The Older People Dilemma - What to do about them ?

Question

Should we, and because I am one of them, be able (or continue) to just "take from the state" ?

We contribute absolutely nothing to the economy.
We may have contributed in the passed, but how come this a justification for just "taking" now in the present ?

I personally think that it is an abomination - ie "taking" !

Please do not think that this is a sympathy type question .

Should we not just simply be allowed to "depart" in peace and upset nobody ?

3 answers so far !
They are un-informative.
Nerd answers are not welcome !

I am simply saying that since I have nothing more to contribute to society that I should be allowed to quietly and gracefully fade away to "out of sightedness" !

Only 3 nerd answers.
All the other answers to date are very informative and sensible. Thank you so far.

Answer 1

i am a senior and still have alot of things to contribute to society......i am not useless, or a bother to those that know me and love me..i give as well as take, with understanding and love, nurture my grandchildren and friends...i worked all my adult life and had paid into social security and the money i receive is due me, i have the right to live and enjoy my golden years, as all people should be. we do contribute to the economy by still paying some taxes, taxes on purchases we make,
it sounds to me that you are depressed and unhappy with your life.. get some professional counseling for this depression, for your life is important and worth fighting for...you are important and needed....

Answer 2

I have no problem with providing money for pensioners from my contributions- the majority have worked hard all there lives- they were in an era when if you didn't work you didn't eat!!- they had limited amount to contribute to private pensions, their contributions went on the generation before. I object to my contributions going to young people who are capable of working but are too lazy and can't be bothered looking for jobs for families that keep popping out children without being able to support them- we all have surprises but for some its an occupation in itself
However when I come to retire in 30 odd years time the state pension will probably be stopped- i have made provisions but what happens to all the lazy good for nothings that refuse to work now- they'll have made no contributions but will be looked after by the state!!! now that's wrong!
you enjoy your retirement if i had my way you'd get much more especially those that fought in the wars- but unfortunately the lazy doleites take your extra share.
(I do realise some struggle to get work- I'm not having a pop at them but we all know those who are quite happy living on there handouts!! and better off than us working most of the time!!)

Answer 3

Goodness me are you sick of living or something, you do not constantly take from the state, you paid your taxes for many a year to have your entitlement to what you get now and that isn't much or worth having is it, of course you contribute to the economy, you eat don't you, by shopping you are helping to keep people in employment thus helping the economy, you are in your twilight years when life should be comfortable and not miserable, life is for living and as long as you are able to you should do that, when you do depart it will be when your time is up and of course people will be upset, you have people who love you.

Answer 4

Obviously you're not old. If you are, do you have a guilty conscience about something you did in your younger years that leads you to believe that you should be left in poverty now?
What is your solution? Have elderly, arthritic ridden people work till they drop dead on the floor of the supermarket as they are bagging groceries? What type of job security do you believe an elderly person has? Every elderly person is not 100% healthy. Should we kill them because we can't use them as work horses anymore?
Maybe I should feel pity for you. When is the last time you had a full physical and psychological work up? I think you're about due for one. Like yesterday!
The problem is that people don't respect the elderly enough!
In other parts of the world the elderly are highly respected and revered. They are the "All knowing wise ones". They are not left to die miserable and alone.
I hope and pray this ?? is not for real.

Answer 5

Oh, old timer, steady on! Assuming you are in the UK, you will find very few people who object to the idea of some form of social welfare for the elderly. Do you eat food? Then you contribute to the economy. Your pension was EARNED by your contributions to society. Think of it as a savings scheme. Believe me, our society has bigger fish to fry - the numpties who make a lifestyle choice not to work, and exist solely on benefits all their sad lives. And guess what, they're spreading like wildfire! They are the kind of takers who get my goat. Not you. You earned yours. And the worst thing is that retired people who need to go into care and have assets (usually a house) are now having that stripped from them to fund their care, and our Tony's caring sharing government is behind it.

Answer 6

Well, I too am a mature citizen about to collect my state pension and think I deserve every flaming penny - I have worked all my years, paid in to provide schools, hospitals and others pensions etc, sure the money I have paid in as gone a long time ago, but the kids I paid to educate can jolly keep me now, thats only fair?

I am looking forward to my retirement, to read, paint, tour around places I never had time to before, spend time with folks I love, do my own thing at long last.

But you sound as though you are in a hurry to DEPART.........so whats keep you??? Or is this a NERDY thing?

Answer 7

If you're an elder, how did you get to join the ranks yet leave your smarts outside?
You speak as if you believe you have no further value to society, since your body's aged and the 'beauty factor' is gone. I think our elders are precious, and society doesn't do enough to acknowledgge/support this fact. Where would the voice of wisdom come from? From where would the advice born of firsthand experience come? Where else would youngers find the consolation and comfort given by elders who are there for them? What would we do without those graduates from the School of Hardknocks?
In all due respect (I'm close to eldership myself), snap out of it.

Answer 8

Children do not contribute to the economy, should we rid ourselves of them too? When a person contributes all their life to take care of the helpless in our society they deserve the same respect when they get old. Did you want the handicapped to 'depart' as well? You are only allowed to decide for yourself, you know.

Answer 9

Most older people have paid their taxes in their youth so have paid for the young people of todays education. In return, the young people are now paying for the older peoples pensions.
If I were you I would enjoy my pension while it lasts because by the time the likes of myself reaches the age of 65, there will either be no retirement or no pension!

Answer 10

I'm retired and "the state" is still taking from me in the form of taxes.

If you really want to "depart", I don't see anything stopping you. The means of committing suicide are plentiful to almost anyone.