parents buying while on state pension

MalMonroe

theartfullodger said:

Presume they are already getting the OAP's 6 usual benefits - 'bus pass, state pension, free eye tests, winter fuel allowance, free prescription, £10 Xmas bonus?

I am a pensioner and do not get all of the '6 usual benefits' - nor do any of my OAP friends. As a pensioner, I resent the fact that state pensions are looked on as benefits because I've contributed for many years to my own pension by working as well as raising a family. I'm also tired of people assuming that we get all the help and benefits anyone could possibly need. It just is not true for the majority of us. Bus passes where I live are a big laugh because we don't have any buses, so they're useless. But I drive my own vehicle anyway and don't need or want one. I've worked hard all my life and paid all my taxes and am still paying them because my income now, with a couple of tiny private pensions, is very slightly over the personal allowance. I'm not eligible for any benefits at all. Not even council tax reduction as my adult daughter lives with me.

Because of circumstances beyond my control and after being a homeowner in the past, I am now living in a council flat (one in a block of two) in a lovely rural area and have been considering buying it - even though I am now dipping my toes into my seventh decade. Any profit I had as a previous homeowner had to go to clear debts (not all mine, either) and so I rely solely on my income (I'm soon to launch my online business so will become self-employed, HMRC already informed) for support. 

OAPs shouldn't be written off just because they are older. We are mostly quite capable of doing anything younger folk can do. Certainly the ones I know, anyway.

I think everyone should live for the present because you just don't know what's going to happen. A good friend of mine died unexpectedly at the age of 60 - just as he'd taken early retirement and planned a trip around the world with his wife. They'd saved for years for their future but sadly there wasn't one.

I am definitely not going into any care in the UK. Yes, I do know that for sure. The benefit for me of buying my flat is that I have the maximum discount with only a small amount left to pay. The mortgage will be less than the rent I pay and after that I will pay neither rent nor mortgage. Yes, there will be repairs - but for that I have savings. 

All is not lost when one becomes an OAP - or as I really do prefer 'a senior citizen'. Ageing happens to us all. Except people like my friend of course.

housebuyer143

MalMonroe said:

theartfullodger said:

Presume they are already getting the OAP's 6 usual benefits - 'bus pass, state pension, free eye tests, winter fuel allowance, free prescription, £10 Xmas bonus?

I am a pensioner and do not get all of the '6 usual benefits' - nor do any of my OAP friends. As a pensioner, I resent the fact that state pensions are looked on as benefits because I've contributed for many years to my own pension by working as well as raising a family. I'm also tired of people assuming that we get all the help and benefits anyone could possibly need. It just is not true for the majority of us. Bus passes where I live are a big laugh because we don't have any buses, so they're useless. But I drive my own vehicle anyway and don't need or want one. I've worked hard all my life and paid all my taxes and am still paying them because my income now, with a couple of tiny private pensions, is very slightly over the personal allowance. I'm not eligible for any benefits at all. Not even council tax reduction as my adult daughter lives with me.

Because of circumstances beyond my control and after being a homeowner in the past, I am now living in a council flat (one in a block of two) in a lovely rural area and have been considering buying it - even though I am now dipping my toes into my seventh decade. Any profit I had as a previous homeowner had to go to clear debts (not all mine, either) and so I rely solely on my income (I'm soon to launch my online business so will become self-employed, HMRC already informed) for support. 

OAPs shouldn't be written off just because they are older. We are mostly quite capable of doing anything younger folk can do. Certainly the ones I know, anyway.

I think everyone should live for the present because you just don't know what's going to happen. A good friend of mine died unexpectedly at the age of 60 - just as he'd taken early retirement and planned a trip around the world with his wife. They'd saved for years for their future but sadly there wasn't one.

I am definitely not going into any care in the UK. Yes, I do know that for sure. The benefit for me of buying my flat is that I have the maximum discount with only a small amount left to pay. The mortgage will be less than the rent I pay and after that I will pay neither rent nor mortgage. Yes, there will be repairs - but for that I have savings. 

All is not lost when one becomes an OAP - or as I really do prefer 'a senior citizen'. Ageing happens to us all. Except people like my friend of course.

I think the problem people have with this is the parents have neither the means or probably the want to purchase their council house and have no income to fix repairs. This is solely their children exerting pressure on them to do something not in their interest to maybe get a bit of inheritance by "playing" the system. 

mi-key

OP, Dont underestimate how much work and how stressful it can be looking after an ailing elderly parent. You also say you are a full time carer for your wife, so how will you have time to also look after two parents who need full time care, and do repairs on their house? 

