Is it time access to free NHS care was age limited?

Rich2808

Kit1 wrote: »

Why should l work for over 50 years now that the pension age has been changed against me yet again only to be told that l will only get NHS treatment until l am 75 but then l think they want us to die whilst in work so we get nothing back. Perhaps l should stop paying national insurance/tax after all l stand to get nothing from all the money l have paid in.

I don't see the NHS lasting in its current form in 20 years let alone 50 years. Will the state pension be as generous - doubt it either. Many of today's young people will rent for life (nearly half of Londoners do now) - so may never be able to retire or have to fall back on benefits. No final salary pensions either - even public sector schemes may well be unviable. Free travel and winter fuel allowances?

Essentially today's young people are paying for things they will probably never benefit from.

[Deleted User]

Rich2808 wrote: »

I don't see the NHS lasting in its current form in 20 years let alone 50 years ...

Don't see myself lasting that long either ...

lisyloo

Kit1 wrote: »

Why should l work for over 50 years now that the pension age has been changed against me yet again only to be told that l will only get NHS treatment until l am 75 but then l think they want us to die whilst in work so we get nothing back. Perhaps l should stop paying national insurance/tax after all l stand to get nothing from all the money l have paid in.

You can retire whenever you like.
The state pension age is merely the date you get your state pension.
Im planning to retire earlier and I've achieved that by simply putting more into my personal pension each month. I'm not wealthy.

BobQ

Sapphire wrote: »

However, there would be far too much potential for such a system to be abused, e.g. by offspring (of a similar bent to the OP) who wish houses to fall in front of them free of charge, etc. There would also be the potential for enormous pressure to be put on people to (in effect) agree to be murdered.

I accept that there needs to be proper checks and balances. You note I said that a GP should be allowed to raise the matter when someone is well. I would expect a GP not to ask a frail/vulnerable person or even to assist someone who is keen to raise it themselves. Also I would expect the individual to be referred to an independent specialist trained in the making of such declarations, someone who does not know the individual and who has sworn an oath of confidentiality not to discuss the matter.

I agree there is potential for abuse if you wait till someone has a carer or is accompanied at a GP appointment. But there are many people who have no close relatives or do not rely on relatives. Giving them the chance to make a declaration in private makes sense to me.

And what about those who contribute nothing to society, just have big families and take from taxpayers throughout their whole lives, teaching the same 'values' to their offspring (unlike those who have worked for decades, contributed and continue to pay taxes)? Should similar 'solutions' be applied to them, too?

What about them? I see no problem with them being asked the
question by their GP.

mark1959

lisyloo wrote: »

You can retire whenever you like.
The state pension age is merely the date you get your state pension.
Im planning to retire earlier and I've achieved that by simply putting more into my personal pension each month. I'm not wealthy.

This.
I'm not wealthy either, or my wife but we've managed to retire at 57 and 56 by paying into private pensions. If we get our state pensions at 66 or older is a bonus. :beer:

BobQ

Kit1 wrote: »

Why should l work for over 50 years now that the pension age has been changed against me yet again only to be told that l will only get NHS treatment until l am 75 but then l think they want us to die whilst in work so we get nothing back. Perhaps l should stop paying national insurance/tax after all l stand to get nothing from all the money l have paid in.

I agree about the 75 suggestion, but we all pay in to NI for the benefits we gain in the event that we need them. While a little bit of the NI contribution goes to pay for the NHS, the NHS is mostly funded by income tax. Many people can argue that they do not use the NHS. But they probably do not use the fire brigade either, but that is not a reason for not paying Council Tax.

maisie_cat

I love the way that there is an idea that the working are paying for the retired, who paid for your birth, early years healthcare, and education?. In this life we take from the state for 20 years, pay into the state for 40-50 years then some live a happy retirement and many die within 5 years of retirement.

teddysmum

maisie_cat wrote: »

I love the way that there is an idea that the working are paying for the retired, who paid for your birth, early years healthcare, and education?. In this life we take from the state for 20 years, pay into the state for 40-50 years then some live a happy retirement and many die within 5 years of retirement.

With little effort I can think of at least 14, known to me, who have 'paid in', but not even reached pension age.

chucknorris

ruperts wrote: »

So what I'd propose is age limiting the NHS to something like 75. A grand old age like 75. An age at which nobody could really complain were they not to go on any further. If they wanted expensive care after that age, they could have it only if they were willing to pay for it out of their own pockets.

Why should I pay the higher rate of tax (and I will be) and not have access to the NHS? I might as well go over and live in the states, I quite like the thought of living in the Californian climate anyway.

teddysmum

ruperts wrote: »

So what I'd propose is age limiting the NHS to something like 75. A grand old age like 75. An age at which nobody could really complain were they not to go on any further. If they wanted expensive care after that age, they could have it only if they were willing to pay for it out of their own pockets.

I doubt you are very old (14? based on mentality) and wonder if ,should you get your wish, you will change your mind as you approach 75.


Will you do off happily to Dignitas UK or will you insist that you still have plenty of useful life left in you yet ? In the 1940s, 'poor old Mrs Jones' was actually only 50; old because of hardship, but nowadays, many at 75 are still quite sprightly.