Can you live solely off state pension?

michaels

MallyGirl said:

I do not live in a mansion but it is a reasonably big, officially 3 but actually 4, bed house in the South East. Council tax is £3760 a year. Gas & elec £2,600. Water £500. If on my own and on SP alone I would have to move - or have no pets, run no vehicle, PAYG mobile, no internet, no insurance, no contact lenses, no TV licence. Thankfully not an issue I have to worry about.

Not sure what council tax band that is as 50% ish more than our band E but obviously considerably more accommodation than you would 'need' as a single pensioner and I don't think people are suggesting that the single state pension is not liveable on because it would not cover the bills on a band F/G/H property?!

Silvertabby

michaels said:

MallyGirl said:

I do not live in a mansion but it is a reasonably big, officially 3 but actually 4, bed house in the South East. Council tax is £3760 a year. Gas & elec £2,600. Water £500. If on my own and on SP alone I would have to move - or have no pets, run no vehicle, PAYG mobile, no internet, no insurance, no contact lenses, no TV licence. Thankfully not an issue I have to worry about.

Not sure what council tax band that is as 50% ish more than our band E but obviously considerably more accommodation than you would 'need' as a single pensioner and I don't think people are suggesting that the single state pension is not liveable on because it would not cover the bills on a band F/G/H property?!

My parents are sadly no longer with us.  But, if they were, and if they were living on nothing but the State pension in a E/F/G/H property, I would be the first to suggest that they release equity either by downsizing or some form of equity release.  Anything that would give them a more comfortable retirement.  Sadly, many pensioners seem loathe to do that because it has been drummed into them that their houses are their children's inheritances.