There is also a massive shortage of social housing. Your parents house could go to someone really in need when they pass or have to move out, rather than be bought on the cheap and sold on to become yet another BTL for some landlord for your personal gain

You seem to be doing well enough for yourselves managing to save thousands of pounds all from your benefits ( thanks to us taxpayers for that.. ) without needing to take a chunk of their house too. 

SavingPennies_2

MalMonroe said:

theartfullodger said:

Presume they are already getting the OAP's 6 usual benefits - 'bus pass, state pension, free eye tests, winter fuel allowance, free prescription, £10 Xmas bonus?

I am a pensioner and do not get all of the '6 usual benefits' - nor do any of my OAP friends. As a pensioner, I resent the fact that state pensions are looked on as benefits because I've contributed for many years to my own pension by working as well as raising a family. I'm also tired of people assuming that we get all the help and benefits anyone could possibly need. It just is not true for the majority of us. Bus passes where I live are a big laugh because we don't have any buses, so they're useless. But I drive my own vehicle anyway and don't need or want one. I've worked hard all my life and paid all my taxes and am still paying them because my income now, with a couple of tiny private pensions, is very slightly over the personal allowance. I'm not eligible for any benefits at all. Not even council tax reduction as my adult daughter lives with me.

Because of circumstances beyond my control and after being a homeowner in the past, I am now living in a council flat (one in a block of two) in a lovely rural area and have been considering buying it - even though I am now dipping my toes into my seventh decade. Any profit I had as a previous homeowner had to go to clear debts (not all mine, either) and so I rely solely on my income (I'm soon to launch my online business so will become self-employed, HMRC already informed) for support. 

OAPs shouldn't be written off just because they are older. We are mostly quite capable of doing anything younger folk can do. Certainly the ones I know, anyway.

I think everyone should live for the present because you just don't know what's going to happen. A good friend of mine died unexpectedly at the age of 60 - just as he'd taken early retirement and planned a trip around the world with his wife. They'd saved for years for their future but sadly there wasn't one.

I am definitely not going into any care in the UK. Yes, I do know that for sure. The benefit for me of buying my flat is that I have the maximum discount with only a small amount left to pay. The mortgage will be less than the rent I pay and after that I will pay neither rent nor mortgage. Yes, there will be repairs - but for that I have savings. 

All is not lost when one becomes an OAP - or as I really do prefer 'a senior citizen'. Ageing happens to us all. Except people like my friend of course.

I don't disagree with your sentiment but I think you have taken the post too personally/ the wrong way. The point being made is simply that the OP is saying their parents paid their dues through taxes and should get something back, however they are getting something back...in terms of pension, plus all the rest... education for their kids, maintenance for their home etc etc. It's not that people are not capable of doing things just because they are old! Anyway the OP already said their parents have had their home adapted for disabilities and are 78 so needing care in the future is a possibility that needs to be considered. It would be in fact even if they were fit as fiddles.

Also you can't possibly say you know for a fact you won't end up in a care home sorry. Even if you think, I'll top myself before I do that, it's not so simple, if you were to have a serious stroke out the blue for example and ended up unable to care for yourself. Obviously we all hope we will be fit and well to the end, then pop off peacefully in our sleep or skydiving out a helicopter, but we really never do know what will happen - you said that yourself.

macman

MalMonroe said:

theartfullodger said:

Presume they are already getting the OAP's 6 usual benefits - 'bus pass, state pension, free eye tests, winter fuel allowance, free prescription, £10 Xmas bonus?

I am a pensioner and do not get all of the '6 usual benefits' - nor do any of my OAP friends. As a pensioner, I resent the fact that state pensions are looked on as benefits because I've contributed for many years to my own pension by working as well as raising a family. I'm also tired of people assuming that we get all the help and benefits anyone could possibly need. It just is not true for the majority of us. Bus passes where I live are a big laugh because we don't have any buses, so they're useless. But I drive my own vehicle anyway and don't need or want one. I've worked hard all my life and paid all my taxes and am still paying them because my income now, with a couple of tiny private pensions, is very slightly over the personal allowance. I'm not eligible for any benefits at all. Not even council tax reduction as my adult daughter lives with me.

Because of circumstances beyond my control and after being a homeowner in the past, I am now living in a council flat (one in a block of two) in a lovely rural area and have been considering buying it - even though I am now dipping my toes into my seventh decade. Any profit I had as a previous homeowner had to go to clear debts (not all mine, either) and so I rely solely on my income (I'm soon to launch my online business so will become self-employed, HMRC already informed) for support. 

OAPs shouldn't be written off just because they are older. We are mostly quite capable of doing anything younger folk can do. Certainly the ones I know, anyway.

