Discounts for OAPs

[smoker]

Is it right wing to say that we shouldn't have universal freebies for pensioners or triple lock their pensions? Why is that right wing?

It's unlikely that I'll get a state pension (I am mid 30s). I am certain that someone born today will not get a state pension. Yet I've spent the last 15 years paying into the system, and I'll spend the next 30 years paying into the system, probably for little benefit.

Why do we expect today's young people to pay for today's pensioners (which is how the system works) when they'll probably not get the same benefit themselves, on top of the fact that the economy is much harder for a young person today than it was for today's pensioners. I'm not saying today's pensioners had it easy, they faced some periods of economic turbulence of course they did, but today's young people (and I do not mean myself) have it harder.

I've never been called right wing for advocating for a disadvantaged economic group before. That's a new one.

Immigrant labour will pay the taxes to support our pensions, yet you seem to want them to fuck off (at least since your right wing reboot).

 

[Frijj]

I've worked since I was 14, paid tax for 50+ years & will continue to do so until I'm pension age. Your main issue is you have a petulant "Oh woe is me" outlook & want everyone to be as miserable as you.

Don't just look at yourself, look outside to society

Absolutely none of what you’ve said has any bearing on what I’ve said, it’s just you venting because you don’t like me

Immigrant labour will pay the taxes to support our pensions, yet you seem to want them to fuck off (at least since your right wing reboot).

Well immigration has been sky f***ing high and I don’t see the state pension age reducing, so what are all these tax paying immigrants paying for?

 

[Mousehold Mackem]

Infamy infamy!

 

[humbug]

I don’t think that’s true at all. The premise of this thread was that there are plenty of disadvantaged people who don’t get the same discounts (which is what this thread was about) as a generation who can more obviously afford it*

*I accept the challenge on whether the rich pensioners thing is true or not; but this thread has gone down rabbit holes. I don’t think anyone hates older people.

of course it's true. it's called the politics of envy.

 

[PJH]

Absolutely none of what you’ve said has any bearing on what I’ve said, it’s just you venting because you don’t like me


Well immigration has been sky f***ing high and I don’t see the state pension age reducing, so what are all these tax paying immigrants paying for?

Part of the problem is the pension wasn't really designed to be paid out to a large number of people for 10+ years after retirement age.

 

[Deer Eater]

What was your previous username?


Working age people pay the pensions of current pensioners.

That’s absolutely how it works. So young people today are paying for triple locked pensions, free public transport, winter fuel allowances and free prescriptions not just for today’s pensioners, but for the wealthiest pensioners ever, and to cap it off, they’ll never get those benefits themselves.

You won't remember me I tried to avoid you when you had that tyranny of niceness thing going on

 

[humbug]

Part of the problem is the pension wasn't really designed to be paid out to a large number of people for 10+ years after retirement age.

and god bless those who fought for better working conditions to help people live longer.

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

of course it's true. it's called the politics of envy.

It’s not what has been said at all. You may think I (we?) have said it, but it’s not true

 

[PJH]

and god bless those who fought for better working conditions to help people live longer.

More than just that though of course. Big help has been preventing children dying as that really raised the average life expectancy. Plus better general healthcare abilities making odds of surviving ill health events better, along with more and more ability to extend life in old age medically.

 

[smoker]

Absolutely none of what you’ve said has any bearing on what I’ve said, it’s just you venting because you don’t like me


Well immigration has been sky f***ing high and I don’t see the state pension age reducing, so what are all these tax paying immigrants paying for?

They are paying for the services you take for granted and would be in much worse state otherwise thanks to Brexshit.

 

[Mousehold Mackem]

Soylent green is the solution.

 

[Frijj]

You won't remember me I tried to avoid you when you had that tyranny of niceness thing going on

That was this year, you signed up two years ago.

They are paying for the services you take for granted and would be in much worse state otherwise thanks to Brexshit.

Since a shed load are net recipients of tax funded services that simply isn’t true

 

[BiG]

Maybe a more reasonable approach for the underlying issues that I think this thread may, in part, be attempting to address, would be to discuss the triple lock.

Take away the nonsense about ‘discounts’ and instead debate about the affordability and implications of the triple lock on pensions.

I have studiously avoided expressing my opinion on it in favour of simply suggesting that the focus be shifted.

And then … politics board this shite

 

[peachy]

Maybe a more reasonable approach for the underlying issues that I think this thread may, in part, be attempting to address, would be to discuss the triple lock.

Take away the nonsense about ‘discounts’ and instead debate about the affordability and implications of the triple lock on pensions.

