POOR OLD PENSIONERS
Michael Thompson tells us that Britain has the fourth richest economy in the world, and that we pensioners should be receiving much larger pensions. He cites Holland by way of example, where according to him, pensioners receive 100% of the average national wage. If this were to happen in Britain, we would therefore be entitled to close on £500 per week per pensioner.
The facts are ever so slightly different. Britain has the fourth largest, not richest, economy in the world, and it is only slightly larger than the economy of the state of California. Dutch pensioners in fact receive 100% of the net minimum wage, which is very much lower. This would amount in Britain to about £200 per week less stoppages for tax, National Insurance, etc, and there is no Dutch equivalent to our Pensioner Credit.
I belong to a discusion group, all of us of pensionable age, and while discussing the subject last week somebody said that she thought means testing very reasonable and even necessary. Nobody disagreed with her.
It is not that we are all apathetic, Mr. Thompson, quite the opposite, but many of us oldies are fairly content with our lot, and I for one am better off now than when I was working, and of course, all my medical treatment and medicine iS completely free. Try telling that to the Americans.
As a 66 year old pensioner, I receive
An occupational pension of £163 per month
A govt. pension of £341 "
Pension credit of £51 "
Local govt. pays my rent £335 "
Local taxes rebate £80 "
Winter heating allowance £16 "
Total £986 (or 1700 dollars) per month tax free
Pensioners also get free bus travel and many other discounts
Additionally, because I have asthma, I get a new car every 3 years, which is totally free, insured, taxed, and serviced. All I pay is the petrol.
I reckon that is a good deal by anybody's standards, and it makes me proud to be British
