Discounts for OAPs

[contrarian]

I’m fully aware this will be as popular as a guinness fart in a lift, but nevermind. Not trying to be contrary, just intrigued

Why is OAP a discount still a thing. OAP wealth is greater than all other age groups, why do they get a discount for the match, transport, the cinema, whatever?

Don’t give me Mavis who is living on the state pension, the counter is Steve who is living on unemployment benefits.

You might as well apply that ‘philosophy’ to those institutions who show preference to ex and current servicemen and women, to health workers, fire service workers etc
Maybe if govt stopped giving handouts to billionaires ( govt contracts, tax concessions etc ) and started taxing these people at same basic rate, as we do ‘ battlers’ then maybe we can stop concessions to boomer pensioners, do away with need for soup kitchens and food banks

 

[PTR]

I don't mind, as long as people don't use the pension as a comparison to the poverty line and say that the pension is below it - not taking into account that pensioners get loads of free/discounted stuff, so their poverty line is far lower.

 

[John Steed]

Well Steve should get a job then shouldnt he . Love me OAP discount me, match ticket , bus pass , pubs should do discount too the stingy tw*ts .
Ungrateful wretch , we put the breath in your body and the food in your gob

Steve doesn't want a job they're hard work.
I was in a pub the other week, the rosedene I think it was. Reading the menu they did a pensioner special which was described as a smaller portion. So as soon as you reach 67 suddenly your appetite is reduced. So not so much a big discount as a big reduction.
Most of the customers were elderly. Two women one very old and frail looking, the other not so frail but canny old. They were knocking back pints and having a great time. I thought I bet they've flattened a bit of grass in their younger time.

 

[RTGAdmin]

They used to die shortly after becoming old enough so the discount didnt last long. Probably be removed soon as people.live too long.

The discounts are rapidly heading that way now, many used to be 60 (women retirement age) then they jumped to 65, now they are typically moving to retirement age, so heading towards 7 years longer.

When I was young there were no young persons railcards, and as I get older the age for concessions seems to keep getting away from me!

I think we will see OAP wealth decline too, the age of defined benefits pensions has largely stopped, so more people will be relying on investments (or lack of) and state pensions soon.

 

[Son of Stan]

I’m fully aware this will be as popular as a guinness fart in a lift, but nevermind. Not trying to be contrary, just intrigued

Why is OAP a discount still a thing. OAP wealth is greater than all other age groups, why do they get a discount for the match, transport, the cinema, whatever?

Don’t give me Mavis who is living on the state pension, the counter is Steve who is living on unemployment benefits.

Strange attitude begrudging folk a free bus pass. I'm planning to use mine for free travel to Keswick on the Wright Brothers bus this July/Aug. With all the other Adas and Ethels.

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Strange attitude begrudging folk a free bus pass. I'm planning to use mine for free travel to Keswick on the Wright Brothers bus this July/Aug. With all the other Adas and Ethels.

The cost is just absorbed by everyone else, that’s the entire point. Why do others pay more when OAPs are generally wealthier?

 

[42]

Strange attitude begrudging folk a free bus pass. I'm planning to use mine for free travel to Keswick on the Wright Brothers bus this July/Aug. With all the other Adas and Ethels.

Bus passes are fine as they encourage them to get out & about which will potentially reduce strain on NHS.
However, this is more about getting 10% off at Iceland or the local chippy. My parents disposable income is a lot more than ours

You might as well apply that ‘philosophy’ to those institutions who show preference to ex and current servicemen and women, to health workers, fire service workers etc
Maybe if govt stopped giving handouts to billionaires ( govt contracts, tax concessions etc ) and started taxing these people at same basic rate, as we do ‘ battlers’ then maybe we can stop concessions to boomer pensioners, do away with need for soup kitchens and food banks

Thats a valid point as many of the people on those professions earn above average, and getting discounts at the expense of people who are worse off.

Although I do agree with the main point of stopping the mege rich taking the piss.

 

[PTR]

The discounts are rapidly heading that way now, many used to be 60 (women retirement age) then they jumped to 65, now they are typically moving to retirement age, so heading towards 7 years longer.
When I was young there were no young persons railcards, and as I get older the age for concessions seems to keep getting away from me!
I think we will see OAP wealth decline too, the age of defined benefits pensions has largely stopped, so more people will be relying on investments (or lack of) and state pensions soon.

In fairness, why wouldn't the discounts start at state retirement age?

 

[Ruleigan]

Steve can go and get a job, Mavis is far less likely to.

This rich pensioner craic is lifting. Most of my older relatives are now pensioners, worked all their lives and are just getting by.

 

[seaham ftm]

The most selfish generation of human history.

 

[Geras]

I see the old lads have missed the point. Not that shocking.

Its a respect thing chunks , everyone who makes 65 deserves a bloody medal as well as a bus pass

 

[r@mside]

The most selfish generation of human history.

It covers two generations now kid but the truth is they spoiled their Gen X and Millennial children who are still harping on about petty shite and wanting everything handed to them on a plate. Generally speaking of course.

 

[Balti Man]

yes 10% off at Iceland on a Tuesday for over 60s is living the dream

Don't tell Trump ffs! He will buy it, before building a bridge between it and Greenland.

 

[Edinburgh Black Cat]

It encourages them to spend more.

Similar to why they offer discounts in pubs and restaurants midweek.

The most selfish generation of human history.

So far

 

[Big Jeff]

It is the mark of a civilised society how you look after the elderly.

I don’t begrudge anyone getting a cheap OAP season card for us. For all I know they could be life long fans and deserve a cheaper ticket for their years of supporting the lads.

Maybe give them a free rug and flask to keep the chill out during the colder months!

 

[Charmless Man]

I think it’s fine for them to have discounted stuff. Free bus passes etc’.

It’s the triple lock I disagree with.

Comparison with the unemployed isn’t relevant but then the OP knows that. And come to think of it don’t certain out of work benefits recipients get cheaper entry into things like museums?

 

[dangermows]

Grey vote innit

The cost is just absorbed by everyone else, that’s the entire point. Why do others pay more when OAPs are generally wealthier?

Should be based on coin. Not just you're old. You see them in Waitrose and M&S, packing the place out, flinging bait in their baskets without a care in the world.

 

[Butcher's Coat]

I think it’s fine for them to have discounted stuff. Free bus passes etc’.

It’s the triple lock I disagree with.

Comparison with the unemployed isn’t relevant but then the OP knows that. And come to think of it don’t certain out of work benefits recipients get cheaper entry into things like museums?

Love the triple lock, it is a great thing. It ensures that the UK state pension doesn't lose value to inflation.

I don't understand why some people want it done away with.

Why would you want people to have less money?

 

[girojim]

Love the triple lock, it is a great thing. It ensures that the UK state pension doesn't lose value to inflation.

I don't understand why some people want it done away with.

Why would you want people to have less money?

Because it costs an absolute fortune and some of those people don't really need it?

 

[42]

Love the triple lock, it is a great thing. It ensures that the UK state pension doesn't lose value to inflation.

I don't understand why some people want it done away with.

Why would you want people to have less money?

No, it ensures it rises on average by more than inflation, more than wages, more than GDP. Then those increases compound.
Its a wealth transfer from a generation who don't have much to the generation who have the most. Thats why people have an issue with it.

If you just want it to keep up with inflation, then peg it to inflation. A single lock if you will