I have studiously avoided expressing my opinion on it in favour of simply suggesting that the focus be shifted.

And then … politics board this shite

I think in part, some think the word triple means a trebling of the state pension, or three times what everybody else is getting. Whereas in reality it just means there are three things that are looked at.

In reality a small percentage of not a huge figure is not a lot. If average wages rise by 3%, and that is the top figure of the three figures in the 'triple lock' used to increase the state pension, 3% of £12k (using rounded figures for ease) is less than 3% of average wage (for example £30,000). So the pension falls behind.

Possible options, maybe,
1. Go to a double lock - will this make much difference?
2. Go to a single lock - ditto 1 above.
3. Freeze pensions - hardly a winner and many pensioners will struggle perhaps.
4. A flat rate increase eg state pension goes up £800pa MP's pay goes up £800pa etc. Everyone gets an increase, but £800 will mean more to someone on £12k than to someone on £100k
5. Perhaps get today's 18 year olds (and all future young people)to not pay as much tax, perhaps 2% less than basic rate, they dont get a pension but they can use the 2% money they aren't paying as tax to save/fund their own retirement and they could have options on how to do this, but they wont get a state pension.

[The above may be shredded as ridiculous, but just Sunday morning thoughts - as I have found this thread interesting in several ways)

 

[BiG]

I think in part, some think the word triple means a trebling of the state pension, or three times what everybody else is getting. Whereas in reality it just means there are three things that are looked at.

In reality a small percentage of not a huge figure is not a lot. If average wages rise by 3%, and that is the top figure of the three figures in the 'triple lock' used to increase the state pension, 3% of £12k (using rounded figures for ease) is less than 3% of average wage (for example £30,000). So the pension falls behind.

Possible options, maybe,
1. Go to a double lock - will this make much difference?
2. Go to a single lock - ditto 1 above.
3. Freeze pensions - hardly a winner and many pensioners will struggle perhaps.
4. A flat rate increase eg state pension goes up £800pa MP's pay goes up £800pa etc. Everyone gets an increase, but £800 will mean more to someone on £12k than to someone on £100k
5. Perhaps get today's 18 year olds (and all future young people)to not pay as much tax, perhaps 2% less than basic rate, they dont get a pension but they can use the 2% money they aren't paying as tax to save/fund their own retirement and they could have options on how to do this, but they wont get a state pension.

[The above may be shredded as ridiculous, but just Sunday morning thoughts - as I have found this thread interesting in several ways)

I think that if anyone believes ‘triple lock’ means trebling of the state pension then we have a problem with cognitive decline at a national level and people who as thick as that shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near sharp objects or the internet.

 

[peachy]

I think that if anyone believes ‘triple lock’ means trebling of the state pension then we have a problem with cognitive decline at a national level and people who as thick as that shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near sharp objects or the internet.

Sadly, a couple of days ago, I was listening to some youngish people being asked the meaning of some (basic) economic terms and they hardly knew the meaning of any of them.
Source: LBC radio

 

[Mr.Thunders]

Triple lock = Triple the Season ticket price for OAP's.

A sensible policy imo

 

[Zimba]

how do you know that? is it because the youth of today are just selfish tossers and couldn't give a shite about anyone else but themselves?

Older people are the selfish tossers not younger people - especially baby boomers.

Literally got everything handed on a plate and done absolutely fuck all for it unlike older generations who fought in wars and the younger generations which have been hit with financial crashes and global instability.

The same people who are now voting Reform.

 

[BiG]

Literally got everything handed on a plate and done absolutely fuck all for it

Shit. I don't remember of that. I'm really sorry. It must be devastating for everybody else to think that life was a bed of roses if you were born during a certain time period that was so cushy. And nobody who was around at the time made any contribution or did anything to make it that way either. I'm a total bastard obvs

Still, I suppose it means I'm not responsible for the destruction of the planet either. Swings and roundabouts

Triple lock = Triple the Season ticket price for OAP's.

A sensible policy imo

Make it so.

Sadly, a couple of days ago, I was listening to some youngish people being asked the meaning of some (basic) economic terms and they hardly knew the meaning of any of them.
Source: LBC radio

I'm now given to understand that it's all my fault. I should have explained it better. Soz

 

[humbug]

Older people are the selfish tossers not younger people - especially baby boomers.

Literally got everything handed on a plate and done absolutely fuck all for it unlike older generations who fought in wars and the younger generations which have been hit with financial crashes and global instability.

The same people who are now voting Reform.

absolute rubbish.