Torbay weblog davecathy

Mar 17, 2006 at 16:56 o\clock

POOR OLD PENSIONERS

by: davecathy

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 
 

Comments for this entry:

  1. jamryn wrote at Mar 18, 2006 at 14:35 o\clock:Since Bush was intent on selling off our sea ports and our state Governor( from Indiana ) has just made a deal to sell ( he says rent) our toll road for the next 75 years to non Americans - do you think maybe someone there -would be willing to buy the whole country? That way we could get FREE medicine and a new car every 3 years. I\'m jelous
  2. insider2 wrote at Mar 24, 2006 at 18:46 o\clock:Sorry to hear about your asthma, but wouldn\'t it be better for your condition in the long term to provide you with free public transport nationwide rather than providing you with a car that produces more pollution and hence possibly exacerbates your respiratory problems?
  3. davecathy wrote at Mar 25, 2006 at 09:38 o\clock:As of this month, the govt. have decreed that local bus services are frre to all pensioners and disabled people, much to the disgust of the bus companies, and next year, we shall indeed be able to travel nationwide for free.

    Many disabled people would not even be able to get to the shops if it were not for their (free) car, and they have the chance of an electric or hybrid car if they so choose.

    I live at the top of a very steep hill, and wiithout a car, I would be in a bit of a pickle to get about, although I am OK on the flat, just can\'t do hills anymore.


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