Should wealthy pensioners receive state-funded benefits?

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Cameron rejects means test for wealthy pensioners.

David Cameron is continuing to insist that the conservatives will keep paying state-funded payments such as free bus passes, winter fuel allowances and TV Licences to wealthy pensioners.
There are many views from pensioners with many wealthy saying they have paid their taxes in the past so should take advantage of these payments.Labour and the Liberal democrats believe this is wrong and would both make the benefits to pensions subject to means testing so wealthy pensioners would not receive them.
What’s your view?

Should wealthy pensioners receive state-funded benefits?

1083 people have already voted, what's your opinion? Yes No

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djbowden59
6th Nov 2015
0
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if people have contributed then they should also recieve.
MaddieW
29th Mar 2015
0
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It depends how they define wealthy pensioners, we are retired both have pensions from our previous employers but certainly not wealthy. I paid 6% of my salary to fund my pension.

Usually what happens with means testing the people like ourselves who have been prudent all our lives and put modest sums aside for our retirement are penalised whilst the people who live up to their income and forget about "tomorrow" receive the handouts. Maddie W
nagonthenet
2nd Mar 2015
0
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Yes and if you don't need the cash donate it to a charity of your choice (gift aid with it of course). People have paid their taxes and that's more than can be said for a lot who get handouts.
Peter
24th Feb 2015
2
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I think it should be a matter of choice - many don't claim their full benefits or donate to charity if they feel that they don't need it. The cost of means testing all pensioners would be prohibitive.
Kelly1419
23rd Feb 2015
2
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It depends where the line is drawn. Me and my husband have small pensions we paid into when working all our lives, which takes us above the limit for getting any benefits. We are not wealthy by any means. Who will decide what is wealthy and what is not? People who have never paid anything in get all sorts of benefits. Some people claim and send the money abroad. Retired people need to live comfortably without worrying about the heating or the food bills. If they want to donate it to a charity that is their choice but do not assume everyone not claiming benefits is well off.
lizzy 326
12th Feb 2015
2
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Yes these benefits should be means tested. People who have paid their taxes have paid for a universal state pension and these "add ons" are usually the result of election giveaways at huge cost to the taxpayer. I know so many people who do not need these perks. Far better to get rid of them and have a higher state pension for all.
Loyalist
8th Feb 2015
3
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There's wealthy and there's WEALTHY. As Peter Stringfellow once remarked on TV, "What do I need the heating allowance for? " And even tried to give it back.
arbedul
7th Feb 2015
4
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from a 'comfortable' financial position we have paid taxes for 60 years and manage with careful spending to be independent of state benefits.(we haven't had a holiday for 40 years). I think payments from the government ( i.e. our taxes) should be paid to residents here and not people overseas whose spending benefits the trade of their domicile countries.Paying winter fuel allowance to ex-pats in hot countries seems totally inappropriate. British taxes should support britain ?
lindz64
6th Feb 2015
4
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Of course they shouldn't be means tested. If they are wealthy it is presumably because they've worked hard and paid their taxes, unlike big business in our country now. I'm not a wealthy pensioner, far from it, as I have a small private pension and therefore am not entitled to any benefits so have to dip in to my ever depleting small savings account each month to keep my head above water, but I would never begrudge anyone state funded payments
tuggy
6th Feb 2015
4
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A lot of us will wait much longer for state pension and the linked bus passes whether or not we are rich. The government has moved the age when all this happens I have paid in since I was 15 I have more than enough contributions but I will not get my state pension until I'm 67. My older friends get it now I can't afford to go out with them as I don't have an income having been made redundant I am now living on my small amount of savings. Many of them have private pensiojs and a state pension while my husband and I have an income of 600 pound a month. The women friends that got their pension at 60will have had 30 thousand pounds more than me because of the change in pension age. I don't qualify for benefits I don't have a bus pass and my pension is years away. How is this fair those of you getting your state pension should be grateful.
pieinthesky
6th Feb 2015
5
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Any means testing costs such a lot to do, so we are told. It is probably true. Also, everybody in receipt of the OAP spends it immediately whether it goes towards bills and food or is spent on luxury items by more affluent pensioners. That keeps money flowing perhaps to small businesses and shops. Quite a lot goes straight back to the Exchequer in the form of VAT. It is difficult to see the advantage when one considers how much money other benefit "reforms" have cost over the life of the Coalition.
I would qualify but I still wouldn't like more forms to complete - and someone has got to look at and judge eveything received.

