Discounts for OAPs

[Big Jeff]

My ex gets half of my main private pension. I have to pay the tax due on the whole amount. Great innit?

Oh no!

 

[Sam Handwich]

My ex gets half of my main private pension. I have to pay the tax due on the whole amount. Great innit?

OOF. The old PSO? Should have got out before 2000. Like i did in 99

Lucky bastard. You'll soon be dead.

I've got two holidays booked and some green bananas in the fruit bowl. I'm going nowhere yet

 

[Frijj]

This is the crux of it.

And it leads to the next obvious question, what do you want done about it?

Either they want the UK government to pass laws saying who private companies can and can not give discounts to, or they are just whinging and will continue to do so until they qualify themselves.

I can’t imagine any government passing a spoilt bairn legislation. There is nothing in it for the government, only negativity from the groups they make things more expensive for. I suppose those bitter about their gran getting about on the bus for free, will feel smug that they have finally got one over on the old dear, but that is hardly a vote winner.

So all these people are going to have to sit seething in their own bitterness over having to pay 20p more for coffee. They need to decide, do they let the hate build up or let it go? It is a nothing issue, chill out.

No discounts based on age alone. Simple as that. No reason why pensioners should get a discount and not young people.

Sorry to keep on asking the same question but it’s still puzzling me.

I understand that, for some, the ‘discounts’ that are under discussion are those allowed or enabled by the state; bus passes, winter fuel allowance, free eye tests, prescription charges…. Oooh. Just thought of another one; free tv license for over 75s,

But I’m getting the impression that others are getting annoyed about stuff like reduced entry for the cinema, tickets for football games (I didn’t even know that was a thing), pensioner haircuts, pensioners portions for a pub meal. Stuff like that.

Whilst i appreciate and understand, regardless of whether or not I disagree, that there’s a debate to be had, if you insist, regarding whether the taxpayer should fund the former examples, I don’t understand what the argument or point is about the latter. Surely if, for example, a cinema wants to attract a certain group to attend on a Tuesday afternoon when they’re otherwise empty, or get a certain group to attend who otherwise wouldn’t, or whatever… or a pub wants to allow for a smaller portion at a reduced rate to avoid waste… or whatever their business justification is; what’s the issue and what’s it got to with anybody who’s not involved?

To be honest I don’t understand why pensioners should get those discounts.

If anyone needs a helping hand it’s younger people, not pensioners.

You ask what a private businesses’ decisions have to do with anyone else. Well, we generally don’t let businesses do whatever they want - we pass laws to regulate them so they don’t behave in ways that are contrary to society’s interests.

 

[ontap]

No discounts based on age alone. Simple as that. No reason why pensioners should get a discount and not young people.


To be honest I don’t understand why pensioners should get those discounts.

If anyone needs a helping hand it’s younger people, not pensioners.

You ask what a private businesses’ decisions have to do with anyone else. Well, we generally don’t let businesses do whatever they want - we pass laws to regulate them so they don’t behave in ways that are contrary to society’s interests.

Wow , for some one who posted a lot sense during Covid , your ignorance of pensioners living standards is quite asrounding.

 

[zinedine]

It's the most odd of issues. Unlike other allowances that come from public funds, state pension is one that the majority of folk will benefit from, ultimately, life willing. Strange...

The point being made here that so called pensioners freebies are paid for by today's younger generation is ridiculous. It's being completely forgotten that today's elderly have paid into the system during their working lives to pay for what they get.
In theory that money should be ringfenced, invested and used to fund their pensions, if fortunate enough to reach that age. But we vote in governments who can't balance the books and so the payments are spent as they are collected. Then that weirdly gets used against the elderly as though they are sponging off today's youth.
It's utter, utter bollocks and some of the stuff I've read on this thread is staggering. Staggering but from a very ageist board not in the slightest surprising.

 

[Mousehold Mackem]

No discounts based on age alone. Simple as that. No reason why pensioners should get a discount and not young people.


To be honest I don’t understand why pensioners should get those discounts.

If anyone needs a helping hand it’s younger people, not pensioners.

There are numerous discounts for kids, teens and students. There is also family allowance.

God knows why you're taking this stance. It is like you'd deny anyone something you don't get.

 

[Frijj]

There are numerous discounts for kids, teens and students. There is also family allowance.

God knows why you're taking this stance. It is like you'd deny anyone something you don't get.

You can get fucked if you think I’m giving you the time of day after what you said to me the other day.