I think everyone should live for the present because you just don't know what's going to happen. A good friend of mine died unexpectedly at the age of 60 - just as he'd taken early retirement and planned a trip around the world with his wife. They'd saved for years for their future but sadly there wasn't one.

I am definitely not going into any care in the UK. Yes, I do know that for sure. The benefit for me of buying my flat is that I have the maximum discount with only a small amount left to pay. The mortgage will be less than the rent I pay and after that I will pay neither rent nor mortgage. Yes, there will be repairs - but for that I have savings. 

All is not lost when one becomes an OAP - or as I really do prefer 'a senior citizen'. Ageing happens to us all. Except people like my friend of course.

So you do in fact get all of those 6 benefits, you are just not able to make full use of one of them: the free bus pass, because of where you have chosen to live.
You wouldn't be entitled to Council Tax Reduction even if you lived alone, as it's means tested. You would qualify for the Single Person Discount, which is not.
Good luck with the new business.

ThisIsWeird

It's not a perfect system - far from it. And, yes, the state pension you get has been 'earned' - no question.

The 'Right To Buy' was presumably designed to get folk on t'ladder, out off the hands of the 'nasty' councils, get a bit of speculation and advancement going on in the general population - who knows what Thatch' had in mind. There are many political arguments to be had about whether this was a 'good' or 'bad' thing; I suspect it depends on how well it's served you. Little question, I don't think tho', that it has served to remove essential housing from the most needy. But that's a side issue.

What I think this thread has seemingly highlighted is a different issue - perceived 'entitlement'. That offspring are somehow 'owed' or  'deserving' of their parent's wealth, little or large.

Let's be clear - they bludy are not.

If a parent wants to help their kids in life, then educate them, teach them good life skills, and help them as much as possible as they are growing up and entering the main part of their lives, and earning their own living. That's it. It is not for parents to worry about handing over their 'assets' to their offspring, however much they - or especially their kids - want it. Certainly not when it's playing the system and depriving others.

You are not 'entitled' to your parent's house. Or any other asset. If, after they have used their property to see them out in as much care and comfort as possible, there is something left, then great - fill your boots.

theartfullodger

MalMonroe said:

theartfullodger said:

Presume they are already getting the OAP's 6 usual benefits - 'bus pass, state pension, free eye tests, winter fuel allowance, free prescription, £10 Xmas bonus?

I am a pensioner and do not get all of the '6 usual benefits' - nor do any of my OAP friends. As a pensioner, I resent the fact that state pensions are looked on as benefits because I've contributed for many years to my own pension by working as well as raising a family. I'm also tired of people assuming that we get all the help and benefits anyone could possibly need. It just is not true for the majority of us. Bus passes where I live are a big laugh because we don't have any buses, so they're useless. But I drive my own vehicle anyway and don't need or want one. I've worked hard all my life and paid all my taxes and am still paying them because my income now, with a couple of tiny private pensions, is very slightly over the personal allowance. I'm not eligible for any benefits at all. Not even council tax reduction as my adult daughter lives with me.

Because of circumstances beyond my control and after being a homeowner in the past, I am now living in a council flat (one in a block of two) in a lovely rural area and have been considering buying it - even though I am now dipping my toes into my seventh decade. Any profit I had as a previous homeowner had to go to clear debts (not all mine, either) and so I rely solely on my income (I'm soon to launch my online business so will become self-employed, HMRC already informed) for support. 

OAPs shouldn't be written off just because they are older. We are mostly quite capable of doing anything younger folk can do. Certainly the ones I know, anyway.

I think everyone should live for the present because you just don't know what's going to happen. A good friend of mine died unexpectedly at the age of 60 - just as he'd taken early retirement and planned a trip around the world with his wife. They'd saved for years for their future but sadly there wasn't one.

I am definitely not going into any care in the UK. Yes, I do know that for sure. The benefit for me of buying my flat is that I have the maximum discount with only a small amount left to pay. The mortgage will be less than the rent I pay and after that I will pay neither rent nor mortgage. Yes, there will be repairs - but for that I have savings. 

All is not lost when one becomes an OAP - or as I really do prefer 'a senior citizen'. Ageing happens to us all. Except people like my friend of course.

Thank you for your kind words.  I am a 75 yr old OaP.

If you don't think they are of any benefit presumably you wouldn't mind losing them.

Silvertabby

.....and all this plotting will come to nought if the house is excluded from the RTB scheme due to it having been adapted (at great expense?) for disabled tenants.

mi-key

Silvertabby said:

.....and all this plotting will come to nought if the house is excluded from the RTB scheme due to it having been adapted (at great expense?) for disabled tenants.

Hopefully it will get used in the future by the council for some other disabled tenants who are genuinely in need