Is the State Pension a benefit?

RG2015

There was an article in the i over the weekend saying the following.

The state pension is a benefit – here’s why it’s important we say so

The notion that people collecting their state pension are simply taking back what they previously paid in is wrong

I did catch my eye and it does appear controversial but does it matter?

I was though wondering what others on here thought.

I did notice that the journalist looked about 12 years old from his photograph!

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/pensions-and-retirement/state-pension-benefit-2788014

SouthCoastBoy

Seems like a pointless article to me

flaneurs_lobster

Don't really care if it's called a Benefit, Earnings or a gift from the Magic Money Elf.

There is a real point in the article about attitudes towards people who receive state benefits and not wanting state pensions to be seen in the same way.

Full-on prejudice is what I'd call it. It's a benefit, get over it.

elsien

Same as child benefit, which despite being called a benefit is also not viewed in the same way.

RG2015

elsien said:

Same as child benefit, which despite being called a benefit is also a not viewed in the same way.

Yes, I hadn't thought of that.

In fact it's a double benefit as my wife received 18 years of NI contributions without being in paid employment, which in turn fed her state pension qualification years

Dustyevsky

In the 1960s there were people of pension age without sufficient contributions to gain a retirement pension, who flatly refused to accept National Assistance as it was known then, because it was a means tested benefit.

I doubt if there would be many thinking similarly today!

RG2015

flaneurs_lobster said:

Don't really care if it's called a Benefit, Earnings or a gift from the Magic Money Elf.

There is a real point in the article about attitudes towards people who receive state benefits and not wanting state pensions to be seen in the same way.

Full-on prejudice is what I'd call it. It's a benefit, get over it.

I have just read the wording of the 2015 petition and the government response. The response actually included the words; "No offence is intended by the use of this term"

I think your key words of attitudes and prejudice are spot on.

Polarised opinion fed by all forms of media just permeate every corner of society these days.

https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/121267#:~:text=The State Pension is described,in the National Insurance Fund.

MX5huggy

Dustyevsky said:

In the 1960s there were people of pension age without sufficient contributions to gain a retirement pension, who flatly refused to accept National Assistance as it was known then, because it was a means tested benefit.

I doubt if there would be many thinking similarly today!

No it’s the same today 850,000 don’t claim Pension Credit about one third of those eligible. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-minister-urges-pensioners-to-check-eligibility-for-pension-credit-as-week-of-action-kicks-off

norsefox

The issue, I presume, is the fairly pejorative nature that many people seem to attach to the the term 'benefits'.

That is compounded further by the NI-qualifying years which means that many people take the view that the State Pension is theirs by virtue of having 'paid for it'.  Whilst inaccurate, given the (new) system of '35 qualifying years given you a full pension' does pretty strongly indicate that, especially to those less au fait with the benefit/tax/fiscal system.  I don't blame anyone for misunderstanding it.

In short, it is a 'benefit' and anyone taking umbrage with the term, probably needs some self-reflection.

westv

MX5huggy said:

Dustyevsky said:

In the 1960s there were people of pension age without sufficient contributions to gain a retirement pension, who flatly refused to accept National Assistance as it was known then, because it was a means tested benefit.

I doubt if there would be many thinking similarly today!

No it’s the same today 850,000 don’t claim Pension Credit about one third of those eligible. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-minister-urges-pensioners-to-check-eligibility-for-pension-credit-as-week-of-action-kicks-off

How easy is it to claim?

flaneurs_lobster

westv said:

MX5huggy said:

Dustyevsky said:

In the 1960s there were people of pension age without sufficient contributions to gain a retirement pension, who flatly refused to accept National Assistance as it was known then, because it was a means tested benefit.

I doubt if there would be many thinking similarly today!

No it’s the same today 850,000 don’t claim Pension Credit about one third of those eligible. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-minister-urges-pensioners-to-check-eligibility-for-pension-credit-as-week-of-action-kicks-off

How easy is it to claim?

Have a go at the eligibility check and see for yourself

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

I wouldn't say it was easy nor difficult. What it is is detailed and involved, as you would expect for any eligibility check for benefit.