Wow , for some one who posted a lot sense during Covid , your ignorance of pensioners living standards is quite asrounding.

Ah yes another pensioner unhappy that someone has questioned whether you should be getting free everything.

Today’s pensioners, AS A GROUP, are the wealthiest pensioners ever.

Funny how when people like @chunkyshanhawk53 say similar nobody griefs him.

No free bus pass, no free prescriptions, no triple lock. You should lose it all.

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

You can get fucked if you think I’m giving you the time of day after what you said to me the other day.


Ah yes another pensioner unhappy that someone has questioned whether you should be getting free everything.

Today’s pensioners, AS A GROUP, are the wealthiest pensioners ever.

Funny how when people like @chunkyshanhawk53 say similar nobody griefs him.

No free bus pass, no free prescriptions, no triple lock. You should lose it all.

I’ve had plenty of grief on this one mind

 

[Frijj]

I’ve had plenty of grief on this one mind

I must have missed it but fair enough!

 

[Tin Man]

If you’ve worked all your life,enjoy your retirement & all the concessions that go with it.Thoroughly deserved.

 

[DaveH]

No discounts based on age alone. Simple as that. No reason why pensioners should get a discount and not young people.


To be honest I don’t understand why pensioners should get those discounts.

If anyone needs a helping hand it’s younger people, not pensioners.

You ask what a private businesses’ decisions have to do with anyone else. Well, we generally don’t let businesses do whatever they want - we pass laws to regulate them so they don’t behave in ways that are contrary to society’s interests.

Many young people do get discounts. Young person's rail card. Student discount etc.

And back to my point, so what? What do you want done about it? A law saying no discounts? Is that really a hot topic governments should be tackling?

Private business, as a marketing tool give discounts to bring people in. So what?

There are numerous discounts for kids, teens and students. There is also family allowance.

God knows why you're taking this stance. It is like you'd deny anyone something you don't get.

I think it is hate. The more I see of their posts this year, he generally has a grudge against anyone not living the life he is.

One of the most prolific posters on politics this year, and all moaning about people being a bit different or having a different background. Students, old people, black people, Muslims, people working but need benefit to top up their wages all due to unexpected circumstances. All people to hate for Frijj. Thank god there has not been a post about those beasts straight from hell, who have the audacity to be on a public road using muscle power and two wheels, not a good old roaring petrol engine.

I'm yet to see anyone they do actually approve of, except themselves.

 

[BiG]

The point being made here that so called pensioners freebies are paid for by today's younger generation is ridiculous. It's being completely forgotten that today's elderly have paid into the system during their working lives to pay for what they get.
In theory that money should be ringfenced, invested and used to fund their pensions, if fortunate enough to reach that age. But we vote in governments who can't balance the books and so the payments are spent as they are collected. Then that weirdly gets used against the elderly as though they are sponging off today's youth.
It's utter, utter bollocks and some of the stuff I've read on this thread is staggering. Staggering but from a very ageist board not in the slightest surprising.

I am one of ‘today’s elderly’. But just a little logical (iirc) correction. What I was paying into the state system (National Insurance) paid did the pensions of those that were the elderly whilst I was working. And so on, into the past so that when the people who were over 60 or 65 in 1948 had their pensions paid by those in work at the time.

it seems, however, that some people resent ‘today’s elderly’ for something over which they had no control. I don’t recall feeling anything like that about the elderly I helped sustain when worked.

 

[Will e]

I think it is hate. The more I see of their posts this year, he generally has a grudge against anyone not living the life he is.

One of the most prolific posters on politics this year, and all moaning about people being a bit different or having a different background. Students, old people, black people, Muslims, people working but need benefit to top up their wages all due to unexpected circumstances. All people to hate for Frijj. Thank god there has not been a post about those beasts straight from hell, who have the audacity to be on a public road using muscle power and two wheels, not a good old roaring petrol engine.

I'm yet to see anyone they do actually approve of, except themselves.

That says a lot, I never venture onto the politics board, probably a waste of time replying to him.

 

[peachy]

No free bus pass, no free prescriptions, no triple lock. You should lose it all.

Most prescriptions are free. But I would definitely change the age concession free one from 60 to 66. No need for that age band to get free "old age pension" concession until they become a senior citizen.
I would be perfectly happy to increase the "child age band" to say 22. Students aren't likely to need many meds but £10 could be just too much for them to afford.

