Is it fair?

Question

I started work when I was 14, worked 51 years, mostly 6 days a week lots of overtime to support my family,of course I paid my due taxes and National insurance, additionally I paid a graduated amount, and later Serps to improve my pension. My pension for my wife and I is £172 While I am understanding of the GENUINELY sick or disabled. I now find if I had never worked never paid tax or NI We would be guaranteed £172 pension credit plus free or subsidised rent and council tax. Is it fair

Answer 1

No it certainly is not fair.
I wonder how many of the habitually unemployed in UK today realise what you have just said & are expecting handouts in their latter years.
I too have worked full-time since I was 17. Only stopping at the age of 21 for 7 months to have my only child (I cannot afford any more). I returned to full-time employment for another 26 years & was made redundant.
I signed on & was told i would only be paid £50.or so per week unemployment benefit for 20 weeks as I had not paid enough contributions. How the hell does that work then? I believe that we should receive back what we have paid for. If a person has not worked & contributed to the fund then they should not receive any benefit from it.
There are plenty jobs to be had if a person wants to work. You only have to check out the amount of Polosh, Portuguese & other nationalities pouring into Britain to work to see that.

Answer 2

No, it's not fair, I wouldnt propose to take anything off anyone, people have little enough to live on who have worked all their lives, but you should not be penalised for having any savings. I don't know about pension credit but I'd assume it's related to income and everyone retired has been encouraged to apply for it. I know several widows living in their own properties who applied and received pension credit, so it doesnt discriminate. You'll find that the credit is from the inland revenue and the subsidised rent and council tax you mentioned is through the local council I believe. Good luck.

Answer 3

are you asking is it fair that people who have never worked a day in their life and get the dole or a pension. i cant say yes or no. when you shave in the morning its you in the mirror not someone else. your tax has paid for education hospitals and the right for people who wouldnt have a chance of life except for the welfare state. dont begrudge hold your head high, i sir salute you.

Answer 4

You pay for everyone else's health care and education, the military and the civil list.

It isn't really fair and a lot of people your age have been conned by successive governments. I feel sorry for you as everyone now realises that a private pension is needed

Answer 5

No, it's not fair, but you are asking the wrong question. Would you have been happy to do nothing your whole life and then get a nice pension? I suspect not.

Answer 6

No it is not fair. Neither is the fact that hardworkers who save for retirement and own their own home, have to lose it all should they fall ill and need nursing homes. Only when you have nothing left will the government support you Or of course, if you failed to save.

Answer 7

No, thats why most people today are making other arrangements besides the state pension

Answer 8

No it isn't fair, but don't get hung up on it. The best you can do is inform your children not to make the same mistake. Then move on. There are worst things in life.

Answer 9

I am not qualified to answer this question because this is
another country that has different tax system than the USA!!!

Answer 10

Of course it's not fair. At least you can have a clear conscience