BABY BOOMERS:
I don`t often stray into political territory, but it is hard to miss the strength of feeling generated by the Chancellor`s decision to axe the Winter Fuel Allowance and pay to Pension Credit holders only, missing out thousands of the baby booming age.
It is a surprising step to take as it is one of the first major decisions of the new administration.
Growth is certainly necessary for the country, and some ruthless pruning is required to try and improve the economy and public services, and it is agreed that many pensioners do not need the additional money which historically has been paid to everyone over 60.
However, there is a myth going around that pensioners are all gold plated, being the baby boomers of the fifties and sixties, and spend their retirement on holidays and enjoying the good life. Not only that, but possibly having inherited properties belonging to parents and grandparents, the value of which the original owners could only dream about.
The term baby boomers is perhaps a bit unfortunate, but it encapsulates those born in the post war period when the economy flourished, work was in abundance, standards of living had improved and opportunities with education and training became more accessible.
Individuals born in this time had the chance to follow a more ambitious route in life compared to that of their parents.
That said, there are many pensioners who did not work in a professional or high earning capacity, and did not inherit valuable property, so do not fit the description of wealthy baby boomers.
HOME MAKERS:
Indeed in the fifies and sixties many women chose to be home makers, and did not enter the work place, so were non earners.
As credit was not as freely available as in today`s society, money would be carefully budgeted and saved where possible for a "rainy day". Sacrifices were made to perhaps send a child to university or higher education, possibly for the first time within a family.
For those who worked, a National Insurance contribution was made towards what would become the state pension, and some larger employers took a wage linked contribution to provide a works pension.
For females who chose to look after the home, there were no benefits or contributions made, so a reduced state pension was all that was available. This is now topped up by Pension Credit.
Things have changed, and now everyone is urged to contribute to a pension scheme, either through work, privately or both. The majority of women now work outside the home, so a very different financial outlook for them.
BENEFITS:
Traditionally, accepting benefits tended to have a stigma attached. Many saw it as a result of not being able to work and accepting money from the state.
As time has passed, there are now many benefits for people who cannot work, have certain health issues and do not earn enough per week to equal the national average wage.
It is alongside this niche that the problem of withdrawing the Winter Fuel Allowance has hit the hardest.
Missing out on the threshold between qualifying and not qualifying for Pension Credit has created a financial loss of £200-300 for many so called baby boomers, and there seems no indication that a solution may be found.
It seems ironic that if it is felt that the minimum wage must be raised due to increase in cost of living, then surely the threshold for claiming Pension Credit should be raised accordingly?
It is sad that a generation who sacrificed much to improve prospects for their children, has produced off springs who seemingly take a rather dim view of people over sixty who are considered to be past their sell by date, but under the assumption that they are able to live comfortably off their so called baby boomer wealth.
It also answers the question as to why Social Care is being ignored once again. It speaks volumes.
What is wrong with these politicians? Do they not realize that they too will age and require certain services as they get older? Perhaps the Social Care system will be up and running by then and gold plated pensions will be the norm for everyone!
