates she is actively seeking employment she shouldn't get any issues with claiming her benefits.

THank you bigadaj. I remember her telling me she had to list all the jobs she'd applied for, how many hours she spent per week and what interviews she had attended. I don't know if job centres vary throughout the country but here they are very strict which I can understand but honestly if you saw our job pages in local paper it is like a single sheet!! She doesn't have a computer at home and had to travel on the bus to the nearest library to use theirs to job search. She isn't old enough to get a free bus pass either.

Pennylane

p00hsticks wrote: »

This just demonstrates how we are going round in circles here - it was you posting this exact same link 661 posts ago that started this thread!

then I've completely lost it! Haven't been very well lately.

Pennylane

jamesd wrote: »

So what measures do you suggest be enacted for all people, men and women, who are affected by those things, beyond what is already being provided? Are you suggesting that women doing those things should get things that a man doing the same things should not get?

Both men and women are already be likely to be entitled to a range of means tested benefits if suffering from sufficient ill health, some means tested, some not.

Both men and women are potentially entitled to Carer's Allowance, which both pays money and garners NI credits for those spending at least 35 hours a week caring for someone else who receives one of a range of benefits including Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (care component at middle or higher rate), Personal Independence Payment (daily living component), Armed Forces Independence Payment or Constant Attendance allowance. Including for those who are caring for elderly parents. Or potentially the alternative of a carer premium or carer addition if receiving a means tested state pension level (Pension Credit, say) instead of one solely from contribution entitlement.

It's interesting to wonder whether you knew about those things, also. One trouble with benefits is that a lot of people just don't know that they exist or who broadly they can sometimes be paid. Since you're taking an interest in those in difficulties it would be revealing - about lack of knowledge more broadly - if you didn't know. I think this is one area where a lot of people just aren't getting what they are already entitled to get if they only knew about it or even just asked if there was anything.

No I'm not James, I know there are male carers but in the main that burden falls on women and often women of my age. I care for two family members and of course you can only claim one carers allowance. So I get the princely sum of £62 a week for all that and precious little time to myself but I would much rather be working, socialising and earning a darn sight more money. I have no choice!

Had I got my pension this July like my friend who is just 6 months older than me it would have made a terrific difference to me. Had I got it at 60, which I always believed I would, that would have been even better! As it is I have to wait until July 2018. . Of course I'd still be a carer but I'd be a lot better off. I have 43 years NI contributions.

bigadaj

Pennylane wrote: »

THank you bigadaj. I remember her telling me she had to list all the jobs she'd applied for, how many hours she spent per week and what interviews she had attended. I don't know if job centres vary throughout the country but here they are very strict which I can understand but honestly if you saw our job pages in local paper it is like a single sheet!! She doesn't have a computer at home and had to travel on the bus to the nearest library to use theirs to job search. She isn't old enough to get a free bus pass either.

Without computer access it can be very difficult now, but so long as she is making reasonable efforts then there shouldn't be any issues with benefits.

It does appear that the government is tightening up checks on searches for employment, but this is primarily to weed those out who don't want to work.

She would need to keep good records of how and where she has searched, the outcome of application and interviews and any feedback and changes in circumstance.

My experience is that so long as she is organised and honest then jsa should be straightforward to claim, at least for the limited periods you've suggested would be relevant in her case.

jamesd

Pennylane wrote: »

I care for two family members and of course you can only claim one carers allowance. So I get the princely sum of £62 a week for all that and precious little time to myself but I would much rather be working, socialising and earning a darn sight more money. I have no choice!

Good to read that you're getting it and of course I agree that the circumstances that leave two family members in need and you deprived are unfortunate and undesirable.

Pennylane wrote: »

Had I got my pension this July like my friend who is just 6 months older than me it would have made a terrific difference to me. Had I got it at 60, which I always believed I would, that would have been even better! As it is I have to wait until July 2018. . Of course I'd still be a carer but I'd be a lot better off. I have 43 years NI contributions.

Glad about the 43 years but unfortunately I don't agree about the state pension since a man doing the same thing wouldn't get theirs either. But what do do about carers in your situation isn't something that I think should depend on the state pension system either, for men or women, since it needs to work for carers of any age - it's the caring aspect that I think is broken.

OldBeanz

I gave up work to care for my father who died during my notice period. I know which position I would rather be in. It is like the old saying of someone crying because they had no shoes realising their luck when meeting someone with no feet.