Going to be claiming Housing Benefit when I retire- worth having employers pension?

missbiggles1

Comstock wrote: »

Sure. Absolutely. But the simple fact is I *am* going to be relying on the benefits system to pay my rent when I retire.

I wish it weren't so, I had a time machine etc, but I don't. So I'm trying to make the best of the situation I find myself in right here and now.

You have at least 25 years of working life ahead of you - why would you make such a depressing assumption?

The point several of us are making is that there may be no housing benefit to rely on in the future, whether you need it or not.

dunstonh

The think is, I'm a fully paid up member of Generation Rent, and ,at 42 with little savings and a low income-realistically that isn't going to change now.

That is really sad. 1) that you planning to be on benefits for your life and 2) that the system allows you to get away with it.

I assume everything I have over and above the basic state pension will be claimed back penny for penny in HB?

Which is not a correct assumption. It doesnt work on a £1 for £1 reduction.

Sure. Absolutely. But the simple fact is I *am* going to be relying on the benefits system to pay my rent when I retire.

Only because you are planning to be poor.

Comstock

dunstonh wrote: »

That is really sad. 1) that you planning to be on benefits for your life and 2) that the system allows you to get away with it.

Are you serious? I'm not on any benefits at the moment, and I don't plan to be on any until I retire. Then I need to consider how I'm going to pay the rent. You do realise I'll have paid 40 years of rent and a full set of NI contributions by this point, yes? So yes, I'll be claiming HB, just as I'll be claiming a state pension.

Only because you are planning to be poor.

Again, are you serious? You sound like this is a delibarate plan rather than an attempt to make the best of the situation I'm in and look to the future.

missbiggles1

Comstock wrote: »

Are you serious? I'm not on any benefits at the moment, and I don't plan to be on any until I retire. Then I need to consider how I'm going to pay the rent. You do realise I'll have paid 40 years of rent and a full set of NI contributions by this point, yes? So yes, I'll be claiming HB, just as I'll be claiming a state pension.





Again, are you serious? You sound like this is a delibarate plan rather than an attempt to make the best of the situation I'm in and look to the future.

But you aren't making the best of the situation, you're just giving up on the rest of your life.

Comstock

missbiggles1 wrote: »

But you aren't making the best of the situation, you're just giving up on the rest of your life.

What?

Why does accepting the fact that I'll never either be rich or a home owner equal giving up on my life? Why would you think that, unless your standard of success is money and property?

I ask a simple question, and get a judgemental response like this.

bigadaj

So getting back to your original question what makes you think that there will be housing benefit in twenty five years time?

Many people of your age are planning in the basis that there may either be no state pension or that it will have been massively watered down, so the question is what are you going to do if there's no housing benefit and no state pension?

missbiggles1

Comstock wrote: »

What?

Why does accepting the fact that I'll never either be rich or a home owner equal giving up on my life? Why would you think that, unless your standard of success is money and property?

I ask a simple question, and get a judgemental response like this.

That wasn't a judgemental response.

You're only 42, less than half way though your working life, and you're assuming that you'll never have a better paid job, will never move to an area with more opportunities and will spend your retirement (nearly 30 years in the future) dependant on benefits.

How is that not giving up on your life and all the possibilities it could hold?

xylophone

The OP might need to be careful - one of the reasons for introducing the new state pension was that it should reduce or as far as possible eliminate the need for means tested support?

He might find that he is considered to have just enough to support himself without recourse to benefits.....of course, this might mean living on the breadline...:eek:

Comstock

You see to me, the "giver uppers" are those who assume there will be no state pension or housing benefit in 25 or 30 years time. But my world view is clearly very different to most people on this thread.

Who would have thought such a simple question would elicit such judgmental responses?

robin61

Comstock wrote: »

Who would have thought such a simple question would elicit such judgmental responses?

By asking whether it is worthwhile or not it suggests you could afford to help yourself but choose not to. Instead your alternative strategy is to rely on handouts from the State which have to be paid for by others.

Surely you cannot be that surprised you are not getting a very positive response?