No free bus pass, no free prescriptions, no triple lock. You should lose it all.

What would you suggest as the way of increasing old age state pension, (always remembering a percentage of a small figure is still a small amout).

No free bus pass, no free prescriptions, no triple lock. You should lose it all.

There are too many cars on the roads in parts. The free bus pass likely means less car journeys.
Buses are also getting used when quiet so I would think bus passes are beneficial to many, not just the senior citizens, aren't they?

No free bus pass, no free prescriptions, no triple lock. You should lose it all.

This does sound rather bitter and hateful.


As an aside, as I do think the state pension may come to an end in the future. Isn't there a LISA that if you (people under 40?) put in £3000 the Government put in a further £1000 every year. That seems pretty good, but I dont see the oldies going round saying "you should lose it all".

 

[Seaham Towny]

I am one of ‘today’s elderly’. But just a little logical (iirc) correction. What I was paying into the state system (National Insurance) paid did the pensions of those that were the elderly whilst I was working. And so on, into the past so that when the people who were over 60 or 65 in 1948 had their pensions paid by those in work at the time.

it seems, however, that some people resent ‘today’s elderly’ for something over which they had no control. I don’t recall feeling anything like that about the elderly I helped sustain when worked.

Because 'yesterday's elderly' didn't have access to the internet, or weren't quite as vocal in what I'm about to describe.

I'll caveat this by saying, I don't begrudge pensioners a free bus pass or a cheap cinema ticket, or their pensions, or even the triple lock tbh.

I have parents and grandparents alike whom I don't mind saying this to either.

The reason why Frijj, and so many of the younger generation feel the way they do, is when him, me and the others were in school we were told 'work hard, stick in at school etc'. We then left school and entered the workforce after or around 2008, massive financial crisis and recession and since then the majority of 'today's elderly' have voted for more right leaning parties which have:

Raised student fees making it difficult to re-train, Brexit so it's harder for us to work abroad, parties that are intent on a housing market being pumped to oblivion (not learning the lessons of 2008 either) so younger people can't afford a house, they then compounded this by snaffling up a load of properties and renting them out at increasingly higher rates so that younger people can barely afford that either. Then on top you're told:

- 'You just need to work harder'
- 'Go and hand in your CV with a firm handshake'
- 'Why do you buy so much coffee/Netflix/avocado?'
- 'The youth don't want to work these days'

So as a young working person now, if you're fortunate enough to have a job then you tend to be grafting your arse off so you can either be still in your parents gaff with them saying the above, or renting a place you can barely afford, and then told the reason you can barely afford it is that you're buying things that might get you some light enjoyment. Oh and the people telling you this, you're paying for their pensions btw and they think you're an idiot.

The social contract is broken, it wasn't younger people who broke it, todays elderly en masse certainly contributed a lot to it though.

So if you have paid into the system all your life and you're now comfortable, and you're getting your freebies out of it then great. Don't sit and tell the younger lot to respect their elders though, it'll just rile them more.

 

[PJH]

Sorry to keep on asking the same question but it’s still puzzling me.

I understand that, for some, the ‘discounts’ that are under discussion are those allowed or enabled by the state; bus passes, winter fuel allowance, free eye tests, prescription charges…. Oooh. Just thought of another one; free tv license for over 75s,

But I’m getting the impression that others are getting annoyed about stuff like reduced entry for the cinema, tickets for football games (I didn’t even know that was a thing), pensioner haircuts, pensioners portions for a pub meal. Stuff like that.

Whilst i appreciate and understand, regardless of whether or not I disagree, that there’s a debate to be had, if you insist, regarding whether the taxpayer should fund the former examples, I don’t understand what the argument or point is about the latter. Surely if, for example, a cinema wants to attract a certain group to attend on a Tuesday afternoon when they’re otherwise empty, or get a certain group to attend who otherwise wouldn’t, or whatever… or a pub wants to allow for a smaller portion at a reduced rate to avoid waste… or whatever their business justification is; what’s the issue and what’s it got to with anybody who’s not involved?

Strictly speaking it should be illegal to offer a discount based on age, as you can't discriminate based on a protected characteristic. Yet age based discounts have seemingly been exempt from the 2010 Equality Act.

And there is a general point if a business is struggling for trade at certain times, why not just make the prices cheaper then for all rather than just some? Same with the idea of 'pensioner' portion. Why not make a smaller plate option open to all? Reminds me of a clip from a Ricky Gervais programme where he wants to order a kids portion because he isn't that hungry. Isn't allowed to orders two for his child instead.

