Is the State Pension a benefit?

westv

Has anybody got any benefit from the (currently) four pages in this thread?

german_keeper

If Carlsberg did pointless discussions............

Grumpy_chap

german_keeper said:

If Carlsberg did pointless discussions............

it would probably be the best discussion in the world

tsing5264

The idea that the State Pension is a Benefit is flawed, simply because payment is dependent on NI contributions. Many people without sufficient years of qualifying NI contributions do not receive the full State Pension. But let's run with the idea that it is indeed a Benefit, and follow a logical path from the current freeze on tax thresholds. It is not inconceivable that the standard State Pension will rise above the tax threshold in the next few years (2028 is the current estimate). If that were to happen, then the government might tax the State Pension. If that happens, then I hope that all Benefits will be treated equally, and all be subject to income tax if they fall above the threshold. I look forward to the street riots if that were to happen. 

SnowMan

tsing5264 said:

The idea that the State Pension is a Benefit is flawed, simply because payment is dependent on NI contributions. Many people without sufficient years of qualifying NI contributions do not receive the full State Pension. But let's run with the idea that it is indeed a Benefit, and follow a logical path from the current freeze on tax thresholds. It is not inconceivable that the standard State Pension will rise above the tax threshold in the next few years (2028 is the current estimate). If that were to happen, then the government might tax the State Pension. If that happens, then I hope that all Benefits will be treated equally, and all be subject to income tax if they fall above the threshold. I look forward to the street riots if that were to happen. 

State pension is a contributory benefit. Like other contributory benefits such as contributions based ESA it is taxable. So there is already a consistency there.

QrizB

tsing5264 said:

If that were to happen, then the government might tax the State Pension. If that happens

State pension is already taxable.

There are pensioners today paying tax on their state pension.

(What a weird reason to bump a year-old thread!)

Pollycat

QrizB said:

tsing5264 said:

If that were to happen, then the government might tax the State Pension. If that happens

(What a weird reason to bump a year-old thread!)

Thread was actually started in December 2023.

NECROPOST

GibbsRule_No3.

flaneurs_lobster said:

Are there seriously people on this board who are concerned that they might be considered to be "on benefits" if they are in receipt of the State Pension?

And if there are such people, do they think changing the name will make their prejudice go away? 

Get a grip.

The only reason I’d like it to be linked with “benefits” is due to being on “benefits” opens the door to so much more. I’d love to be able to get into Kew Gardens and the Royal Palaces for £1. If I was on “Credits” such as Universal or Pension Credit I would have that offer, being “just” a State Pensioner Benefit receiver I am excluded. I was somewhat amazed yesterday when I read a story about more people on Universal Credit would be able to put into a Government scheme to get better rates on savings! What did I do wrong in my life???  

Eldi_Dos

Pollycat said:

QrizB said:

tsing5264 said:

If that were to happen, then the government might tax the State Pension. If that happens

(What a weird reason to bump a year-old thread!)

Thread was actually started in December 2023.

NECROPOST

But sometimes it is like finding a old newspaper at the back of the cupboard.

I myself have quite enjoyed reading through this thread having missed it the first time.

molerat

tsing5264 said:

It is not inconceivable that the standard State Pension will rise above the tax threshold in the next few years (2028 is the current estimate).

2027 has been the (now definite) estimate for a while with 2026 coming a close possibility if the triple lock had come in at 5%.