I think money would be better spent on clamping down on corporation tax avoidance.
Kinesco
6th Feb 2015
0
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Don't you just love governments. They spend more money than received in tax revenues which means assets increase in value to match the fall in the value of the currency. My house cost me £260K in 1990 and is now worth over £2M. Now they want to means test me with their mansion tax. If I cannot afford to pay, I am forced to downsize. I have always paid all my taxes and yet they rob me of my money when I die through their Inheritance tax. It is about time we had a decent government that allowed honest people to accumulate and keep their wealth.That only leaves one party to vote for come election day and that is UKIP. Let's hope they keep their manifesto promises. The others never have.
granny gwen
4th Feb 2015
1
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People with a lower source of income need the benefits whereas wealthy people do not need it. It's called greed
HJR58
4th Feb 2015
4
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The problem for me is that people who earn or earned more contribute more too. Is it fair that they are then excluded form any benefit? Perhaps there should be a sliding scale so that everyone gets something, and those most in need get more?
hatters
3rd Feb 2015
4
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If you have paid in why should you not take out?if they don't take out our pension doesn't go up!
i would hate for every one to worry about what I am doing isn't it their business.
Jo Kingham
3rd Feb 2015
1
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No they shouldn't. They may have paid their taxes over the years but things change. Take child benefit that's means tested. In a way so are your council services as you pay more council tax if you have a more valuable property - it's all the same really. Should we really give people the money who don't need it? What about those that do?? We can't rely on people's goodwill to give it back or to give it to a good cause, - just don't pay it out in the first place!
Dr Barrie
6th Feb 2015
4
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If they have children, they, and they alone, should pay for them.
Why should a person who has worked all their lives, paid taxes etc; have to suppliment those who have left school, have no intention of 'working', and simply had kids.
THEY HAD THEM....THEY PAY FOR THEM !!!
PamFlanagan
6th Feb 2015
1
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I presume that you therefore are going to opt out of being cared for by the NHS, being guarded by the police and the armed forces, using public transport etc, etc. All these services are staffed by other people's children so if you don't make a contribution by having children of your own you shouldn't expect to use the services.
Robbinn
3rd Feb 2015
11
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If someone has paid tax and NI contributions all of their working life, then of course they should receive exactly the same benefit regardless of their 'wealth'. It is then their choice if they wish to donate that benefit to a more worthwhile cause. I know of two or three people who insist of paying for their prescriptions even though they are entitled to 'free' ones.
What I do find annoying is when I hear people complain that they only receive 'so much' from the government in the way of a pension yet they have never contributed towards one.
lesnvalb
1st Feb 2015
4
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It depends what wealthy means. Anyone on less than maximum pension is not wealthy.
moray
4th Feb 2015
5
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Maximum pension is still poor.
Issy
31st Jan 2015
7
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As they have paid their taxes of course they are entitled to these benefits such as winter fuel ,bus passes etc; after all just look at all the money going abroad in benefits that have not been worked and taxes paid for such as child benefit to EU Countries just because one of their parents have came here so yes our pensioners deserve all benefits and I know that if they are really wealthy then no doubt because of how we were brought up in those days will pass on what they can to deserving causes but at least it is their choice not government controlled .Britain is one of the most generous country of people giving to all charities in need. Also if Royalty can claim qualifying grants for building refurbishment's etc: then there are few pensioners if any wealthier than them so where does one start to check means tests?
moray
4th Feb 2015
3
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I'm shocked royalty claim for buildings. State benefits are for the poor.
Issy
4th Feb 2015
3
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I presumed most people knew that even Royalty can claim grants towards building repairs etc ; although sad that not all ordinary home owners are aware that they also are entitled to certain grants
Westminster
29th Jan 2015
8
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Universal benefits are accepted, once benefits are reserved for one section of society or other, they become resented. Ceasing fringe benefits for better off pensioners will increase administration costs, and in the terms of public spending will not register. The free bus pass system is simply a subsidy for public transport providers, reducing the amount will see many rural bus services axed thus dis-advantaging the poor generally. As for the fuel allowance, if the fuel companies passed on the fall in energy prices it would not be necessary for any pensioner. The TV licence is iniquitous, and should be abolished anyway.
Now, to prescription charges, everyone should pay, there is enormous waste by this NHS gift to greedy pharmaceutical companies.
Chels45
29th Jan 2015
4
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I may be wrong, but I believe the definition of 'wealthy' for this purpose was 'receiving an annual income of c.£42K per annum'. I receive a good deal less than this, having taken early retirement to care for my (now sadly late) wife. At the moment my son is temporarily living with me rent free, and on my income I still don't feel the need for state benefits. There seems to be no way to give the winter fuel allowance back, so last Christmas I split it between relevant charities such as Age UK and SilverLine. I know everyone's circumstances are different, but if I can manage quite comfortably without benefits, surely someone receiving more than twice my total income can!
Archiebald
29th Jan 2015
7
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Yes they have paid their taxes why not? On the other hand if they don't need the money they should let it be used to help other people and I think many over 50s have this mindset.

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