Though to be honest on pensioner portions, I don't think I've ever really seen that. Maybe as more places are offering general small plate or increase side options.

 

[Seaham Towny]

Strictly speaking it should be illegal to offer a discount based on age, as you can't discriminate based on a protected characteristic. Yet age based discounts have seemingly been exempt from the 2010 Equality Act.

And there is a general point if a business is struggling for trade at certain times, why not just make the prices cheaper then for all rather than just some? Same with the idea of 'pensioner' portion. Why not make a smaller plate option open to all? Reminds me of a clip from a Ricky Gervais programme where he wants to order a kids portion because he isn't that hungry. Isn't allowed to orders two for his child instead.

Though to be honest on pensioner portions, I don't think I've ever really seen that. Maybe as more places are offering general small plate or increase side options.

‘After Life’

Great series tbf

 

[zinedine]

Because 'yesterday's elderly' didn't have access to the internet, or weren't quite as vocal in what I'm about to describe.

I'll caveat this by saying, I don't begrudge pensioners a free bus pass or a cheap cinema ticket, or their pensions, or even the triple lock tbh.

I have parents and grandparents alike whom I don't mind saying this to either.

The reason why Frijj, and so many of the younger generation feel the way they do, is when him, me and the others were in school we were told 'work hard, stick in at school etc'. We then left school and entered the workforce after or around 2008, massive financial crisis and recession and since then the majority of 'today's elderly' have voted for more right leaning parties which have:

Raised student fees making it difficult to re-train, Brexit so it's harder for us to work abroad, parties that are intent on a housing market being pumped to oblivion (not learning the lessons of 2008 either) so younger people can't afford a house, they then compounded this by snaffling up a load of properties and renting them out at increasingly higher rates so that younger people can barely afford that either. Then on top you're told:

- 'You just need to work harder'
- 'Go and hand in your CV with a firm handshake'
- 'Why do you buy so much coffee/Netflix/avocado?'
- 'The youth don't want to work these days'

So as a young working person now, if you're fortunate enough to have a job then you tend to be grafting your arse off so you can either be still in your parents gaff with them saying the above, or renting a place you can barely afford, and then told the reason you can barely afford it is that you're buying things that might get you some light enjoyment. Oh and the people telling you this, you're paying for their pensions btw and they think you're an idiot.

The social contract is broken, it wasn't younger people who broke it, todays elderly en masse certainly contributed a lot to it though.

So if you have paid into the system all your life and you're now comfortable, and you're getting your freebies out of it then great. Don't sit and tell the younger lot to respect their elders though, it'll just rile them more.

You can't blame everything that goes wrong with this country on the elderly. We now have a left leaning government and nothing changes. It takes millions of people of all ages to vote in a government not just old people. You can't pin that one on them.
Reading some of the stuff on this thread brings a certain saying to mind. The race to the bottom is well and truly on.

 

[Makem57]

Most pensioners like me started work at 15/16 and were in continuous work until they retired, usually in jobs doing physical graft, a lot of men i have worked didn't make the state pension age or like my dad 2 years after,

 

[zinedine]

Most prescriptions are free. But I would definitely change the age concession free one from 60 to 66. No need for that age band to get free "old age pension" concession until they become a senior citizen.
I would be perfectly happy to increase the "child age band" to say 22. Students aren't likely to need many meds but £10 could be just too much for them to afford.

What would you suggest as the way of increasing old age state pension, (always remembering a percentage of a small figure is still a small amout).

There are too many cars on the roads in parts. The free bus pass likely means less car journeys.
Buses are also getting used when quiet so I would think bus passes are beneficial to many, not just the senior citizens, aren't they?

This does sound rather bitter and hateful.


As an aside, as I do think the state pension may come to an end in the future. Isn't there a LISA that if you (people under 40?) put in £3000 the Government put in a further £1000 every year. That seems pretty good, but I dont see the oldies going round saying "you should lose it all".

Yeah, I was going to mention the triple lock and the fact any percentage of nowt is nowt.
We have relatively the lowest state pension in western Europe. Without the triple lock it would be a lot lower. I wonder what some of these people expect pensioners to live on. The state pension is too low but they want it lower. Again the race to the bottom.

Prescriptions are free at 60 as this is an age when things can start to go wrong health wise. Having them free ensures people get them.